Bonesville: The Authoritative Independent Voice of East Carolina

News & Features from ECU, the AAC and Beyond

  • Home
  • News & Features
  • Recruiting
  • Photos
  • Audio
  • Roundup
  • Comments
  • Legacy Archives

• ECU 2021-22 Hoops Schedule
• ECU 2022 Baseball Schedule
• ECU 2022 Football Schedule
• Recruiting: Football • Hoops

The Bradsher Beat
Pirates leave upheaval behind in 3-0 start

November 15, 2018 By Bethany Bradsher 3 Comments

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

It was just one intense, triumphant minute in the second quarter of the East Carolina women’s team’s 59-47 win over Grand Canyon on Wednesday, but that sixty seconds gave the Pirates permanent possession of the momentum and reminded coach Chad Killinger of two factors that propelled ECU to 3-0 — experience and coachability.

After a hot start powered by Destiny Campbell’s eight points in the first four minutes, the Pirates’ outside shooting cooled off and the Antelopes began to chip away at a 16-5 ECU lead. By the end of the quarter the home team held a slight 20-18 edge, and the sluggishness continued into the second.

With 4:37 remaining, GCU’s Venla Varis made a layup to tie the game 24-24, a score that was ECU’s only non-lead of the game and marked the beginning of the Pirates’ magic minute.

Sparkplug guard Raven Johnson made a three-pointer almost immediately after GCU knotted it up, then she stole the ball and launched it to teammate Justice Gee for a fast break basket. Then the Antelopes missed a three-pointer, and on the next possession Gee and Johnson teamed up again, this time on a Gee rebound and pass to Johnson, who converted a layup for a 31-24 lead.

By halftime the Pirates were ahead 34-24, and in the second half the margin never fell below seven points.

Interim coach Chad Killinger claps at courtside during ECU’s win over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Nov. 6, 2018. The Pirates have added two more wins since that season-opening victory. (ECU Media Relations photo by Rob Goldberg)

“Defensively, I think our intensity picked up a little bit,” Killinger said. “We changed defenses. The way the game is played now, I don’t think you can just sit in one defense, because I feel like teams are able to get a rhythm against you. And I feel like we changed defenses and created some situations where we were able to get out in transition.”

Despite the tumult of ECU’s preseason, which saw former head coach Heather Macy resign after an internal investigation on October 17, the squad has found stability in the maturity of a lineup that features three seniors and six juniors and relies on different leaders in each game.

Five different players have scored in double digits in ECU’s first three outings, and three different players have led the team in rebounds. When adjustments are necessary, as they were on Wednesday, the team is characterized by flexibility and humility, Killinger said.

“Once we try to make some adjustments, they’re trying to do everything we ask them to do,” Killinger said. “It’s not easy to win games at this level, regardless of who you’re playing, so you have to be willing to make adjustments throughout, and maybe something you haven’t even planned on using, but for whatever reason you have to go to it.

“And our team is usually good about finding the person who has the hot hand and getting the ball to them. They’re really an unselfish group, which makes it pretty easy to coach them.”

Sophomore forward Tamia Hicks, who notched seven rebounds and nine points in the victory and helped diversify the offense when perimeter shooting stopped advancing the score early, said the individualized approach and intensity in practice has prepared the players for games like Wednesday’s, when they were unable to rely on just one set of strengths.

“I think, as a team, we just rallied together,” Hicks said. “We knew that we needed to get a gap in the game. Even in practices we are together, so in the games it’s even easier for us to be together. I think that momentum and that energy just carried from the group that was on to the subs that came in, which helped us get a bigger lead.”

Killinger praised his squad’s defensive efforts against the Antelopes, noting that after GCU shot 61.5 percent in the first quarter ECU held them to 30 percent, 21.4 percent and 44.4 percent in the other three.

On offense, one consistent factor through each of ECU’s games so far is the dynamic presence of Johnson, a junior from Lilburn, GA, who has scored 50 total points in the Pirates’ three victories and has emerged as a leader who can help move the needle when her team hits a lull.

“She’s just an energetic kid, never seems to get tired, and does a good job,” Killinger said. “We can put her on the other team’s best player and she does a great job. And if we need somebody to get to the basket, she can do that. She just has a little bit of an infectious personality, and I think people pick up on that.”

ECU will try to continue its undefeated campaign on Sunday at home, with a 5 p.m. game against Kennesaw State.

VIEW ECU 2018-19 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE ON ECUPIRATES.COM

Related

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: News & Features

Comments

  1. MatC says

    November 15, 2018 at 10:59 am

    Men don’t follow this game. They play Monday!

