Exhibition Games -- Western Oregon & Concordia

The Pilots beat the D-2 Wolves...the score was close, but the Pilots were in control with all available players getting floor time.

Grade: B-, but not a bad grade for first game of the season.

Positives: Very good ball movement; good communication; aggressive; quick to dive for the ball; always rushing to help teammates and opponents up off the floor, rebounding.

Negatives: some crazy turnovers; disjointed defense when facing an up-tempo offense, terrible free-throw and 3-point shooting.

Loved the new kids, Sara Zaragoza, Ashley Gray, and Kaylie Van Loo.  Sara fouled out, but she's not just some lumbering 6-4 big....she's athletic, aggressive and goes to the basket.  Because she stands out, she got more fouls called on her, but she'll quickly learn to avoid fouling.....and she is a starter.  Ashley and Kaylie are bruising tough and will add instant energy and speed coming off the bench.

Coach Sorenson appeared very relaxed and seemed to have Coach Lowe and Coach Osmer doing most of the on-court directing.  She really has the team working for her....an excellent start.

The Pilots beat Sean Kelly's NAIA Concordia Cavaliers handily this evening with everyone from both squads getting some playing time. (Coach Kelly just doesn't have the players needed to compete at the Pilot's level...it was good to see he has UP grad Kristen Stringer '01 as his only assistant.)

Grade: Incomplete....due to lack of competitive opposition

The Pilots appear to have a very good 8 man rotation (that's what they call it, even on the women's team), but after that everything starts breaking down.

The Pilots led at the half 50-16, but after the starters were pulled at about 5 minutes into the second half it just became of game fouls and turnovers.

Still like the new kids....but Zaragoza is still making reaching over-the-top fouls when rebounding and stupid fouls while attempting to block shots.  She didn't look as good to me compared to the last game.  It would appear Coach Osmer has taken her on as a personal project.

The team is well coached and amongst the top 8 everyone seems on the same page when calling formations and plays....the communication and ball movement were very good....sometimes, especially in the second half, the execution needs quite a bit of work.

Coach Sorenson is definitely calling the shots, but as she and Coach Lowe sit next to each other, Coach Lowe tends to be the on-court director....or maybe he's just louder.

Tough 5 game road trip ahead beginning in Corvallis on Friday....the Pilots don't return to the Chiles Center until December 5th against Oregon, followed by Washington 2 days later.