YCN
05-09-2002, 12:21 AM
Surely this stupidly long post is a sure indication that I have too much time on my hands. I make not claims for the accuracy of the information. If there are occasional typos, it wouldn't surprise me.
Jacqueline Batteast (http://und.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/batteast_jacqueline00.html)
(Notre Dame/Washington H.S., South Bend, Ind.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-1
Position: Forward
AT NOTRE DAME:
First-team Parade All-American is one of six incoming freshmen in heralded Irish class ... ranked as one of the top scholastic players a year ago ... first-year swing player is expected to play a major role in the Notre Dame lineup ... has outstanding combination of size, athleticism and skill ... a versatile athlete, she will see action at either the three or four spot on the floor ... good outside shooter who can also drive to the basket and shoot off the dribble ... greatest asset is her strong rebounding ability.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA:
Heralded prep standout ranks as one of the top players to come out of the South Bend, Ind., area ... enjoyed outstanding high school career in which she scored 1,635 points and grabbed 1,086 rebounds ... also finished her career with 264 assists, 259 blocked shots and 198 steals ... earned first-team Parade All-America honors ... also was named to the Naismith, Nike and Street & Smith's All-America teams and was an honorable mention All-America selection by the WBCA ... finalist for Naismith and Miss Basketball in Indiana awards ... a three-time first-team all-sate selection ... four-year member of varsity team, she averaged double-doubles in each of her final three seasons and was South Bend Tribune Metro Player of the Year in each of her final three seasons as well as the Northern Indiana Conference MVP ... averaged career bests of 26.0 points and 16.0 rebounds as a senior at Washington in addition to 4.4 blocks, 3.2 assists and 2.6 steals ... netted 21.3 points and 14.0 rebounds as a junior and averaged 16.9 points and 11.8 rebounds in her sophomore season ... ranks as Washington High's career leader in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, assists and steals ... one of the top 25 players in the nation by USA Today ... played in three different All-Star events ... Indiana-Kentucky, Indiana North-South and South Bend Tribune all-star contests ... helped her AAU team capture national title in summer of 1999 and finish as the national runnerup the following season ... led AAU team to state championship in 2000 ... an honor roll student, she compiled a 3.9 grade point average in high school and ranked seventh in graduating class ... father Wayne played basketball at the University of Montana ... oldest of three children ... born March 26, 1983.
Tera Bjorklund (http://cubuffs.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/bjorklund_tera00.html) (Colorado/Sibley East H.S., St. Peter, Minn.)
Height: 6-5
Position: Center
Class: Sophomore
Barry on Bjorklund: “The experience that Tera gained by playing on the USA Junior National Team was invaluable. She will be a force in the Big 12 for the next three seasons. Tera is really impacting our program.”
At Junior World Championships: Bjorklund was selected to the 2001 Junior National Team in July by USA Basketball. She helped the United States to a bronze medal at the FIBA Junior World Championships from July 14-22. Bjorklund averaged 3.1 ppg and 1.9 rpg in seven contests. Against Russia she was 4-4 and 2-2 from the FT line for 10 points, also grabbing six boards.
2000-01 (Freshman): Was a capable backup to Britt Hartshorn at the center position, actually leading the Buffs in 20-plus scoring efforts with four, and also notching 13 double-digit scoring efforts on the year. Had her breakout game on the road, scoring 28 points in Colorado’s 78-70 win over Wyoming on Nov. 29. Her 28 points were the most in a single game by a freshman since future all-American Shelley Sheetz went for 31 against Nebraska on Feb. 29, 1992. She was 9 of 13 from the floor and 10 of 13 from the charity stripe, all career highs. Went for 21 points and combined with junior Britt Hartshorn for 38 total points from the center position vs. Missouri. Was a perfect 10 for 10 from the floor, 3 for 3 from the free throw line for 23 points in Colorado’s 65-62 loss at Texas. She was just one field goal short of the Colorado record for makes from the floor, as Tracy Tripp holds that mark at 11 for 11, set vs. Wyoming on Dec. 2, 1986. Had 25 points in just 27 minutes at Texas A&M, also grabbing a career best eight boards. Was named the Big 12 Rookie of the Week for Nov. 27-Dec. 3 for her performance against Wyoming. She was 14th in the Big 12 in free throw percentage at 81.7 percent, and was 14th in field goal percentage, shooting 49.5 percent from the floor. She had the best shooting performance in the conference with her 10 for 10 outing at UT, and was named to the Kansas City Star’s All-Freshman Team.
High School: Bjorklund wrapped up her final season at Sibley East in Arlington, Minn., as its all-time leading scorer (1,831), as well as setting the school record for points in a season (583 in 1999-2000). Bjorklund also holds the Sibley East record for points in a single game, notching 33 vs. New Ulm during the 1997-98 season. She averaged 20.1 points and 9.1 boards per game as a senior, earning first team all-state honors from Minnesota’s AP voters, the conference Co-MVP award, all-state tournament honors, and was a coaches all-state selection as well as KNUJ-TV’s player of the year. Her senior year, Bjorklund’s squad took second in the state tournament with a 26-3 record. She was a preseason Street & Smith’s Honorable Mention All-American and has been tabbed one of Blue Star Index’s top-100 seniors (56th), and one of the top-80 players in the country, coming in at 63rd. A four-year starter, Bjorklund led coach Steve Schmitz’s teams to a 88-17 (.838) overall record. As a freshman, Sibley East was 20-5, sub-sectional champions and the sectional runner-up while Bjorklund averaged 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. During the 1997-98 campaign, the sophomore starter contributed 17.9 points and 8.1 rebounds while rejecting 3.0 shots a night en route to an 18-7 team mark and the Minnesota River Conference Championship where she was the conference’s Co-MVP in addition to earning honorable mention all-state accolades. She repeated her Co-Minnesota River Conference MVP award and was a first-team all-state pick following a near-perfect 24-2 record, where Bjorklund nearly averaged a double-double, pouring in 19.6 points while grabbing 9.6 boards and averaging 4.0 blocks a game as a junior. Sibley East took the Minnesota River Conference title, as well as winning the section and the sub-section. A multi-sport athlete, Bjorklund was also a four-year middle hitter on Sibley East’s volleyball team that advanced to this year’s sub-section finals. Her only other campus visit was to Drake.
Off The Court: Tera Tracie Bjorklund was born June 29, 1982 in St. Peter, Minn. She is the eldest of Dale and Tracie’s four children, with one sister, Jennifer and two brothers, Joseph and Marshall. She is undecided on her major at Colorado and lists the biggest moment of her high school career as playing in the 2000 state tournament in Williams Arena. Bjorklund was also recruited by Drake, Iowa State, Minnesota and Ohio State. She has lived on a farm her whole life, and competes in livestock shows with her pigs.
Betsy Boardman (http://thesundevils.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/boardman_betsy00.html)
(Arizona State/Beaverton H.S., Portland, Ore.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-1
Position: Guard/Forward
At ASU: Returns after an outstanding freshman season … will compete for the starting job on the wing after starting all 31 games as a true freshman last year … led the team in steals last year … complete player who brings great skills, competitiveness and athleticism to the court … versatile player who can score off the dribble or knock down the three-pointer … was one of 30 players invited to the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team Trials this summer in Colorado Springs, Colo.
2000-01: Became the third Pac-10 Conference All-Freshman Team selection for the Sun Devils in as many years … finished third on the team and 17th in the Pac-10 in scoring at 11.6 points per game … one of four Sun Devils to start all 31 games … averaged 28.4 minutes per game which was second on the team … led the Sun Devil squad and finished sixth in the Pac-10 with 2.19 steals per game … her 68 steals are tied for 11th on the ASU single-season charts … turned in ASU’s season high in that category with seven steals on two occasions (vs. Cal State Northridge on Dec. 21 and at Washington on Feb. 10) … knocked down 36.0 percent of her attempts from beyond the arc which ranked ninth in the Pac-10 and is seventh on ASU's single-season chart … had at least one three-pointer in 21 of 31 games … her 36 three-pointers rank seventh on the ASU single-season list … averaged 12.4 points per game in Pac-10 play … came on strong at the end of the season, averaging 13.7 points over the last 11 games of the year … shot 43.1 percentage from the field (127-295), third on the team … turned in the best game of her career with 19 points in a Feb. 3 win over Oregon … had one of the most complete games of her young career with eight rebounds, a career-high five assists and four steals at Arizona on Feb. 24 … scored in double figures in 18 games.
High School: A 2000 graduate of Beaverton High School in Beaverton, Ore. … earned honorable-mention USA Today All-America honors in each of the last three seasons … a three-time Street & Smith’s honorable-mention All-American … was a first-team all-state selection and the runner-up for Oregon Player of the Year following her senior season … three-time first-team All-Metro League selection … led her Beaverton Beavers to the school’s first Metro League championship in 2000 en route to being selected the league MVP … guided her team to a sixth-place finish at the 4A State Championships … was a first-team all-tournament selection at the state championships … won the Jerry Pflug Award, which is presented a student-athlete in the Beaverton School District who demonstrates athletic leadership, achievement and commitment … Valley Times Athlete of the Year … won the U.S. Marines Corps Distinguished Athlete award … named MVP of the Northwest Shootout game, which features the top players from Oregon and Washington … three-time team MVP … averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.0 steals and 4.0 assists per game as a senior … also shot 50 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point land and 81 percent from the free-throw line … attended the 1999 Nike All-American and Reebok WBCA Elite Senior camps … averaged 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 5.0 steals per game in 1998-99 … earned honorable-mention all-state honors as a junior … is also a stand-out soccer player … named first-team All-Metro League in soccer her last three seasons … two-time honorable-mention all-state soccer selection … two-time team MVP in soccer …lettered four times in basketball, three times in soccer and once in track … was an All-Metro league selection (800 meters) as a freshman … member of National Honor Society … lists defeating eventual state champion Westview High School to capture the Metro League championship as her most exciting experience in sports … coached by Sean Coste in basketball and by Brittni Estep-Carmichael in soccer.
Personal: Is contemplating a major in business or communications … the daughter of Russ and Mary Anne Boardman of Portland, Ore. … has an older brother, Scott (21), who plays basketball at the University of San Diego, and an older sister, Mindy Hess (32) … comes from an athletic family … her father played college basketball at the University of Vermont and her mother played tennis at the University of Washington … her grandfather, Ed Genung, was the 1930 NCAA champion in the 800 meters at Washington and placed fourth in the event at the 1932 Olympics … born March 4, 1982 in Portland, Ore. … full name is Elisabeth Ruth Boardman.
Teresa Borton (http://und.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/borton_teresa00.html)
(Notre Dame/West Valley H.S., Yakima, Wash.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-3
Position: Forward
AT NOTRE DAME:
One of three Irish rookies to earn Parade All-America honors … quick player who runs the floor extremely well in transition and gets out on the break extremely well … strong post player with great mobility around the basket … versatile offensive player with the ability to score down low … strong defender … good shot blocker … versatile player who has developed a very effective jumper from the free-throw line.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA:
Earned second-team Parade All-America honors after averaging 17.9 points in final prep season at West Valley in which she led her team to the Class 3A state crown … copped MVP honors after the Washington state tournament … West Valley’s career leader in points (1,631) and rebounds (1,1,01) … set single-season marks in her final campaign for assists (139) and rebounds (311) … selected to the Nike All-America team in addition to earning honorable mention honors by the WBCA … named the USA Today Player of the Year for the state of Washington and was selected to the Super 25 team, in addition to earning All-America honors from Street & Smith’s … four-time Mid-Valley Conference honoree and three-time all-state selection, she helped her team compile a four-year record of 102-11 … selected as an alternate on the 2001 USA Junior World Championship team … also starred on West Valley girls’ volleyball team … first freshman to play on the school’s varsity volleyball team … a three-time all-conference honoree in that sport as well as an all-state selection … the youngest of four children, she hails from an athletic family — father Bill played basketball at Washington State; brother Byron played basketball at Whitworth; sister Valerie played volleyball at Gonzaga; and cousin Katie is a member of the basketball team at Colorado State … National Honor Society member … born December 31, 1982.
Kala Bowers (http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/wbb_pages/roster.html)
(Texas/Woodward H.S., Woodward, Okla.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-2
Position: Forward
PERSONAL
Daughter of Donnie and Rita Bowers … has one brother, Jeremy (20) … mother Rita played basketball at Northwestern Oklahoma State University … liberal arts major … born June 3, 1983 in Shattuck, Okla.
THE BOWERS FILE
Name: Kala Jean Bowers
This book had a profound effect on me: “Prayer of Jabez”
I can’t go long without listening to this CD: Life House
My favorite Web site: ICQ.com
Favorite snack food: cookies
Food I really like but can’t have lots of during the season: nachos
“Must see” TV for me is: “Friends”
My favorite film of all time: “Love and Basketball”
Best film I’ve seen in the last year: “Miss Congeniality”
Favorite actor/actress: Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts
Most favorite moment on the basketball court was: when my high school team won the state championship
Most embarrassing moment on the basketball court was: when my coach forgot to tell me I was sitting out and I went back on the court
My favorite thing I always pack for a basketball road trip: food
In the locker room before the game, I am the player who: likes to get pumped up and rowdy
My teammates would say I am: shy
You are dropped alone on a desert island ... the ONLY three things you bring with you are: food, clothes, phone
I got started playing basketball: in the fourth grade, because my entire family played basketball and I always wanted to
When I played basketball as a kid, I pretended to be: my brother Jeremy
I came to The University of Texas because: I loved the campus, the coaches and the players
My top team goal for 2001-02: go to the the Final Four
Kara Brown-Braxton (http://georgiadogs.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/braxton_kara01.html)
(Georgia/Westview (Ore.) H.S., Jackson, Mich.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-6
Position: Center/Forward
KARA BRAXTON
• One of the nation's highest-ranked prospects...listed among the top-two recruits by every major scouting service.
• Has already wowed her teammates with her abilities during pre-season individual workouts and has vowed to do the same for fans during the season.
High School
• Coached by Jeanette Armentano during her senior season at Westview after playing under Mark Neffendorf as a sophomore and junior.
• Ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the country by the Fox Student Sports, the All-Star Girl’s Report, Blue Star and rivals.com.
• Tabbed pre-season All-America by USA Today but eventually only played in six games as a senior.
• Earned All-America accolades from Parade (third team) and Full Court Press (second team) following her junior season.
• A two-time Oregon 4A State Player of the Year, earning such status as both a sophomore and a junior.
• Ranked among the nation’s top-15 juniors and top-10 sophomores by USA Today during those respective years of her high school career.
• Also named first-team All-State and first-team All-Metro as both a sophomore and junior.
• As a junior, averaged 17.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 2.4 assists and 2.2 steals and connected on 62.2 percent of her field goals while leading Westview to a 27-3 finish and the Oregon 4A State Championship.
• Named MVP of the State Tournament after scoring 15 points (on 7-of-10 from the floor), grabbing six rebounds and dishing out two assists in the Wildcats’ 47-44 win over Crater in the title tilt.
• As a sophomore, averaged 19.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 2.2 steals and 2.1 assists while hitting 61.3 percent of her field goals.
• Played her freshman season at Jackson High School in her hometown of Jackson, Mich., before moving to Oregon.
• Helped Jackson to its first winning season since the late 1970s during her one year of varsity play there.
College
2001-2002
• One of the trio of freshmen – along with Whitney Law and Jessica Pierce – to start the Lady Bulldogs’ season opener.
• In the process, those players became the 44th, 45th and 46th freshmen to start under Landers at UGA...and the 15th, 16th and 17th to earn the nod in their collegiate debuts.
• Came up big in OT versus MTSU, assisting two buckets and then hitting both ends of two one-and-one opportunities in the final 32.9.
• Named to the all-tourney team at the Oakland Tribune Classic.
• Enjoyed a monster game at Ole Miss, equaling or establshing team-best tallies for the campaign in points (29), field goals made (12), field goals attempted (19) and assists (6).
• Has reached double-digits in 22 of 24 games and also leads Georgia with five double-doubles.
