With only two games remaining before the start of the Maryland JuCo Tournament, Tom Smith would like to see some changes in his Anne Arundel Community College women's basketball team.
Smarter decisions. More controlled play. Fewer turnovers.
And more wins.
The Pioneers (14-7) led Hagerstown by four points at halftime, then faltered in a 65-54 loss Monday. Ginger Breneman scored 15 points and Jen Welsh added 10.
Debbi Dadds was held to seven points, but she pulled down 18 rebounds.
"We're not playing well in our half-court game. We're forcing things that aren't there," Smith said.
Four of Anne Arundel's losses have come to nationally ranked teams. Of its other losses, Smith said, "they were games we should have won."
The JuCo tournament is Feb. 17-19 at Garrett, and Smith said his team is capable of beating anyone -- as long as it works through its problems.
The seedings won't be determined until a couple of days before play begins, but the Pioneers most likely will end up in the same bracket as nationally ranked Frederick, which defeated Anne Arundel, 88-53, last week.
Smith hopes they won't meet until the third game.
"They have three players who can definitely play Division I," Smith said.
Before Smith worries about Frederick, he must contend with Harford tomorrow and Montgomery-Rockville Monday. Rockville is ranked No. 1 in the nation among Division III teams.
"We've just got to get back to being very basic, very smart," he said. "They know they can play with anyone in the region."
Men's basketball
Anne Arundel had a five-game winning streak end last Friday, but it did something that pleased coach Mike Tummings.
It began a new one.
Four players scored 15 points each to lead the Pioneers past Cecil Monday, 101-71. Aderio Jones, Tony Curro, Nat Scott and Joe Miller did much of the damage offensively, as the Pioneers got by without their leading rebounder and one of their top scorers.
Sylvester Clarke probably will miss the remainder of the regular season because of a recurring wrist injury. Anne Arundel travels to Montgomery-Germantown tomorrow before taking part in the Maryland JuCo Tournament Feb. 16-20 at Rockville.
"We want Sylvester to be 100 percent for the tournament. He's too valuable a player for us," Tummings said.
Miller's contribution was a pleasant surprise to the Pioneers. He hadn't played much until Monday, but made the most of his opportunity.
"He's a hard worker," Tummings said.
Catonsville handed the Pioneers their first loss since Jan. 18, breaking a 31-31 halftime tie and winning, 77-67.
Clarke scored 28 points, pulled down 13 rebounds and dished out two assists before reinjuring his wrist. Jones added 11 points, six rebounds and eight assists, and Curro had 11 points, three rebounds and four assists. Curro hit three three-point shots.