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Lions Gearing Up For Conference Play

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By BART O'CONNELL Tribune correspondent

Published: January 4, 2008

ST. LEO - Looking back, there is a good chance that Dec. 17 will be one of the more significant days in Saint Leo's men's basketball season.

That was the day that, following an 82-80 overtime loss to West Florida, Coach Mike Madagan changed his approach with his players. No longer was he worried about hurting their feelings, protecting their egos and patting their backs. It was time to test their toughness.

With a week of real challenges in store for the Lions, including Saturday's Sunshine State Conference opener against fourth-ranked Rollins (9-1, 0-1 SSC) at the Bowman Center, and Wednesday's game at Tampa, which is coming off a win over the Tars, Madagan will soon learn if his squad is ready to contend in the conference.

"I believe we've turned a corner. They've shown a much keener focus, passion and intensity, both in practice and in games," he said. "The difference is the guys have taken responsibility for themselves to pick those things up."

After leaving the University of District of Columbia Classic with a 35-point loss to the host team on Dec. 22, the Lions (6-4) were able to erase some of those memories by beating Palm Beach Atlantic by 31 on Tuesday. But once they hit the bus, their attention turned to Rollins, and via the Internet they learned that the Tars had lost to Tampa.

The way Saint Leo has been playing recently has given Madagan reason for encouragement. Forward Jordan Prais has notched a double-double in three of the past four games, while guard Dusty Driggs has shown signs of breaking out of a shooting slump that set in two weeks ago.

Kyle Rowland still has not settled into his new role as a small forward, but he should create matchup problems Saturday against Rollins' zone defenses.

The next week will give Saint Leo an opportunity to make a huge impression against two of the better teams in the conference.

"What better way to show you're capable of competing in this league than beating those two teams back-to-back," Madagan said. "Of course, I'm focused on Rollins, going 1-0 and taking care of business Saturday, but it's a great challenge."

WOMEN ALSO PREPARING FOR TARS: The women's basketball team, which is coming off a pair of losses at the University of North Alabama Classic last week, has continued to tinker with its lineup leading into Saturday's game against Rollins. Eleven different players have started at least one game this season.

The most recent wrinkle has forward Dominique Daniels coming off the bench, replaced by center Sabrina Schmitt. Olds went with this look to start both UNA tournament games. Daniels had started Saint Leo's first nine contests.

Senior Amanda Holloway has been the most consistent scorer for the Lions thus far, averaging 13.9 points per game. Guard Latasha Lawrence is coming off a career-high 22 points against Alabama-Huntsville.

Scoring could be at a premium Saturday, as Rollins boasts the top defensive team in the Sunshine State Conference. The Tars (7-2, 0-1 SSC) are allowing only 46.6 points per game and 27.5 percent shooting from the field, both easily the best defensive numbers for an SSC team.

Bart O'Connell can be reached at boconnell@pop.tampatrib.com.

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