Glenville-Emmons coach aims for wins to increase as other stats rise

GLENVILLE — A change in expectations from last season to this season is keeping games comparatively competitive for the Glenville-Emmons girls’ basketball team.

“The morale is very good,” said Wolverines coach Lisa Ziebell after a 59-35 loss Monday against LeRoy-Ostrander at Glenville. “They know they’re right on the edge. Instead of playing not to lose, they’re playing to win.”

Compared to last season, Glenville-Emmons showed gains on both ends of the court.

Last year, through 21 games the Wolverines averaged 23.2 points and gave up 62.3. The team was held to less than 30 points 17 times, and its average loss was by 39.1 points.

This year, through 17 games Glenville-Emmons is averaging 33.9 points and eclipsed last season’s scoring total by 90 points. The spread of last year’s losses became smaller by 14.4 points per game, and the Wolverines have only been held to fewer than 30 points five times.

Glenville-Emmons (1-16, 0-14 Southeast) snapped its 50-game losing streak on Jan. 16, but the team has a mountain of work to do to get back to its 16-8 record and first-place conference finish four seasons ago.

The matchup against LeRoy-Ostrander was a microcosm of its season so far: the Wolverines’ scoring total was 1.1 points less than its average, and the Cardinals’ scoring total was 0.4 points less than Glenville-Emmons’ opponent’s average.

Through the first five minutes, the Wolverines led 6-3 on 3-pointers by Payton Cech and Madi Ziebell. However, the team went on a 10-minute scoring drought until Mady Wangen hit a jumper from the left elbow to snap a 13-0 Cardinals run.

Two minutes before halftime, Cech hit another 3-pointer. But those were the only baskets the Wolverines mustered in the opening 18 minutes. At halftime, Glenville-Emmons made four total field goals, no free throws and trailed 26-11.

In the second half, the Wolverines more than doubled their first-half scoring production with 24 points.

“We started coming around by sticking to the gameplan and trying to work it inside,” coach Ziebell said.

Cech led Glenville-Emmons with 13 points. Mady Wangen had nine points and six rebounds. Ziebell added seven points and six boards. Rachel Hagen grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

Next, the Wolverines will play at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at Lanesboro (8-12, 8-7 Southeast). Lanesboro defeated Glenville-Emmons 62-40 on Dec. 22, 2014.

 

Slight strides 

Glenville-Emmons girls’ basketball stat comparison

Year: 2014-15

Record: 1-16, 0-14 Southeast

Points scored: 577
(33.9 per game)

Points given up: 996
(58.6 per game)

Average: loss by 24.7 points

Held under 30 points: 5 times

 

Year: 2013-14

Record: 0-21, 0-18 Southeast

Points scored: 487
(23.2 points per game)

Points given up: 1,309
(62.3 per game)

Average: loss by 39.1 points

Held under 30 points: 17 times