Joe’s Take: Keep pencils sharp when it comes to Park, folks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Virginia girls' basketball circles aren't done learning about Wheeling Park.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No, no, no, no, no. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":398792,"width":408,"height":268,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/03/LaLa-Woods-scaled-crop-2048x1345-1646925848.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-398792" width="408" height="268" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">LaLa Woods, Wheeling Park</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a great first half filled with spurts of potential, “there's still some stuff people haven't seen from the Patriots,” [player_tooltip player_id='342221' first='Alexis' last='Bordas'] said. In other words, there are more plays to run, there are more improvements to be had, and buckle up!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What about those wins over traditional powers Berlin Hiland, Northern Alleghany, and Morgantown? Do they just get thrown to the wayside? How could the Patriots not possibly feel comfortable as we start the stretch run to Charleston?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's preposterous? It's unthinkable? It's true.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As unbelievable as it might sound, the unbelievable is reality, especially when players are speaking up and voicing their opinion. Good just isn't good, enough. And to hear it from the Patriots themselves, that's what is happening here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The girls understand they played really well in the first half. Yet point guard Lala Woods feeling “like so far we haven't played our best game and everyone hasn't played their best game, yet,” appears to convey she's not fully satisfied with the on-court product.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The same can be said for [player_tooltip player_id='877283' first='Natalie' last='Daugherty'] wanting to see more bench production from others not named freshman [player_tooltip player_id='570287' first='Seneca' last='Heller'] and soccer extraordinaire Merritt Delk. Again, there appears there's more work to be done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who knows? If the Patriots get just a little more bench play against University, then perhaps, they beat the Hawks in the rematch. The possibility certainly seems to be driving these Patriots going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The additional subs sure would go a long way toward making everyone feel better about depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":341196,"width":189,"height":284,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/10/8-Sophie-Abraham-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341196" width="189" height="284" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='342230' first='Sophie' last='Abraham'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking all of these wishes into account screams there's no real satisfaction to be had at this time. Or at least there isn't enough for the screams, shouts, and intense practices at The Palace to cease at this time. And the girls know what they are shooting for, for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mountain State has seen these Patriots play to at close to their full potential, after all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morgantown is the defining version of the group through the opening contests. The girls kicked butt on defense. And the overall performance provided a blueprint for the team going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“If they play like that and keep getting better as a team, they will be ready for their competition,” Daugherty said. &nbsp;As it happens, the list reads as a veritable who's-who of teams who made big, big strides in the early parts of the season. Just looking at the list brings a sense of understanding of why the girls aren't resting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morgantown is Morgantown. John Marshall owns a lengthy losing streak against the Patriots. Parkersburg South won't be going quietly in the OVAC 5A Title fight. Morgantown is Morgantown. University would surely love another win over WP. Morgantown is Morgantown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For those keeping track, those teams all are likely to be ranked in the AP Top 10 when the second poll hits in January. Talk about quite the challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heck, even the fact Young was comfortable letting the girls talk to a reporter for a story without his input is significant. It sends a strong signal that the girls and he are on the same page and have the same goal in mind for the second half. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just listen to [player_tooltip player_id='342230' first='Sophie' last='Abraham'] talk for all the proof, “I feel like there is still a level we can play out to that we haven't shown, yet,” Abraham said. Sounds like positive coach speak, doesn't it?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sharpen those pencils, folks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->