The Conant girls’ basketball team entered the holiday break on a three-game skid after losing a frustrating contest with visiting Gilford Monday night.
The Orioles started the season with two wins before dropping road games at Monadnock and St. Thomas, but Monday’s 50-39 loss at the Pratt had head coach Devon Spirka shaking her head.
“That was a very frustrating one because they just did not play to their potential whatsoever,” Spirka said. “Even the other losses, they were just better games than this. If we had played how we played in those losses, we probably would’ve been just fine [tonight].”
Conant came out of the gate hot Monday, holding Gilford to just three points on one field goal in the first period while senior captain Hannah Manley scored five of her team-high 13 to put the Orioles up 11-3.
Once the Eagles found their footing, though, Conant was back on their heels, and it took a last-second fast-break feed from Manley to freshman Merry Hill to give the Orioles a one-point lead at the half. The Orioles, down a starter and playing several underclassmen, did themselves no favors by turning the ball over on the perimeter multiple times, as Gilford was all over any pass that wasn’t propelled with definite intention.
“It felt good first period,” Spirka said. “Felt great. And then some frustration built, and then it just came down to body language, because as soon as you put your body language down, as soon as your body goes down, everything’s wrong. Everything’s off.”
After surrendering the lead early in the second half, Conant hung around with Gilford, as senior captain Lola Hayes scored six of her 10 points on two 3-pointers, the only long balls the Orioles sank all night. But with 5:03 left in the game, Gilford’s Olivia Keenan drained a backbreaking 3-pointer that touched off a 9-0 Golden Eagle run that pushed the lead from in reach to insurmountable.
Spirka said her team’s biggest obstacle right now is upstairs. The Orioles have talent up and down the roster, a trio of senior captains and some younger players that are already contributing. But it’s the leadership, body language and team camaraderie that’s lacking at the moment.
“As a coach, I need them to understand that being a leader and a captain isn’t just being a good basketball player,” Spirka said. “There’s a lot more to it, especially if you have a bunch of younger players with you. You need to be aware of the whole picture and about all of the details – and they’re watching you. They’re going to follow you wherever you go, so be aware of the impact that you have with your own mentality and body language. I don’t think they realize how important that is quite yet.”
Once the Orioles put that together, they could be a formidable team. Senior captains Manley, Hayes and Francesca Ketola each bring a unique set of skills to the table. Ketola is a calming presence who never seems to be fazed by the storm gathering around her. Hayes is a physical rebounder who has her way in the post, and Manley can dominate on both sides of the ball.
With junior Violet Bennett and senior Abby Harlow working hard and underclassmen Hill, Ella Desrosiers, Josie Seppala and Myla Jones working their way into the lineup, the Orioles should be able to right the ship.
Conant (2-3) will wait until the weekend to work out their kinks at the Doug Chandler Christmas Tournament at Manchester Central.
The Orioles tip off against Manchester Memorial Friday at 1:30 p.m.
