Post by nomar33 on Mar 8, 2023 13:05:37 GMT -5
Well that day has arrived – The Erin Doughty era has begun.
She has her work cut out for her. Offseason is here after what must be considered a disappointing season. The cupboard is not bare, but it isn’t overflowing either.
What needs to happen? Well, a lot actually, lots of moving pieces, lots of tough decisions, and many changes.
Let’s start with the:
STAFF
Seeing what Erin does with staff will be telling and important. Brain was extremely loyal to them to a fault. Her decisions will help shape direction moving forward.
IMO – none of the current staff can move up to the Associate HC position but Erin needs one.
1) FIND HER GEBBIA – now that is easier said then done. But she needs an experienced right-hand person, who can help her think outside the Marist box, can help expand the recruiting footprint.
2) It is hard to tell who on current staff is a true talent finder and evaluator, I personally think that is missing.
3) Maggie Gallagher – Erin might be tempted to promote her but that would not be right move. Maggie has been an Assistant for 8 years now at D1 level and knows Marist. She is someone the players can relate to and go to – that is extremely important. But what is her skill set when it comes to recruiting? I do not know.
4) Kiah Gillespie – her first endeavor into coaching, did she like it, will she want to stay? Her experience playing in ACC at high level gives her a skill set of being able to coach kids on the court, worth with post players, but again is she a skilled recruiter? Has she ever really recruited before? (Looking at her resume I don’t know where) Now that doesn’t mean she can’t be good at it, but the experience is not there.
5) Keylantra Langley – coach wanted her out of HS but St. John’s got her, again a very young and unexperienced coach, this was her first time coaching at D1 level and again where is her recruiting experience.
It has been mentioned on the board that the recruiting and talent evaluation has taken a dip in recent years – so obviously this is an area Erin needs to focus on moving forward.
ROSTER
This is where things are going to get tough, and hard. Does Erin go the way of Siena coach and make the tough calls with some players? Or do we just keep our standards of “we do not pull scholarships”? Both have drawbacks – of course this can be mitigated with a full allotment of scholarships
I will say this about this year’s team, (this came from players and some of their parents) there was not the drama of last year, they didn’t get down on each other, they didn’t point fingers, and they didn’t have that negative attitude that we saw last year.
I don’t see anyone that might look to transfer – again no idea what goes through these kids minds now a days. Is losing enough to make someone want to leave?
I do not see Erin offering any of the graduating seniors the covid year to stay at Marist – and quite frankly that would be a big mistake – need to move program forward
If my math is correct, we have used 11 of 13 scholarships for 23-24 so 2 open (maybe a long shot that Erin would be granted that 14th for right player)
I do not see us bringing in another HS player at this time – too late in process to get a real talent, the exception being someone who de-commits from somewhere for one reason or another.
So, transfer portal it is – under new rules the portal window for announcing is March 13-May 11 that is when we will see if we will lose people and who might be available.
CURRENT PLAYERS
(#) = years of eligibility left at start of season
Sr. Zaria Shazer – 6’1” F (2) – ALL-MAAC 2nd Team
• There is no denying that Zaria is one of the top 2 skilled players on the team, but she doesn’t run the motion. It is hard to argue production averaging 16.0 ppg. and 7 rpg and improving FT % by .100 to get to .761. But too many times she forces shots up rather than looking for a teammate.
• This is one of Erin’s biggest obstacles next year, the offense will not succeed if 3 kids are running motion and 2 aren’t. She needs to get everyone on same page. One of the main reasons I think some freshman struggled early is they couldn’t run offense because when they went to make a cut there was Zaria still hanging in the paint looking for ball. Something needs to give.
Sr. Kiara Fisher – 5’7” PG (2) – ALL-MAAC 2nd Team
• Get her fully healthy, the shoulder has given her pain most of season – would love to see a pain free season for her. Her FG% was .401 and was .330 from 3PT (not great but not bad, again considering shoulder), and .800 from 3PT land, averaged 13.8 ppg and 3.8 apg. She is a extremely good PG – especially for MAAC – but her first and second look coming down court is always to Zaria. Success next year is going to come when we get 5 players pushing 10 ppg not 2.
