Erin Dixon is passionate about basketball.
“I play two other sports, but basketball has always been my number one sport,” the Upper Moreland senior said. “I have been playing since I was five.
“I never gave up. I practice all the time. It’s my favorite sport. I love playing. Anything basketball – I’m always there.”
While some might consider the Golden Bears’ season a loss – Upper Moreland is winless in 10 league games and has won just three times in 19 games, Dixon and her teammates are not in that number. They love their sport, and they are enjoying the season.
“Yes, it gets frustrating when we don’t win, but before games, we set goals,” Dixon said. “It could be to have less than 10 turnovers before halftime.
“We’re a team that likes to have fun. We try our best. We just go out there and have fun. However it works out is how it works out. I have had a lot of fun, and coach Meade has made this team a lot better.”
Coach Jane Meade took over the helm at Upper Moreland last year.
“We all know Upper Moreland has struggled over the past 10 seasons, and I’m trying to change that culture,” the second-year coach said. “It’s a very difficult process obviously.
“It’s frustrating for my girls because they really do work very hard.”
Meade – herself a scholarship player and former point guard at St. Joseph’s University – and her coaching staff work tirelessly as well.
“It does get frustrating because we know as coaches and players how hard we’re working, and it’s so tough when you don’t get rewarded for that,” the Golden Bears’ coach said. “A lot of people would just bag it and that would be it, but my girls don’t do that.
“They keep trying, they’re buying into what we’re trying to do as coaches and they understand that changing the process takes a long time. I just feel so bad for them because I know how hard we’re working, and I would love to get another win or two just for them because it’s that one reward.”
Meade has received compliments from opposing coaches about her team’s improved play, but that doesn’t translate into wins.
“We see improvement, and I obviously tell them that sort of thing, but it’s not the same as seeing that ‘W,’” Meade said. “I can’t speak enough for my girls and how hard they work.
“The biggest question I get asked is ‘Isn’t it frustrating?’ Of course, it is. Being competitive, I want to win every game. The players want to win every game, but I find it encouraging because I do see them improving, I do see them continuing to work hard.”
Meade and her players take satisfaction from little victories within each game.
“My girls keep fighting, and they’re coming along,” the Golden Bears’ coach said. “They know what we’re doing as coaches is trying to change that culture and turn things around. They appreciate that, and they see that, but sometimes it’s tough because change does take a long time.
“My juniors and seniors now might not be a part of it, but they do understand if they buy into it, believe it and work hard, they will be part of that change even though they might not benefit from it. Maybe in three years we’ll have a few more wins, and I can credit them then. They do give me all they have, and they do fight. We just keep trying to stay positive and working hard. That’s all you can do.”
Meade pointed to Dixon as an example of a player who has stepped up in recent weeks. The last two games, she has posted double-doubles.
“We have seen it in her all along that she really has the potential to be a solid player and to give us the leadership we need,” the Golden Bears’ coach said. “The past couple of weeks she has really stepped up her game, and it’s great because it sets an example for the rest of the players.
“If they see her diving on the floor for loose balls, it gets everyone up and excited. She’s stepping up and peaking right now.”
While the Golden Bears have played some conference foes close, they have taken some beatings, most notably in a lopsided early season-loss to defending district runner-up Cheltenham.
“We play in a tough league, and obviously, we all know Cheltenham is a very good team,” Meade said. “The girls know that going in. Each game we set little goals - let’s have less than this many turnovers, let’s get to the foul line this many times.
“We’ll set those at the beginning of the game, and we’ll accomplish those. They’re little victories. That’s encouraging. We set little goals and things we can obtain in games like that, and we usually do, and we can build confidence from that.”
The Golden Bears will face Cheltenham in their Senior Night game on Tuesday, but don’t expect Dixon and her teammates to back down.
“It’s Senior Night,” Dixon said. “We’ll honor our seniors, and we’re going to go out and have fun and do what we do.”
What the Golden Bears do is work very hard at every practice and every game, and Dixon, for one, believes the future is bright.
“The freshmen that we got this year are really good,” she said. “They have made our team so much better. They make our energy a lot higher, and they’re going to have great benefits for next year.”
Meade, who boasts a tradition of winning in her playing career, is intent on turning the Golden Bears’ program around.
“I still want them to have a good experience and improve as players and as a team,” the second-year coach said. “Ultimately, what basketball did for me was taught me life lessons. That’s what I want them to also grasp.
“That’s part of me being a teacher – these girls can get a lot out of playing at a place like Upper Moreland and achieve life lessons with how our season goes. Sure, things are going to be frustrating, things are not always going to go our way, but we’ll get little victories out of doing what we can do within our ability. Hopefully, they will see that and take that lesson with them.”
Upper Moreland
Projected Senior Night starters and coach comments:
#3 – Senior Erin Dixon
“Erin has really come into her own over the past two weeks, stepping up and being the leader and player we knew she was capable of!” Meade said.
#42 – Senior Lexie Nagy
“Lexie is an amazing lady,” Meade said. “She does everything we ask of her. She is a tremendous leader and is so committed and truly buys into what we are doing. She is fully into every game and gives us valuable minutes off the bench as she is ready to go for us when we call on her!”
#40 – Senior Danielle McDonnell
“She has truly improved her game and is another wonderful leader whose commitment and hard work to the program pays off,” Meade said. “She is a strong presence in the middle, and her game has also elevated in the last couple of weeks.”
#44 – Junior Katie Costello
“Katie has such natural ability and a lot of talent,” Meade said. “When she is on her game, it elevates the level of our whole team. She has been a consistent scorer and rebounding leader for us all year!”
#11 – Sophomore Amanda Getz
“She’s our floor general,” Meade said. “I’m afraid to take her out. She’s shown great poise for being a sophomore point guard. I’m glad I have her for two more years.”
The rest of the Golden Bears and coach comments:
#32 – Freshman Karli Lynch
“She has great potential,” Meade said. “She’s a hard worker and is committed to becoming better. She is always fully engaged in the game and ready to go! She has given us invaluable minutes off the bench. I’m glad I have her for three more years!”
#33 – Freshman Lindsay Walder
“She has been a starter for us most games,” Meade said. “She’s a great athlete and such a scrapper. She brings so much energy and is such a great competitor! She has probably wiped clean most of the gym floors the way she gets after it! Another player I’m afraid to take out! She’s definitely an important piece as we move forward as a program.”
34 – Senior Chelsea Beaver
“Unfortunately, Chelsea has been injured most of the season,” Meade said. “She was a surprise last year with her success, and she really would have been a presence as a true center underneath for us this year, but despite her injury, Chelsea has been a committed captain and a true leader. She’s always there supporting the team and helping out in practice and on the bench.”
#20 – Junior Amber Stainback, #21 – Junior Taylor Jesse, #52 – Megan Penacale
“These three players were our swing players, but definitely important pieces to our program,” Meade said. “They were truly valuable for us in practice and were always there on the bench ready if needed. I know they’ve learned a lot in their roles this year.”
Coaches: Jane Meade, Melissa Schuck, Dan Minger.
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