As coaches, sometimes we think that offensively we need to make it complicated to “fool the defense,” or we need multiple plays to “trick the defense.” I was probably guilty of that too many times thru the years. In 1996-7 season, I was not guilty of trying to be too complicated.
In 1997, we shot in transition off steals, rebounds, and made baskets about 25% of the time. We ran one simple action 50% of the time, and then ran others sets 25% of the time. Is this a successful formula, or is that too simple? In 1997 it was a successful formula. Galesburg went 27-0 in the regular season, ranked #2 in Illinois, and finished 4th in State.
Why did something this simple work? The answer was Molly Watson. Molly was returning for her third year as starting point guard and that fall had signed with DePaul, a perennial top 20 program. At 5’4”, she was ver good. Rock Island coach, Rod Leatherman labeled her as,”The best girls basketball player I have ever seen.”
Watson shot 50% on twos, 42% on threes, 70% from the line, averaged 19ppg, averaged 5.3 assists, and averaged 3.6 steals.
We ran a simple middle ball screen for Molly. In these diagrams, I am showing everything going to the right side, but we also ran the same action to the left side. To give the numbers meaning, here is who the players were: 1= Watson, 2= Melanie Pendergass (38% threes), 3= Angie Galyean, 4= Jessica Thompson and Megan Pacheco, 5= Sarah Larson.
If they switched the ball screen, Molly was looking to hit #4 (Thompson or Pacheco) rolling to the basket.
As #4 (Pacheco or Thompson) rolled to the basket, if X5 rotated over to help, then #5 (Larson) flashed into the lane for an easy 10 foot shot.
On the ball screen, if X4’s defender gave flat help, Watson turned the corner and took a 15-17 foot shot. This was the main action that allowed Molly to score 33 points vs Rock Island in the Sectional championship.
If she came off the ball screen and the post defender came up to stop her, she would hesitate, and then go around the slower post players. When she got to the basket, if 5’s defender helped, she dumped the ball.
If X4 jumped out on Molly as she came off the ball screen, if they were out too far, Molly would “snake” with the dribble back into the middle. She did this at State vs Taylorville and shot a nice left handed ten foot jump shot.
If X1 (Molly’s defender) decided to go under the ball screen, Molly stopped for a three. She was a 42 three point shooter.
If X4 and X1 decided to trap Molly, then #4 (Pacheco or Thompson) made a short roll to the FT line for a quick pass back.
If #4 (Pacheco or Thompson) got the ball then they had a 2 on 1 situation.
If X1 tried to get over the ball screen too quickly, Molly refused the screen and drove back the opposite way. #5 (Larson) reacted and got out of the way. So Watson drove and was 2 on 1 with Larson.
When X2 did not follow #2 (Pendergass), Watson could skip the ball for an easy three point shot for a 38% three point shooter.
If #2 would stay, if X2 tried to help on Watson, #2 had an open three in the corner.
So while it was just one play, there actually were about 10 options to the basic play. And if you figure it was run on both side, the one simple play produced 20 different looks. And when you have a 3 year starting point guard with a D1 scholarship making the decisions- it is a pretty good action. Nothing needed to be called- she read the defense and created.
When Molly went to DePaul, Coach Bruno asked each of his incoming freshman to give him the play their HS team ran that was their personal best play. Molly gave him this play as her favorite action. So just like every kid in the program, DePaul had a play from each kids high school. This was called “Streak.” Molly’s senior year, they played the University of Illinois. Molly hit the game winner at the buzzer running “Streak.”
This Sunday- Streaks Scrapbook- 1997 Girls Fourth in State.
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