• With 48 blocked shots, already surpassed No. 4 all-time Lady Bulldog freshman effort of Katrina McClain (43 in 1983-84). Now five away from the No. 3 mark of Barbara Bootz (53 in 1983-84).
• Among SEC leaders, No. 7 in scoring (16.6), No. 8 in rebounds (7.1), No. 6 in field goal percentage (.545) and No. 2 in blocks (2.0).
• In SEC action, tied for No. 7 in scoring (16.6), No. 10 in rebounds (6.6) and No. 5 in field goal percentage (.562).
• On pace to become only the third freshman to lead the Lady Dogs in scoring and rebounding under Andy Landers...Janet Harris (1982) and Tammye Jenkins (1988) being the others.
Personal
• Born Feb. 18, 1983, the daughter of Christine Brown and Quentin Braxton.
• Major: Unspecified.
Shameka Christon (http://www.uark.edu/depts/wathinfo/basket/players/01bb20bio.html)
(Arkansas/Hot Springs H.S., Hot Springs, Ark.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-1
Position: Forward
Shameka Christon is a lean, mean cliche‚ machine.
She had her "A" game during conference play as Arkansas' leading scorer versus SEC teams.
She was en fuego at the close of the season with career highs at the SEC Tournament.
She took it to the next level this summer with the USA Junior National Team.
On the court, she is a coach's dream come true. And what does Gary Blair want now? Simply put, more.
"We will be pressing more this year, and she can really cover the court," Blair said. "We want leadership from Shameka this year in every aspect of her court play, academic life and working with our younger players."
Moved from the small forward to the high post during the year, Blair thinks her slow start as a freshman was a key to her strong finish.
"It gave her a chance to concentrate on fundamentals," Blair said. "Her shot selection, using the glass, moving without the ball - it was all coming together early even if the scoring wasn't."
Unlike most freshmen, when Christon hit conference play she -- to invoke another tired line -- found another gear.
"She flourished at the post, and with more touches and looks, she became a force for us," Blair said. "And with her shooting ability, when she moved outside it stretched the defense."
The teams' No. 2 three-point shooter, Christon roamed across the court offensively.
"She has her opponent looking at her coach saying, well, you said she was a four, but now she's playing three," Dana Cherry said. "Guess what - Shameka's a two, a three, a four and a five. So pick a number. She causes confusion on the court."
The national coaching staff noticed Christon's all-SEC freshman honors and statistics. The first Arkansas player in three years invited to national trials, she became the first ever to make a World Championship team.
"America's finest 19-and-under, and she was right there," Blair said. "She not only played at the world level, but she learned a lot from her USA teammates about what it takes to be at that level."
Her teammates were also glad to see her take her European vacation.
"Shameka is probably one of the most athletic players I've ever seen," Carla Rhodes said. "She can score from anywhere, and she gained a lot of mental experience in the off-season."
INTERNATIONAL: Christon was invited to the USA Junior Trials in Colorado Springs following her freshman season at Arkansas. She earned one of the 12 spots on the Junior National Team which won its own pre-world tournament in Washington, DC, then went on to capture the bronze medal at the 2001 FIBA World Junior Championships in Brno, Czech Republic.
THE STATS IN 2000-01: Playing in 32 games and starting 24 as a freshman, Christon averaged 10.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg. Starting slowly in non-conference play, Christon had the unique achievement of racking up better numbers in conference play. She led Arkansas in scoring against SEC opponents at 13.5 ppg and upped every aspect of her game: 4.5 rpg, 41.2% FG, 35.8% 3P. The No. 2 three-point shooter and scorer, Christon hit 37 with a 32.7%. She was second on the team in steals with 47. Ankle injuries slowed her three times during the late season. She came back to hit 21 on the sore left at Kentucky, then on an injured right to lead Arkansas into the SEC Tournament semifinals. Christon managed to sting both ankles prior to the NCAA tournament. She did not play the regular season Florida game, but tore apart the Gators in her first meeting with UF at the SEC Tournament with three career highs -- 23 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. She wore 24 as a freshman, switching to her high school number 20 after Wendi Willits' graduation.
THE STATS AT HOT SPRINGS: Named the state player of the year in 2000 by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Christon was a three-year pick on the newspaper's annual Dream Team. Christon teamed with current Lady'Back Joy Oakley to win back-to-back state AAA titles for Hot Springs High her freshman and sophomore seasons. As a freshman, she turned in 25 ppg in the state tournament. The following year, Christon averaged 18 ppg and was named by the Democrat-Gazette as the sophomore of the year. As a junior, Christon turned in 22 ppg, 7 rpg and 3 apg to earn all-state honors as well as selection for Nike camp. Christon swept the state's individual honors as a senior, picking up Ms. Basketball from the Democrat-Gazette as well as the Gatorade player of the year. She averaged 26 ppg, 4 rpg and 5 blocks as HSHS went 24-4 her senior season. She was ranked the No. 14 prospect by All-Star Girls Basketball Report.
PERSONAL: Born Shameka Delynn Christon on Feb. 15, 1982, she is the daughter of Beverly Phillips of Hot Springs.
Ebony Felder (http://georgiadogs.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/felder_ebony01.html)
(Georgia/Jackson, Miss.)
Class: RS Freshman
Height: 6-1
Position: Forward
EBONY FELDER
• There may not be a more eager player in the country to begin the 2001-02 campaign.
• A year later, the expectations and anticipations are the same as one of the nation's premier prospects from 1999-2000 hits the court after a medical redshirt.
High School
• Coached by Anna Jackson at Murrah High.
• The top unsigned player following the fall 1999 November early period, marking the second time in three years the Lady Dogs had landed such a prize during the ensuing spring (Tawana McDonald being the other).
• Tabbed third-team All-America by Parade as a junior, becoming the first second-generation pick by the publication. Her mother, Pam, was named to first-ever Parade team in 1977 and then starred at Jackson State.
• Named first-team All-America by Women's Basketball Coaches Association, as well as second-team All-America by Parade and third-team by Street & Smith's and Full Court Press.
• Selected to play in the Phoenix/WBCA All-America game, where she scoring nine points and grabbing seven rebounds for the victorious White team.
• Ranked as the nation's No. 9 prospect overall by the Blue Star Recruiting Service.
• Tabbed 2000 Mississippi Player of the Year by USA Today, The Jackson Clarion-Ledger and Gatorade.
• Rated as one of the country's top 12 sophomores and top 15 juniors by USA Today.
• Helped Murrah to three straight State 5A State Championships in 1998, '99 and 2000 and a 103-4 record during that span.
• Started as a sophomore when Murrah finished 36-0 and ranked No. 12 by USA Today.
• As a junior, helped the Lady Mustangs to a 35-3 record, averaging 16.5 points and 9.9 rebounds.
• As the only returning starter for Murrah in 1999-2000, averaged 18.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.4 steals, 3.3 assists and 2.0 blocks for a 32-1 squad.
• Also voted Homecoming Queen and Miss Murrah as a senior.
College
2000-01 Season
• Dislocated her shoulders during the pre-season and eventually underwent surgery to perform interior stabilization on her right shoulder on Dec. 12.
• Participated in on-court workouts following the season and quickly and impressively knocked off any rust on her game.
2001-2002 Season
• After “tweaking” her shoulder five days prior to the opener and missing the Maine game made an impressive 14-point debut against MTSU. Missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer but opened the extra period with an old-fashioned three-point play to set the tone in OT.
• Re-injured her shoulder slightly during the Thanksgiving break and held out of the Georgia State game thereafter.
• Earned the first start of her career at Georgia Southern, becoming the 47th freshman to start under Landers in his 23 seasons at UGA.
• Missed the Vanderbilt game due to flu-like symptoms, snapping a streak of 11 consecutive starts. Also missed the Ole Miss outing.
• Showed marked improvement late in the week, practicing with the team on Saturday (Jan. 26) for the first time in over a week and seeing limited minutes at Florida.
• Extremely active on the glass of late, pulling down double-digit rebounding tallies in each of the last four games...the first Lady Bulldog to put together such a streak since Tracy Henderson did so midway through UGA’s 1995 Final Four campaign.
• Among SEC leaders, No. 7 in free throw percentage (.788) and No. 15 in rebounds (6.4).
• Georgia’s leading rebounder in SEC action at 7.6, which is No. 6 in stats for league games only.
• Also No. 5 in free throw percentage in SEC action only (821).
Personal
• Born July 20, 1982, the daughter Robert and Pam McDonald.
• Major: Education.
Cisti Greenwalt (http://texastech.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/greenwalt_cisti00.html)
(Texas Tech/Clovis H.S., Clovis, N.M.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-5
Position: Center
High School: 2001 graduate of class 5A Clovis High School...As a sophomore: Named first team All-District...named Newcomer of the Year...was second highest scorer in the state...As a junior: Named first team All-State...was a Street and Smith All-American...named honorable mention All-America by USA Today...named first-team All-District in basketball and volleyball...was ranked fifth nationally by Blue Star...listed in Who’s Who in Sports...As a senior: Named New Mexico’s Player of the Year...was New Mexico’s Gatorade Player of the Year...was a Parade All-American and Nike All-American...named first team All-State...was Player of the Year in District 4-5A for basketball and volleyball...named first team All-District in basketball and volleyball...was second-team All-State in volleyball...named New Mexico’s Miss Basketball by the Amarillo Globe News...named to the Amarillo Globe News’ Super Team and Tri County Super Team...high school jersey hung in the National Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn....played in the WBCA Nike All-American All-Star game...was second highest scorer in the state...high school jersey was retired at Clovis High...became CHS all-time leading scorer with 1,435 points...averaged 21.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and 5.0 blocks...holds the following school records at CHS: most points in a season, average points in a game, most field goals made in a season, most field goal attempts, most free throws made in a season, most free throws attempted in a season, most defensive rebounds in a season, most blocked shots in a season...high school coaches were Coach Severson and Miles Watters.
AAU: Played for Clovis AAU team...team went to nationals several years.
Personal: Full name is Cisti Nicole Greenwalt...born 4-4-83 in Clovis, N.M....daughter of Buzz and Terri Greenwalt...both parents attended from Eastern New Mexico University...father works for Southwestern Public Service and mother works for the pubic schools...has an older brother, Coby...hobbies include sports, shopping and hanging out with friends...majoring in Pre-Nursing.
Vanessa Hayden (http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/women/bios.php?year=2001&bio=hayden.html)
(Florida/Booner H.S., Orlando, Fla.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-4
Position: Center
Vanessa Hayden brings a physical presence to the court… one of 31 players invited in June 2001 to tryout for the 2001 USA Basketball Junior National Team … known throughout her prep playing days as Vanessa Randall … named First Team Freshman All-America by Real Sports Magazine … has the potential to become one of the most dominant post players in the country.
Game Highs
Points - 22 vs. Harvard, 11/24/00
Rebounds - 14-2x last vs. Arkansas, 3/2/01
Assists - 2 at Maine, 11/25/00
Steals - 4 vs. Tennessee, 2/11/01
Blocks - 7 at Colorado, 12/22/00
Minutes - 28 vs. Holy Cross, 3/16/01
Field Goals - 9 vs. Harvard, 11/24/00
FGA - 15 at West Virginia, 11/29/00
3FG - 0
3-FGA - 0
FT - 7 (twice) last vs. Providence, 1/25/01
FTA - 14 vs. Providence, 1/25/01
Dbl Fig Scoring Games - 15
Dbl Fig Reb Games - 16
Double-Doubles- 11
Freshman Year (2000-01)
Selected First Team All-Freshman by Real Sports Magazine ... named to the five-player SEC All-Freshman Team by the league's coaches ... ranked No. 2 in the SEC for rebounding behind teammate Naomi Mobley in all games (9.2 rpg) and SEC-only games (8.0 rpg) ... ranked No. 2 in the SEC for blocks (2.27 pg) and No. 3 for offensive (3.63 pg) and defensive (5.53 pg) rebounding in all-games stats ... tied for third among all SEC players with 11 double-doubles … ranked fifth on the team in scoring (10.4 ppg), second in rebounding (9.2 rpg), while leading UF in field goal percentage (52.5%) and blocks (68, 2.2 pg) ... her 68 blocks was the third highest season total in UF history ... shattered UF's freshman record for blocks by swatting 68 (record was 42 by DeLisha Milton in 1994) ... primary reason UF set a new program record with 165 blocks (old record was 110) ... one of three Lady Gators to play in all 30 games ... at the team's postseason banquet was voted by her teammates as the Most Improved Gator, presented to the player who made the most progress throughout the season ... became only the third UF freshman to receive the Lady Gator Award, which is an overall student-athlete award given to the player with the highest combination of statistics, academics and community service ... UF's leading rebounder in 14 games ... in her NCAA debut scored a game-high 17 points with nine rebounds and six blocks against Holy Cross (March 16) - the six blocks tied the NCAA West Region record with Vanderbilt's Angela Gorsica in 1997 ... tallied her 10th double-double of the season with 12 points and 14 rebounds against Arkansas (March 2) in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament ... held scoreless once this season but did grab three rebounds in 16 minutes before fouling out in the win at Alabama (Feb. 25) ... hit four straight free throws in the final minute of the win over No. 14 LSU (Feb. 22) to help secure the victory, while dominating the paint during the game with 16 points and 12 rebounds with three blocks ... had a huge first half in the win at Ole Miss (Feb. 15), when she contributed 12 points, four rebounds, three blocks and two assists in 11 minutes of action - finishing the game with 14 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and three assists in 19 minutes ... during the win at Ole Miss, had a clutch offensive rebound off a missed free throw with under one minute to play and the Lady Gators clinging to a three-point lead, then had the presence of mind to pass it to Naomi Mobley, one of the team's best free throw shooters ... snatched a career-high four steals against Tennessee (Feb. 11) ... continued her efficient play in the win at Arkansas (Feb. 8) where she scored 14 points with seven rebounds in 15 minutes of action ... provided a clutch basket in the win over Vanderbilt (Feb. 4), hitting a 5-foot hook shot with 37.3 seconds remaining to give UF a four-point lead and help secure the victory ... solid game in upset win over No. 5 Georgia (Feb. 1) grabbing 11 rebounds with four points and two blocks in just 14 minutes of action … only freshman named the SEC Player of the Week, when she was honored on January 29 after helping UF to two wins while averaging 19.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks and playing just 19 minutes per game in two outings the previous week ... dominated Providence (Jan. 25) with 19 points and 13 rebounds, as she made 14 trips to the free throw line … recorded a double-double in her SEC debut, contributing 10 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes of work at Mississippi State (Jan. 4) … key player in UF's upset win over then-No. 7 Rutgers (Dec. 29) scoring eight points with a game-high 11 rebounds … blocked seven shots against Colorado (Dec. 22), one shy of the school record, becoming only the second player to block at least seven shots as she joined Quientella Bonner, who accomplished the feat eight times, last on January 8, 1981 ... scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against Harvard (Nov. 24) to record her first career double-double … snared a game-high 12 rebounds while contributing seven points, three blocks and two assists in her collegiate debut on Nov. 17 against Fordham … 15 double-figure scoring games … 16 double-figure rebounding games… 11 double-doubles.
High School
Graduated from Boone High School in 2000… broke BHS record for blocked shots, swatting 539 in her final three years… during her senior year, Hayden averaged 17 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.6 blocks per game, while helping the Lady Braves advance to the Class 6A final four for the third consecutive year … averaged 14.2 points, 12.1 rebounds and 7.4 blocks her junior year… MVP of the state final four in 1998… following her senior season, was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Florida… additional awards after her final year: All-USA Today High School Honorable Mention for Florida, WBCA Honorable Mention All-American, Full Court Press Second Team All-American, Sixth Team All-American by All Star Girls Report… ranked 29th in Blue Star Index's Top 100 Seniors list… one of just 42 players aged 18-and-younger invited to tryout for the 2000 Women's Junior World Championship Qualifying team… scored five points for the EAST team in the inaugural L'adidas high school All-Star game played in Knoxville, Tenn… coached by Misty Cox.
