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Coach Cotreau’s Perspective

Following their nail-biting loss to Salem, Manchester Memorial High School girls basketball coach Greg Cotreau provided a candid assessment of his team’s performance. Acknowledging the Crusaders’ resilience, he highlighted their ability to claw back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter. However, he also emphasized the need for consistency and a renewed focus on fundamentals.

“We didn’t do a really good job for the first 28 minutes of the game doing any of the things we wanted to do,” Cotreau stated. “We weren’t making shots, we weren’t rebounding. They’d shoot the ball and we’d send one person to the glass, not all five. The kids were not doing a good job those first 28 minutes, no matter who was out there.”

Despite the slow start, Cotreau praised his team’s determination and the shift in momentum that occurred in the final quarter. “It was like a lightbulb goes off, and they realize we’re going to get blown out on our own home floor if we don’t start doing what we should have done from the very beginning,” he explained. “So we start doing those things and we really turned the game upside down on its head.”

The Importance of Team Cohesion

Adaptability and Lineup Flexibility

Cotreau emphasized the importance of team cohesion, particularly in light of recent injuries and absences. “Those are two starters we rely heavily on for lots of things that weren’t in the starting lineup,” he said, referring to the impact of Pepra-Omani’s limited playing time and Moran’s absence. “So we had a group of kids that really hadn’t been on the floor together all that much, so we kind of expecting a slow start, but we’ll hopefully get those two back fully for Alvirne (Thursday night).”

This situation underscores the value of versatility and adaptability within the team. The Crusaders’ ability to effectively function with different lineups will be crucial for their success throughout the season.

The Road Ahead

Building Momentum

Despite the recent setback, the Crusaders demonstrated a remarkable ability to fight back. “We had a chance that last play,” said Cotreau, “You know, great look, great pass, and you know we’ve run that play before, just not with that kid, so kudos to her for getting open and getting to the spot she needed to and going up with it. If she had caught that, it’s either and-1 layup or we’re going to overtime. But that one last play doesn’t define how the game went. We just didn’t come ready those first 28 minutes.”

Capitalizing on this momentum will be key. The Crusaders need to carry the intensity and focus they displayed in the fourth quarter into future games. A winning streak could be within reach if they can maintain this level of resilience and determination.

Lessons Learned: Shooting and Rebounding

Cotreau identified key areas for improvement, namely shooting efficiency and rebounding. “That’s been the MO of our season,” he said of the team’s struggles from beyond the arc. “We’ve got some kids that can shoot, but those kids just aren’t shooting it well. You know, it’s a make or miss. They do the right thing, they make them in practice, but they’re just not falling (in games), and that’s something where our team has been settling early on for threes instead of working for the easier shots, and then you feel a little more confident because you see the ball go in rather than being frustrated because you’ve missed the first six or seven.”

He stressed the importance of a balanced offensive approach that prioritizes smarter shot selection. “We need to make sure we’re getting to the basket, getting layups, and making free throws,” he explained. “When we’re settling for threes early on, it makes it harder to get those other shots.”

Rebounding was another area of focus. “We’ve got to be more aggressive on the boards,” Cotreau stated. “We need to box out, fight for position, and secure those rebounds. That’s something we’ve been working on in practice, and it’s something we need to continue to improve on.”