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After having defeated high-level teams such as Gainesville and Centreville in nail-biting victories, the Lady Saxons’ winning streak was snapped on Dec. 15 against Chantilly, 35-21. Although Langley has been on the winning side, the team is leaning on a younger roster, which head coach Amanda Baker described as the “unknown.”
“We certainly graduated a lot of scoring last summer, but we started gameplanning how we were going to fill that void this past spring,” she said. “From the outside, it might’ve looked like how they [the athletes] were going to score, but that is definitely on our minds too. I think it’s the continuity of so many minutes played, and now if the newer players can step up.”
That has not prevented the Saxons from winning most of their matchups. Although it is still early in the season and Langley continues to adjust its game plan for each opponent, Baker credited the players for their flexibility and willingness to buy into the coaching staff’s approach.
“I think that selflessness has played a significant part in their victories,” she explained.
Given the loss to the Chargers, Baker said it’s not the end of the world. She doesn’t anticipate measuring success on a win-loss record, but rather enduring the hardships of losing.
“It certainly highlighted some areas of improvement,” she said. “We’re so young still, so we need to be in learning mode for the rest of the season. Our measure of progress is going to be the key metrics, such as rebounding and execution of plays. As long as we’re trending in the right direction in those areas and preparing for February, we will have had a successful regular season.”
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Langley’s 21 points were the fewest the team has scored in recent seasons. Baker said the performance underscored the need for discipline in technique and proper form to limit an opponent’s offense, adding that the loss showed the team it cannot rely too heavily on jumping alone.
“I think rebounding is something we’ve always talked about, but this game really drilled home the importance of not just talking about it, but being about it,” she said. “I think that will be the lesson we will emphasize from that game.”
Because rebounding was an issue for Langley in the first half, the Saxons made a few adjustments at halftime. Baker credits the players for changing their defensive scheme for the rest of the game.
“Usually, I’m a positive person, but I think in the moment they needed to hear that we were not doing what was talked about ahead of time,” she said. “I thought they came out with great energy on defense, and we had four straight stops; we just couldn’t convert on them. I know we’re going to miss shots, but I was pleased with our defense since that’s our calling card.”
In addition to defensive struggles, playing on the road posed challenges for Langley. Baker said the Saxons may have grown comfortable after playing five consecutive home matches.
“The routine of being in your home gym is very different than traveling,” she said. “I think it was a great reminder that we have to play in an uncomfortable situation, and we’re not always going to play in the luxury of our home gym. It’s something our young team is still working through.”
Baker isn’t afraid of the future. She knows that Langley will grow from the experience and get better as the season progresses.
However, she said, a hurdle will be coming in district play. She explains that Langley has to be precise.
“We can get away with it for some of the other games, but as we have tougher competition, we have to execute very well on away games,” she said. “I think I need to do a better job of executing the way we need to.”
For a younger squad, it looks bright. Sophomore Mariah Armah is averaging 17 points, rebounds and steals per game, while senior Maddie Shamloo leads with the most assists.
The biggest question is whether they can continue their success this season without Anya Rahman and Peyton Daley, who graduated last spring, coming to the postseason.