Lady Panthers fall short in head coach's absence

It was only several hours before Park Hill South’s scheduled tip-off with conference opponent Fort Osage last Friday when junior varsity and assistant head coach Abby Disselhoff found out she’d be filling in for head coach Jenny Orlowski on the varsity level while she tended to a family matter. Disselhoff, a 2002 graduate of Park Hill South, is a former Panther standout who played four years on the varsity squad during her time as a student and is now in her third year as a teacher and coach at the school. Although coaching her first varsity game, Disselhoff found no reason for nerves.

“I didn’t approach it much differently than I do my JV games. Yes, the competition level is higher but my intensity remains the same. I’ve also been with all of the varsity girls since they were freshmen so I know them very well and didn’t need to take on another approach. They know me and I know them,” Disselhoff said.

Hours away, head coach Jenny Orlowski was very much present for the Lady Panthers though as she addressed the team via iPhone before the game just the same as if she was there in person. Despite the out of the ordinary pre-game remarks which Disselhoff says motivated the team, they fell behind Fort Osage in the first quarter, down 17-10 coming into the second quarter before narrowing the margin to 27-25 going into the locker room at halftime.

The third quarter brought the Panthers alive as they took the lead gaining a cushion of seven points at one point before heading into the final quarter. Fort Osage gained the lead back in the final minutes before Courtney Claassen drove to the lane putting up a lay-up giving Park Hill South a one point lead. The Panthers forced a turnover the following possession, giving them a glimpse towards the possible victory, but it wouldn’t last as a basket in the closing seconds gave Fort Osage the advantage and two free throws gave them the ultimate 45-42 victory.

While the Panthers have been spreading the ball around more, resulting in multiple threats, its one area they lacked in last Friday. Samantha Roy led the team with 14 points with Madeline Homoly and Jessica Lee both contributing nine a piece.

“Unfortunately the scoring wasn’t as balanced as it has been in previous games, which could be in part to why we didn’t pull it out,” Disselhoff said. “When we all play together and balance the scoring, everyone is a threat and the defense has to honor that. This allows for more open looks for everyone.”

As the 6-5 Lady Panthers participate in the Oak Park Invitational this week, the characteristics of a young team are still visible, but they’re progressing into what they hope is one that can compete come district time, which isn’t a surprise to their coach who’s watched them grow as players in recent years.

“Being that we are young, our inexperience tends to show up at the end of close games,” Disselhoff said. “There haven’t been any surprises because we have known and been excited about the potential of all of these girls since their 8th grade year or before. They are a talented group and we look forward to a great rest of the season and years to come.”