Knoblock Steps Into Increased Role For Eagles Girls' Basketball

There is no shortage of leadership on the girls’ basketball team. Whether it has been on a soccer field, softball diamond or track, Megan Kirschling, Tarryn Bundy and Danielle McKeown have a proven track record of being able to lead a team to success and each brings a vital skillset to the basketball court.

Yet for all of their ability to lead a squad, the success of the team may ultimately come down to a different player who is hoping to etch out a name for herself on the basketball court: Megan Knoblock.

One year after coming off the bench in a defensive role, Knoblock is the Eagles’ starting point guard. The junior is still counted on to be a defensive stopper, but is now tasked with being the team’s primary ball-handler. Through three games Knoblock has had some ups and downs, but has an understanding of her role on her team and is putting in the work necessary to make sure her and her teammates come out winners.

“This year I really had to step up as a leader,” Knoblock said. “There are a lot of people behind me that I feel are looking up to me, like I was looking up to my point guard last year, so I feel like I really have to set an example at practice and in the games.”

Knoblcok and the rest of the West Deptford starters only saw about a half’s worth of action during Tuesday’s 43-14 win against Overbrook in Colonial Conference non-division action. The point guard finished with two points and two assists, but understands her role is less about producing numbers and more about getting her teammates the ball in the right positions.

“I’m definitely a distributer,” Knoblock said. “I try to get the best opportunities for all my teammates.”

Head coach J McKeown said that it has been a learning process for Knoblock, noting that the point guard can get rattled at times on the offensive end. But he said Knoblock has the type of mindset that will allow here to succeed in her increased roll.

“The thing about her that’s good is she’s asking questions,” McKeown said. “She wants the tape of the games; she wants to see what she did wrong so she can make herself a better player. … She’s getting there. She’s going to get there.”

In the meantime the team can rely on Kirschling and Bundy. Kirshcling had a game-high 14 points, with six rebounds and six steals. Bundy scored eight points to go with eight rebounds and three steals. Gabby Minnite added seven points, while Michelle Bower came off the bench with four.

“It took a few games to get going but it felt really good to get back in the swing of it,” Kirschling said.

The Eagles (2-1) entered Tuesday’s game expecting they would jump up early–they led 24-6 at halftime–and used the game two work out some of the issues that showed up in the previous two games.

“It was a really good chance to work on defense and work on getting our plays set on offense,” Kirschling said. “It always takes a while to adjust, so we kind of came at this knowing that we had to work any kinks.”

3-0 NOT TO BE: With four minutes left in its game against Overbrook the West Deptford boys’ basketball team looked well on its way to heading into winter break 3-0. The Eagles led Overbrook by nine points with four minutes left, but faltered down the stretch in a 55-49 loss.

The game was tied with 30 seconds to go, but a pair of West Deptford turnovers allowed Overbrook to escape with the win. The Eagles defense shined through the first two quarters as West Deptford led 20-18 at the half. However, Overbrook scored 18 and 19 in the final two frames.

Tom Jakubowski finished with a team-high 14 points, while Justin Hansen and Tim Fair had 11 and 10, respectively. The Eagles are off until Monday when they take on Delran in the Delran Holiday Hoops Tournament.