The First Presbyterian Christian Academy girls’ basketball team was supposed to face Furtah Prep on Friday, but their opponent didn’t show.
In the meantime, FPCA has juggled its way to a 1-1 record in pre-season tournament play.
The girls went to the Gator Classic on Nov. 16-18, where they defeated David Emanuel 52-50.
Briana Reece and Aaliyah Wilson had 18 point each. Newcomer Emone Fisher scored 12 and T’era Alston four points.
Over the Thanksgiving break, the girls battled against Trinity Christian with just a five-girl roster and wound up losing 72-33. Reece and Fisher scored 11 each with Wilson adding five points and Alston and Brooke Standard chipping in three.
Despite the small roster, First Presbyterian coach Rosby Frasier said her players are experienced.
"Briana has taken on the role (once held by Shaquioa Crockett who is now at Bradwell) and we are trying to convert her to a point guard," Frasier said. "She has the quickness that allows her to penetrate through the middle. We rely on our juniors T’era and Aaliyah for leadership on the floor. Emone is our new kid on the block but she is adjusting well."
Frasier said she is excited about the new eighth grader’s abilities on the court, but added Fisher just needs to work on not being nervous. The coach said her team has to be use time outs wisely to allow players a bit of rest due to the small roster of their team.
"But we also have to be smart on the floor as well, passing the ball around a little bit more. We are able to sub in and out a little bit," she added.
Assistant coach Mike Brown said FPCA has many guards and a forward which mean they have to maintain a good floor rotation as well.
"When we have one girl that is shooting hot, the opponent will tend to press on her," Brown said. "So we have to get the ball to the other side."
As for the Lady ‘Landers’ defense, Frasier said they are running numerous schemes.
"First of all we would like to see, of course, the opponent and see what they have and that will help to dictate what we will be using," the coach said. "Sometimes we like to catch them off guard and we may run a press for a couple of minutes and then pull back a bit. We may need to contain and come out in a 2-3 or a 3-2 zone, it just depends."
The Lady ‘Landers have two seniors on the squad, Kiandrea Battle and Dani Brown. But junior standout Alston is wearing the captain’s hat.
The guard/forward said she is there to help out the younger players and be an all-around player for the team. She said they have to work a bit harder on offense.
"Our biggest thing is paying attention and finding the open people on the floor. Our defense is pretty good and we are getting the throws that we need to make the baskets," Alston said.
Alston said she thinks the squad has a great shot at the state title this season.
"We made it pretty far last year in the region and I’m pretty sure we can repeat and go even farther," she said.
Brown said he is working on developing the girls’ ability to read and make the plays on the hardwood.
"It’s good when the coach can call it on the sideline," he said. "It’s better when you can call it on the floor."
The girls will open their regular season on the road Tuesday afternoon in Savannah against Bethesda.
Tip-off is at 5 p.m.