Clara Strack (Vicky Graff Photo)
Oklahoma’s physicality took a toll at times on Kentucky in the Women’s SEC Tournament last week when the Cats were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Coach Kenny Brooks said the “flow of the game” was interrupted at times but assistant coach Josh Petersen offered more insight.
“I felt like the physicality of the game when your shots are falling at times, you don’t notice it as much. When it’s physical and you’re not hitting shots it bothers you more,” he said after the game. “I thought several of our players looked shellshocked. We have to have the whole team show up. And we didn’t show up. We didn’t play well enough to win this one.”
Kentucky was only 27 of 71 from the field — 38 percent — and went 4-for-23 from 3— 17 percent.
Sophomore center Clara Strack had 12 points, 16 rebounds and two steals going against Oklahoma center Reagan Beers, one of the nation’s most physical players, who had 20 points and 11 rebounds.
“Clara Strack is a tremendous player, and her future is really bright. She’s a competitor on both ends of the floor,” Petersen said. “Doesn’t matter what the assignment is, she’s going to come to play. Credit to Oklahoma, credit to Reagan beers, and we just weren’t good enough today.”
Petersen and Brooks both spend a lot of time working with Strack, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and new single season blocked shots record holder at UK.
“I think one thing that’s kind of taken her out of her game a little bit this year is foul trouble. She did a really good job against a tough assignment,” Petersen said. “I think that it’s huge that she played 39 minutes. That’s really good for a post player who can really affect the game. I think she just needs to stay on the trajectory she’s on and we will be in good shape.”
Junior Teonni Key did get into foul trouble against Oklahoma and only played 20 minutes. She had five points and seven rebounds, both below her averages.
‘When she gets in foul trouble lately, it seems to knock her out of rhythm. I think it’s just continuing to work and watch film and get better for her,” Petersen said.
The Kentucky assistant hopes the team will learn from the loss and take advantage of a few extra days of rest before NCAA Tournament play starts.
One Response
That was not a good performance by the ladies. Strack taken out of her game for most of 1st half. Think the comments were directed at Hasslett and Silva mostly as they both have taken some mental timeouts during crucial games this season. Silva should be good for minimum of 10 pts every game based on her intl experience and height. Not having a bench will also be problematic for them moving forward. Overall, a very good first year start for the coach and the team.