You have to give all the credit to them -- for the way they shot, for the way they played, for the way they prepared for us. Their inside-out game killed us.

We really played Independence pretty well, we just had that bad spell we have every game. I think we're making progress, although it doesn't show in the (wins). Leadership's not been a problem. I think we need more consistent rebounding and better defense. We just have breakdowns that just kill us.

After Marion-Franklin beat us (117-84 on Jan. 24), we went back to the drawing board. And they took it easy on us that night. I think we've been rebounding better and playing better defense since then.