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Volume CXVIII, No. XXIII |
December 8, 2005 |
Favey fills niche
Sophomore sparks Blazers off bench
Staff writer
The off-season is a time for players to develop and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of his or her particular game. When the next season rolls around, the athlete hopes to showcase a new and improved game.
This is certainly true of sophomore Judy Falvey, a member of the St. Ben's basketball team (3-1 MIAC, 4-2 overall).
Last season, Falvey appeared in 19 varsity games, averaging 2.7 points per game.
"My role varied from game to game," said Falvey, a graduate of Lakeville High School. "I usually came in for a particular purpose. I didn't get a lot of minutes."
It wasn't bad for a first-year player, but head coach Mike Durbin definitely saw more out of the 5-foot-11 wing.
At the end of last season, Falvey and Durbin discussed the aspects of her game that could be improved, such as long-range shooting, getting up on defense and confidence with the ball.
What a difference a year makes. This season Falvey has strengthened every aspect of her game. She is getting more minutes and has assumed the position of "sixth woman" on the team.
Falvey has averaged 6.3 ppg this season for the Blazers, who beat Bethel 80-70 Wednesday night at Claire Lynch Hall.
"She is the first wing off the bench and is playing extremely well," Durbin said. "She provides a scoring punch ... that provides instant offense."
Her progress and improvement has not gone unnoticed by her teammates. Junior wing Darby Noreen has seen her defense improve dramatically this past year.
"She is a maniac on defense," Noreen said. "She looks like a tornado. People hate being on offense against her."
Although she is aware of her newly acquired position on the team, Falvey doesn't lose sight of the fact that team is more important than individual success.
"It's best to focus on how you can contribute to the team versus the title of a position," Falvey said. "(But) it takes a lot of pressure off when you know your role coming off the bench."
As for her "sixth man" status, Falvey is happy to contribute to the team any way she can.
"We have phenomenal starters," she said. "Based on their play this season and last season, they deserve their positions."
At the same time, she will continue to work hard in hopes of earning a starting position. "It's always on the back of your mind. It is something that I'll need to step up for and work towards."
"She would probably be a starter for a lot of the teams in our conference," Durbin said. "But right now she is fitting a role. She gives us something off the bench that we wouldn't have otherwise."
After all, Falvey is up to the challenge. She is no stranger to overcoming obstacles either. In ninth grade she unexpectedly went deaf in her right ear.
"It is especially difficult to tell where sounds are coming from, which can be confusing on the basketball court where you have to be very aware," Falvey said. "I've learned to adjust though, and my teammates and coaches are fabulous at making sure I hear the calls. I don't consider it a problem anymore. It's just something that forces me to focus and be more aware on the court."
Until the time that she becomes an official Blazer starter, Falvey sticks with what is working: "Consistency each night is important and playing at a high level. It's one thing to have a 15 point game once in a while, but to come out every night and be consistent."
