THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 2, 1996 TAG: 9601310127
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
BETTER LATE THAN never. That's how Western Branch girls basketball player Brandi Woodard describes her team's penchant for the fourth quarter.
The Bruins, Woodard says, are sometimes a little slow getting started but usually manage to pull off a win just in the knick of time.
``We don't get pumped up until the last minute,'' said Woodard, a senior guard who's leading Western Branch in points (11.1), rebounds (9.5), steals (4.5) and assists (2.1). ``We don't know what it is. We just manage to get pumped up before it's too late.''
With only five games left in the regular season, Woodard and her teammates are hoping it's not too late to complete their 180-degree turnaround after last year's 5-9 league finish. Through Tuesday, Western Branch was 10-3 overall, 7-2 in the league and is ranked No. 6 in South Hampton Roads.
``We're more determined and hard working,'' Woodard said. ``We're going to take games step by step and get pumped up for the tournament. Our goal is to win it.''
That goal was something that the Bruins, most of whom play on the traditionally strong volleyball and softball teams, thought would never happen on the basketball court.
But with a new coach, a new offense and a new attitude, Woodard says anything is possible.
Coach Kim Aston, who assisted under Jackie Tyndall last season and coached the J.V. team to a 14-3 finish, agreed.
``Last year, they didn't play as a team,'' Aston said. ``I tried to give them structure. I started kids who were doing what I told them to do.
``It's taken a long time, but we're still not fully there. The kids are just doing what it takes to win.''
Aston, who's grown accustomed to winning after playing at Tidewater Conference power Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and Old Dominion, said that her team has been taken back by its success so far.
``They're all good athletes and are competitive,'' Aston said. ``They've won a lot of games (in other sports) and want to win. But their main emphasis hasn't been on basketball.''
With a balanced offensive attack - starters Lindsay Forehand and Ciara Lascano are both averaging nine points a game and Millette Green is contributing 7.6 - the only thing the Bruins are lacking is confidence.
``It's just been an adjustment for the team,'' Aston said. ``It took them awhile to believe in what I was telling them to do. Last year, they played run and gun street ball. Now they understand the importance of a set offense and playing together.''
``They're not used to being out on top. They're used to being the underdog. But it's getting to the point in the season where it's now or never.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Courtney Hundley passes off after driving towared Brandi Woodard and
Ciara Lascano of Western Branch.
by CNB