    Reply
    • Danny Whitford says

      November 15, 2018 at 4:21 pm

      MatC: Thank you for the heads up. Correction has been made. — Danny Whitford, Editor

      Reply
  2. Dan A. says

    November 16, 2018 at 7:28 am

    Hi Danny,

    As a long time Pirate fan and loyal Bonesville reader (I can’t remember the last day I didn’t visit your site) I was wondering if you could write an article or have it written about QB development at ECU. I recently commented about that on this forum but think it deserves a better more intense look from one of your writers. I think it’s crucial information as we talk about the Pirates future and the future of our coach. It’s stunning to think that two of Ruff’s recruits have gone on to such significant success in what most people would think were more difficult situations. I do believe that Ahlers is a special QB and believe it’s paramount that we put him in the best situation to thrive. Wins and losses are important factors but player development also speaks loudly to coaches ability. For me we’ve had some great examples of getting the most out of what we had in the past. Steve Logan and Skip Holtz were great at sustainable development of players. I’m not sure our current regime share that ability and with three year look we probably have seen who they are. Anyways if you believe it’s interesting and important info that our QB from last year is literally lighting it up in the northwest and another former Pirate was considered one of the best QB’s in the ACC for two years Bonesville.net should dive into the why’s and how’s of that situation.
    I believe we have the roster for a significant turnaround but need to have the right person guiding the ship. Maybe it’s Scottie but maybe it’s not.

    Thanks for providing such great info on the Pirates for so many years. Bonesville.net is a part of my day every day of my life.

    Go Pirates!!!!
    Dan A.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News & Features

Baseball News
Pirates clinch AAC crown

Baseball News
ECU captures series, boosts conference lead

Baseball News
Pirates take series opener with Bulls

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates aim high for interior line talent

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates prevail at less than best

Baseball News
Pirates top Duke, 5-4

Baseball News
Pirates sweep series with 15-1 route

Baseball News
Pirates take series, boost league lead

Baseball News
ECU takes epic duel in 13 innings

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Resilient Pirates surge to first in AAC

More News & Features

ECU Schedules

  • ECU 2021 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2020-21 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2021 Baseball Schedule

ECU Recruiting

  • Football Recruiting Class of 2021
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2020
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2019
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2018
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2017
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2021-22
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2020-21
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2019-20
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2018-19
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2017-18
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2016-17
Tweets by bonesville

Past Football Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2014 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2013 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2012 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2011 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2010 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2009 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2008 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2007 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2006 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2005 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2004 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2003 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2002 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2001 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2000 Football Schedule
  • Historical Schedules

Past Basketball Schedules

  • ECU 2019-20 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2018-19 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2017-18 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2016-17 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2000-2015 Basketball Archives

Past Baseball Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2001-2014 Baseball Archives

Recruiting Class Profiles

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates aim high for interior line talent

ECU Recruiting News
Well stocked Pirates enter fray for O-linemen

ECU Recruiting News
ECU faces uphill battle in hunt for tight ends

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates cast wide net for wide receivers

ECU Recruiting News
Loaded Pirates still courting running backs

ECU Recruiting News
ECU targets quarterbacks of the future

AAC Football Recruiting News
Transfer portal reshaping AAC football programs

Class of 2022 Defensive Report Card
ECU’s former weak link becoming big strength (updated)

Class of 2022 Offensive Report Card
Help is on the way for blocking corps (update 3)

American Athletic Conference Recruiting
Bearcats lead AAC’s early signing push

Class of 2022 In-depth Analysis
Surprises, depth highlight early recruiting haul

VIEW FROM THE EAST
‘What a difference a year makes’

Football Recruiting Report
Prolific receiver Webb may enroll early

Football Recruiting Report
Another gifted running back headed to ECU

Football Recruiting Report
ECU wins pledge from hotly recruited RB Gunn

Football Recruiting Report
Coveted lineman Sacra may enroll early

Football Recruiting Report
Pirates lure a star from DB factory

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Harrell on quest for unanimous effort

Football Recruiting Report
West Craven star Mims sticking close to home

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates ready for preseason camp

Football Recruiting Report
Lineman built his future during COVID layoff

Football Recruiting Report
Norcross star on track for early enrollment

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates pulling from portal

Football Recruiting Report
Big man Allen tapping into ‘nasty side’

Football Recruiting Report
ECU gets one of NC’s top D-line prospects

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 16, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 15, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday May 14, 2022

Writer Archives

  • Bonesville Staff
  • Brian Bailey
  • Sammy Batten
  • Bethany Bradsher
  • Brett Friedlander
  • Al Myatt
  • NFF
  • Greg Vacek
  • Danny Whitford

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 16, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 15, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday May 14, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, May 13, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, May 11, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 9, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 8, 2022

More Web Roundups

Copyright © 2022 Bonesville.net · Website by Seaport Webworks. · Log in · Privacy Policy