Email Interview with Girls Basketball Head Coach Steven Tobitsch *UNEDITED*
January 10-11, 2011
1. What has been the key to the team's great start?
The Trumbull girls Basketball team is off to a fantastic start. We are 7-1 Overall and 6-0 in the FCIAC.
Our team first attitude and pressure Defense has been a huge reason for our early season success. We have always been a terrific defensive team, but this year we have had multiple players scoring in double figures on different nights. Teams we have played early in the year have had difficulty scouting us and matching up with us. This team has been willing to make the extra pass to set-up another teammate for the score. This group of girls gets just as excited for the girl who is getting the assist as they do for the girl who gets the basket. This comes from the terrific leadership we have from our captains to all our seniors.
2. Who, in your opinion, has stepped up the most?
Our Guard play has been tremendous. Seniors Kelly Coughlin and Megan Puglia have been coaches on the court. They do a great job of communicating what defenses we are playing and who should be where. I have been very impressed with the leadership of our Junior, captain and floor leader Victoria Pfohl. She helps us get in and out of offensive sets as well as communicates our defensive pressure.
Our bench has been ready to step up and meet the challenge when their numbers are called. Seniors, Taisha Lima and Jackie Palmer as well as sophomore, Alexa Pfohl has given us a tremendous boost of energy and confidence off the bench.
I have also been pleased with our post play. Our Forwards have probably shown the most improvement from last season to now. Senior forward Mookie Kennedy has been tremendous asset on the boards and has become a terrific defender. Erin Moore has established herself as a low post presence that most of our league fears to play against.
3. What was your team's biggest win so far this season?
Our biggest win thus far was beating Danbury on our home court. However, I was most impressed with how we dominated Darien from beginning to the end of the game. Both teams should be top 8 teams in our league and we sent a clear message on those nights that Trumbull Girls Basketball should be considered in the mix for a top 4 spot in the FCIAC playoffs.
4. What do you think is the team's biggest game for the rest of the upcoming season?
We have quite a few games left and each game presents its own challenge. However, I believe there are 5 teams in the league this year that have separated themselves from the rest and are competing for the FCIAC championship. Danbury, Ridgefield, St. Joe’s, Trinity Catholic, and Trumbull.
We have already beaten Danbury but still have St. Joe’s and Trinity at home, and a tough road test at Ridgefield later in the season.
5. What is the best thing your team does?
By far we are the best full court pressure team in the FCIAC. We have a lot of quickness, athleticism, and depth. I have been very impressed with how well prepared and ready our bench is when they enter the game. Sophomore, Alexa Pfohl is up for any challenge and Senior Taisha Lima can battle with anyone under the boards. Senior Jackie Palmer is a tremendous defender adds depth to our bench with her speed and quickness, while Sophomore Erin Puglia is a shooter who has just begin to earn some varsity minutes and is earning more and more minutes each day.
6. What do you need to improve on?
Although, I think we are doing many things well a good team is always looking at the things they need to improve most upon. I think we need to be stronger on the defensive boards and look to box out first before we chase down a rebound. I also think we need to get better at doing the little things in our offense. Like setting good solid screens, catching and passing with two hands, and willing to make the extra pass. “The little things lead to big things.”
7. Is the team confident heading into the rest of the season/High expectations?
This team is extremely confident. Even if we lose a game here or there along the way this team has already showed its determination to come back and work even harder. This group of girls has very high expectations for themselves and as long as we work together to improve each day in practice and that practice translates into games, then we will be right where we want to be at the end of the season.
8. Where do you see your team at the end of the season?
I would like to see us make a return trip to the FCIAC playoffs where many of our current seniors were on the team when we qualified when they were sophomores. Except this time we want to qualify for one of the top 4 seeds to earn a home FCIAC playoff game, as well as try to get to Fairfield Ludlowe to compete in the Semi-finals. I would also like us to earn the right to play 2 home games in the first two rounds of the state tournament.
For all this to happen we must continue to get better in practice, compete every night, and overcome any obstacles that may come along the way.
-Andrew Vojt
