Everyone knows about Eastern senior forward Rachel Galligan.

Galligan, an Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year candidate, is going to carry the Eastern women’s basketball team in scoring most nights.

But then again, she doesn’t have to.

And that’s what makes the Eastern women’s basketball or, any team for that matter, a good team.

They don’t have to look to one player to do the majority of the scoring.

While Galligan still will, the Panthers (12-6, 6-1 OVC) have multiple offensive weapons to help them win games.

This includes senior guards Ellen Canale (10.2 points per game) and Megan Edwards (7.7 ppg) from the outside. But Canale can also drive and take jumpers.

Because Eastern red-shirt junior guard Dominique Sims is so athletic and versatile (beyond the arc, jumpers and shot driving in the lane), it is difficult for opposing teams to guard her. Sims averages 10.1 ppg.

Then, add in junior forward Maggie Kloak’s ability to score in the post, which allows her to be a force as well (9.0 ppg). Senior forward Lindsey Kluempers, junior guard Ashley Thomas, freshman guard Pilar Walker and freshman forward Chantelle Pressley all help the Panthers make an efficient offensive unit.

The Panthers shoot 45.7 percent from the field, so they know when to take shots; it’s all a part of their system. This will help for the future as well because Walker, Pressley and freshman guard Madeline Kish will need to understand the high-low and the motion offense.

Walker said after Saturday’s game that because of Edwards’ help, she is better at running the offense than she was earlier in the season.

With Edwards graduating, Walker will be the primary general of the offense next season.

She and the rest of the current Panthers will be responsible for helping the five-member recruiting class understand the offense.

The offensive flow from year-to-year is important, especially if head coach Brady Sallee wants to maintain this program. Because with five seniors graduating, it will be difficult. But Sallee, if he sticks around, should be able to do it. He said last season it is a lot of work to do, but it’s something he loves.

“Now the challenge is not to be this one-hit wonder,” Sallee said last season. “We all understand we have a good basketball team intact. The challenge is to build and duplicate what we did this year.”

And that’s something every basketball coach should build upon: Being better – including the team’s offense.

Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.