Derry girls basketball ahead of where it was a year ago
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Tuesday, November 20, 2018 | 6:42 PM
The Derry girls basketball team started last season with a lot of unknowns, putting the program at a disadvantage from the tip.
Current coach Matt Regula was, at the time, hired as an assistant for then-coach Tyler Johnson just two weeks before the season. The Trojans never were able to implement a scheme or build a foundation with the coaching staff before the regular season began.
This season, however, Regula has been working with the girls all summer and in the fall, and the Trojans are miles ahead of where they were a year ago.
“Last year, things were rushed, but this year I was able to get things prepared ahead of time,” Regula said. “I feel like we already are steps ahead of where we were last year.
“This team was extremely young last year, and they were able to gain some skills throughout the season and in the two weeks we’ve really been at it, I can see a lot of improvement.
Regula, despite being a first-year head coach, has been around the program as an assistant and has a bond with the team.
“I already know what the girls are like and what they are capable of,” he said. “I know which ones have what tendencies, and I know where we should be by the end of the season.
“They’ve been receptive to me, and we have a trust and relationship that we can build upon.”
On the court, Regula has emphasized sound defense.
Senior Destiny Roberts will anchor the starting rotation, the balance of which is composed by juniors: Madison Clayton, Kamryn Kelly, Danielle Mullen and Hannah Wedow.
Roberts, whom Regula described as perhaps the most talented pure basketball player on the team, is set to have a breakout season. She has the ability to dominate the boards on both ends and score on second-chance opportunities.
“Our identity and philosophy is going to be real simple,” Regula said. “We’re going to play defense and do our best shut that other team down and score when we can and get the opportunity.
“I’ve been stressing defense, rebound, limit (the other team) to one shot, and then go from there.”
The Trojans tipoff their season Dec. 8 in the Jeannette Tournament. With three weeks to continue to hone their fundamentals and implement Regula’s defensive ideologies, the Trojans should see vast improvement over last season’s three wins.
“I really like what I see from the girls, knowing there is still room to improve as the season goes on, and we continue to take that next step forward,” he said. “I see us pushing for a playoff spot.
“We have the talent. It’s just a matter of that talent turning into our ability to execute on the court.”
Brian Graham is a freelance writer.
Tags: Derry Area
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