by Malcolm Butler
I’ve seen my fair share of Lady Techster basketball over the years.
Starting with the old days at Memorial Gym to being a season ticket holder (at age 13) when the Thomas Assembly Center opened to broadcasting in excess of 700 of them in more than two decades behind the radio mic.
So I feel like a bit of a resident expert when I say this year’s team is pretty dang legit.
Folks, if you haven’t been to a Louisiana Tech Lady Techster game this year, Saturday is your chance when they host Jacksonville State. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center.
Be there.
If you like solid, up-tempo, in-your-face basketball, then expect to be entertained.
With it’s 30-point win over Kennesaw State last night — the poor Owls didn’t know what hit them — Louisiana Tech has won seven straight games and sits alone in first place in the Conference USA standings.
Head coach Brooke Stoehr and Co. are rolling. Why?
Because they are good. Flat out.
Tech possesses four point guards. Yes, four. Lexi Weaver, Jianna Morris, Joy Madison-Key, and Paris Bradley could start at point guard for pretty much any team in Conference USA.
They are the reason that Tech ranks No. 1 in Conference USA in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio. This team loves to share the ball, almost to a fault at times. Tech is averaging almost 18 assists per game … the second closest team in CUSA is three assists per game behind.
Bradley, Morris, and Weaver provide a three-headed threat from the three-point line. These ladies can flat out shoot it. Morris, who has made at least one three-pointer in 25 straight games, is a sharp shooter who ranks No. 2 in CUSA in three-pointers made per game and three-point field goal percentage. The trio has combined to hit 121 threes this season.
Stoehr also has the luxury of an inside group that is versatile and interchangeable. Jordan Marshall, Averi Aaron, Isla Airey, Kaleigh Thompson, and Hillary Dawson all possess skillsets that have similarities and variances that complement one another. Marshall and Aaron are the bruisers inside. Thompson is a highly versatile addition that can also play the three and who is a tough match-up for opponents.
Airey’s 6-foot-4 frame gives Tech a legitimate shot blocker who also has nice footwork and a sweet little baby hook. Dawson is a true freshman who has shown flashes of a very bright future.
This group ranks No. 1 in CUSA in scoring, scoring margin, field goal percentage, and assists and top three in three-point field goal percentage, three-pointers made, offensive rebounds, and rebounding margin.
All of those are offensive numbers for the most part.
What is scary (for CUSA opponents) is as good as Tech is offensively, this group seems to have found its footing on the defensive end too.
In league-only games, Tech ranks No. 2 in scoring defense (57.0). Five of its eight CUSA opponents have failed to score 60 points.
Bottom line is this team plays the game the right way. And they have a great time doing it with one another. I’m pretty sure this group ranks No. 1 in smiles per game on the court and on the bench. They pull for one another.
Brooke Stoehr has had some good teams at Tech. This is her best. It’s her deepest. It’s her most versatile. It’s her most talented from top to bottom.
And if you haven’t seen them play, you are missing out.
Definitely worth the price of admission. And they will put a smile on your face too.
