Women's Basketball
Same Talent, New Attitude
March 22, 2006
By Tommy R. Atkinson
Staff writer, The Charleston Gazette
Despite returning five starters, this isn’t the same University of Charleston team that advanced to last year’s NCAA Division II women’s basketball Elite Eight national tournament.
"We’re a whole new team,’’ said Golden Eagles senior Lisa Lee. "We have a winning confidence in ourselves.’’
UC (31-2) will meet Grand Valley State (30-3) at 9 tonight in the quarterfinals at Summit Arena in Hot Springs, Ark. The Golden Eagles lost 73-60 to eventual national champion Washburn (Kan.) in last year’s opener.
The game will be broadcast locally on radio stations 1240-AM WBES and 950-AM WVTS. With a win, UC would play in the semifinals at 10:30 p.m. Thursday against the winner of today’s game between Cal State-Chico and Henderson State. The semifinals will be televised by ESPNU.
The national championship game will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday and be televised by ESPN2.
Grand Valley, which fell to Seattle Pacific in last year’s Elite Eight first round, beat Drury (Mo.) 91-76 in the Great Lakes Region tournament final. The Lakers averaged 89.6 points in the regional and won by an average margin of 21.3 points over three games. Grand Valley, which has won 19 straight and hasn’t lost since Jan. 5, set school records for victories and consecutive wins this season.
UC set school and West Virginia Conference marks for single-season victories and won the conference tournament for the first time since 1998.
In the East Region tournament, top-seeded UC trailed No. 8 Edinboro (Pa.) at halftime before taking a 71-62 opening-round win. UC came from behind again to nip Wheeling Jesuit 90-88 in overtime in the semifinals. In the title game, the Golden Eagles defeated Glenville State for the third time this season (68-58).
"We’ve gotten things done that we didn’t get done last year,’’ said Lee, who was named first-team All-America on Tuesday. "I think we have a whole new confidence. I think that’s going to take us to the next level. We’ve come out with confidence every game.’’
"Now we have our sights set a little bit differently,’’ added fifth-year UC coach Sherry Winn. "We’re not just happy to be there. I think that gives us an edge.’’
UC and Grand Valley, which is located in Allendale, Mich., are similar in style. The Golden Eagles, who average 80.4 points per game, and the Lakers both enjoy playing defense. UC has held opponents to 61.3 points per game while the Lakers are even stingier (53.5).
The Golden Eagles hold opponents to a dismal 36.5 shooting percentage while the Lakers are nearly as effective (37.5). UC and Grand Valley aren’t afraid to pull the trigger from outside as their 353 combined made 3-pointers reflect.
"They’re a great team,’’ Winn said. "They’re very similar to us. They rely more on screening and slashing to the basket. Usually all five of their players score. You can tell defense is something they’re very proud of.’’
"It’s going to be a battle of fundamental basketball,’’ said fourth-year Grand Valley coach Dawn Plitzuweit. "Charleston has the same determination factor. I don’t think you can ever let down.’’
Lee, a former Capital High School standout who was named the conference and region player of the year, is the spark that ignites the UC offense. The 6-foot senior averages a team-best 18.8 points and 8.4 rebounds and leads the squad in field-goal percentage (56.6), blocks (40) and steals (72). Junior Rachel Pike, a 6-0 forward, teams with Lee down low to contribute 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
The inside play often opens up the Golden Eagles’ outside game, which has canned 169 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Emily Jones, who averages 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds, leads UC in 3-pointers made (50) while junior guard Courtney Thomas (13.7 points and 4.1 assists) is second with 38. Senior 5-10 guard Laura Kinsler, a former Parkersburg High standout who chips in 8.1 points and 5.5 boards per game, has made 25 3-pointers.
"They are a very athletic group,’’ Plitzuweit said. "With their aggressiveness, they can get up and pressure you and make things challenging. Their inside presence is incredible. If you decide to double down, they have perimeter players that do a great job of filling it up from the arc. It’ll be very, very challenging for us to even contain them.’’
Grand Valley boasts four players averaging double figures in points with All-America Niki Reams leading the charge. The 5-10 senior owns team bests in points (17.2) and rebounds (7.0) per game, blocks (24) and steals (66).
The Lakers have made 184 3-pointers with junior 5-8 guard Erika Ryskamp’s 61 topping the squad. Sophomore 5-10 guard Crystal Zick (44) and Reams (33) are also adept from long distance. Zick (12.8) and Ryskamp (11.1) also average double figures in points.
"They have so many people who score,’’ said Winn. "You have to defend five. You can’t really cheat off somebody. You’ve got to go out and defend their entire team.’’
Winn said this time of year comes down to mental preparation.
"What team is going to make the right plays when you need to make them,’’ she said. "It’s a mental toughness issue. I don’t think our practices since the regional tournament have been very good because we’re tired. We’ve been trying to take it easier in practice. I have no doubt [the players are] mentally ready.’’