Diplomat women continue solid start

While queued up to shake hands with the opposition following Wednesday night's game, a gentleman in the stands directed a comment towards Franklin & Marshall women's basketball coach Kirsten Richter.

"Way to go, Coach," the man said.

Richter, wearing the smile of a victor, said, "Thanks."

It had to be a sweet moment for Richter, who, in her first year as coach of the Diplomats, has the team at a modest 4-3 mark, yet 3-1 in the Centennial Conference after a 66-53 victory over Gettysburg at Mayser Gym.

While a coach doesn't score any points or grab any rebounds, Richter's uber-positive approach matched with teamwide experience has produced a nice start for the Diplomats, including Wednesday night's win.

"The attitude is just so positive," said F&M forward Amy Chabitnoy, one of only two seniors currently on the team. "When you make a mistake, you're down on yourself more than anybody else. But Coach Richter is so encouraging. You make a mistake and nobody is screaming at you."

Maybe F&M junior forward Megan Pauley finds the attitude liberating. Pauley, the team's leading scorer, led all scorers with 23 points — four short of her season high — on 8-for-15 shooting, which included a pair of treys.

"Megan's scoring, rebounding and defense have been great but the most important thing has been her leadership," Richter said. "She keeps the team on an even keel and spreads her poise around."

While Gettysburg certainly knew Pauley was F&M's top scorer, she was able to work through the extra defense to put up the 23.

"Well, it's kind of exciting," said Pauley, knowing she can do the job despite the extra attention. "Plus, I always know my teammates are there and will pick it up if I'm having an off day."

Pauley, the No. 2 scorer in the Centennial Conference, scored 12 points in the first half as the Diplomats battled through the Bullets' halfcourt zone and trap. F&M had a 30-27 lead at halftime despite turning the ball over 20 times. Offsetting those miscues was a 22-12 advantage on the boards.

"Everyone worked hard to rebound," Richter said.

F&M built on that lead at the start of the second half with 9-2 run, keyed by Allison Bauer's trey, a jumper and a steal, Bauer finished with a season-high 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting.

"We knew the first half wasn't good enough," said Pauley. "Allison's and Alexa's (Barbush) energy just carried over to the rest of the team."

Chabitnoy and Colleen Bott (10 points) were instrumental in building a lead that reached 15 but was never less than six. With F&M leading 46-40, Chabitnoy hit a pair of jumpers sandwiched around a Gettysburg free throw, pumping the Diplomats' lead back to nine with 8:15 to play.

"We've really been working on our 'help' defense," Richter said. "We want to help on the drive before the player gets into the paint. That was the best we've done with that this season."

Sara Kinsley had a team-high 10 for Gettysburg but the Diplomats limited Bullets' leading scorer Julie McGrory, who averages 14.3 points per game, to four points on 2-for-21 shooting.

F&M had its best shooting night of the season, hitting at 50 percent from the field.

As a first-year coach, Richter wasn't quite sure what to expect seven games into the season.

"(From the start), I've had a lot of confidence in the players," Richter said. "They've been a real cognitive group and they're really cashing in on all the work they have put in."

Someone joked that Richter may need to look into voice lessons. Her instructions to her team can barely be heard over the din of the crowd.

But that's OK. The Diplomats seem to be hearing her load and clear.

kfreeman@lnpnews.com