Published Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1998
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TEAM OF THE MONTH: : Farrell girls basketball
Steelerettes have been one of area's surprises
By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer
Rarely does a 3-16 record bode as a precursor to success.
The Farrell High School girls basketball team, however, is one exception to that stigma.
The Steelerettes have rebounded to post a 16-5 overall record and 7-3 in the WPIAL Section 2-AA-A, good for third place, but tops among Class A teams.
Although consecutive losses last week put a kink in Farrell's momentum, the Steelerettes have already clinched a playoff spot and at one point of the season were ranked fifth in the WPIAL by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and listed as a Class A honorable mention in the state.
For their strong showing so far and for their remarkable turnaround from last year, Farrell has been chosen as The Herald's Sports Extra Female Team of the Month for January.
Farrell's Monique Marshall drives through a pair of Erie East players. Marshall has been one of the keys to the Steelerettes' surprising resurgence. (David E. Dale/Herald)
Even coach Lou Paris is surprised at the turnaround from one year ago.
``To tell you the truth I thought we were one year away,'' Paris said. ``Last year was atypical because we didn't have some girls come back. This year one came back (Nicole Scott). But I thought we'd be a year away.''
Several factors have given insight to the turnaround. For instance, Paris is dressing 22 players this year as opposed to just 13 last year, showing a rebirth to the once-proud program.
There is the experience the younger players garnered in being forced into action last year.
But perhaps the biggest factor has been the attitude.
``The attitude has flip-flopped from last year,'' Paris said. ``I basically played a JV team last year. We fought some mental problems; kids at school were talking and the kids felt bad as the year went by. Summer came and things changed. The kids were on a mission.''
The Steelerettes have yet to let up.
``The girls have worked hard,'' Paris said. ``The practices are intense. I work them six days a week.''
Farrell's season began inconspicuously and remarkably similar to last year. The Steelerettes dropped an opening-game decision to New Castle, 56-55, on a last-second shot. The next game, Hickory posted a 47-31 blowout and the Steelerettes were 0-2.
``The kids led the whole game but we lost at the buzzer,'' Paris said of the New Castle game. ``We went to Hickory and were flat for a little bit. Then we rolled off 10 in a row and there wasn't a close one in there.''
During Farrell's 10-game winning streak, the Steelerettes outscored their opponents by an average of 52.4-36.6.
The Steelerettes next loss proved to be their first in the league, and it was one Farrell seemingly let slip away.
Farrell led Mohawk by 15 at the half and by nine points heading into the fourth quarter, but then ``the bucket closed,'' according to Paris. The Steelerettes, who have shot consistently well from the foul line all season, couldn't make one down the stretch. But the 49-47 loss didn't deter Farrell.
Since that loss, the Steelerettes have been getting more all-around play from the entire team. Scott started the year on fire and has since cooled down but is averaging 15 points per game.
Center Laci Ford (9.8 ppg) has picked up her game in recent weeks, as have guards Lashawnda Smith (9.3 ppg) and Angie Santell (5.3 ppg).
Monique Marshall is averaging less than four points per game but is the club's defensive specialist.
``Monique Marshall is one of those kids who hangs around and will do things other than score,'' Paris said. ``I put her on the other team's better offensive player. She doesn't score but busts her tail on the court.''
Erika Houston and Gina Falvo provide Paris with depth off the bench.
It has been a system where each player contributes.
``It's really been a team effort,'' Paris said. ``They've all taken a turn. I really haven't been in a position to draw up a go-to play. Hopefully I don't have to. I don't know who I'd go to because all the girls are capable.''
Paris hopes his team can rebound from recent setbacks and regain the momentum it had earlier in the season as the playoffs approach.
``As a coach, when you're winning, you know you're good, but you never know how good,'' Paris said. ``I've got to give the kids credit. I do think we have a good team.
``I can't wait until the playoffs so we can play with some of the other teams in the state,'' Paris said.
Paris added he isn't afraid of how his relatively-young team will react when it comes to tournament time, noting his schedule.
``We've played Sharon, Erie East, New Castle,'' Paris said. ``We've played better competition. They're Class AAA, we're Class A.''
