Freshman Autumn Rodriguez looking to be Chandler’s secret weapon
The Chandler Wolves defeated the Tucson Badgers by a score of 73-46, advancing to 10-1 overall on the season and showing why they’re a silent force to be reckoned with in the 6A Premier Division. For the Wolves, a large…
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Continue ReadingThe Chandler Wolves defeated the Tucson Badgers by a score of 73-46, advancing to 10-1 overall on the season and showing why they’re a silent force to be reckoned with in the 6A Premier Division. For the Wolves, a large amount of their on-court production came from the core of seven seniors, but one key aspect to their play is freshman Autumn Rodriguez.
As just a freshman, Rodriguez was part of the starting five for the Wolves in the game against the Badgers. For Rodriguez, she said she still deals with some nerves every time she takes the court, but it’s something her teammates are helping her learn to deal with.
“At first I was kind of nervous. I’m always nervous, but the teammates, like my seniors, they push me to be better and I want to play just like them,” Rodriguez said.
Coach Glenda Skalitzky said she knows that it’s a tough transition for Rodriguez to go from playing in middle school to playing in what is arguably the toughest division in Arizona. Skalitzky knows that it’s a big transition in itself learning the program, but that Rodriguez is a talented kid with the ability to excel.
“She’s almost like a veteran, so to speak. The nerves is what gives her the freshman part, but her play is more veteran,” Skalitzky said. “I’m super excited to see what she can do for the rest of the region because I think she’s going to be an asset that nobody actually knows we have.”
That’s why coach made Rodriguez one of the starting five. She wanted to show Rodriguez that she believes in her abilities on the court and that she has the ability to contribute to the team.
“Tonight, when I told her she was starting, I was trying to do something different to show her that I had confidence in her. I’ve seen her play often and I know darn well that she’s got the skillset, and she’s gonna be, we call it #TheFuture,” Skalitzky said.
In the game against Tucson, Rodriguez had 9 points, all of them from 3-point shooting. In the first quarter of the game, Rodriguez nailed back-to-back shots from behind the arc in less than thirty seconds. She also hit another three in the third quarter of the game and was able to collect a handful of rebounds and assists on the night.
BACK TO BACK 3s for freshman Autumn Rodriguez! Here’s the second one she made in less than 30 seconds! At the end of the 1st quarter, @LadyWolvesGBB has a 29-16 lead over Tucson pic.twitter.com/hsOHySMi6s
— Brittany Bowyer (@LittWithBritt) December 14, 2019
Rodriguez said she knows she still has a lot of growing to do, but she’s looking forward to what she’s able to accomplish in her next four years with the program. Coach Skalitzky says that she’s looking forward to seeing Rodriguez grow into a stronger defensive player, which is something that Rodriguez herself knows she needs to work on.
“I want to get better at defense and quickness,” Rodriguez said.
She has big dreams and knows that with hard work and determination she can continue to evolve into the player she wants to be.
“I can still get better every day,” Rodriguez said. “I want to be just like everyone in the WNBA.”