Lady Eagles still finding their way in the early season, embracing defensive culture in 6-1 start

Behind the Northside girls’ 6-1 start, their first in four years, is an improved defense that’s held opponents to 20 points or less three times so far.

In those games the Lady Eagles have outscored opponents 225-52. It’s not a prolific offense helping the scoring, either. They still move slowly, work the ball around and prioritize paint touches for Taylor Johnson and other bigs.

Instead their aggressive and zealous defense nets them transition opportunities and makes every basket difficult for the opposing team. Transition defense could use some work, but their rebounding (at least against Rutland) helps nullify that.

Head coach ChoRhonda Gwaltney-Harris has preached hard work and defense since she arrived last year, and she’s starting to see that culture seep in throughout the team.

“My older kids understand what I want and what I need. My freshmen, they’re having trouble with the times and not making them,” Gwaltney-Harris said. “My older kids from last year, they’re on it. They’re making their times and they’re trying to do what I ask them to do on a regular basis.”

Those underclassmen have gotten more on-court opportunities recently because of players missing for various reasons.

“I just got a few kids back from flag football, so they’ve been in and out all season,” Gwaltney-Harris said. “So I don’t have exactly a whole team. We had some punishments going on, some other stuff, so I don’t have a whole team exactly.”

Freshman center Ana’ja McClendon had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds on Saturday at Rutland in a 49-32 victory. Though she missed a lot of shots at the basket on Tuesday, she was still a rebounding force with Johnson off the floor or operating in the high post.

Another freshman Gwaltney-Harris mentioned was Kendall Smith, who finished with six points on Tuesday.

Her length and defensive effort made her stand out, even if she’s still figuring things out.

“I call her my baby giraffe, because she don’t have a clue what she can do. She gets her hands on a lot of stuff,” Gwaltney-Harris said of Smith. “My young kids are coming along and they’re playing better.”

Some upperclassmen have proven their enthusiasm for defense, like Jazmine Burgess who picked up the ball handler at half court plenty on Tuesday.

Another thing worth noting is Johnson being much more vocal on both ends of the floor. That was one of the things Gwaltney-Harris expected of her entering the season, and in her senior season the team goes as she goes.

“Taylor was not very good on Saturday, but she was good tonight. She was poised, she was under control, and that’s what I need from her,” Gwaltney-Harris said. “That’s why I told her, ‘When our leader plays well we play well.’ She was poised…she was under control and I think the rest of us followed [Tuesday].”