* This might be a bit premature but would be a little surprised if both didn’t use COVID year elsewhere – and I am ok with that – you get that Marist degree then you have earned right to do whatever you want with bonus year.
Grad – Maeve Donnelly 6’5” C (2) –
• I also believe still has 2 years of eligibility left – the math on her injuries and covid year is a bit confusing but think I am right. So, does she stay? I can’t imagine she wants to go to a 4th school, but does injury make her say enough is enough? This is a player I hope stays, hope can get healthy but would also understand the “enough is enough” decision
• When she played, she was fantastic on defense, she caused havoc for other teams in the paint, if she holds on to ball better, she is 7ppg player vs 4.4 ppg. Again, not a lot of good 6’5” players in the MAAC.
Sr. Erin Fox 6’1” F (2) –
• Always hoped she’d just click, that something would go right for her. Will anything change going into senior year? I want to say she will be a late bloomer; I want to say that her time is now. Her minutes significantly dropped Jr year – BUT with Bailey gone and Maeve injured there isn’t another true center in current roster.
Jr. Katie Cunningham 5’11” F (2) –
• I am 90% sure the covid free year does not apply to her class. A couple of weeks ago my thought process of what she can bring to this team was very different BUT once she was given real minutes last four games of year, she averaged 8.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, a .363 FG%, 100% 3 PT 100% FT. She deals with back pain but sure looked like she is ready for next step. I am now looking at Cunningham as being a big part of the change for next year.
Jr. – McKenna Rife 6’3” C (2)
• Reality is she is a bench player, have not seen anything that would change that. If she is looking for real PT she might transfer, if she loves Marist and wants to get the free degree she stays
So – Jackie Piddock 5’8” G (3)
• Yes, she had the freshman growing pains, step slow – that can be fixed, when you look at the Championship years the # of freshman who struggled that went on to be ALL-MAAC players were numerous. Confidence that is all that is missing – you don’t become an all-time leading scorer in any level of basketball without knowing how to put the ball in the basket. Her .278 from 3 would have been 2nd on the team a year ago, that will improve. Again, it’s going to take players a year coming from HS three-point line to college to get comfortable. Many coaches I spoke to last year and people who run show cases all said same thing – Piddock was a steal for Marist – so I am still excited for her future.
So. – Morgan Tompkins 5’11” G (3)
• Good size for MAAC guard, quick, and athletic. You watched her get more and more comfortable with the college game as the year went on. In the 5 games she got 20+ min of PT she shot .451 FG% (14-31), .571 3PT% (4-7), 100% from FT line (13-13) and averaged 9.0 ppg – she is going to be ready and a factor next year.
So. – Ciara Croker 6’0” PF (3)
• Not enough data yet – when she did get minutes, she played hard and well, was just a true freshman this year. You saw brief glimpses from time to time but that is about it. She has that year under her belt so next year will be more telling.
Fr. - Julia Corsentino 5’9” SG (4)
• On paper she is what we are looking for a sharpshooter from 3 - All Time Three Point Shooter with 235 career 3’s. McDonald’s All-American nominee. Does this mean she is going to be averaging 10 ppg from get go – NO – she will need time to adapt. BUT if she can make the three there will be plenty of playing time for her – we do not have a true 3-point threat on roster right this minute.
Fr. – Kate Robbins 6’2” PF/C (4)
• Again, looks like she fits a need on paper - Senior forward Kate Robbins is a Marist recruit who is considered one of the top post players in the WPIAL, and she has also added a reliable 3-point shot to her arsenal this year.
We can’t count on freshman to be the “saviors” just added pieces. The transfer portal is going to be big for Marist, also do we start looking overseas again? Many other MAAC schools have found some strong players – heck POY and ROY are from Europe.