Personal
Given name is Vanessa L'asonya Hayden… resides with her grandmother Adella Hayden, who she considers her inspiration… born on June 5, 1982 in Orlando, Fla… has four brothers: Van Hayden, Marques Hayden, Quincey Randall and Edward Bickershaff; and one sister: Sheree Randall… collects bears… enjoys reading and writing short stories… signed to play at UF on November 11, 1999 at 4:39 p.m… contemplating a career in elementary education… majoring in Social & Behavioral Sciences.
SeSe Helm (http://ukathletics.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/helm_sese00.html)
(Kentucky/Warren Central H.S., Bowling Green, Ky.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-4
Position: Center
General
Cats’ leaading scorer and rebounder ... Go-to player in the middle ... Very athletic with great size and a soft touch ... Nickname is SeSe ... All-America candidate.
2001-02 (Sophomore)
Named second team All-SEC ... Led the team and ranked fifth in the SEC in scoring (17.0 ppg) and free throw percentage (80.0%) ... Led UK in rebounding (6.7 rpg), free throw percentage (80.0) and field goal shooting percentage (51.0) ... Scored in double figures 27 of 29 games this season, 10 with 20-plus points, including a career-high 26 against Cincinnati and Evansville ... Scored 600th career-point in 42nd game as a Wildcat, the second fastest player to accomplish the feat as former UK Kodak All-American Valerie Still (1979-83) did it in only 29 games ... Ended her sophomore season surpassing the 700-point mark with 786 ... Has five career double-doubles, four this season (22 pts/13 rbs vs. Sam Houston State, 26 pts/13 rbs vs. Evansville, 11 pts/11 rbs vs. No. 8 South Carolina, 26 pts/10 rbs vs. Cincinnati) ... Named to the Lady Tiger Classic All-Tournament Team ... Named the Blue Sky Restaurant Group Classic Tournament MVP ... Averaged 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds against ranked opponents ... Improved three-point range, nailing 2-of-2 three-pointers against Arkansas ... Was the Cats' leading rebounder in 11 games , leading scorer in 18 ... Cats' second-leading shot-blocker with nine ... Started in all 27 games this season ... Scored a team-high 19 points in the first round of the SEC Tournament, leading UK over fifth seed Mississippi State ... The win marked only the second time in SEC Tournament history that a No. 12 seed defeated a No. 5 seed ... Ranked among the Southeastern Conference's best in five statistical categories: Free-throw Shooting Percentage - T-5th (80.0%); Scoring - 5th (17.0); Offensive Rebounds - 9th (2.48); Field-goal Shooting Percentage -10th (51.0%); Rebounding - 12th (6.7).
2000-01 (Freshman)
Named to All-SEC Freshman Team after averaging 12.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in her rookie season ... One of only two freshmen to rank among the top-20 in scoring in the SEC ... Ranked second in the conference in free-throw percentage, shooting an impressive 86.1 percent ... Tied with McDole in SEC scoring with 12.2 points per game ... Started in 21 of 24 games played for Kentucky ... Was 34-of-40 from the charity strip in UK’s 14 conference games, nailing 12 straight FTs ... Scored at least seven points in 22 of 24 games played and netted double figures 14 times, including seven of the last 10, including her first double-double versus Ole Miss (21 pts and a career-high 10 rebounds) ... Team’s third leading rebounder with 4.7 rebounds per game ... Nailed a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line versus Ole Miss, tying UK’s record for best FT% ... Leading scorer in seven games for Kentucky, leading rebounder in three ... Led the Cats over South Carolina with a game-high 18 points, hitting a career-high nine field goals ... Nailed her first collegiate three-pointer against Xavier ... Also knocked down a trey versus No. 14 Florida ... Notched a then career-high 22 points, hitting 8-of-11 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line versus Houston ... Returned to action on Dec. 22 versus Cincinnati after missing three games due to a partial MCL tear in her left knee ... High school jersey was retired after charting over 3,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her four-year career at Warren Central High School.
High School
Parade Magazine All-American, Nike All-American, Street & Smith All-American, WBCA All-American ... Averaged 27.3 points and 12.2 rebounds as a senior at Warren Central High School ... Compiled 878 points, 392 rebounds, 109 blocks as a senior, leading WCHS to the 4th District Championship ... Holds the school record for career field goals, free throws and blocks ... Ranked as the 14th best high school player in the nation by Street & Smith’s ... Listed as one of the nation’s Top 25 Senior Players by the USA Today ... Ranked 12th by the Women’s Basketball Journal for the Class of 2000 ... One of 20 players selected to participate in the Phoenix/WBCA High School All-America Game ... Runner-up for Kentucky’s Miss Basketball crown after compiling 3,114 career points, 1,486 rebounds, 345 blocks (second all-time in Kentucky) ... Named to the Courier-Journal and Lexington Herald-Leader All-State first team three straight seasons ... Three-time Player of the Year by the 4th Region Coaches Association.
Mattox on Helm
“As a freshman All-SEC pick, SeSe added a low-post presence to her arsenal. That, combined with her great shooting ability, has helped her develop into a player who can score from anywhere on the floor.”
Check This Out
Full Name: Selia Lauren Helm
Nickname: SeSe
Birth date: 1/19/82
Hometown: Bowling Green, Ky.
High School: Warren Central HS
Team Nickname: Lady Dragons
Major: Elementary education
Contemplated Profession: WNBA and teacher
Family: Father Larne Helm ... Mother Julia Helm passed away from cancer on April 20, 2001 ... Has one sister ShaDonna McKinney, a brother-in-law Kelvin McKinney and two nieces JaLeah and Ukari
Doneeka Hodges (http://www.lsusports.net/bio.cfm?ref=00003817-6EAA-1AC2-8CF7809F2103FE77&sporttype=WB&indivtype=PL)
(Louisiana State/O. P. Walker H.S., New Orleans, La.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-9
Position: Guard
Was an immediate contributor for the Lady Tigers as a true freshman ... Spent the offseason working to improve her game ... Versatile player that is capable of playing at point guard or off guard ... Rated as one of the top 10 high school guards in the country by All-Star Girls Report ... Intelligent player with an excellent three-point shooting touch ... Participated in 2000 United States Junior National Team trials in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"As a freshman, Roneeka and Doneeka were great for us, having to step up their games when our team was ravaged by injuries. They had to come in and play a lot of minutes, but that experience is something that should help them out this season. They know what it is like to play at this level and there is nothing that can surprise them on the court. Doneeka spent a lot of time on her game in the offseason and that has helped her to really see some improvements. She is a very versatile player that will see playing time at both guard positions this season. Although she is primarily a two guard, she can also play the point, which gives us some options in our match-ups."
-LSU head coach Sue Gunter
Freshman Season (2000-2001)
Played in all 31 games with eight starts ... Averaged 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds a contest ... Connected on 78-of-211 from the field for 37 percent ... Second on the team with 24 three-point goals (on 79 attempts) ... Scored career-best 15 points vs. Penn State on Nov. 25 ... In all, scored double-figures in nine games, including a pair of SEC contests ... Scored 13 points in 35 minutes vs. Alabama on Feb. 8 ... In that game, connected on a career-best three three-pointers (on four attempts) ... Closed out regular-season with a 13-point, 7-rebound effort in road win over South Carolina ... Also had three steals in win over Lady Gamecocks ... Registered a career-high four steals in road victory against Ole Miss ... Had six points, five assists and four rebounds in SEC victory over Kentucky ... Scored 10 points to go with career-high six assists and five rebounds in non-conference win over La.- Lafayette in late January.
High School
Earned six letters in basketball at O.P. Walker, playing for coach Vernon Riley ... Led her squad to five district championships during her career ... Averaged 19 points, four rebounds and six assists per game in her senior year ... A three-time all-New Orleans Metro selection ... Also a four-time all-district and all-West Bank choice.
Personal
Full name is Doneeka Danyell Hodges ... Born July 19, 1982, in New Orleans ... Parents are Ronald and Donna Hodges ... Along with twin sister and LSU teammate, Roneeka, her other siblings are Ronald, Donald and Magic.
DONEEKA HODGES' CAREER-HIGHS
Points: 15 vs. Penn State, 11-25-00
Rebounds: 7 at South Carolina, 2-25-01; 7 vs. Prairie View, 12-18-00
Field Goals: 6 vs. Penn State, 11-25-00
FG Attempts: 13 vs. Penn State, 11-25-00
3-Pt Field Goals: 3 vs. Alabama, 2-8-01
3-Pt FG Attempts: 5 vs. Mercer, 12-12-00; 5 vs. Penn State, 11-25-00; 5 vs. Sam Houston State, 11-18-00; 5 vs. Duke, 11-11-00
Free Throws: 5 vs. Prairie View, 12-18-00
FT Attempts: 9 vs. Prairie View, 12-18-00
Assists: 6 vs. La.-Lafayette, 1-30-01
Steals: 4 at Ole Miss, 1-21-01
Minutes: 39 vs. SW Missouri State, 11-24-00
Temeka Johnson (http://www.lsusports.net/bio.cfm?ref=000A5D77-6DCF-1AC2-8CF7809F2103FE77&sporttype=WB&indivtype=PL)
(Louisiana State/Bonnabel H.S., New Orleans, La.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-3
Position: Guard
Will not be eligible to play until the conclusion of the fall semester ... Did not play in 2000-2001 ... Led Bonnabel to the Louisiana 5Astate championship game in 2000 ... Was a USA Today honorable mention All-USA selection ... Was a member of the LHSAA women's basketball Sweet 16 all-tournament team ... Selected Most Valuable Player in the Louisiana All-Star game.
"Temeka is a true point guard. She will become eligible in December and we can't wait. She has worked very hard to become eligible academically and we just can't wait until she can play. She is a leader on the floor at the point and will provide us with some more depth with Kisha James."
- LSU head coach Sue Gunter
Freshman Season (2000-2001)
NCAA academic non-qualifier who was ineligible for competition until December of 2001.
High School
Was a USA Today honorable mention All-USA selection ... Helped Bonnabel advance to the state tournament championship game under head coach Lee MacAllister ... Selected Most Valuable Player in the Louisiana All-Star game ... Was a member of the LHSAA women's basketball Sweet 16 all-tournament team ... Named the district Most Valuable Player for three straight season ... Honored as a four-time all-state selection ... Also a three-time all-New Orleans metro selection ... Scored 2,952 points with 1,042 assists in her career ... Earned four letters in basketball and three in track.
Personal
Full name is Temeka Rochelle Johnson ... Goes by Meek ... Born Sept. 6, 1982 ... Daughter of Veronica Johnson ... Raised by her grandmother, Jewel Johnson ... Has three siblings: Valencia, Earl and Latifah ... Her uncle Keith Johnson played professional basketball in Russia and Venezuela.
Laurie Koehn (http://kstatesports.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/koehn_laurie00.html)
(Kansas State/Moundridge H.S., Hesston, Kan.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 5-8
Position: Guard
Koehn’s Trophy Case
• ESPN.com's Rookie of the Year
• Big 12 Third Team All-Conference
• Kansas City Star All-Freshman Team
• San Antonio Express News Second Team All-Conference
• Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll
• Three-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week
• Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic All-Tournament Team
• MVP of the Loyola Holiday Tournament
• 2000-2001 Commissioner’s Fall & Spring Honor Roll
• 2000-2001 Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year (coaches & media)
• First Team Women’s Basketball News Service Preseason College All-Freshman Team
• Athlon Sports Magazine top incoming college freshman
• Member of the gold-medal winning 2000 USA Basketball Women’s Junior World Qualifying Team
• Two-time USA Today and AP Kansas Player of the Year
• Street & Smith honorable mention All-American in HS
• Four-time 2A State HS Player of the Year
• Three-time First Team All-State
• Second all-time scorer in Kansas HS history
Milestones -
• Finished the season with 122 three-pointers, the second-most in a single season in NCAA history, the most in the Big 12 and the most in Kansas State history in one year
• Ranked first in the nation in three-pointers made
• Her 122 treys rank her fifth on the career three-point chart at K-State
• Broke the KSU freshman record for three’s in a season and percentage (.422)
• Tied the K-State record for most three-point field goals attempts in a conference game with 14 on Jan. 16
• The 14 attempts also ranks tied for sixth all-time in a single season and is among the top 10 in the Big 12
• Her season-high 17 three-point field goal attempts in a single game is the third-most in school history and ranks second on the Big 12 single-season chart
• Broke the season and freshman records for three-point attempts and is currently sixth on the career list
• Has four of the top eight single-game three-point field goal performances in school history and four of the top 15 performances in the Big 12
• Her 42.2 three-point field goal percentage is second-highest in school history for a season
• Became the first freshman in Kansas State history to score 600 points in a season and only the third Wildcat to ever score 600 points in a season (Tammie Romstad, 1979-80, 686; Nicole Ohlde, 2001-2002, 610)
• Finished third on the single-season scoring list and is 38th on the career scoring list
• Her 17.6 scoring average broke the freshman record
• Registered the highest free throw percentage in a season and broke the freshman record by shooting 89.5 percent
As freshman (2001-2002) -
• Turned in one of the finest freshman seasons in Kansas State women’s basketball history
• Named Big 12 Rookie of the Week three times
• Averaged 17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.5 three-pointers
• Shot 45.1 percent from the field, 42.2 percent from three-point range and 89.5 percent from the free-throw line
• Ranked first in the country in three-point field goals made
• Played and started all 34 games at guard
• In three games in the NCAA Tournament, she averaged 21 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 35.7 minutes and shot 48.9 from the field, 38.5 from three-point range and hit all nine of her free throws
• Averaged 16.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 3.0 three-pointers in Big 12 games
• Finished the regular season ranked ninth in points, second in free throw percentage, first in three-point field goals and eighth in three-point field goal percentage in league play
• Scored in double figures 30 times, including a string of 14 consecutive games from Nov. 26 to Jan. 16
• Led K-State in scoring 12 times, in rebounding once and in assists six times
• Produced 12 20-plus point games and two 30-plus point outings
• Is only the third Wildcat in school history to have two 30-plus point games in a single season
• Sank five or more three-pointers in 13 games
• Scored 27 points in her first collegiate game, including a career-high seven three-pointers
• Went on to hit seven three-pointers against UW-Green Bay, Oregon State, Georgia State and Texas
• Had a personal-best 11 field goals on 17 attempts in a win over Oregon State
• Made and attempted season-highs of 10 free throws and 11 attempts in a victory over Colorado
• Broke the school record for three-pointers in a conference game with seven against Texas
• Tied K-State marks for trey’s in a half and percentage by hitting 6-of-6 vs. UW-Green Bay on Dec. 6
• Tied the school record for most three-point field goals attempted in a conference game with 14 against Texas A&M and Texas
• Played the most minutes in a K-State women’s basketball game when she played 50 minutes in a double overtime victory over Texas on Jan. 30
• Played 40 or more minutes in eight games
• Earned MVP honors at the Loyola Holiday Tournament after averaging 24 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 6.0 three-pointers per game
• Also garnered Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic All-Tournament honors after averaging 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game
• Averaged 13.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.0 three-pointers per game at the Paradise Jam Tournament
• Shot 50 percent or better from the field 17 times, from three-point range 13 times and was perfect from the free-throw line 18 times
• Dished out three or more assists in 13 games and had three or more steals in five outings
• Hit 16 consecutive free throws from Jan. 27 to Feb. 5 and will enter next season with a string of 21 straight
As a redshirt freshman (2000-2001) -
• Named Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year by both the league coaches and media
• Sat out entire regular season with a foot injury suffered in preseason
At Moundridge High School - A two-time USA Today Kansas Player of the Year • Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year in 1999 • Two-time Associated Press Kansas Player of the Year • Three-time Kansas Sports Magazine Player of the Year • Street & Smith honorable mention All-American as a senior • 1999 Nike All-American • Four-time 2A Player of the Year • Three-time first team all-state • Four-time first team all-class 2A • Four-time all-area and all-league • Four-time league all-tournament team • Helped team to three 2A state championships (1997, 1998, 1999) • Holds seven single-game school records, including points with 50 as a senior • Has six single-season school records and four 2A state tournament records • During her senior season she averaged 37 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 5.2 steals per game • Finished prep career with 3,160 career points, second all-time in Kansas history behind Southwest Missouri State’s Jackie Stiles • Averaged 30.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 4.7 steals over a four-year career • Shot 58.3 percent from the field, 44.7 percent from beyond the three-point arc and 89.5 percent from the foul line for her career • Helped team to an overall record of 97-7 during her four years at Moundridge • Listed as the 13th best guard in the country by Blue Star Report and rated a Top 15 guard by the Reebok All-Star Girls Report • Considered a Top 25 player by the Fastbreak Women’s Basketball Digest and rated the sixth-best player in the nation by Full Court Press • Coached by Sue Hetzke • Four year letterwinner in volleyball • Helped Moundridge to three state titles • Named Class 2A Player of the Year twice • Picked up all-state first team honor in 1999 and third team all-state in 1998 • Earned All-Class 2A first team all three seasons she played and all-league two seasons • Four-year letterwinner in track • Placed second at state in the 800 and 4x400 in 1997 and 2000; second in the 1,600 and 4x400, third in the 3,200 in 1998; qualified for the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in 1999 but was unable to compete • Won the 3,200 and 1,600 meters as a senior • Holds school records in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters.
