Satori drives to the basket with
her new confidence.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
By Ed Piper
It's going to torture us a little to say it, but I'm going to go ahead: Satori Roberson's drives to the basket Tues., Jan. 26, against Scripps Ranch reminded one a little of a developing Madeleine Gates two years ago.
Four times the 5'11" senior either put the ball to the floor to drive down the lane to the basket, or she took a pass from a teammate to score, during one stretch in the second half.
This is yet another element of the blossoming Satori's basketball game. Previously noted has been her realization incorporated into her athletic body's movement that you go off your opposite foot for a layup.
The give-and-go was just beautiful, as Roberson sprinted for the basket looking over her shoulder for her teammate's pass. I've never seen her do this before--in three years of La Jolla basketball.
In 2013-14, one saw something similar: the talented Gates, since lost by the basketball program to a focus on volleyball only, dribbling down the lane proficiently with her right hand to the bucket. Then, as the season proceeded and her confidence increased, dribbling the ball all the way from half court unguarded to lay the ball up. All effectively breaking a press by the Vikings' opponent.
As Gates only did it with her right hand, whereas the goal is to eventually to be able to handle the ball with both hands equally well, her former teammate is making steps of growth incrementally.
The basic footwork for a layup. Pretty simple. That started showing in December.
Now, the drive to the basket.
Satori added another wrinkle in the same game: Twice, from the left block, she made a power step into the lane to make a right-handed turnaround shot or jump hook. This is new stuff. Evidence of practice. Someone is working with her. And she is being an apt pupil.
"Yeah, she does that," Coach Darnice Carnaje acknowledged her center's new drive ability after the game.
"She is so athletic," said the veteran coach, "she can get places" and reach for balls others without her mobility wouldn't be able to try for.
"But (as a result) she got into foul trouble. That hurts the team. She has to learn that she can't get into foul trouble." As a result, she sat out the start of the second half, contributing to a slide by La Jolla from down 28-15 at halftime to a nearly 30-point deficit later in the second half.
"We're getting better each game," Carnaje repeated. Roberson and her teammates, indeed, are getting better.
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