Lady Falcon Marisa Cole on the move.
While their record may not indicate it, the Fort Campbell Lady Falcons were a much better basketball team in 2019-2020. All you had to do to recognize that was see them in 2018-2019, and then see them play this past season. Yes, there are big steps to be taken, but progress was indeed made for the program in 2019-2020.
Start with Coach Larry Dixon. When you watch him on the sideline, and watch his interaction with the players, you can tell he is aching for these young ladies to get a chance to experience success. The girls seem to take what he says to heart, they just need more time in the gym working on some of the basics of the game.
Unlike the 2018-2019 season, which ended in a forfeit in the district tournament, after the Lady Falcons could not put enough players on the court for the final game, this bunch of girls hung with it this season. The Lady Falcons this season exhibited heart, gumption, and a willingness too fight it out on the court. Give these ladies a lot of credit, you know they hear about “the streak.” Still, they were out there going at it every game.
As for the biggest positive stride for the Lady Falcons, their total scoring was up for the season 25-percent, and that was in two fewer games. When rebuilding, you take every gain where you can find it.
Asia Cabili led the Lady Falcons in scoring at 5.2 points per game. Marisa Cole was next at 4.0 points per contest. Cole also ran the point extensively for Fort Campbell, and appears to be a rising beacon of light for the program.
Lauren Anderson led the Lady Falcons on the glass with 5 rebounds per game. And say this about Lauren Anderson, she backed down from no one, and I mean no one. The Lady Falcons had to finish the season with Anderson on the bench due to a broken nose.
When you look to 2020-2021 for the Lady Falcons, you gotta start with wondering who will actually be on campus when October rolls around. Talking to Coach Dixon after the season, he stated that he expected at least six of his players, including a couple that have seen extensive time on the court, to be transferred by the Army. Note again, only Fort Knox athletics can appreciate that part of what a coach at Fort Campbell has to deal with.
Marisa Cole is expected to be back as a freshman to lead the Lady Falcons at the points. Cole is quick and athletic, and a summer of work could pay big dividends in the winter. Asis Cabili is expected to be back as a sophomore, and has been the most reliable offensive option for the Lady Falcons the last two seasons. Lauren Anderson will be the “ole lady” of the team, returning for her junior season. Anderson is strong down in the paint, and her willingness to beat and bang inside will be huge if the Lady Falcons are to take another step forward.
Those three form a solid nucleus for Fort Campbell in 2020-2021. And, again this fall, Coach Larry Dixon will likely find himself recruiting the halls at Fort Campbell High School looking for some of the athletes at the school that he believes can help the program.
Yes, the Lady Falcons got better this year, and look to have a chance to move forward more next year. And, THAT is where our focus will be.
