Whitted settling into post-hybrid role as Lady Lions strive to finish season on positive note

Before the Lady Lions’ 2015-16 season began, junior forward Peyton Whitted did not think she’d be transitioned from a true forward — a “four” — to a hybrid forward-post player; even a straight-up center as the year has progressed, in fact.

The reason?

Penn State wants to continue playing fast and utilizing a transition-heavy offense. Whitted is the only player who showed the ability to play the five-slot and keep up with the pace of the speedy triple-guard attack of Brianna Banks, Teniya Page and Lindsey Spann, something that became noticeable especially as Big Ten play started.

“A lot of it is that Peyton enters the game more experienced,” said assistant coach Kia Damon (though center Candice Agee is actually more experienced both in years and in time spent at the position, as a senior who had always played center). “She enables us just to play faster, and that’s really what we want to do, and to allow the freshmen (Jaylen Williams and Ashanti Thomas) to come along at their natural learning pace.”

Damon said she anticipates Whitted to spend a lot of time in the five-slot next season. Whitted said on Tuesday before practice that she’d rather play her natural four position but will do whatever the team asks of her.

“I’m not the type to just say ‘That’s not what I’m comfortable with,’ ” she said. “That’s the whole point of this game, you have to be uncomfortable, you have to adjust to whatever the coaches say. I mean I’d love to play the four but if I have to play the five, I’ll play the five. If I have to play the three, I’ll play the three. If I have to play point guard, I’ll do it! Whatever (head coach Coquese Washington) needs me to do.”

Against No. 7 Ohio State on Sunday, Whitted grabbed eight rebounds before getting into foul trouble and having to sit out. Her aggressive presence was clearly missed as the Lady Lions fell prey to a late surge by the Buckeyes, and that same presence will be key as the team tries to close out the regular season on a positive trend.

“We thought we kind of let one get away from us late with our execution down the stretch,” said Damon. “I was pretty happy and pleased with the effort and hope we continue it. …

“We as coaches, we definitely want to show progress. I think what you saw in the Michigan State game (Penn State upset the No. 17-ranked Spartans) and even in the Ohio State game, we kind of started that journey weeks ago. And it really started to kick in where we’re starting to play better and kind of become more cohesive, and get more balance.”

The Big Ten tournament is also just a couple of weeks away, but Damon said the team isn’t thinking about that right now.

“We know it’s on the horizon but we haven’t given a lot of time talking about it with the team because there’s so much still to be settled in the conference in terms of seedings and things of that nature,” said Damon. “I firmly believe a lot of this will come down to literally the last game of the season in terms of knowing where you stand.”

The Lady Lions have four regular-season games remaining, starting with Wednesday night’s matchup at Northwestern at 8 p.m.

Penn State (9-16, 4-10) opened its Big Ten schedule with a win over the Wildcats on Dec. 31 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Page scored a then-career high 27 points in the effort while Banks had 25.

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 5:21 PM with the headline "Whitted settling into post-hybrid role as Lady Lions strive to finish season on positive note."