Undefeated Northwest girls head to Marshall Friday night for I-8 clash
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson – Tuesday night was supposed to be the final prep, one more study session before the season’s biggest exam yet.
Mother Nature had other ideas, so now the Northwest girls basketball team can focus solely on Friday night’s road game at Marshall, and, as coach Ryan Carroll put it, the team’s “first, real big test on the road.”
“It’s certainly big for the obvious reasons, when you look at the conference standings,” Carroll added. “But it’s also a chance for us to go on the road and see what we’re made of.”
Northwest was scheduled to play Charlotte Tuesday night before the game was postponed.
The Mounties, 6-0 on the year, travel to play at Marshall (7-1) Friday at 6 p.m.
The game’s winner takes over first place in the Interstate 8 conference.
“I think it starts with the coaching, and Sal (Konkle) does a great job,” Carroll said when asked what makes Marshall so strong. “They are always one of the most well-coached teams we play every single year. They will be prepared. They scout well, and they execute. They also have some very good players, girls that can shoot and score. They try to play harder and smarter then their opponent.”
Marshall won both meetings last winter, and eliminated Northwest from the postseason in 2012.
“We have to play harder, smarter and faster than they do,” Carroll said. “If we can execute on both ends of the floor, we’re going to be in good shape.”
Carroll said his team is playing very confidently right now, evident enough by its perfect record.
Lexie Khon continues to be the anchor of the group, averaging roughly 12.5 points per game and 10 rebounds.
“But we’ve also had some other girls really step up,” Carroll added.
Freshman guard Sydney Shafer poured in 14 points in the team’s win 65-39 victory against Coldwater.
Still, Northwest has yet to see a team of Marshall’s overall skill and depth. The Redhawks can attack the bucket, but also have some girls who can shoot from the outside.
In their most recent game, a 56-24 victory at Lumen Christi, 10 different players scored as the Redhawks turned a 9-4 first quarter lead into a 23-12 advantage by halftime, and then allowed the Titans just two points the entire third frame.
Marshall, which is riding a seven game winning streak, by the way, is allowing just 31.3 points per game
“We know we have to play well, and we know how well they play well at home,” Carroll said. “But we’re confident in where we’re at as a team, and we expect to win every time we hit the floor. We’re not a team afraid to be confident. The girls understand what it takes to compete at this level, and they are going to bring it Friday night.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.