Personal - Born May 13, 1982 in Newton, Kan. • Daughter of Perry and Cyndi Koehn • Has one older brother, Ryan, and one younger brother, Clinton • Father ran cross country and track at Hutchinson Junior College and Wichita State • He earned NJCAA All-American, MVC first-team honors and qualified for the 1974 and 1975 NCAA cross country meet • Member of the gold medal-winning 2000 USA Basketball Women’s Junior World Qualifying Team • Played AAU for the Kansas Thunderbolts • Captured 1996 AAU 13 & Under National Shootout title, finished 2nd in 1998, 7th in 1997 and 9th in 1995 • Named to the 15 & Under all-tournament team in 1998 • Named MVP of the 1999 Miss Basketball Tournament • Played for the Kansas Belles in 1999 and qualified for the national tournament • Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes • Class valedictorian • Recipient of the Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year Award • Majoring in arts and sciences.
Kelly Mazzante (http://www.gopsusports.com/BasketballW/People/players/Playerprofile.cfm?rosterID=429)
(Penn State/ Montoursville H.S., Montoursville, Pa.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-0
Position: Guard
National Freshman-of-the-Year Kelly Mazzante looks to guide the Lady Lions through another successful season.
LADY LION CAREER
2000-01: Women's Basketball News Service National Freshman-of-the-Year...WBNS third team All-America and first team Freshman All-America honoree...Women's Basketball Journal first team Freshman All-America...Real Sports All-Freshman Team selection...Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year...first-team all-Big Ten honoree...Conference All-Freshman Team selection...saw action in every game with 26 starts...led the team and Big Ten Conference in scoring with 18.2 ppg, becoming the first-ever freshman to lead the Big Ten in scoring...ranked nationally in scoring...notched double-figure scoring in all but two games...was perfect from the line 12 times...re-wrote the school season record for points by a freshman (529)... paced the squad with 18 points in upset win over No. 5 Purdue...earned third Big Ten Player-of-the-Week honor on Feb. 19...had 17 points and a block at No. 22 Wisconsin... broke six school records with career-best 38 points in win over Illinois, the most ever by a PSU freshman...also tossed up a career-best and school record six treys against the Illini...the 38 points re-wrote three Jordan Center scoring records and her 6-11 treys set the records for most makes and attempts...had a streak of 22 consecutive free throws through 10 games...grabbed a career-best nine steals win over Ohio State...had a game-high 28 points, eight rebounds, seven steals, and six assists in win over Michigan State en route to her second Big Ten Player-of-the-Week honor...had 23 points in win over Indiana...went 12-14 from the field for 29 points in the win over Northwestern...had 18 points in the first half against the Wildcats...recorded first career double-double with game-high 26 points and career-high 10 rebounds in win at Ohio State...went 10-18 from the field against the Buckeyes...became just the third player in Lady Lion history to reach 30 points as a freshman with her career-high 32 points in the win at Pittsburgh... named the Big Ten Player-of-the-Week, becoming PSU's first-ever freshman to earn the weekly honor...also blocked two shots against the Panthers...had 21 points, shooting 10-18, in win over Maryland...paced PSU against No. 12/13 Texas Tech with 22 points off the bench, including four treys...moved into the starting line-up against No. 10 Louisiana State, where she led the team with career-high 24 points... named to the Paradise Jam all-tournament team ...first collegiate start was against No. 3/4 Duke...in collegiate debut, recorded 14 points in win over No. 12 Old Dominion...named to Athlon Sports' preseason "Top Incoming Freshmen" list...had her high school No. 13 jersey retired on Dec. 29, 2000, becoming the first female in Montoursville HS history to receive the honor.
HIGH SCHOOL: WBCA Honorable Mention All-American...third-team Parade All-American...Street & Smith's Honorable Mention All-American...Nike All-American...Associated Press Big School Player of the Year...ranked 17th best player for the Class of 2000 by Basketball News...four-time Susquehanna Valley League Player of the Year from Montoursville HS...three-time USAToday Top 20 Girls in Pennsylvania...Warriors captured four Conference championships, three district titles, and two state final appearances...first-team Daily Item All-Star...two-time Daily Item Player of the Year...three-time Christmas tournament MVP...first-team all-tourney team...five-time Price Optical Player of the Week...two-time Price Optical Player of the Year...five-time WNEP-TV Sports Star of the Week...two-time Williamsport Sun-Gazette Athlete of the Week...reached 1,000 career points as a sophomore and 2,000 as a junior...the all-time leader scorer (male or female) in Montoursville HS history...set the girls' single game high with 43 points and school all-time single game high with 46 points...tallied 3,270 career points, the third best in girls' Pa. history...MVP of the Eat 'N Park Roundball Classic...also a four-time letterwinner in tennis...three-time district singles champion and the 1998 district doubles champion...played softball for district champion Warriors.
PERSONAL: Full name is Kelly Anne Mazzante...born February 2, 1982, in Williamsport, Pa....parents are Julia and Louis Mazzante...her older brother Louis (19) is a junior at Old Dominion, where he plays baseball...open major.
Coach's Quote:
"Kelly is a tremendous offensive threat from all areas of the court. Her creative thought process will make her impossible to stop and a real crowd pleaser."
Julie McBride (http://www.suathletics.com/roster.asp?playerid=50&sport=177)
(Syracuse/ Catholic Central H.S., Mechanicville, N.Y.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-4
Position: Guard
As a Sophomore
Third-team All-BIG EAST pick … Led the team in scoring with a 14.9 points per game average … Led the Orangewomen in assists with 175 (5.6 per game) … Became the first Orangewoman ever with 400 points and 150 assists in the same season … Is the seventh player, men’s or women’s, to reach the 400/150 marks at Syracuse, and first since men’s player Adrian Autry (501 points, 183 assists) in 1993-94 … Ranks sixth on the Syracuse sinlge-season scoring list with 461 points … Ranks second on the SU single-season assist ledger with 175 … Currently is fourth on the Orangewomen single-season three-pointers list with 61 … She and teammate Jaime James are the only Syracuse tandem ever to each record 60 or more three-pointers in a season … She and James are also the first SU duo since 1980-81 to each score 400 or more points in the same season … She is part of the first Syracuse foursome (James, Jazmine Wright and Shannon Perry) since 1986-87 to each score 300 or more points in the same season … After just 58 career games, ranks fourth on the SU career three-point list with 107 triples … She is the second-fastest to reach 100 three-pointers in her career (McBride, 55 games; Jaime James, 49 games) … Already ranks 10th on the Orangewomen’s career assist ledger with 282 … Just the fifth Orangewoman ever to record back-to-back 100-assist seasons (107 in 2000-01) … Set the Syracuse single-season record for minutes played with 1,186 … Also ranks first on the SU single-season minutes per game list at 38.3 … Set Syracuse’s BIG EAST Tournament single-game record with nine assists versus Notre Dame … Led Syracuse in scoring 11 times and led in assists 26 times this season … Scored a career-high 28 points versus Pepperidine on November 21 … Her 13 free throws versus the Waves is tied for second on the Syracuse single-game list … Reached double figures in 25 of SU’s 31 games, including the first 11 games of the season.
As a Freshman
Appeared in all 27 games, starting 10 … Played all 40 minutes in the last six games … Was the only Orangewoman to play an entire game all season … Scored 10 points, had two rebounds and three assists in her Orangewomen debut against Old Dominion … First collegiate start was against Dartmouth … Recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 assists at West Virginia … Had 13 points, eight assists and three steals in 45 minutes against Georgetown in the BIG EAST Tournament … Ranks eighth on SU's freshman list for points with 265 and Third in assists with 107 … Recorded career-high 20 points against Providence. … Led the BIG EAST with a .868 free-throw percentage (46-53) during league play … Averaged 9.8 points and 4.0 assists … Played on BIG EAST All-Star Team that went 6-0 on an exhibition tour of Germany … Averaged 7.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in six games.
High School
First-team All-State selection … Led Section 2 in scoring, averaging 30.8 points per game … Set a single-game school record with 47 points … Troy County Player of the Year … Four-time All-City and All-Conference selection … Named conference MVP as a senior … Earned the Catholic High Basketball Coaches Award … Two-time team MVP … Two-time NYS Section 2 All-Tournament team selection … Scored her 1,000th career point as a junior … Two-time team captain.
Personal
Born September 24, 1982 in Troy, N.Y. … Daughter of Michael and Debbie McBride … One brother and two sisters … Majoring in child and family studies.
Janel McCarville (http://www.gophersports.com/Sports/player.asp?player_id=1604&sport_id=wBasket)
(Minnesota/Stevens Point Area H.S., Stevens Point, Wis.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-2
Position: Forward/Center
Looking Forward to 2001-02
Janel should see immediate action this season and has the potential to be one of the most dominating post players in Gopher history.
High School Highlights
• The 2001 Co-Wisconsin High School Player of the Year
• A first-team all-state selection after leading Stevens Point to a runner-up finish in the Wisconsin Division I State Tournament
• Averaged 19.4 points per game and shot 66.9 percent as a senior
• Led her team to a 59-11 mark her last three years, including 26-1 mark in 2000-01
• Honorable mention all-state pick as a sophomore and junior
• An AAU American
Personal
• Born Nov. 3, 1982
• Undecided on a major
• Daughter of Terry and Bonnie McCarville
Did You Know...
Janel averaged a double-double in the Wisconsin State Tournaament last year, leading her team to a runner-up finish by averaging 21.7 points and 14.7 rebounds in three games.
Kristen O'Neill (http://gohuskies.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/oneill_kristen00.html)
(Washington/Meadowdale H.S., Lynwood, Wash.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-1
Position: Guard
at Meadowdale High School
Parade Magazine All-American, third team, in 2001 … Street and Smith’s Third Team All-American … Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington … honored with having high school jersey displayed in Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn. … top recruit out of the state of Washington … ranked No. 38 among top 750 seniors in class of 2001 by All-Star Girls Report … ranked No. 19 on HoopPlanet.com’s list of top 100 recruits for 2001 … Tacoma News Tribune preseason All-State selection in 2001 … Everett Herald co-Player of the Year, with current UW teammate Kayla Burt, Seattle Post Intelligencer selection for Athlete of the Year … owns four school single-game records for points (36), three point field goals (6), three point field goal percentage (85.7) and deflections (18) … also owns 15 career school records … finished prep career with 1,154 points, 516 rebounds, 342 steals and 185 blocks … first team all-area and all WesCo … first team all-state tournament … as a senior led Meadowdale to a fourth-place finish at the state tournament … averaged 19.3 points, five assists, six steals and four blocks … led Meadowdale to a 40-33 win over No. 10 Blanchet to claim the state championship as a junior ... sank a three pointer with 2:01 remaining in that game, to put her team ahead, and then scored the final six points to steal the victory … named to the all-state first team, the Associated Press First Team and first team all-area squad after finishing with a record of 19-9 … averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals … as a sophomore, played on the MHS team that compiled a record of 27-1 and were state runners-up … earned second team all-WesCo honors and was named Best Defender … averaged 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals per game … earned second team honors at state tournament … as a freshman, helped lead team to a 26-2 record and earned second team all-WesCo honors … team won the NW District and finished seventh at the state tournament … averaged 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Personal
Kristen O’Neill ... daughter of Tina and Rich O’Neill ... born April 12, 1983 in Seattle ... older sister, Kellie, is a junior on the UW women’s basketball team ... also has two younger brothers, Richard (15) and Roger (10) ... father is a Seattle police sergeant and mother is a homemaker ... compiled a 3.7 grade point average and was enrolled in honors classes and a member of National Honor Society ... played for coach Karen Blair at Meadowdale High School … selected Washington over Stanford, Notre Dame, Oregon, Arizona State and Texas.
June Daugherty on Kristen O’Neill
“Kristen is a tremendous defender who brings a great deal of versatility to the game. She can flat out play defense, defend anybody. Kristin is a great defender, great playmaker, and has an awesome overall floor game.”
Amber Obaze (http://www.latechsports.com/ladytechsters-players-obaze.html)
(Louisiana Tech/Bryan Adams H.S., Dallas, Texas )
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-9
Position: Guard
Summer 2001: Selected as one of 30 participants in the 2001 USA Basketball Women¹s Junior National Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 15-18 ... 2000-01: Played in all 36 games for Tech while making 17 starts ... Was the first true freshman to start for Tech since Tamicha Jackson did in 1996 ... Voted Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year ... Voted as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association State Freshman of the Year ... Honorable mention member on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana team ... Averaged 9.2 points and 3.9 rebounds a game ... Her 330 points ranks No. 10 in Tech record books for most points by a freshman ... Hit 43 percent of her shots and 70 percent of her free throws ... Hit 14 of 36 three pointers, third most on the team ... Also recorded 79 assists and 34 steals ... Scored in double figures 18 times ... Recorded five or more assists four times ... Led the team in scoring once ... Scored a career-high 18 points in SBC win over New Orleans Feb. 22, 2001 .... Scored 16 points, including the game-clinching three-pointer with less than 30 seconds remaining, in Preseason WNIT Championship game win over No. 4 ranked Purdue ... Scored 10 points and grabbed a career-high nine rebounds in win over No. 13 Virginia ... Scored 16 points in win over Western Kentucky Jan. 18, 2001 ... Recorded a career-high seven assists in NCAA Tournament second round win over Texas Christian ... Hit a career-high three three-pointers in win over Louisiana-Lafayette Feb. 8, 2001 ... High School: Played guard for Coach Sheila Davis at Bryan Adams High School ... Averaged 30 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Lady Cougars ... Named all-state and all-district two years ... Also, named Nike All-American honorable mention and USA Today All-American honorable mention ... Getting Acquainted: Daughter of John and Sandra Obaze ... Has one sister, Alona (14) ... Major is still undecided ... Lists Sheryl Swoopes and the Houston Comets as her favorite professional athlete and team ... Born June 25, 1982, in Dallas, Texas ... Age 19.
Ugo Oha (http://gwsports.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/oha_ugo00.html)
(George Washington/Hastings H.S., Houston, Texas )
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-4
Position: Center
A talented center that can dominate in the low post, with her knack for scoring, and incredible ability to block shots.
As a Freshman in 2000-2001:
Was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year after setting Atlantic 10 single-season record for blocks with 76, with a block vs. URI (2-25-01) and earning five Rookie of the Week awards in 2000-2001.. Started in 25 of 32 games... Set a GW single-game freshman record with nine blocks vs. SBU (1-22-01)... Scored 20 pts. and collected 7 rbs. against La Salle (1-30-01)... Opened the season with two-straight double-doubles, earning her Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week (14 points and 10 rebounds against Delaware, 11-10-00, 16 points and 12 boards No. 14 Virginia, 11-12-00)... led the A-10 in blocks and blocks per game average with 76, a 2.4 per game average which ranked her 12th nationally... Her A-10 freshman record total of 76 blocks eclipsed eight Atlantic 10 foes’ total team blocks in 2000-2001.
High School:
Basketball News ranked Oha No. 27 nationally among the senior class... The Blue Star Basketball scouting service rated her No. 28... averaged 17.8 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks per game as a senior...selected first team all-district and all-region last season... second team all-state... named to the Parade fourth team All-American team... first team all-district as a junior, and was named honorable mention all-district in Houston as a sophomore.
