Don Richards

Weldon Drew, former New Mexico State basketball coach, once wryly commented about his team's shooting: "We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played inside."

That comment is not likely to be made by Coach Shelby Lyman whose current UW-RF Falcon team is 5-1 after their 66-49 win over North Central of Minneapolis on Nov. 29. Though they made only 25% on threes, their outside shooters' season average is 31%. The lady Falcons only loss is to Division 1 St. Thomas.

Of course, all the wins have come against non-conference foes. Nonetheless, this year's team seems better than the 14-10, 4-10 (WIAC) team of last season.

But why? 

"The biggest contributing factor," according to Coach Lyman, "is that our players are older and more experienced and we have the same coaching staff."

Last year was Coach Lyman's first and she was an interim coach. She was hired after last season. So, she says, "The terminology is familiar, and the system is understood a bit better." Also, she adds, "We have a bit more length on the perimeter which helps us defensively and allows us to mix things up on that side of the ball. All the returners did a great job of helping teach the newcomers, allowing us to move quickly through some concepts."

Among the returners is Macy Nilsen (Edina and transfer from University of Jamestown), all conference first team last season for UWRF, who has averaged 14 points per game over the last three years. Leading the team in scoring so far is Zoey Buchan (Johnston, Iowa), 12 ppg; Macy Nilsen, 11 ppg; Karleigh Creasy (Normal, Ill.) with nine ppg; Kameri Meredith (Elk Mound, Colfax HS), seven ppg. Leading in assists is Creasy with 15. The leading rebounder is Olivia Miron (Dresser, St. Croix Falls HS) with 39.

Coach Lyman says she feels she had a little less control last season.

"The biggest difference is feeling more grounded and knowing what to expect. Last year we had coaches in new/different roles and now we have a better feel of how we do things. Some of it was trial and error but we used spring/summer to get a good jump on everything."

The Falcons' next home game at Page Arena is Dec. 14 against Bethany Lutheran at 7 p.m. Their conference schedule begins Jan. 3 at home vs La Crosse, picked to finish fifth in the WIAC.

Defending Conference Co-Champ Whitewater is picked to win the WIAC followed by Co-Champ Stout. The Falcons are slated to finish sixth, above Platteville and Stevens Point. Does Coach Lyman agree with that assessment? She seems un-worried, even dismissive: "Pre-season polls are just that, based on previous years." 

To conclude, speaking of worry reminds me of an example from a list called Church Bulletin Bloopers: "Don't let worry kill you off - let the church help."

It's hard to beat that kind of assistance.