Langley girls’ basketball passes early tests

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/langley-girls-basketball-passes-early-tests/2015/12/14/e060c68a-a270-11e5-ad3f-991ce3374e23_story.html

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With an early season schedule that has included road trips to Osbourn in Prince William County, three-time defending Virginia 5A North region champion Edison in Alexandria and a tournament game against H.D. Woodson in Washington, Langley girls’ basketball Coach Amanda Baker wanted to see what would happen when she threw her girls on the floor with physical opponents that would try to push them around.

What Baker has learned during a 5-0 start is the Saxons like to scrap.

“This year we’re more of the aggressors. We’re pressuring people, we’re causing turnovers and getting more possessions,” Baker said. “I think it’s really more to the girls and their fire for competition. They want the ball back and they’re finding ways to get it back.”

With a potent offense built around Paige Galiani on the wing, Langley ran out to 21 wins last season but fell short in the final at the Conference 6 tournament and in the semifinals in the 6A North region bracket.

An experienced returning cast has kept those disappointments in mind while renewing a commitment to whatever defense Baker has drawn up for the day.

“You can see it in the way they play and how they fight for the ball,” Baker said. “They want to win so bad, and having that type of fire, it’s not coachable.”

The Saxons have held their opponents to 38.6 points per game this season.

Galiani, a senior who Baker said has improved as a vocal leader, is averaging more than 17 points per game while a supporting cast has picked up the slack.

Baker said senior point guard Lizzy Shamloo doesn’t receive the same attention from defenses as Galiani or junior guard Ariana Aulisi, but she has delivered just as many significant shots in tight games.

On Saturday against Mount Vernon, Langley entered the locker room at halftime locked in a 22-22 tie. After making adjustments, the Saxons opened up a 54-34 victory.

“They were not going to get scored on,” Baker said. “And they were going to take it personally if they did.”

Shamloo said she can tell the team chemistry is on point by the level of noise on the bench. In a deep conference that includes other region contenders, the point guard is eyeing the postseason.

“I think playing the tough competition is good in getting us ready for the district tournament, preparing us for teams like Madison and Fairfax,” Shamloo said. “We want to show everyone else that we are a team to compete with. . . . We’ve got to stay focused.”