By By Matthew Nascone
The Northview High Schools Lady Chiefs had a rough opening two-game stretch to open their 2005-06 basketball campaign.
NHS first traveled to Escambia High School to square off with the Lady Blue Devils, who came away the victory, 57-15.
ECHS head coach Christy Nall said it was a good game, but there is always room for improvement.
"We have to take care of the basketball, be patient and run an offense," Nall said. "We are a good percentage team in the paint area if we can be patient things will open up."
The win was the first on the season for the Lady Blue Devils (1-1).
Nall was proud of the play of her players.
"I was impressed with the play of Anushka Banks, Courtney English and Ashley Kidd down low," Nall said. "All three of them played hard. We have to correct the cheap fouls and sloppy passes, but that is what practice is for."
Next the Chiefs hosted Escambia High School and dropped the game 56-22 after not scoring a point in the first quarter. NHS head coach Lorenzo Jones has stayed positive throughout the tough opening to the season.
"I was happy with how they came out in the second half and played hard," Jones said. "We are going to improve."
Jones said he has a few things to work on in practice, but he is confident his girls will catch on and start winning some games. After the opening season loss to the Lady Blue Devils Jones said he used the game to figure out a starting lineup for his team.
"I came into the game with one thing in mind, to look at my girls and how they play and make my final selection for my varsity starters," Jones said.
Jones said before the season started that he has a young team and they are learning the game of basketball as well as he can teach them. The team consists of one senior, two juniors, four sophomores and 13 freshmen. The team returns three starters from last year's team. Jones is confident the number of girls on the team will be an advantage as experience sets in.
"Our problem in the past is we didn't have the numbers and we didn't have the desire to work hard," Jones said. "This year I have more athletes who are dedicated to the program. I have a number of young ladies who are going to do a good job this year."
Jones said he wants to turn the girl's basketball program around at NHS.
"Here at Northview they just haven't been able to win in the girl's program because they have different coaches come in and out," Jones said. "The most games Northview girl's basketball has ever won are seven. Our first goal is to at least come in as runner-up in the district and our second goal is to win eight or more games this year."
Jones said by having a freshman team there is a lot the team will be able to build upon in the future.
"We will move our goal for wins higher and higher each year," Jones said. "We are a young program that is improving every week. I have more girls interested to stay on the team this year than ever before. I tell them if you stick with me, we will win."
Jones said he understands that it is not all about the scoreboard.
"You don't win on the scoreboard, you win hustling, he said.
The NHS JV team lost both games played as well. The JV Lady Blue Devils beat NHS 38-28 and the JV Lady Chiefs lost to Escambia 14-5.