Let me start off by saying sorry to the Lady Reddies for not being able to make it to their game against Harding. I had some school stuff to take care of; you know fun stuff like homework and studying. From what I’ve heard it was a hard fought game with the referee making some questionable calls that would cause the Lady Reddies to lose 68-67. It always sucks when the referees take the game away from the players, by calling fouls that uncertain. I hate blaming the refs for the reason a team lost, but sometimes it happens, they’re human. That’s why I say just let the players play, give them the chance to win or lose the game. For more on the Lady Reddies game read this article written by Josh Briggs. Now I was able to make it down before the start of the boys game, so let me tell you about it.
It was slippery both inside and outside last Thursday night as the Henderson Reddies played the Harding Bison. The Reddies let the game slip away as they were leading at half time, for the third straight time. Both teams were playing great in the first half, or at least on the offensive side. With both teams shooting 60 percent from the field that means either the two teams are great offensively or they’re not good defensively. I’m going with the second one. At half-time the score was 45-38 Reddies lead. The Reddies leading going into half-time is not uncommon, but the Reddies winning a GSC game this season now that’s unheard of. The Reddies are 7-14 overall this season and 0-8 in Gulf South Conference (GSC) play.
So what happen to the Reddies?
Answer: Zone Defense
After the Reddies came out in the first half and killing Harding with their transition game and also scoring in the paint with Lance Smith. Harding decided to go with a 2-3 zone defense. For those of you who don’t know what that looks like, here is a diagram.
A 2-3 zone made it harder for Lance Smith to score inside because the defense collapses on him. This is a good defense, but like everything there are ways to beat it, unfortunately, the Reddies couldn’t do it. Check out this site on how to beat a 2-3 zone defense.
Like I said in my last post the Reddies have to get some motion in their offense. This is especially crucial when playing against a zone. The players without the ball should be cutting or trying to get open at all times on offense. Then once you’re open you have to hit your shots.
One thing that I saw the Reddies attempting to do multiple times during the game, which works only a few times, was to lob the ball over the defensive player to Lance Smith. The problem with this was, I and probably everyone else including the people who know nothing about basketball could see this pass coming. Everyone knew that the Reddies were about to try and lob it to Lance Smith, so what happened when they did, well the help side defender would move over and set the charge. Smith had two charging fouls called on him. He would eventually foul out with 4:13 left to play in the game. Now the lob pass did work sometimes, and it also got the Reddies to the free-throw line. The problem was the Reddies were 8-16 for the line. 50 percent for the line is not going to cut it.
Here is something the Reddies could do with Lance Smith, since Smith is an athletic player they should give him a chance to face up to the basket and make a move. Letting get it at the free-throw line and either score or fine the open man for the shot. Maybe try some pick and rolls.
Once Smith fouled out it was like someone just let the air out of Henderson’s balloon. They couldn’t make anything, and the Bison finished the game out scoring the Reddies 10 to 2. The final score was 80-66. The Reddies have a break right now before they play their next GSC opponent Arkansas Tech on Thursday Feb. 11.
To all the Henderson students out there, the Lady Reddies and Reddies will need your support against Arkansas Tech, so come to BOTH games and show your support.
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