Unselfishness Is Key to West Liberty Women’s Success
Toppers have won 6 of last 7
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WEST LIBERTY - Halfway through the 2021 season, the West Liberty women's basketball team was sitting with a 2-6 record at the end of January following a four game losing streak.
Fast forward about a month later. That skid is a distant memory as the Hilltoppers currently hold an 8-7 record and are in second in the Mountain East Conference North standings. The Hilltoppers have won three straight games and six of the last seven.
Their latest triumph, was arguably their greatest performance of the season on Wednesday night as they defeated Fairmont State, 94-69. The Falcons went into the game with a three-game winning streak.
"This one actually had more meaning to it, which encouraging-wise, we had two really good practices," West Liberty coach Kyle Cooper said. "We knew that they were hot, and were coming in with a ton of scoring. We talked for 72 straight hours that this cannot be a shootout. We got to play complimentary basketball get stops that can lead to transitions. So, stop, rebound and go. We were able to do that really early in the game."
And while they were having a lot of success with that, the continued success for the Hilltoppers most notably, is the unselfishness of the players.
And when one thinks of unselfishness, the assist stat will be looked at. As it should be. West Liberty has distributed the wealth as it has at least 22 assists in four of the last seven games. In their two other wins in February, the Hilltoppers had 14 and 15, respectively.
"That's the thing we talk a lot about and the thing I think that has made this team come together in the last weeks and it's being reward with not just winning, but other levels of success of individually, too. West Liberty basketball is not just about selfish play. It's about making the right play and we have a group that doesn't have a selfish bone in their body. And that's reflected in assists and other ways too."
That includes rebounds. Against Fairmont State the Hilltoppers hauled in 45 boards with Audrey Tingle leading the way with 11. But with Olivia Belknap hauling in nine and Grace Faulk getting eight, the wealth was also shared in that aspect.
"You have guards that are flirting with double digits," Cooper said. "That's huge. That means it's just about the scoring and passing, it's the other side, too."
West Liberty's lone setback during the seven game stretch came against Notre Dame College on Feb. 13 as the Hilltoppers were outscored 18-5 in the first quarter. However, over the next three quarters, West Liberty won the scoring battle, 58-57.
Cooper, though, does not look in the past, he likes to live in the moment.
"Obviously we would love to have that back, but I think the thing right now is I want to be in the moment," Cooper said. "These seniors deserve that more than anything. To have them get that win (Wednesday) and getting that moment to have them individually be recognized despite no fans, they've given everything to this program and I love and respect them."
The Hilltoppers' regular season finale will be Saturday as they tipoff against cross-county rival Wheeling. The Cardinals are in third place in the MEC North with a 7-8 record. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m.