Good coaches are able to change the way they coach based on the make-up of their team.  Farmington girls’ basketball coach Jason Berg knows that more than most.  After a 56-50 road win over Chanhassen, Berg’s Tigers are 11-0 and ranked in the Star Tribune top ten.   Some top level talent and a willingness to adapt to the talent on the roster have been keys to the Tigers’ fast start.

“One of our strengths is our overall size,” Berg said.  “We have five or six kids between 5-10 and 6-2.  We used to press, but have changed our philosophy to a more defensive style.”

The defensive style has worked.  Prior to the Chanhassen game, opponents had been shooting a meager 27 percent from the field.  With a pressing style defenses can create turnovers, but will also give up easy points.

“We are not going to let teams score easily,” Berg said.  “We are not going to take risks and press.  We don’t give up easy points.”

Not only do they defend well, with the Tigers' size they don’t give up many second shots.  Farmington has out-rebounded every team it has played so far.

The ability to grind out games on the defensive end is accentuated by the team’s depth.

“We play nine kids so we can wear teams down,” Berg said.

At the top end of that depth are two players who will be playing at the next level.  Jordan Bridges, who just signed a letter of intent with Jamestown, is leading the team in rebounds and scores nearly 13 points a game.  The 6-2 senior forward compliments Farmington’s other sure fire college prospect, Taylor Meyer. 

Meyer has recruiting interest from South Dakota, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa and Wisconsin-Green Bay.  She has been averaging almost 16 points per game and is just percentage points behind Bridges in rebounding.  Meyer stands 5-11, but with such a big team is listed as a guard.

Not only do they have size, the Tigers also have experience.

“We are all seniors and juniors – these kids don’t get shook up," Berg said.  “We were down against Red Wing (9-1 at the time) and Owatonna, but we didn’t panic.  It is settling to have that experience if we get down.”

That experience has also helped them become a better team on the offensive end.

“They are smart about getting high percentage shots,” Berg said.  “We shoot nearly 50 percent.  They understand what good shots are for them and for their teammates.”

Understanding what each other do well on the offensive end has made it easy to be patient.  They are able to use their size and experience to pass up a good shot for another pass and a better shot for a teammate.

The Tigers’ patience, defensive philosophy and undefeated record will continue to be tested when they go on the road for a huge mid-season Missota Conference game versus 10-1 Shakopee on Friday night.