Personal
Daughter of Anthony and Ebele Oha. Has two younger siblings, Anthony (17) and Chidi (14). Full first name is Ugochukwa. Hopes one day to play in the WNBA or pursue a career in criminal justice.
Oha’s Career Highs
Points: 20 vs. La Salle 1-30-01
Minutes: 34 vs. St. Joseph’s 1-9-01
FG Made: 8 vs. La Salle 1-30-01
FG Attempted:16 vs.#11 Xavier 3-5-01
3-pt Made: 0
3-pt Attempted: 0
FT Made: 8 vs. Delaware 11-10-01
FT Attempted: 14 vs. #12 NC State 12-28-00
Rebounds: 12 at #14 Virginia 11-12-00
Assists: 3 at Georgetown 12-6-00
Blocks: 9 vs. St. Bonaventure 2-22-01
Steals: 2 vs. Mount St. Mary’s 12-17-00
Nicole Ohlde (http://kstatesports.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/ohlde_nicole00.html)
(Kansas State/Clay Center H.S., Clay Center, Kan.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-4
Position: Forward/Center
Ohlde’s Trophy Case
• 2001-2002 Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America
• 2001-2002 Kodak District V All-America
• 2001-2002 Finalist for ESPN The Magazine Center Of The Year
• 2001-2002 First Team All-Big 12
• 2002 Verizon Academic All-District selection
• 2001-2002 First Team Academic All-Big 12
• 2001-2002 Big 12 Player of the Week
• 2001-2002 Women’s Basketball Journal Fifth Team Preseason All-American
• 2001-2002 Third Team Women’s Basketball News Service Preseason College All-America Team
• 2000-2001 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Third Team All-Big 12
• First Team Women’s Basketball News Service College All-Freshman Team
• First Team Women’s Basketball Journal Freshman All-American
• 2000-2001 Kansas City Star’s All-Freshman Team
• Three-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week
• Two-Time Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic All-Tournament Team
• Beaver Classic All-Tournament Team
• Second Team Women’s Basketball News Service Preseason College All-Freshman Team
• Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll Selection
Milestones -
• Finished the season ranked 22nd in scoring and in rebounding, fifth in field goal percentage, fourth in rebounding average and second in blocks on the Kansas State career charts
• Became the 28th Wildcat to score 1,000 career points when she tallied 11 points versus Texas in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament
• Became the second sophomore in Kansas State history to score 600 points in a season and one of only three Wildcats to ever score 600 points in a season (Tammie Romstad, 1979-80, 686; Laurie Koehn, 2001-2002, 600)
• Ranked second in points, third in field goals made, fifth in field goal percentage, second in free throws made, third in free throws attempts, seventh in rebounds and first in blocks in a single-season
• Set the school records for a sophomore in points, rebounds, field goal percentage and blocks
• Needs 15 blocks to become K-State’s all-time shot blocker
• Fourth in career double-doubles (18) and third in double-doubles in a season (12)
• Finished the regular season ranked fifth in scoring average, seventh in field goal percentage, 10th in rebound average, eighth in blocks average and ninth in double-doubles on the Big 12 career charts
• Blocked the third-most shots in a single-season in the Big 12
• Holds the freshman records for points (36) and rebounds (19) in a game, and scoring average (17.2), rebounding average (8.1), points (455), rebounds (146) and field goals (187) in a season.
• Became the first K-State freshman in school history to lead her team in scoring and rebounding.
• Posted the second most field goals (17) in a game on Nov. 24 and the second-highest field goal percentage (82.4 percent) in a game in school history on Feb. 20 by sinking 14-for-17.
As a sophomore (2001-2002) -
Averaged 17.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.0 blocks per game
• Shot 57.9 percent from the field and 65.2 percent from the free-throw line
• Played and started all 34 games at center
• In three NCAA Tournament games, she averaged 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and shot 71.4 percent from the floor and 85.7 percent from the charity stripe
• Averaged 19.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.6 blocks per game in Big 12 games
• Finished the regular season ranked fourth in points, fifth in rebounding, third in field goal percentage and first in blocks in league play
• Ranked fourth in double-doubles in overall games (12) and third in Big 12 contests (7)
• Is the only Wildcat to score in double figures in 32 of 34 games
• Scored in double figures for a string of 24 consecutive games from Nov. 30 to Feb. 27
• Led K-State in scoring 13 times, in rebounding 20 times and in assists four times
• Produced 14 20-plus point games
• Registered 12 double-doubles
• Tied the school record for consecutive double-doubles with four from Dec. 30 to Jan. 5
• Shot 50 percent or better from the field in 26 games and over 60 percent in 17 games
• Named Big 12 Player of the Week on Jan. 7 when she averaged 20 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals and 40 minutes in victories over then-No. 4 Iowa State on the road and then-No. 7 Baylor at home
• Just missed Kansas State’s third-ever triple-double with 24 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high eight assists in a win over Texas Tech on Jan. 27
• Blocked a personal-best six shots in a win over Colorado on Jan. 9
• Scored a season-high 27 points on Feb. 2 versus Iowa State
• Played 40 or more minutes in five games
• Named to the Loyola Holiday Tournament All-Tournament team after averaging 22 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks
• Also garnered Paradise Jam All-Tournament honors after averaging 14 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.0 steals in three games
• Earned all-tournament honors at the Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic after averaging 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game
• Made 10 or more field goals in seven games
• Dished out three or more assists in 18 games, had three or more steals in eight outings and blocked three or more shots in 13 contests
• Attempted her first collegiate dunk in the final regular season win over Missouri on Feb. 27
As a freshman (2000-2001) -
• Turned in one of the finest freshman seasons in Kansas State women’s basketball history.
• Named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and third team all-conference.
• Averaged17.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
• Shot 50.1 percent from the field and 67.2 percent from the foul line.
• Missed the first game of the season with an injury, but came off the bench the next three games and started the remaining 24 games.
• Averaged17.7 points and 7.9 rebounds in Big 12 contests.
• One of only three freshmen ranked among the top 70 scorers in the nation (69th).
• Finished the regular season ranked sixth in points and rebounds, including sixth in defensive boards, and 11th in field goal percentage in league play.
• Scored double-figure points in 22 games, including a string of 10 consecutive games from Dec. 2 to Jan. 13 and six contests from Jan. 20 to Feb. 10.
• Led K-State in scoring 17 times, in rebounding 20 games, three times in assists and nine times in steals.
• Pulled down double-digit rebounds in six games.
• Recorded six double-doubles as well.
• Produced nine 20-plus scoring games and two 30-plus point outings.
• Is only the second Wildcat in school history to have two 30-plus point games in a single season.
• Came off the bench in her second collegiate game to register career-highs of 36 points and 19 rebounds, both just shy of school records, in a overtime loss to Wyoming in the Oregon State Beaver Classic.
• Tied the Beaver Classic tournament rebounding record with 25 boards in two games.
• Poured in 32 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and hit 14 of 17 shots vs. Texas A&M.
• Her 14 field goals made on Feb. 20 are the fifth-most field goals made in a single game in school history.
• Shot the second-highest field goal percentage in school history when she sank 82.3 percent of her shots against Texas A&M.
• Produced back-to-back 28-point performances vs. Missouri and then-No. 9/7 Iowa State to earn her third Big 12 Rookie of the Week accolade on Feb. 12.
• Earned her second Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors for her 19-point, 10-rebound performance in a win over Vermont on Dec. 17.
• Picked up the first Big 12 Rookie of the Week honor of the year with her showing at the Oregon State Beaver Classic.
• Is the only K-State freshman since the formation of the Big 12 to garner three rookie of the week honors and the first Wildcat to be honored since Kristin Rethman in 1999.
• Shot 50 percent or better from the field in 13 games.
• Made the most trips on the team to the free-throw line with 122.
• Hit a personal-best 12-for-15 (.800) from the foul line in a win at South Florida on Dec. 28.
• Went to the charity stripe 10 or more times in three games.
• Dished out three or more assists in five games, including a career-high and team-high five in a win at Western Michigan on Dec. 5.
• Had two or more blocks in four games and two or more steals in 14 games
• Registered a career-high five steals in the regular season finale at Baylor on Feb. 28.
• Named to the Oregon State Beaver Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 22 points and 12.5 rebounds.
• Earned Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic All-Tournament accolades after averaging 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 38 minutes in two games.
At Clay Center High School - Named USA Today honorable mention All-American from Kansas • Earned second team all-state and first team all-state Class 4A as a senior • Two-time all-area Player of the Year and three-time all-classes first team, all-area, all-conference • Topeka Capital Journal Player of the Week • Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA first-team Class 4A • Led league in rebounds with 12.4 per game • Team leader in scoring (22 ppg), three-point shooting (33.8 percent), field goal percentage (48.9 percent) and steals (3.2 spg) • Helped team to a share of the league title with a 19-3 record • As a junior, helped Tigers to a 4A Sub-State title and third place in the state • Associated Press all-state honorable mention • Third team all-state, all-classes • First team all-state Class 4A • Averaged 18.0 points per game at state tournament • Led league in rebounds with 12.9 per game • Tops on her team in points (18.0 ppg) and field goal percentage (50.7 percent) • As a sophomore, named second team all-state Class 4A by the Topeka Capital Journal and third team all-state Class 4A by the Wichita Eagle • KBCA second team Class 4A • Led league in rebounds with 9.1 per game • Tops on team in scoring (14.8 ppg), rebounding (9.1 rpg) and assists (3.0 apg) • Who’s Who In Sports All-Star • As a freshman, she was honorable mention Class 4A by the Kansas Sports Magazine • Led the league in field goal percentage (55.6 percent) • In four years, she averaged 17.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.4 steals, 1.7 blocks and helped Clay Center to a 59-31 record • Coached by Jason Tatkenhorst • Four-year letterwinner in basketball and track and three-year letterwinner in volleyball • In volleyball, she was a two-time Class 4-5A first team all-area selection • Three-time all-league honoree • Named team Co-MVP as a junior • Led team in kills (345), hitting efficiency (.358) and blocks (1.33 bpg) as a senior • Tops in the league in blocks (1.63 bpg) and team leader in kills (2.41 kpg) as a sophomore • In track, she helped her team to three league and regional titles and two state titles • Won the state high jump title as a senior and was the runner-up as a junior • Placed fourth and fifth in the state in the 300m hurdles in 1998 and 1999, respectively • First-and second-place finishes in the 4x400m relay at the state meet as a senior and junior • Placed first in the 4x800 and fifth in the 4x100 in 2000.
Personal - Born March 13, 1982 in Clay Center, Kan. • Daughter of Stan and Marlene Ohlde • Has two older brothers, Brett and Clayton • Member of the Renaissance Program and Future Business Leaders of America • Honor Roll student • Earned academic letters as a senior, junior and sophomore • Was a D.A.R.E. role model for fifth graders as a senior • Earned the Academic Athletic award as a junior • Teammate of Laurie Koehn and Kendra Wecker with the Kansas Thunderbolts AAU team from 1997-2000 • Qualified for the nationals in 1997-98 and 1999-2000 after winning the state AAU Tournament • In 1998-99 was a state AAU all-star and the team finished second at the Mid-America Youth Basketball national tournament • AAU All-American in 2000 • Majoring in arts and sciences.
Jia Perkins (http://hoopscoop.net/big12wbb/ttu.html)
(Texas Tech/Granbury H.S., Granbury, Texas )
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-8
Position: Guard
As a freshman: Played in all 32 games with eight starts...was named team's Most Valuable Player...named to the NCAA Mideast Regional All-Tournament team...named honorable mention All-Big 12...named to the Women’s Basketball News Service All-Freshman third team...named Big 12 Rookie of the Week Jan. 15, Feb. 5 and Feb. 28...scored in double figures in 24 of 32 games...scored a career-high 29 points vs. Purdue in the NCAA Sweet 16...scored 27 point vs. Kansas State and hit a career-high six three-pointers...scored 23 points, while adding seven rebounds vs. Baylor...had 20 points vs. SW Missouri State...scored 19 points and grabbed a five rebounds in first start vs. Southwest Texas...grabbed a career-high six rebounds vs. New Mexico...recorded four rebounds, while adding four assists four steals vs. SMS and a career-high two blocks...had 12 points vs. UTA and Penn State...had seven assists vs. UTA...tallied six assists vs. PSU...had steals vs. UTA...scored 12 points vs. North Carolina State...scored 17 points, while adding three rebounds, three assists and four steals vs. Oregon...dished out a career-high 10 assists against Southeastern Louisiana and scored nine points...recorded first career double-double with 15 points and 10 assists vs. USC, while adding a career-high nine rebounds...scored 11 points at Rice...scored 14 points vs. Missouri...had three rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal at Oklahoma State...scored 11 points and had seven rebounds and seven assists at Texas A&M...had six points, five rebounds and four steals at Nebraska...scored 19 points while adding five rebounds, four assists and three steals vs. Oklahoma State...scored 15 points and tied career-high two blocks at Oklahoma...had 20 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals vs. Texas A&M...had six points at Baylor...had 14 points and five rebounds vs. Texas...scored nine points vs. Oklahoma...had 17 points and seven rebounds, while going 11-of-13 from the free throw line at Colorado...scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while adding five steals at Texas...had 21 points and seven assists vs. Iowa State...had 18 points, seven rebounds and a career-high six steals vs. Texas in the Big 12 Tournament...had 12 points, three assists and five steals vs. Iowa State in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament...scored 13 points vs. Penn...had 10 points, five rebounds, seven assists and four steals vs. Virginia Tech.
High School: 2000 graduate of Class 4A Granbury High School...As a freshman: Team advanced to the area playoffs...As a sophomore: Was named District Offensive Player of the Year...named Fort Worth Star-Telegram Newcomer of the Year...team advanced to the regional quarterfinals...As a junior: Named District Offensive Player of the Year...named TABC first-team All-State...team advanced to regional quarterfinals...As a senior: Named first-team All-State, All-District...named All-America...selected as Granbury's Most Valuable Player...TABC first-team All-State honoree...named MVP by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram...team advanced to the regional quarterfinals holds district record for number of steals...averaged 24.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists...high school coach was Leta Andrews.
AAU: While playing AAU, was named the TSS Memorial Tournament MVP in 1998...named to the 1998 Southwestern AAU Regional All-Tournament team...selected to the 1998 Oregon Trail All-Tournament team.
Personal: Full name is Jia Dorene Perkins...born 2-23-82 in Newburgh, N.Y....daughter of Johnny and Debra Perkins...both parents attended Abilene Christian...father played professional football for the New York Giants...father owns his on business and mother is a caseworker...has an older brother, Jasmin, who plays basketball at Southwestern Christian College...while in high school, ran track one year...was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Student Council...was a member of the Granbury Church of Christ Youth...hobbies include playing basketball and hanging out with friends...undecided on a major.
Cappie Pondexter (http://www.scarletknights.com/basketball-women/roster/bio.asp?ROSnum=33)
(Rutgers/John Marshall H.S., Chicago, Ill.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 5-9
Position: Guard
Prior to Rutgers: Was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Parade National Player of the Year as a senior ... Also was a part of the Phoenix/WBCA All-America Team ... Played in the Phoenix/WBCA High School All-America Game and was named her team’s Most Valuable Player ... Was named Illinois' Miss Basketball each of her last two seasons, the first player in the state’s history to earn the honor twice ... Also was USA Today’s 2001 Player of the Year in Illinois and was selected to the newspaper’s All-America First Team ... As a member of the 2001 U.S. Junior National Team she won a bronze medal at the FIBA World Junior Championships in Prague, Czech Republic ... Named the 2001 Chicago News-Gazette Player of the Year ... A 2001 fifth-team all-American according to the All Star Girls Report ... Averaged 23.9 points per game as a senior at John Marshall High School ... Helped lead her team to a 26-5 record and the Public League championship in 2001 ... Set a school scoring record with 47 points in a loss to Hanford, CA, in the 2000 Nike Christmas Tournament of Champions in Chicago ... Averaged 21.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game as a junior ... Named an honorable mention all-American by USA Today, a first-team all-American by Street & Smith's, an underclass all-American by Reebok/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), a junior all-American by Student Sports and a Nike all-American in the spring of 2000 ... Also a member of the 2000 U.S. Junior World Championship Qualifying Team and led them to a gold medal in Mardelplata, Argentina ... Was a consensus first-team all-state selection as a junior and senior and a three-time first-team selection to the News-Gazette All-State Team ... Was rated third by the Blue Star Report, eighth by Fox Student Sports, ninth by Full Court Press, 20th by Women's Basketball Journal and 24th by the All Star Girls Report entering her senior season ... Compiled a 116-8 (.935) four-year high school record and her team won the 1999 state championship ... Will be able to practice with the team this season but cannot participate in games in accordance with NCAA initial-eligibility standards ... Born Jan. 7, 1983 ... Parents are Leo and Vanessa Pondexter ... Is enrolled at Rutgers College.
