MODESTO — It goes without saying that East Union seniors Ashley Rose and Rachel McDaniel are expected to bring their ‘A’ game to the court each and every night, and, luckily for head coach Jim Agostini, that’s exactly what they do.
But the test for the Lancers this season isn’t in how Rose and McDaniel perform, but rather, how brightly the supporting cast can shine.
Monday night in a 64-42 win at Modesto High, the ensemble was blinding.
Shalane Jackson had nine points, six rebounds and three assists, while Rachel O’Neal hit for six points, 10 rebounds (5 offensive) and five steals.
Tiffany Mack scored six, and Lexy Posz came up with six points, five assists and 10 more rebounds — eight on the offensive end.
And, oh, by the way, the seniors weren’t bad either.
Rose poured in 25 points on three 3-pointers, grabbed six steals and handed out three assists.
McDaniel, meanwhile, scored 12, grabbed six boards, collected five steals and racked up seven assists.
As a team, East Union had 20 steals and 19 assists, while turning the ball over just 13 times.
On most nights, that’s a recipe for surefire victory.
“We thought tonight we needed a good solid game,” Agostini said. “With the assists, the rebounds and the (lack of) turnovers as a team, we got production all the way down the board, everyone participated and everyone produced.
“It was a really good all-around team win.”
Agostini had kudos to pass out left and right following the win, especially for underclassmen O’Neal, Jackson and Posz.
“O’Neal is very athletic,” Agostini said. “She’s one of our longest girls and one of our fastest. She does an outstanding job on the back end of the press. We don’t ask her to score, but when she does it’s a big bonus for us.
“Lexy’s doing the right things for us. We watch her on film and she’s at the right spot all the time. She’s just a good, young, intelligent basketball player.”
And the freshman Jackson?
“Shalane’s just continuing to come along, she really is,” Agostini said.
While the offensive stat sheet was packed Monday night, perhaps East Union’s most impressive work was done on the defensive end.
“When Modesto was making the extra pass, our backside was rotation was there every time,” Agostini said. “We’ve been working on that a lot at practice.”
East Union led 44-20 at halftime.
With the win, the Lancers remained unbeaten at 5-0.
EU heads back to Modesto this evening for a meeting with Johansen.
Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
— Brandon Petersen
But the test for the Lancers this season isn’t in how Rose and McDaniel perform, but rather, how brightly the supporting cast can shine.
Monday night in a 64-42 win at Modesto High, the ensemble was blinding.
Shalane Jackson had nine points, six rebounds and three assists, while Rachel O’Neal hit for six points, 10 rebounds (5 offensive) and five steals.
Tiffany Mack scored six, and Lexy Posz came up with six points, five assists and 10 more rebounds — eight on the offensive end.
And, oh, by the way, the seniors weren’t bad either.
Rose poured in 25 points on three 3-pointers, grabbed six steals and handed out three assists.
McDaniel, meanwhile, scored 12, grabbed six boards, collected five steals and racked up seven assists.
As a team, East Union had 20 steals and 19 assists, while turning the ball over just 13 times.
On most nights, that’s a recipe for surefire victory.
“We thought tonight we needed a good solid game,” Agostini said. “With the assists, the rebounds and the (lack of) turnovers as a team, we got production all the way down the board, everyone participated and everyone produced.
“It was a really good all-around team win.”
Agostini had kudos to pass out left and right following the win, especially for underclassmen O’Neal, Jackson and Posz.
“O’Neal is very athletic,” Agostini said. “She’s one of our longest girls and one of our fastest. She does an outstanding job on the back end of the press. We don’t ask her to score, but when she does it’s a big bonus for us.
“Lexy’s doing the right things for us. We watch her on film and she’s at the right spot all the time. She’s just a good, young, intelligent basketball player.”
And the freshman Jackson?
“Shalane’s just continuing to come along, she really is,” Agostini said.
While the offensive stat sheet was packed Monday night, perhaps East Union’s most impressive work was done on the defensive end.
“When Modesto was making the extra pass, our backside was rotation was there every time,” Agostini said. “We’ve been working on that a lot at practice.”
East Union led 44-20 at halftime.
With the win, the Lancers remained unbeaten at 5-0.
EU heads back to Modesto this evening for a meeting with Johansen.
Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
— Brandon Petersen
