Elashier Hall and Carmen Tyson-Thomas knew entering the season that they were going to have expanded roles. But numerous personnel and schematic changes made that adjustment more challenging than expected.

Erica Morrow, the team’s leader from last season, graduated and Syracuse head coach Quentin Hillsman vowed to speed up the game with a high-pressure defense.

In the process, Hall and Tyson-Thomas each took on more responsibilities. Hillsman knew the alterations could cause some trouble, and it showed at points early on. The juniors struggled to find consistency, which was evident during a three-game losing streak that concluded with a loss to West Virginia on Dec. 7.

‘I’m going to stay positive,’ Hillsman said following the 76-72 loss. ‘We got to keep working. We changed our style of play. We changed everything.’

With 14 games under their belts, Hall and Tyson-Thomas have put together a string of impressive performances in recent games. The duo will look to continue to flourish when Syracuse (10-4, 0-1 Big East) takes on Colgate (3-11) in its final tune-up prior to Big East play in the Carrier Dome at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Orange dropped its conference opener to the Mountaineers.

The 5-foot-9 Tyson-Thomas became a full-time starter and began logging minutes at shooting guard, small forward and power forward. Hall, who started in each of SU’s games last season, now leads the team in minutes per game (31.8).

Hall also carries the added responsibility of handling the basketball at certain points in games. Like Hillsman, she knew the team would have its ups and downs before everyone settled into their new roles.

‘I think it’s growing pains, although we have a lot of people that came back we still have those two huge puzzle pieces that are missing with Erica and Tasha (Harris),’ Hall said on Dec. 14.

Over the last four games, Tyson-Thomas and Hall have each averaged double-figures in scoring. Hall was the lone bright spot in an 82-63 loss to Oklahoma on Dec. 19, scoring 19 points, and Tyson-Thomas recorded her third double-double of the season in Thursday’s blowout win over Niagara.

The junior guards’ play in recent games has led to a more balanced scoring attack for Syracuse. And as the Orange’s shooting woes have started to fade, it collected three wins in its last four games.

Tyson-Thomas said that she and Hall have taken on the added task of helping to develop some of the younger guards in addition to leading the team on the court. With players like La’Shay Taft and Rachel Coffey playing their first extensive minutes in collegiate action, it’s up to the veterans to take on the leadership responsibilities, just as their predecessors did.  

‘Me and Lacie, we played a fair amount of minutes the past three years now and it’s just bringing them along the way,’ Tyson-Thomas said. ‘…It’s not much that we really have to tell them, it’s more of little reminders like Erica and Tasha used to give us.’

And although Hillsman has put an emphasis on getting the ball inside to center Kayla Alexander and forward Iasia Hemingway, Hall and Tyson-Thomas have provided a lift in the backcourt.

Hall recognizes her new responsibilities this season and knows everyone on the team needs to continue to grow to make this season a success.

‘People who were freshman who are now sophomores have to step up a little bit, the weight is on their shoulders a little more than it was last year,’ Hall said. ‘So I think that’s what we have to build on.’

adtredin@syr.edu

Published on December 30, 2011 at 12:00 pm