Heather Schreiber (http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/wbb_pages/roster.html)
(Texas/ Windthorst H.S., Windthorst, Texas )
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-2
Position: Forward
PERSONAL
Daughter of Gerald and Debbie Schreiber … has three siblings – brother Chad (16) and sisters Allison (13) and Melissa (10) … liberal arts major … born January 7, 1983.
THE SCHREIBER FILE
Name: Heather Marie Schreiber
This book had a profound effect on me: “Invisible Man” (Ralph Ellison)
I can’t go long without listening to this CD: any that I’ve made myself
My favorite Web site: audiogalaxy.com
Favorite snack food: fruit snacks
Food I really like but can’t have lots of during the season: nachos
“Must see” TV for me is: ESPN’s “SportsCenter”
My favorite film of all time: “Billy Madison”
Best film I’ve seen in the last year: “American Pie 2”
Favorite actor/actress: Adam Sandler, Julia Roberts
Most favorite moment on the basketball court was: playing in the Texas state tournament last year
Most embarassing moment on the basketball court was: tripping over someone’s feet
My favorite thing I always pack for a basketball road trip: my headphones
In the locker room before the game, I am the player who: is serious
My teammates would say I am: shy but friendly
If I could trade places with anyone or anything in time (living or deceased), I would like to be: Marion Jones, because I would like to run faster than any other woman in the world
You are dropped alone on a desert island ... the ONLY three things you bring with you are: a friend, a computer and a phone
To me, the Erwin Center is: a great place to play and a place full of tradition
I got started playing basketball: at the age of six, when I played on an all-boys team of seven-year-olds and eight-year-olds
I came to The University of Texas because: of UT’s tradition of success on and off the court; Texas felt like “home,” and I get to play with great people and get a fantastic education.
My top individual goal for 2001-02: to help this team win games
My top team goal for 2001-02: play in the Final Four in San Antonio
Stacy Stephens (http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/wbb_pages/roster.html)
(Texas/ Winnsboro H.S., Winnsboro, Texas )
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-1
Position: Forward
PERSONAL
Daughter of Rob and Kitty Stephens ... has one brother, Clint (22), a 6-3, 275-lb. three-year football letterwinner (offensive tackle) at NCAA Division II Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas ... her father played football at the University of Missouri-Rolla ... nickname of “Big Hands” comes from the fact that her hand size measures 9-1/16" from base of palm to her fingertips ... can palm a six-pound medicine ball ... liberal arts major Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll as a freshman ... born January 21, 1982 in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
THE STEPHENS FILE
Name: Stacy Diane Stephens
Nicknames: Big Country, Big Hands, Goober
This book had a profound effect on me: “Green Eggs & Ham” (Dr. Seuss)
I can’t go long without listening to this CD: any Garth Brooks’ CD
My favorite Web site(s): msn.com
Favorite snack food: fruit
Food I really like but can’t have lots of during the season: a Burger King Whopper
“Must see” TV for me is: any cartoon, especially Bugs Bunny and Johnny Bravo
My favorite film of all time: “Forrest Gump”
Best film I’ve seen in the last year: “The Princess Diaries”
Favorite actor/actress: Dick Van Dyke and Carol Burnett
Most favorite moments on the basketball court was: winning the state titles as a junior and senior in high school and winning the AAU 16-Under national championship
Most embarrassing moment on the basketball court was: “busting” in front of everyone at Nike camp
Song which best describes me or is my theme song: “I’m From the Country and I Like It That Way”
My favorite thing I always pack for a basketball road trip: my stuffed football
In the locker room before the game, I am the player who: is quiet and nervous
My teammates would say I am: nice
If I could trade places with anyone or anything in time (living or deceased), I would like to be: Paul Revere
You are dropped alone on a desert island ... the ONLY three things you bring with you are: food, water and a home complete with AC, electricity, family and friends!
To me, the Erwin Center is: burnt orange!
My top individual goal for 2001-02: do my best
My top team goal for 2001-02: win, and win some more
Ann Strother* (http://www.dcsd.k12.co.us/secondary/hrhs/ann-strother.htm)
(Highlands Ranch H.S./Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Class: HS Senior
Height: 6-1
Position: Guard
*University of Connecticut freshman-to-be
Ms. Colorado Basketball 2001
Ms. Colorado Basketball 2002
2002 State Tournament MVP
All-American 2002
Women's Basketball Coaches Association Player of Year 2002
Participant in McDonalds All American Game 2002
Parade Magazine Player of the Year 2002
USA TODAY Player of the Year 2002
Naismith Award Winner as Top Prep Player in Nation 2002
Ann Strother, Highlands Ranch
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 150 pounds
Age: 18. Born Dec. 11, 1983, in Grand Junction.
Hair: Dirty blond. Eyes: Hazel.
High school sports: Basketball (All-America guard)
Grade point average: 3.5 Class: Senior
Favorite subject: English
Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan Favorite team: University of Connecticut
Women's Basketball
Favorite people: All of my family
Favorite band: I like everything but country Parents: Ken and Jan Strother
Planned career: Will play basketball at UConn, undecided on major but
considering pediatrics and physical therapy
What I like most about high school sports: Probably the teammates I have
and just the atmosphere of a close game in a packed gym.
What I like least about high school sports: I wish there were more games.
If I could visit any place it would be: Hawaii
When I'm 64 . . . I'll probably be traveling around the world and visiting family
and friends
Final thought: I like the whole atmosphere of being part of a team, becoming
friends with teammates and players from other schools and getting to know
people around the state.
No bio available at the Connecticut athletics website, a Highlands Ranch article was probably not the best I could find.
Kelley Suminski (http://gostanford.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/suminski_kelley00.html)
(Stanford/Chester, N.J.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-9
Position: Guard
At Stanford: Strong fundamental player … Excellent passer and scorer … Solid defender.
High School: Named a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-American as a senior … Two-time Gatorade New Jersey State Player of the Year (2000 & 2001) ... High school jersey is displayed in the Ring of Honor at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame … Mendham High School went a combined 114-6 in her four seasons … Also named First Team All-New Jersey by the Newark Star-Ledger, Gannett and the Associated Press, and First Team Madison Square Garden/New York Daily News Tri-State to help Mendham High School to a 25-3 record and the New Jersey Section II and Group III Championships … As a senior, averaged 20.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and shot 60 percent from the floor and 82 percent from the foul line … As a junior, named to the Reebok/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Underclass All-American Team ... Named 2000 Gatorade New Jersey High School Player of the Year after recording 22.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in leading her team to the state title ... Named on of the "Top 10 Players of the 1990’s" by the Newark Star-Ledger ... Also named New Jersey State Player of the Year as a junior by the Associated Press, Gannett and the Newark Star-Ledger ... As a sophomore, shot 59.0 percent from the field en route to averaging 19.0 points per contest ... Led team to 29-2 record in 1998-99 and second straight Group II State Championship, as well as being named First Team All-New Jersey by Gannett, the Associated Press and the Newark Star-Ledger ... Also named the Newark Star-Ledger County Player of the Year as a sophomore ... Had an impressive freshman season as well, averaging 15.0 points and 4.5 rebounds en route to Second Team All-New Jersey honors ... Mendham went a perfect 32-0 in her freshman season … High school coach was Fred Corona … Four-year member of the Honor Roll.
Personal: Born December 18, 1982 … Daughter of John and Holly Suminski … Brother, Johnny, played lacrosse at Holy Cross from 1995-98.
Brandi Teamer (http://virginiasports.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/teamer_brandi00.html)
(Virginia/Berkshire H.S. (Miami, Fla.), Joliet, Ill.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-2
Position: Forward
High School
Attended Joliet High School in Illinois for three years before moving to Miami, Florida and attending the Berkshire School...a three-year letterwinner on the basketball team at Joliet High...she earned All-State and All-Conference honors...also earned All-Area honors...a Women’s Basketball Journal All-Star...earned all-state honors as a member of the track team at Joliet...she attended The Miller School in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2000-01...at The Miller School, she played basketball, volleyball and tennis.
Personal
Brandi C. Teamer…born January 6, 1982 in Joliet, Illinois...she is the daughter of Kelly McKenzie and Ronald Teamer…has two brothers, Daric (27) and Damen (24).
Christi Thomas (http://georgiadogs.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/thomas_christi01.html)
(Georgia/Buford, Ga.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-5
Position: Center
CHRISTI THOMAS
• Certainly has lived up to her billing as one of the nation's premier post prospects by sweeping SEC Freshman of the Year (in votes by coaches and media) and earning consensus Freshman All-America honors.
• Development should only be enhanced by the competition in practice among what could be Georgia's deepest and most talented front line corps ever.
• Still recuperating from off-season knee surgery performed April 10 to repair chipped cartilage and a small tear in the lateral meniscus of her left knee.
High School
• Coached by Scott Bursmith at Buford High.
• Ranked as the nation's No. 3 center prospect and No. 20 player overall by the All-Star Girls Basketball Report.
• Tabbed the 2000 Miss Georgia Basketball (all-classification Player of the Year) by both the Atlanta Journal & Constitution and the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
• Named 2000 Gwinnett County Player of the Year by the Gwinnett Post Tribune, after sharing the honor in 1999.
• A two-time member of the Atlanta Tipoff Club's “Terrific 10" (all-class, all-state team) after being named second-team all-state for Class A following her sophomore season
• Named third-team All-America by that service, as well as being tabbed honorable mention All-America by USA Today as a junior and senior.
• A four-year starter at Buford.
• Completed her stellar prep career with 2,174 points and helped Buford to an 81-10 record in her last three seasons with the Wolves.
• As a senior, averaged 22.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 4.0 blocks en route to posting two quadruple doubles and nine more triple-doubles.
• Led Buford to 26-2 record during the 1999-2000 campaign.
• As a junior, averaged 22.1 points, 13.0 rebounds and 7.0 blocks while leading the Lady Wolves to a 29-3 record and a runner-up finish in the 1999 Class A State Tournament.
• As a sophomore, posted averages of 15.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.1 blocks when Buford finished 26-5.
College
2001-2002 Season
• One rebound against Maine (or the lack thereof) is all that separated Thomas from a trio of double-doubles to open season.
• Her back-to-back double-doubles against MTSU and Georgia State upped her career total to five.
• Almost reached double-double status in the first half alone of the MTSU and Georgia State wins...notching nine points and nine rebounds in the opening stanza of each game.
• Broke out of a post-Christmas slump with a vengeance at Mississippi State, scoring 18 first-half points on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor.
• Eventually finished with 25 points in Starkville, what was then the highest single-game output by a Lady Dog during the 2001-02 campaign up to that point.
• Joined Georgia’s career top-10 leaders in blocked shots early in the campaign. Enters today’s game with 84 swats in less than two seasons, which ranks eighth all-time and is just one block behind the current No. 7 total of 85 by La’Keshia Frett.
• Among SEC leaders, tied 12th in rebounding (6.7) and sixth blocked shots (1.8).
• In SEC action only, ranked ninth in field goal percentage (.523).
2000-01 Season
• In addition to winning SEC Freshman of the Year honors, was a unanimous All-SEC Freshman pick by league coaches.
• Named first-team Freshman All-America by both The Women's Basketball Journal and womenscollegehoops.com.
• Finished the campaign ranked among SEC leaders in scoring (20th) and blocked shots (fifth).
• Posted team-high tallies of 16 points and 12 boards in the season-opener at No. 1 UConn on Nov. 12, becoming the first Lady Bulldog to begin her career with a double-double since four-time All-American Janet Harris in 1981.
• Became the 42nd freshman in Andy Landers' 22 seasons at Georgia to draw a starting nod when she did so against Georgia Southern on Nov. 27.
• Grabbed 11 first-half rebounds versus Georgia Tech on Dec. 8, just five shy of the entire Lady Jacket team for the period.
• Beginning with Dec. 18 date with Dartmouth, held out of action four games due to a case of mononucleosis.
• Recuperated quickly and returned to action with a bang, pouring in what was then a career-high 24 points against Illinois on Jan. 4, leaving Landers joking about trying to infect the rest of the team.
• So much for the after affects of mono...Thomas logged a career-best 33 minutes against No. 10 Florida on Jan. 11. After starting 0-of-7 from the field against the Lady Gators connected on 5-of-9 second-half shots.
• Returned to the starting five against Ole Miss on Jan. 25 and celebrated with a career-high 25 points.
• Posted a double-double in the first half alone versus Kentucky -- 15 points and 11 rebounds -- on Feb. 15 and topped career highs for assists and steals.
• Rolled her ankle just two minutes after checking into the SEC Tournament semifinals against Arkansas on March 3.
• Returned less than 24 hours later with a gritty (and exceptionally productive) 10-minute outing versus No. 18 Vanderbilt in the championship game.
Personal
• Born August 14, 1982, the daughter of Maurice and Delores Thomas.
• Intended Major: Consumer Journalism.
Tanesheia Thompson (http://wellness.gc.cc.fl.us/wbasket99/index02.htm)
(Gulf Coast Community College/Roanoke, Ala.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 5-6
Position: Guard
No bio available.
Lindsay Whalen (http://www.gophersports.com/Sports/player.asp?player_id=1290&sport_id=wBasket)
(Minnesota/Hutchinson H.S., Hutchinson, Minn.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-8
Position: Guard
Looking Forward to 2001-02
Lindsay excited Gopher fans with one of the most outstanding rookie seasons in Minnesota women’s basketball history. As a sophomore, the new Gopher coaching staff looks for Lindsay to continue her high-scoring contributions. Lindsay will benefit from the addition of Janel McCarville and the solid post play expected from the Gophers’ frontcourt this season. Lindsay was a member of the Big Ten All-Star Team that toured Europe over the summer. She tied for team honors in averaging 13.2 points per game and helped the squad to a perfect 5.0 record.
2000-01 Season (Fr.)
• An honorable mention All-Big Ten pick by the conference media
• Named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team
• The starter at guard as true first-year Gopher
• Finished second in the Big Ten in scoring with an 17.0 points per game average, 16.8 ppg. in conference games
• Scored in double figures in 24 of 25 games
• Though she was the Gophers’ leading scorer, she captured game scoring honors just 10 times
• Netted a career-high 31-point performance in the win over Northwestern
• Her 31 points was the fourth-highest scoring game in the Big Ten in 2000-01
• Also gathered career highs with six assists and five steals against Northwestern
• Her 31 points is tied for the 10th-best single-game output and ranks as the second-most points scored in a game by a Gopher rookie
• Scored 20 or more points seven times in 2000-01, over 25 points three times and over 30 once
• Missed three games in early December with an abdominal ailment
• Averaged a team-high 35.8 minutes per game
• Earned MVP honors at the Four Points Sheraton Classic, averaging 21.0 ppg. and 8.0 rpg.
• Tallied 27 points and nine rebounds in the Four Point Sheraton Classic title game versus Providence
High School Highlights
• A four-time honorable mention all-state selection
• Named to All-Missota Conference during each year of her high school career
• Led her team to Missota Conference title in 1997, 1998 and 1999
• Averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game during her junior season
• Earned all-conference honors in tennis and track
• Competed against teammate Lindsay Lieser on the tennis court during high school
• Won a state title and placed 13th nationally with her club team, the Minnesota Jaguars
Personal
• Born May 9, 1982
• Majoring in sports management
• Daughter of Neil and Kathy Whalen
Did You Know...