She has her work cut out for her. Offseason is here after what must be considered a disappointing season. The cupboard is not bare, but it isn’t overflowing either.
What needs to happen? Well, a lot actually, lots of moving pieces, lots of tough decisions, and many changes.
Let’s start with the:
STAFF
Seeing what Erin does with staff will be telling and important. Brain was extremely loyal to them to a fault. Her decisions will help shape direction moving forward.
IMO – none of the current staff can move up to the Associate HC position but Erin needs one.
1) FIND HER GEBBIA – now that is easier said then done. But she needs an experienced right-hand person, who can help her think outside the Marist box, can help expand the recruiting footprint.
2) It is hard to tell who on current staff is a true talent finder and evaluator, I personally think that is missing.
3) Maggie Gallagher – Erin might be tempted to promote her but that would not be right move. Maggie has been an Assistant for 8 years now at D1 level and knows Marist. She is someone the players can relate to and go to – that is extremely important. But what is her skill set when it comes to recruiting? I do not know.
4) Kiah Gillespie – her first endeavor into coaching, did she like it, will she want to stay? Her experience playing in ACC at high level gives her a skill set of being able to coach kids on the court, worth with post players, but again is she a skilled recruiter? Has she ever really recruited before? (Looking at her resume I don’t know where) Now that doesn’t mean she can’t be good at it, but the experience is not there.
5) Keylantra Langley – coach wanted her out of HS but St. John’s got her, again a very young and unexperienced coach, this was her first time coaching at D1 level and again where is her recruiting experience.
It has been mentioned on the board that the recruiting and talent evaluation has taken a dip in recent years – so obviously this is an area Erin needs to focus on moving forward.
ROSTER
This is where things are going to get tough, and hard. Does Erin go the way of Siena coach and make the tough calls with some players? Or do we just keep our standards of “we do not pull scholarships”? Both have drawbacks – of course this can be mitigated with a full allotment of scholarships
I will say this about this year’s team, (this came from players and some of their parents) there was not the drama of last year, they didn’t get down on each other, they didn’t point fingers, and they didn’t have that negative attitude that we saw last year.
I don’t see anyone that might look to transfer – again no idea what goes through these kids minds now a days. Is losing enough to make someone want to leave?
I do not see Erin offering any of the graduating seniors the covid year to stay at Marist – and quite frankly that would be a big mistake – need to move program forward
If my math is correct, we have used 11 of 13 scholarships for 23-24 so 2 open (maybe a long shot that Erin would be granted that 14th for right player)
I do not see us bringing in another HS player at this time – too late in process to get a real talent, the exception being someone who de-commits from somewhere for one reason or another.
So, transfer portal it is – under new rules the portal window for announcing is March 13-May 11 that is when we will see if we will lose people and who might be available.
CURRENT PLAYERS
(#) = years of eligibility left at start of season
Sr. Zaria Shazer – 6’1” F (2) – ALL-MAAC 2nd Team
• There is no denying that Zaria is one of the top 2 skilled players on the team, but she doesn’t run the motion. It is hard to argue production averaging 16.0 ppg. and 7 rpg and improving FT % by .100 to get to .761. But too many times she forces shots up rather than looking for a teammate.
• This is one of Erin’s biggest obstacles next year, the offense will not succeed if 3 kids are running motion and 2 aren’t. She needs to get everyone on same page. One of the main reasons I think some freshman struggled early is they couldn’t run offense because when they went to make a cut there was Zaria still hanging in the paint looking for ball. Something needs to give.
Sr. Kiara Fisher – 5’7” PG (2) – ALL-MAAC 2nd Team
• Get her fully healthy, the shoulder has given her pain most of season – would love to see a pain free season for her. Her FG% was .401 and was .330 from 3PT (not great but not bad, again considering shoulder), and .800 from 3PT land, averaged 13.8 ppg and 3.8 apg. She is a extremely good PG – especially for MAAC – but her first and second look coming down court is always to Zaria. Success next year is going to come when we get 5 players pushing 10 ppg not 2.
