(Tucson; AZ)
Bill McCulloch
The anticipation was there for Coach Adia Barnes, her Staff and the 2107-18 Arizona Wildcats. Would they get off on the right foot and make it 2-0 in season openers under Barnes?
The nerves were obvious for this very young team of Cats as they came out a little flat in the opening period only shooting 4-12 from the field.
Playing against an Iona team that was small in stature as well, the Gaels didn’t do much better going 5-12.
With the first quarter out of the way, the ladies found somewhat of a flow as Kat Wright found her stroke from the three point line going 2-3 in the first half, but the team would only shoot 33% from the field.
The Gaels out rebounded Arizona which caused some concern for the coaching staff inasmuch as Iona was not a taller team.
In coach Barnes post game press conference, she explained later, in conference play the PAC-12 teams are much taller and stronger on the boards. Something to work on in these non conference games.
Still, Arizona managed to forge a ten point lead 30-20 going into halftime with Senior Kat Wright leading the way with nine points.
Freshman Marlee Kyles showed aggressiveness on the boards with five rebounds despite being the shortest player on the team.
In the third quarter, the coaching staff had instructed the players at halftime to ratchet up their defense and it showed as the Cats held Iona to 4-11 shooting and not giving them many good looks from the field.
The Wildcats offense getting better every quarter shot over 63% in the third quarter as Senior JaLea Bennett along with Kyles got into their rhythm as Iona was out scored 23-13 giving Arizona a twenty point lead heading to the fourth quarter.
Needing to get back into the game, the Gaels turned up their own defense by deploying a three quarter court press. Coach Barnes new it was coming, but was surprised they hadn’t shown it until now.
During the week in practice, Arizona coaches worked and worked with the players on breaking the press, but according to Barnes, “it didn’t go very well.”
Time and again, Zona successfully went over the top of the Gaels press to get easy baskets at their end much to the delight of Barnes and the other coaches.
Pieces of the puzzle seem to be falling into place, but with such a young team there are still hurdles to overcome.
As the fourth quarter began, Arizona seem to relax on defense, not moving their feet, not being aggressive on the glass and it showed. Iona pushed back and cut the Cats to single digits before the Wildcats regrouped after a time out and the clock being on their side came away with a 71-58 win.
Positive signs for the first game of the year, and other challenges that will be worked on as the season progresses. This young team full of freshman will take some lumps along the way, but will also develop into their potential that brought them here to Tucson.
