Article By: Brian SmileyOne game the Assumption College Lions are up, the next they may be down.
But senior girls basketball coach Rick Baldin is sure they're going to see more up days in the future.
"We played North Park and we were 16-2 in fouls, it didn't help," said Baldin, whose Lions were 2-2 heading into a game Thursday against St. John's College at 5:30 p.m.
"Three of our girls who usually start, weren't playing.
"The next game we're playing BCI, we don't play the whole game and we lost in the last 10 seconds."
The problem with Assumption isn't skill because its roster has tons of talent. The trouble is that the Lions need experience, particularly at the senior level.
With 20 players trying out, Baldin selected 12 to play for the team this season. Of those 12, not many played in the league a year ago.
"I've got a good young group," said the coach.
"We only have four people back from last year. Only two (Rikayla Baldin and Sarah Harris) were starters last year."
Baldin, who plays point guard, and Harris, who plays post, are joined by returnees Nicole Shea and Alex Aquino. After that, there's no senior experience.
"This is going to be a growing year for us," said Baldin. "We have a Grade 9 with us, Lauren Snider, who is a very good ball player. Then we have Rikayla and Chelsey Murray, they're in Grade 10. Then we have four of the girls in Grade 11 and then we have our senior group, three Grade 12s."
So far this season, it's been up and down for the Lions. Assumption scored wins against Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Paris District High School and suffered losses to NPC and BCI.
The team will have to use its strengths to get better in the second half of the season.
"We've got a fast young team," said Baldin, who is also happy to have former SJC and Brock University star Jessica Del Signore helping him coach this season.
"Defensively, it's a strong group. We're a quick transition team but we lack experience."
The Lions will get some great game action on Thursday night when they face the Green Eagles.
Assumption lost to SJC in the Brant County final a year ago and now it will be able to measure itself once again against the league's top team.
"I think they have a lot more experienced players than us," Baldin said when comparing the two teams. "Can we match up with those guys? I think if we play our game we can but they're definitely the favourites in the league.
"BCI, North Park and us are going to be very tough. I think St. John's just has that edge in experience."
The Lions, who don't have height, could return all 12 players next year. With a great junior group getting ready to come up, that would make ACS a force.
However, the focus is on this season. As the only school classified to participate in the Central Western Ontario Secondary Schools Association AAAA championships (based on school population), ACS will be looking to get better each game on its way to that tournament.
"We have to grow from each game because we'll be representing our area for Quad-A CWOSSA," said Baldin, adding that the Lions will have to play a qualifier against a school from Guelph.
Retrieved From: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2013/10/02/lions-experience-gap