Lindsay led the Big Ten All-Star Team to a perfect 5-0 record in a foreign tour of Switzerland and France last summer. She tied for team scoring honors, averaging 13.2 points per game.
Dee-Dee Wheeler (http://arizonaathletics.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/wheeler_deedee00.html)
(Arizona/Dunbar Vocational Career Academy, Chicago, Ill.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 5-6
Position: Guard
Wheeler's Career Honors
2001-02
Pac-10 Freshman of the Year
UA Defensive Player of the Year
UA Freshman of the Year
UA Assists Leader Award
Arizona Basketball Classic All-Tournament Team
General: Fast, quick, competitive, athletic, defensive stopper... Hard worker... Good scorer... Has a calm demeanor on the floor with a "burning fire inside"... Complete, all-around player... Coachable... Excellent passer and ball-handler... Gets into the lane and makes good decisions... Great in the open floor... Fulfilled the need that the UA had for foot-speed and athleticism in the backcourt... Intelligent... Student of the game... Sees the floor well... Has an outstanding fitness level...
2001-02: Pac-10 Freshman of the Year... UA Defensive Player of the Year... UA Freshman of the Year... Was the top-scoring freshman in the Pac-10... Reached double digits in scoring in 19 of the season’s 28 games... Finished the season fifth in the Pac-10 in three-point field goal percentage (.404), sixth in steals (2.04 spg), eighth in assists (3.32 apg), ninth in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.94) and 13th in scoring (12.3 ppg)... Her .404 three-point percentage ranks fourth on the UA single-season list in that category... Was second on the team in scoring and fourth in rebounding (3.4 rpg)... Held to just 2 points and 4 rebounds against Arizona State (3/2/02) in first round of Pac-10 Tournament... Career-high 21 points, 3 steals against USC (2/16/02)... 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists against UCLA (2/14/02)... Was 8-for-11 from the floor while collecting 19 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds at Washington State (2/9/02)... 17 points, 4 steals at Washington (2/7/02)... Shot 4-for-5 from three-point range while collecting 18 points and 4 steals against Oregon (2/2/02)... 14 points against Oregon State (1/31/02) despite lingering soreness in her knee... Had 4 points at California (1/26/02) before twisting her right knee and missing the remainder of the game... 10 points, 3 assists at USC (1/17/02)... 7 assists against UC Santa Barbara (1/14/02)... 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists against Washington (1/12/02)... 14 points and season-high 8 assists against Washington State (1/10/02)... 11 points at Oregon (1/4/02)... Team-high 17 points to go with 5 rebounds and 5 assists at Arizona State (12/30/01)... 12 points, 4 assists vs. California (12/21/01)... 5 steals against Stanford (12/19/01)... 10 points, 6 rebounds at S.F. Austin (12/16/01)... Had 16 points, 7 assists at Rice (12/8/01)... Named to the Arizona Basketball Classic All-Tournament Team... Went off for 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals against Pittsburgh (12/2/01)... 11 points vs. Holy Cross (11/30/01)... 10 points, 6 rebounds at New Mexico (11/27/01)... Shot 7-for-7 from the line en route to 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals against No. 15 Notre Dame (11/24/01)... Racked up 15 points in only 15 minutes off the bench during collegiate debut versus Pepperdine (11/18/01)... Participated in the New Start program on-campus during the summer of 2001... New Start provides freshmen who are from ethnic minority groups or who receive need-based financial aid the opportunity to participate in a six-week summer program that includes a class, extensive orientation to the University and the chance to take part in an academic conference...
High School: Two-time first team All-Illinois Class AA and All-Midwest Region selection as a senior at Dunbar Vocational Career Academy in Chicago, Ill.... Also three-time All-Red Superconference and All-Chicago choice... Three-time team Most Valuable Player... Registered 27.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 4.6 steals per game as a senior while leading Dunbar to a 27-9 mark and third-place conference finish... Set Dunbar school records for career points (2,489), assists (498) and steals (803)... Helped Dunbar to a runner-up finish in the city championship twice and a third-place finish twice... MVP of Chicago All-Academic Basketball Team... Averaged 22.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game as a junior... Also named All-Illinois in softball and was an all-area selection in volleyball... Team MVP for both squads as well... Helped volleyball team to a runner-up finish in the city championship... Member of National Honor Society and named to Dunbar's Honor Roll.. Played for the Chicago Hoops Express AAU club team... Was club's scoring and assists leader, as well as team captain... Club team won the Prairie State Games... Was also recruited by Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Florida State and Texas A&M for softball... Recruited by Connecticut, Rutgers, Duke, Georgetown and Massachusetts for basketball...
Personal: Born Desire Denise Wheeler on Mar. 29, 1983, in Illinois... Prefers to be called "Dee-Dee"... Her grandmother is Addie Dunlap... Has two older brothers, Antinio and Earl... Interested in pursuing a degree in computer programming or education, because she enjoys working with computers and with children... Likes to shop, play basketball and watch television in her free time... Was the first girl to have a hit in the Junior League World Series.
WHEELER'S CAREER HIGHS
Field Goals Made: 8, twice, last vs. Southern California (2/16/02)
Field Goals Attempted: 15 at Arizona State (12/30/01)
Three-Point Field Goals Made: 4, twice, last vs. Oregon (2/2/02)
Three-Point Field Goals Attempted: 10 vs. Notre Dame (11/24/01)
Free Throws Made: 7 vs. Notre Dame (11/24/01)
Free Throws Attempted: 8 at Arizona State (12/30/01)
Rebounds: 6, four times, last at Washington State (2/9/02)
Points: 21 vs. Southern California (2/16/02)
Assists: 8 vs. Washington State (1/10/02)
Blocked Shots: 2 vs. California (12/21/01)
Steals: 6 vs. Pittsburgh (12/2/01)
Minutes Played: 38, twice, last at Rice (12/8/01)
WHEELER'S CAREER STATS
Games Played: 28
Games Started: 24
Scoring Average: 12.3 ppg (343 points)
Rebounding Average: 3.4 rpg (94 rebounds)
Field Goal Percentage: .458 (126-275)
Three-Point Field Goal Percentage: .404 (40-99)
Free Throw Percentage: .739 (51-69)
Assists Average: 3.3 apg (93 assists)
Blocks Average: 0.3 bpg (8 blocks)
Steals Average: 2.0 spg (57 steals)
Minutes Played Average: 28.5 mpg (799 minutes)
[This message has been edited by YCN (edited 05-08-2002).]
Jacqueline Batteast (http://und.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/batteast_jacqueline00.html)
(Notre Dame/Washington H.S., South Bend, Ind.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-1
Position: Forward
AT NOTRE DAME:
First-team Parade All-American is one of six incoming freshmen in heralded Irish class ... ranked as one of the top scholastic players a year ago ... first-year swing player is expected to play a major role in the Notre Dame lineup ... has outstanding combination of size, athleticism and skill ... a versatile athlete, she will see action at either the three or four spot on the floor ... good outside shooter who can also drive to the basket and shoot off the dribble ... greatest asset is her strong rebounding ability.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA:
Heralded prep standout ranks as one of the top players to come out of the South Bend, Ind., area ... enjoyed outstanding high school career in which she scored 1,635 points and grabbed 1,086 rebounds ... also finished her career with 264 assists, 259 blocked shots and 198 steals ... earned first-team Parade All-America honors ... also was named to the Naismith, Nike and Street & Smith's All-America teams and was an honorable mention All-America selection by the WBCA ... finalist for Naismith and Miss Basketball in Indiana awards ... a three-time first-team all-sate selection ... four-year member of varsity team, she averaged double-doubles in each of her final three seasons and was South Bend Tribune Metro Player of the Year in each of her final three seasons as well as the Northern Indiana Conference MVP ... averaged career bests of 26.0 points and 16.0 rebounds as a senior at Washington in addition to 4.4 blocks, 3.2 assists and 2.6 steals ... netted 21.3 points and 14.0 rebounds as a junior and averaged 16.9 points and 11.8 rebounds in her sophomore season ... ranks as Washington High's career leader in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, assists and steals ... one of the top 25 players in the nation by USA Today ... played in three different All-Star events ... Indiana-Kentucky, Indiana North-South and South Bend Tribune all-star contests ... helped her AAU team capture national title in summer of 1999 and finish as the national runnerup the following season ... led AAU team to state championship in 2000 ... an honor roll student, she compiled a 3.9 grade point average in high school and ranked seventh in graduating class ... father Wayne played basketball at the University of Montana ... oldest of three children ... born March 26, 1983.
Tera Bjorklund (http://cubuffs.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/bjorklund_tera00.html) (Colorado/Sibley East H.S., St. Peter, Minn.)
Height: 6-5
Position: Center
Class: Sophomore
Barry on Bjorklund: “The experience that Tera gained by playing on the USA Junior National Team was invaluable. She will be a force in the Big 12 for the next three seasons. Tera is really impacting our program.”
At Junior World Championships: Bjorklund was selected to the 2001 Junior National Team in July by USA Basketball. She helped the United States to a bronze medal at the FIBA Junior World Championships from July 14-22. Bjorklund averaged 3.1 ppg and 1.9 rpg in seven contests. Against Russia she was 4-4 and 2-2 from the FT line for 10 points, also grabbing six boards.
2000-01 (Freshman): Was a capable backup to Britt Hartshorn at the center position, actually leading the Buffs in 20-plus scoring efforts with four, and also notching 13 double-digit scoring efforts on the year. Had her breakout game on the road, scoring 28 points in Colorado’s 78-70 win over Wyoming on Nov. 29. Her 28 points were the most in a single game by a freshman since future all-American Shelley Sheetz went for 31 against Nebraska on Feb. 29, 1992. She was 9 of 13 from the floor and 10 of 13 from the charity stripe, all career highs. Went for 21 points and combined with junior Britt Hartshorn for 38 total points from the center position vs. Missouri. Was a perfect 10 for 10 from the floor, 3 for 3 from the free throw line for 23 points in Colorado’s 65-62 loss at Texas. She was just one field goal short of the Colorado record for makes from the floor, as Tracy Tripp holds that mark at 11 for 11, set vs. Wyoming on Dec. 2, 1986. Had 25 points in just 27 minutes at Texas A&M, also grabbing a career best eight boards. Was named the Big 12 Rookie of the Week for Nov. 27-Dec. 3 for her performance against Wyoming. She was 14th in the Big 12 in free throw percentage at 81.7 percent, and was 14th in field goal percentage, shooting 49.5 percent from the floor. She had the best shooting performance in the conference with her 10 for 10 outing at UT, and was named to the Kansas City Star’s All-Freshman Team.
High School: Bjorklund wrapped up her final season at Sibley East in Arlington, Minn., as its all-time leading scorer (1,831), as well as setting the school record for points in a season (583 in 1999-2000). Bjorklund also holds the Sibley East record for points in a single game, notching 33 vs. New Ulm during the 1997-98 season. She averaged 20.1 points and 9.1 boards per game as a senior, earning first team all-state honors from Minnesota’s AP voters, the conference Co-MVP award, all-state tournament honors, and was a coaches all-state selection as well as KNUJ-TV’s player of the year. Her senior year, Bjorklund’s squad took second in the state tournament with a 26-3 record. She was a preseason Street & Smith’s Honorable Mention All-American and has been tabbed one of Blue Star Index’s top-100 seniors (56th), and one of the top-80 players in the country, coming in at 63rd. A four-year starter, Bjorklund led coach Steve Schmitz’s teams to a 88-17 (.838) overall record. As a freshman, Sibley East was 20-5, sub-sectional champions and the sectional runner-up while Bjorklund averaged 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. During the 1997-98 campaign, the sophomore starter contributed 17.9 points and 8.1 rebounds while rejecting 3.0 shots a night en route to an 18-7 team mark and the Minnesota River Conference Championship where she was the conference’s Co-MVP in addition to earning honorable mention all-state accolades. She repeated her Co-Minnesota River Conference MVP award and was a first-team all-state pick following a near-perfect 24-2 record, where Bjorklund nearly averaged a double-double, pouring in 19.6 points while grabbing 9.6 boards and averaging 4.0 blocks a game as a junior. Sibley East took the Minnesota River Conference title, as well as winning the section and the sub-section. A multi-sport athlete, Bjorklund was also a four-year middle hitter on Sibley East’s volleyball team that advanced to this year’s sub-section finals. Her only other campus visit was to Drake.
Off The Court: Tera Tracie Bjorklund was born June 29, 1982 in St. Peter, Minn. She is the eldest of Dale and Tracie’s four children, with one sister, Jennifer and two brothers, Joseph and Marshall. She is undecided on her major at Colorado and lists the biggest moment of her high school career as playing in the 2000 state tournament in Williams Arena. Bjorklund was also recruited by Drake, Iowa State, Minnesota and Ohio State. She has lived on a farm her whole life, and competes in livestock shows with her pigs.
Betsy Boardman (http://thesundevils.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/boardman_betsy00.html)
(Arizona State/Beaverton H.S., Portland, Ore.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-1
Position: Guard/Forward
At ASU: Returns after an outstanding freshman season … will compete for the starting job on the wing after starting all 31 games as a true freshman last year … led the team in steals last year … complete player who brings great skills, competitiveness and athleticism to the court … versatile player who can score off the dribble or knock down the three-pointer … was one of 30 players invited to the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team Trials this summer in Colorado Springs, Colo.
2000-01: Became the third Pac-10 Conference All-Freshman Team selection for the Sun Devils in as many years … finished third on the team and 17th in the Pac-10 in scoring at 11.6 points per game … one of four Sun Devils to start all 31 games … averaged 28.4 minutes per game which was second on the team … led the Sun Devil squad and finished sixth in the Pac-10 with 2.19 steals per game … her 68 steals are tied for 11th on the ASU single-season charts … turned in ASU’s season high in that category with seven steals on two occasions (vs. Cal State Northridge on Dec. 21 and at Washington on Feb. 10) … knocked down 36.0 percent of her attempts from beyond the arc which ranked ninth in the Pac-10 and is seventh on ASU's single-season chart … had at least one three-pointer in 21 of 31 games … her 36 three-pointers rank seventh on the ASU single-season list … averaged 12.4 points per game in Pac-10 play … came on strong at the end of the season, averaging 13.7 points over the last 11 games of the year … shot 43.1 percentage from the field (127-295), third on the team … turned in the best game of her career with 19 points in a Feb. 3 win over Oregon … had one of the most complete games of her young career with eight rebounds, a career-high five assists and four steals at Arizona on Feb. 24 … scored in double figures in 18 games.
High School: A 2000 graduate of Beaverton High School in Beaverton, Ore. … earned honorable-mention USA Today All-America honors in each of the last three seasons … a three-time Street & Smith’s honorable-mention All-American … was a first-team all-state selection and the runner-up for Oregon Player of the Year following her senior season … three-time first-team All-Metro League selection … led her Beaverton Beavers to the school’s first Metro League championship in 2000 en route to being selected the league MVP … guided her team to a sixth-place finish at the 4A State Championships … was a first-team all-tournament selection at the state championships … won the Jerry Pflug Award, which is presented a student-athlete in the Beaverton School District who demonstrates athletic leadership, achievement and commitment … Valley Times Athlete of the Year … won the U.S. Marines Corps Distinguished Athlete award … named MVP of the Northwest Shootout game, which features the top players from Oregon and Washington … three-time team MVP … averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.0 steals and 4.0 assists per game as a senior … also shot 50 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point land and 81 percent from the free-throw line … attended the 1999 Nike All-American and Reebok WBCA Elite Senior camps … averaged 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 5.0 steals per game in 1998-99 … earned honorable-mention all-state honors as a junior … is also a stand-out soccer player … named first-team All-Metro League in soccer her last three seasons … two-time honorable-mention all-state soccer selection … two-time team MVP in soccer …lettered four times in basketball, three times in soccer and once in track … was an All-Metro league selection (800 meters) as a freshman … member of National Honor Society … lists defeating eventual state champion Westview High School to capture the Metro League championship as her most exciting experience in sports … coached by Sean Coste in basketball and by Brittni Estep-Carmichael in soccer.
