A new intensity: Eagle girls set their minds on improving through hard work and dedication

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- New Ulm Eagles girls' basketball coach Brad Metter is excited about his team's hard work and attitude going into the season, and junior forward Megan Oberle has an equally positive outlook.

"I really want us to win a fourth of our games, and I think that is a really reasonable goal, and be competitive in the conference," Oberle said.

Last year, after the Eagles finished their season 2-21, members of the team began lifting weights before school three times a week. Over the summer, they were involved in the 3-on-3 league, camps, tournaments.

This fall, the girls started lifting again before school, and the intensity has carried over into practice.

"We've been concentrating on keeping the level of intensity high throughout every situation -- sprint to get drinks, hustling after loose balls, keeping practice at game level," Metter said.

There are two main reasons Metter upped the intensity of practice. Metter said one reason is that "the girls have also asked me for intense practices; they said, 'Be harder on us. Do whatever it takes.'"

The drills and running the team has been doing will also allow them to be a quicker team, which Metter admits has been one of his wishes.

"We have fairly good speed, so I hope to run the ball up and down the floor," Metter said.

"[We're going] to be a quick team so we can press and make our opponents have more turnovers," Oberle said.

In addition to the girls requesting more intense practices, Metter also said that the girls have reached a point at which he can expect more out of them because of the time they have put in on their own time.

"Now, when I want them to do something on the floor, they are capable of doing those things," Metter said.

Aside from the intensity and desire, the Eagles also have more experience this season. The team consists mostly of 13 juniors -- players that Metter says are at a pretty even level, making it easier to sub frequently.

"I think we have a lot more experience," Oberle said. "I think we also have really good team chemistry, so that will really help us this year."

At least four team leaders will also help the Eagles this year, according to Metter: Oberle, Coresa Leighty, Martha Beatty and Alix Bergmann.

"Oberle is just all-out hustle," Meter said. "She is 5-8, but she'll post up like she's six feet tall. She'll get in there and go after the ball."

Leighty is expected to be the Eagles biggest offensive threat, having a good shot from 15 feet on in, and is able to grab rebounds. Beatty, a team captain, will be a primary ball handler for the team, and according to Metter, she "she can knock down a jump shot."

A new addition to the team this year is Bergmann, who is new to the district. She will also be a ball handler, and will especially help on the full court press.

"I think we see the court very well, and we work well together," Oberle said. "We've been playing a lot in the offseason, just pickup games to get the feel of playing together."

The Eagles begin their season when they host Albert Lea Tuesday.