Winning just your second game against nine losses may not seem like much an accomplishment, but for the Perry girls basketball team a 46-35 win over Ogden to close the first portion of the season may end up being seen as a turning point of sorts.
Frustrated by what he considered a lack of hustle and poor attitude, head coach Chris Morrow went to an altered starting lineup in a loss at Winterset Dec. 19, but in doing so appeared to change the mental focus of his team.
Although defeated, 43-26, Morrow said he had seen positives, and those showed two days later when the Jayettes showed an aggressive instinct in pulling away from the Bulldogs for their victory.
Perry (2-9 overall, 0-4 in RRC action) still has a long way to go, especially on offense. The Jayettes are 46th of 48 Class 4A teams with a field goal percentage of only 26.8 and have hit just 23.8 beyond the 3-point arc while knocking down 52.2 percent of their free throws.
The squad has been held under 15 total points in three games and is thus averaging just 31.2 points per game while allowing 46.2 ppg.
While it will be difficult to suddenly reverse course, Morrow is thinking long-term, and has been pleased with the progress shown of late.
Sophomore guard Molly Lutmer is averaging 14.2 ppg. Already a sharpshooter from outside (she is 26-of-75 on 3-pointers) she has steadily improved her scoring off the dribble and has hit 16-of-19 free throws.
Isabel Saemisch averages 5.5 points per outing and Grace Stewart 4 ppg, with Saemisch having grabbed 61 rebounds. Stewart has 53 rebounds and 21 assists, with Gabby West collecting 37 boards.
Perry returns to action Friday by hosting Ballard. They will entertain Boone Jan. 9 and then travel to Bondurant-Farrar Jan. 12.
