TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Nohra Wants To Get Mills Back Soon

ADVERTISEMENT

By LEE DIEKEMPER

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 22, 2009

WESLEY CHAPEL - When post player Janelle Mills suffered a broken left wrist in early December, Wesley Chapel lost one of its best players and its best post player, averaging double figures in points and rebounds.

Earlier this month, Mills was given clearance to resume conditioning, but she hasn't been given the green light to play. Mills is scheduled for another checkup from her doctors Feb. 4 just as the district tournament is to begin.

If doctors deem her wrist healed, she will immediately begin playing.

Wildcats coach Karim Nohra has not been shy about his amazement that Wesley Chapel has lost just one game all season despite not having Mills. That one loss came at home Jan. 9 when Mitchell won 50-35.

Since the Wildcats have been playing so well without Mills, some would suggest plugging Mills into the lineup - on the cusp of the playoffs, no less - for the first time in roughly two months would be more a distraction than a help.
Nohra thinks just the opposite.

"She won't wreck the chemistry," Nohra said.

Rather, the team will be stronger, Nohra insists. After losing Mills, girls not normally expected to rebound have. So with the additional of Mills, the Wildcats could actually be a stronger rebounding team.

Also, Nohra said the return of Mills will strengthen the Wildcats perimeter defense. Without her, Nohra has had his girls pack it in more inside, thus leaving opposing guards more of an opportunity to shoot 3-point baskets.

TALK IS CHEAP

Mitchell coach Jacob Tavo has a unique pregame ritual, which he shared after his Mustangs upset Wesley Chapel early this month. While some coaches give pregame speeches that are more oriented to Pickett's Charge or D-Day, Tavo takes the opposite approach.

He rarely says anything.

"I really didn't," Tavo insisted when some doubted he didn't speak to his players before the Wesley Chapel game. "That's what practice is for. I have all week to talk to them."
Tavo is sort of a throwback coach as well. He doesn't lean too much on scouting opponents - not that he ignores it - instead spending more of his time concerned with how his team will play.
Tavo suggests that if his team plays good defense, if they play unselfish offensively and if they rebound, things will generally take care of themselves on the court.

SLOWING IT DOWN

When Gulf handed Wiregrass Ranch its second loss of the season, Buccaneers guard Nicole Adams seemed to think she found the Kryptonite to beat Wiregrass Ranch.

"It was really important for us to slow it down," Adams said. "Wiregrass Ranch is such a quick team that works so well in the transition. We figured if we kept the game to a half-court game we'd come out with a victory."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT