Bulldogmgc
I dont having Murray wouldnt make a difference. Last years team with Cayton Tudor, A. Johonson and transfer Smith was a great matured team. This year is good and far from last years team by far. They are a good team just nothing like last year.
Not having Murray doesn't make a difference? Really?
Murray (74) was St. Mary's leader in 3 pointers last year, not Tudor (66). Murray adds the 3 point threat to St. Mary's offense that is missing, an attribute the Rams have been known for over the years. Without the 3 point threat, defenses can pack it against the Rams. Neenah Young (22) is currently the Rams only threat beyond the arc.
I agree that the Rams are nothing like last year. But, that's because instead of depending on the 3 (Murray and Tudor), their post player (Decosta) AND driving the lane (Cayton), the Rams this year will depend on their post players (Decosta and Oliver) and driving the lane (Ariel Johnson). When they don't feel comfortable hitting the 3, they drive the lane, just as they did more so in years with Ali Gibson and Onome Jemerigbe. St. Mary's press is not as good without Smith and she sure could have helped with driving the offense at PG (good at driving the lane). Smith didn't really showcase her skills on offense because there were others taking on this role of scoring or working the point more (Cayton).
The Rams are missing both Smith and Murray this year, but IMHO, missing Murray is a bit bigger, just because it leaves a void for the Rams with not much beyond the arc threat. Murray is a good defender, too, but may not as good as Sierra (her strength), but the Rams defense predicates on team defense and I don't think there is much fall-off in this area. The system Gonsalves has place continues to thrive year to year.
It's the offense this year that is much different. I wouldn't say it's that far off from being very good. It may be just good right now. But, unlike the mature team of last year, this year's team needs to mature as it is very young, especially starting a freshman. Once the chemistry is there, and it will be there by year's end, I think we may see a very good St. Mary's girls basketball team, maybe still not as good as last year's team, but definitely different with "both" Decosta and Oliver on the court. Who knows? Maybe Murray will return when they need her most?
BTW, this St. Mary's team can still whoop Brookside. Just saying.
