Sitting with a record of 3-3, the Gilbert girls could just have easily been sitting at 5-1 if it weren't for some struggles defensively in the 4th quarter. In the home opener the Tigers lost to rival Roland Story 56-65, the game was tied going into the fourth quarter at 36. This past Saturday the Tigers allowed 20 points in the 4th quarter as they dropped to Mason City 61-44. It has been the defensive end that has let down the Tigers late in games early on this season.
We were fortunate to be able to sit down with Coach Mike Frisk, and he had this to say about the early struggles in the 4th quarter, “We’ve got to guard harder. We have to play 32 minutes, we can’t play 18, 22, or 28.” Every game is a learning experience and a team like the Tigers who faced some early challenges only makes them better for the rest of the season.
However, the Tigers have picked up 2 early conference wins against Carroll and Winterset. In one of the toughest conferences in Class 4A, conference wins are not easy to come by. With the loss to North Polk on Friday, the Tigers sit at 2-1 in the conference.
The three returning starters in Mia Kautman, Ella Heningson, and Mollie Schnormier have led the Tigers in scoring in all three of their wins, besides the Humboldt game in which Henningson was out with injury. Also, the emergence of freshman point guard, Callie Hales, averaging 4 assists per game, and 4.5 points per game. With only one senior on the team, Adalyn Guack, the Tigers are very young, and continue to improve every game. “The kids are working really hard, had a good couple of days trying to get better before Friday,” Coach Frisk said about the girls so far this week.
He also had this to say about what he looks to see from the team looking forward, “it's time for us to value the ball better, better shot selection.” Some costly turnovers late in games have caused some of the 4th quarter challenges.
The Tigers can reach a 3-1 conference record on Friday and sit second in the conference standings just behind North Polk. Winterset will be no easy task, as they sit at 3-3 like the Tigers, and beat Caroll 47-36 on Tuesday. The Huskies are fueled by their tough defense and slow play style.
“They are slow-paced. They don’t want anything fast. Our goal is to speed them up and get them uncomfortable,” Coach Frisk said about what he expects from Winterset. The Huskies are only allowing 37 ppg and it is blocked by their matchup 2-3 zone. Some of the success that the Tigers have had early on, has been from transition offense. On Friday if the Tigers can get out quickly and run Winterset up and down the court they have a great opportunity to be sitting 2nd place in the Racoon River Conference.