* This might be a bit premature but would be a little surprised if both didn’t use COVID year elsewhere – and I am ok with that – you get that Marist degree then you have earned right to do whatever you want with bonus year.
Grad – Maeve Donnelly 6’5” C (2) –
• I also believe still has 2 years of eligibility left – the math on her injuries and covid year is a bit confusing but think I am right. So, does she stay? I can’t imagine she wants to go to a 4th school, but does injury make her say enough is enough? This is a player I hope stays, hope can get healthy but would also understand the “enough is enough” decision
• When she played, she was fantastic on defense, she caused havoc for other teams in the paint, if she holds on to ball better, she is 7ppg player vs 4.4 ppg. Again, not a lot of good 6’5” players in the MAAC.
Sr. Erin Fox 6’1” F (2) –
• Always hoped she’d just click, that something would go right for her. Will anything change going into senior year? I want to say she will be a late bloomer; I want to say that her time is now. Her minutes significantly dropped Jr year – BUT with Bailey gone and Maeve injured there isn’t another true center in current roster.
Jr. Katie Cunningham 5’11” F (2) –
• I am 90% sure the covid free year does not apply to her class. A couple of weeks ago my thought process of what she can bring to this team was very different BUT once she was given real minutes last four games of year, she averaged 8.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, a .363 FG%, 100% 3 PT 100% FT. She deals with back pain but sure looked like she is ready for next step. I am now looking at Cunningham as being a big part of the change for next year.
Jr. – McKenna Rife 6’3” C (2)
• Reality is she is a bench player, have not seen anything that would change that. If she is looking for real PT she might transfer, if she loves Marist and wants to get the free degree she stays
So – Jackie Piddock 5’8” G (3)
• Yes, she had the freshman growing pains, step slow – that can be fixed, when you look at the Championship years the # of freshman who struggled that went on to be ALL-MAAC players were numerous. Confidence that is all that is missing – you don’t become an all-time leading scorer in any level of basketball without knowing how to put the ball in the basket. Her .278 from 3 would have been 2nd on the team a year ago, that will improve. Again, it’s going to take players a year coming from HS three-point line to college to get comfortable. Many coaches I spoke to last year and people who run show cases all said same thing – Piddock was a steal for Marist – so I am still excited for her future.
So. – Morgan Tompkins 5’11” G (3)
• Good size for MAAC guard, quick, and athletic. You watched her get more and more comfortable with the college game as the year went on. In the 5 games she got 20+ min of PT she shot .451 FG% (14-31), .571 3PT% (4-7), 100% from FT line (13-13) and averaged 9.0 ppg – she is going to be ready and a factor next year.
So. – Ciara Croker 6’0” PF (3)
• Not enough data yet – when she did get minutes, she played hard and well, was just a true freshman this year. You saw brief glimpses from time to time but that is about it. She has that year under her belt so next year will be more telling.
Fr. - Julia Corsentino 5’9” SG (4)
• On paper she is what we are looking for a sharpshooter from 3 - All Time Three Point Shooter with 235 career 3’s. McDonald’s All-American nominee. Does this mean she is going to be averaging 10 ppg from get go – NO – she will need time to adapt. BUT if she can make the three there will be plenty of playing time for her – we do not have a true 3-point threat on roster right this minute.
Fr. – Kate Robbins 6’2” PF/C (4)
• Again, looks like she fits a need on paper - Senior forward Kate Robbins is a Marist recruit who is considered one of the top post players in the WPIAL, and she has also added a reliable 3-point shot to her arsenal this year.
We can’t count on freshman to be the “saviors” just added pieces. The transfer portal is going to be big for Marist, also do we start looking overseas again? Many other MAAC schools have found some strong players – heck POY and ROY are from Europe.