After a losing season last year, the Elizabeth girls basketball team is ready to face the competition this year, using its speed to its advantage.
Eric Hawkins is the coach for the team for the second year in a row. He has a fairly young team this season, with five seniors, one junior, four sophomores and one freshman. With league play starting after the New Year, the team’s record is 4-4. Hawkins said the girls will face tough teams such as Conifer, Centaurus and D’Evelyn. But the Cardinals will also go against some weaker teams and teams in the middle of the pack.
Hawkins said the team’s main problem is taking care of the ball. He said this team is better that last year’s team, but the number of turnovers in each game needs to decrease.
“We don’t do the little things and we need to work on making smart decisions, but we are getting better,” he said.
Hawkins said the improvement will come mostly from playing experience, which a lot of the players have not had. The team needs more game experience to work on making the needed adjustments to reduce turnovers.
“The further along we get, the team will get used to the court speed and be able to hit the pass at full speed,” he said.
One aspect of the game the Cardinals undoubtedly possess is a positive attitude. Hawkins is proud to say the overall attitude on the team is really good and even though the team has not been perfect so far, the girls are willing to learn and work hard to develop their skills individually and as a team.
“We have areas we need to get better at, but it makes it a lot easier when they are willing to work,” he said.
This season has already been better than last season, and Hawkins’ goal is to have 10-12 victories, and once the team makes it in that area, a playoff berth is within close reach. Even though it would be great to have a winning record, Hawkins said he tries to focus on more detailed aspects of the game, not just the scoreboard. He looks at what the team is doing, and what the team can do better for the next game.
“We will have some rough points during the season and see a bump or two and hopefully with hard work, the bumps will get smaller and smaller,” he said.
Cardinal results
Lyons 8 8 13 16 – 45
Elizabeth 10 13 7 16 – 46
E – Nelson 8 1-2 17, Morgan 1 0-0 2, Christiansen 2 2-4 6, Chuven 2 0-1 4, Mason 1 0-2 2, Poole L 2 0-2 4, Hawkins 3 4-5 11, Totals 19 7-16 46; three-point goals –E, Hawkins. Fouled out – E, Christiansen. Rebounds – E, Nelson 12, Christiansen 10. Assists – E, Hawkins 4. Blocks – E, Nelson 3. Steals – E, Chuven 8
Prairie View 6 12 14 10 – 42
Elizabeth 15 13 19 12 – 59
E – Nelson 5 2-7 12, Christiansen 4 2-2 10, Chuven 2 0-0 4, Mason 1 3-6 5, Poole L 1 1-2 3, Hawkins 5 11-11 25, Totals 18 19-28 59; three-point goals –E, Hawkins 4. Rebounds – E, Nelson 13, Hawkins 8. Assists – E, Chuven 4. Blocks – E, Nelson 7. Steals – E, Chuven 2, Hawkins 2
Skyview 13 9 8 13 – 43
Elizabeth 9 14 13 10 – 46
E – Nelson 6 2-4 14, Christiansen 1 0-0 2, Strand 3 0-0 6, Poole L 1 0-0 2, Hawkins 5 8-9 22, Totals 16 10-13 46; three-point goals – E, Hawkins 4. Rebounds – E, Nelson 12, Hawkins 7. Assists – E, Chuven 6. Blocks – E, Nelson 3. Steals – E, Chuven 3