Hannah Wickard’s improvement in the post has helped the Ravens this season. (Photo: Sports Information)
Much like the men’s team, the AU women’s basketball team is in the midst of a tough stretch and is currently sitting in the middle of the conference standings. However, with a good week they could potentially move into fourth place and push their conference record to .500. The Ravens are 3-5 in their last eight, but two of those wins came in dominating fashion during their winter trip to Arizona. The third was an important overtime victory over Rose-Hulman, who is tied with AU in the HCAC.
The Ravens were busy over break, playing seven games and traveling to the desert to play two. Few people could have enjoyed the trip as much as senior center Hannah Wickard. On the trip she averaged 26 points and eight rebounds. It was a breakout week for Wickard, and the games demonstrated how far she has come since enrolling at AU. Her averages are way up from the previous three seasons, and she is an important piece to the Ravens’ success. She averages over 12 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and is the post presence every team needs.
“Hannah has always been a hard worker, and she is a leader for this team verbally and by her work ethic,” Head Coach Marcie Taylor said. “Her hands and ability to catch the ball in the post have really improved and she now attracts double teams and is learning to make good passes out of those.”
The Ravens’ offense has struggled lately and has been plagued by scoreless stretches that keep them from finishing ball games. Four of the Ravens’ last six losses have come by seven points or less, so it is obvious they are close to getting over the hump. The new motion offense that Taylor installed this past offseason is starting to become “normal,” and the team will only get more comfortable as the year progresses.
“I’ve been pleased with how the team has grasped the offense at times, Taylor commented. “We can’t pass and stand around. We need more movement, better quality screens and better quality cuts. We do well when we pass and move.”
The team has two games this week and both will be crucial matchups. The middle of the conference standings is a mess and AU could separate itself and improve its chances for the conference tournament if they can play well this week.