Personal: Is contemplating a major in business or communications … the daughter of Russ and Mary Anne Boardman of Portland, Ore. … has an older brother, Scott (21), who plays basketball at the University of San Diego, and an older sister, Mindy Hess (32) … comes from an athletic family … her father played college basketball at the University of Vermont and her mother played tennis at the University of Washington … her grandfather, Ed Genung, was the 1930 NCAA champion in the 800 meters at Washington and placed fourth in the event at the 1932 Olympics … born March 4, 1982 in Portland, Ore. … full name is Elisabeth Ruth Boardman.
Teresa Borton (http://und.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/borton_teresa00.html)
(Notre Dame/West Valley H.S., Yakima, Wash.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-3
Position: Forward
AT NOTRE DAME:
One of three Irish rookies to earn Parade All-America honors … quick player who runs the floor extremely well in transition and gets out on the break extremely well … strong post player with great mobility around the basket … versatile offensive player with the ability to score down low … strong defender … good shot blocker … versatile player who has developed a very effective jumper from the free-throw line.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA:
Earned second-team Parade All-America honors after averaging 17.9 points in final prep season at West Valley in which she led her team to the Class 3A state crown … copped MVP honors after the Washington state tournament … West Valley’s career leader in points (1,631) and rebounds (1,1,01) … set single-season marks in her final campaign for assists (139) and rebounds (311) … selected to the Nike All-America team in addition to earning honorable mention honors by the WBCA … named the USA Today Player of the Year for the state of Washington and was selected to the Super 25 team, in addition to earning All-America honors from Street & Smith’s … four-time Mid-Valley Conference honoree and three-time all-state selection, she helped her team compile a four-year record of 102-11 … selected as an alternate on the 2001 USA Junior World Championship team … also starred on West Valley girls’ volleyball team … first freshman to play on the school’s varsity volleyball team … a three-time all-conference honoree in that sport as well as an all-state selection … the youngest of four children, she hails from an athletic family — father Bill played basketball at Washington State; brother Byron played basketball at Whitworth; sister Valerie played volleyball at Gonzaga; and cousin Katie is a member of the basketball team at Colorado State … National Honor Society member … born December 31, 1982.
Kala Bowers (http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/wbb_pages/roster.html)
(Texas/Woodward H.S., Woodward, Okla.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-2
Position: Forward
PERSONAL
Daughter of Donnie and Rita Bowers … has one brother, Jeremy (20) … mother Rita played basketball at Northwestern Oklahoma State University … liberal arts major … born June 3, 1983 in Shattuck, Okla.
THE BOWERS FILE
Name: Kala Jean Bowers
This book had a profound effect on me: “Prayer of Jabez”
I can’t go long without listening to this CD: Life House
My favorite Web site: ICQ.com
Favorite snack food: cookies
Food I really like but can’t have lots of during the season: nachos
“Must see” TV for me is: “Friends”
My favorite film of all time: “Love and Basketball”
Best film I’ve seen in the last year: “Miss Congeniality”
Favorite actor/actress: Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts
Most favorite moment on the basketball court was: when my high school team won the state championship
Most embarrassing moment on the basketball court was: when my coach forgot to tell me I was sitting out and I went back on the court
My favorite thing I always pack for a basketball road trip: food
In the locker room before the game, I am the player who: likes to get pumped up and rowdy
My teammates would say I am: shy
You are dropped alone on a desert island ... the ONLY three things you bring with you are: food, clothes, phone
I got started playing basketball: in the fourth grade, because my entire family played basketball and I always wanted to
When I played basketball as a kid, I pretended to be: my brother Jeremy
I came to The University of Texas because: I loved the campus, the coaches and the players
My top team goal for 2001-02: go to the the Final Four
Kara Brown-Braxton (http://georgiadogs.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/braxton_kara01.html)
(Georgia/Westview (Ore.) H.S., Jackson, Mich.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-6
Position: Center/Forward
KARA BRAXTON
• One of the nation's highest-ranked prospects...listed among the top-two recruits by every major scouting service.
• Has already wowed her teammates with her abilities during pre-season individual workouts and has vowed to do the same for fans during the season.
High School
• Coached by Jeanette Armentano during her senior season at Westview after playing under Mark Neffendorf as a sophomore and junior.
• Ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the country by the Fox Student Sports, the All-Star Girl’s Report, Blue Star and rivals.com.
• Tabbed pre-season All-America by USA Today but eventually only played in six games as a senior.
• Earned All-America accolades from Parade (third team) and Full Court Press (second team) following her junior season.
• A two-time Oregon 4A State Player of the Year, earning such status as both a sophomore and a junior.
• Ranked among the nation’s top-15 juniors and top-10 sophomores by USA Today during those respective years of her high school career.
• Also named first-team All-State and first-team All-Metro as both a sophomore and junior.
• As a junior, averaged 17.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 2.4 assists and 2.2 steals and connected on 62.2 percent of her field goals while leading Westview to a 27-3 finish and the Oregon 4A State Championship.
• Named MVP of the State Tournament after scoring 15 points (on 7-of-10 from the floor), grabbing six rebounds and dishing out two assists in the Wildcats’ 47-44 win over Crater in the title tilt.
• As a sophomore, averaged 19.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 2.2 steals and 2.1 assists while hitting 61.3 percent of her field goals.
• Played her freshman season at Jackson High School in her hometown of Jackson, Mich., before moving to Oregon.
• Helped Jackson to its first winning season since the late 1970s during her one year of varsity play there.
College
2001-2002
• One of the trio of freshmen – along with Whitney Law and Jessica Pierce – to start the Lady Bulldogs’ season opener.
• In the process, those players became the 44th, 45th and 46th freshmen to start under Landers at UGA...and the 15th, 16th and 17th to earn the nod in their collegiate debuts.
• Came up big in OT versus MTSU, assisting two buckets and then hitting both ends of two one-and-one opportunities in the final 32.9.
• Named to the all-tourney team at the Oakland Tribune Classic.
• Enjoyed a monster game at Ole Miss, equaling or establshing team-best tallies for the campaign in points (29), field goals made (12), field goals attempted (19) and assists (6).
• Has reached double-digits in 22 of 24 games and also leads Georgia with five double-doubles.
• With 48 blocked shots, already surpassed No. 4 all-time Lady Bulldog freshman effort of Katrina McClain (43 in 1983-84). Now five away from the No. 3 mark of Barbara Bootz (53 in 1983-84).
• Among SEC leaders, No. 7 in scoring (16.6), No. 8 in rebounds (7.1), No. 6 in field goal percentage (.545) and No. 2 in blocks (2.0).
• In SEC action, tied for No. 7 in scoring (16.6), No. 10 in rebounds (6.6) and No. 5 in field goal percentage (.562).
• On pace to become only the third freshman to lead the Lady Dogs in scoring and rebounding under Andy Landers...Janet Harris (1982) and Tammye Jenkins (1988) being the others.
Personal
• Born Feb. 18, 1983, the daughter of Christine Brown and Quentin Braxton.
• Major: Unspecified.
Shameka Christon (http://www.uark.edu/depts/wathinfo/basket/players/01bb20bio.html)
(Arkansas/Hot Springs H.S., Hot Springs, Ark.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-1
Position: Forward
Shameka Christon is a lean, mean cliche‚ machine.
She had her "A" game during conference play as Arkansas' leading scorer versus SEC teams.
She was en fuego at the close of the season with career highs at the SEC Tournament.
She took it to the next level this summer with the USA Junior National Team.
On the court, she is a coach's dream come true. And what does Gary Blair want now? Simply put, more.
"We will be pressing more this year, and she can really cover the court," Blair said. "We want leadership from Shameka this year in every aspect of her court play, academic life and working with our younger players."
Moved from the small forward to the high post during the year, Blair thinks her slow start as a freshman was a key to her strong finish.
"It gave her a chance to concentrate on fundamentals," Blair said. "Her shot selection, using the glass, moving without the ball - it was all coming together early even if the scoring wasn't."
Unlike most freshmen, when Christon hit conference play she -- to invoke another tired line -- found another gear.
"She flourished at the post, and with more touches and looks, she became a force for us," Blair said. "And with her shooting ability, when she moved outside it stretched the defense."
The teams' No. 2 three-point shooter, Christon roamed across the court offensively.
"She has her opponent looking at her coach saying, well, you said she was a four, but now she's playing three," Dana Cherry said. "Guess what - Shameka's a two, a three, a four and a five. So pick a number. She causes confusion on the court."
The national coaching staff noticed Christon's all-SEC freshman honors and statistics. The first Arkansas player in three years invited to national trials, she became the first ever to make a World Championship team.
"America's finest 19-and-under, and she was right there," Blair said. "She not only played at the world level, but she learned a lot from her USA teammates about what it takes to be at that level."
Her teammates were also glad to see her take her European vacation.
"Shameka is probably one of the most athletic players I've ever seen," Carla Rhodes said. "She can score from anywhere, and she gained a lot of mental experience in the off-season."
INTERNATIONAL: Christon was invited to the USA Junior Trials in Colorado Springs following her freshman season at Arkansas. She earned one of the 12 spots on the Junior National Team which won its own pre-world tournament in Washington, DC, then went on to capture the bronze medal at the 2001 FIBA World Junior Championships in Brno, Czech Republic.
THE STATS IN 2000-01: Playing in 32 games and starting 24 as a freshman, Christon averaged 10.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg. Starting slowly in non-conference play, Christon had the unique achievement of racking up better numbers in conference play. She led Arkansas in scoring against SEC opponents at 13.5 ppg and upped every aspect of her game: 4.5 rpg, 41.2% FG, 35.8% 3P. The No. 2 three-point shooter and scorer, Christon hit 37 with a 32.7%. She was second on the team in steals with 47. Ankle injuries slowed her three times during the late season. She came back to hit 21 on the sore left at Kentucky, then on an injured right to lead Arkansas into the SEC Tournament semifinals. Christon managed to sting both ankles prior to the NCAA tournament. She did not play the regular season Florida game, but tore apart the Gators in her first meeting with UF at the SEC Tournament with three career highs -- 23 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. She wore 24 as a freshman, switching to her high school number 20 after Wendi Willits' graduation.
THE STATS AT HOT SPRINGS: Named the state player of the year in 2000 by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Christon was a three-year pick on the newspaper's annual Dream Team. Christon teamed with current Lady'Back Joy Oakley to win back-to-back state AAA titles for Hot Springs High her freshman and sophomore seasons. As a freshman, she turned in 25 ppg in the state tournament. The following year, Christon averaged 18 ppg and was named by the Democrat-Gazette as the sophomore of the year. As a junior, Christon turned in 22 ppg, 7 rpg and 3 apg to earn all-state honors as well as selection for Nike camp. Christon swept the state's individual honors as a senior, picking up Ms. Basketball from the Democrat-Gazette as well as the Gatorade player of the year. She averaged 26 ppg, 4 rpg and 5 blocks as HSHS went 24-4 her senior season. She was ranked the No. 14 prospect by All-Star Girls Basketball Report.
PERSONAL: Born Shameka Delynn Christon on Feb. 15, 1982, she is the daughter of Beverly Phillips of Hot Springs.
Ebony Felder (http://georgiadogs.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/felder_ebony01.html)
(Georgia/Jackson, Miss.)
Class: RS Freshman
Height: 6-1
Position: Forward
EBONY FELDER
• There may not be a more eager player in the country to begin the 2001-02 campaign.
• A year later, the expectations and anticipations are the same as one of the nation's premier prospects from 1999-2000 hits the court after a medical redshirt.
High School
• Coached by Anna Jackson at Murrah High.
• The top unsigned player following the fall 1999 November early period, marking the second time in three years the Lady Dogs had landed such a prize during the ensuing spring (Tawana McDonald being the other).
• Tabbed third-team All-America by Parade as a junior, becoming the first second-generation pick by the publication. Her mother, Pam, was named to first-ever Parade team in 1977 and then starred at Jackson State.
• Named first-team All-America by Women's Basketball Coaches Association, as well as second-team All-America by Parade and third-team by Street & Smith's and Full Court Press.
• Selected to play in the Phoenix/WBCA All-America game, where she scoring nine points and grabbing seven rebounds for the victorious White team.
• Ranked as the nation's No. 9 prospect overall by the Blue Star Recruiting Service.
• Tabbed 2000 Mississippi Player of the Year by USA Today, The Jackson Clarion-Ledger and Gatorade.
• Rated as one of the country's top 12 sophomores and top 15 juniors by USA Today.
• Helped Murrah to three straight State 5A State Championships in 1998, '99 and 2000 and a 103-4 record during that span.
• Started as a sophomore when Murrah finished 36-0 and ranked No. 12 by USA Today.
• As a junior, helped the Lady Mustangs to a 35-3 record, averaging 16.5 points and 9.9 rebounds.
• As the only returning starter for Murrah in 1999-2000, averaged 18.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.4 steals, 3.3 assists and 2.0 blocks for a 32-1 squad.
• Also voted Homecoming Queen and Miss Murrah as a senior.
College
2000-01 Season
• Dislocated her shoulders during the pre-season and eventually underwent surgery to perform interior stabilization on her right shoulder on Dec. 12.
• Participated in on-court workouts following the season and quickly and impressively knocked off any rust on her game.
2001-2002 Season
• After “tweaking” her shoulder five days prior to the opener and missing the Maine game made an impressive 14-point debut against MTSU. Missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer but opened the extra period with an old-fashioned three-point play to set the tone in OT.
• Re-injured her shoulder slightly during the Thanksgiving break and held out of the Georgia State game thereafter.
• Earned the first start of her career at Georgia Southern, becoming the 47th freshman to start under Landers in his 23 seasons at UGA.
• Missed the Vanderbilt game due to flu-like symptoms, snapping a streak of 11 consecutive starts. Also missed the Ole Miss outing.
• Showed marked improvement late in the week, practicing with the team on Saturday (Jan. 26) for the first time in over a week and seeing limited minutes at Florida.
• Extremely active on the glass of late, pulling down double-digit rebounding tallies in each of the last four games...the first Lady Bulldog to put together such a streak since Tracy Henderson did so midway through UGA’s 1995 Final Four campaign.
• Among SEC leaders, No. 7 in free throw percentage (.788) and No. 15 in rebounds (6.4).
• Georgia’s leading rebounder in SEC action at 7.6, which is No. 6 in stats for league games only.
• Also No. 5 in free throw percentage in SEC action only (821).
Personal
• Born July 20, 1982, the daughter Robert and Pam McDonald.
• Major: Education.
Cisti Greenwalt (http://texastech.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/greenwalt_cisti00.html)
(Texas Tech/Clovis H.S., Clovis, N.M.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-5
Position: Center
High School: 2001 graduate of class 5A Clovis High School...As a sophomore: Named first team All-District...named Newcomer of the Year...was second highest scorer in the state...As a junior: Named first team All-State...was a Street and Smith All-American...named honorable mention All-America by USA Today...named first-team All-District in basketball and volleyball...was ranked fifth nationally by Blue Star...listed in Who’s Who in Sports...As a senior: Named New Mexico’s Player of the Year...was New Mexico’s Gatorade Player of the Year...was a Parade All-American and Nike All-American...named first team All-State...was Player of the Year in District 4-5A for basketball and volleyball...named first team All-District in basketball and volleyball...was second-team All-State in volleyball...named New Mexico’s Miss Basketball by the Amarillo Globe News...named to the Amarillo Globe News’ Super Team and Tri County Super Team...high school jersey hung in the National Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn....played in the WBCA Nike All-American All-Star game...was second highest scorer in the state...high school jersey was retired at Clovis High...became CHS all-time leading scorer with 1,435 points...averaged 21.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and 5.0 blocks...holds the following school records at CHS: most points in a season, average points in a game, most field goals made in a season, most field goal attempts, most free throws made in a season, most free throws attempted in a season, most defensive rebounds in a season, most blocked shots in a season...high school coaches were Coach Severson and Miles Watters.
AAU: Played for Clovis AAU team...team went to nationals several years.
Personal: Full name is Cisti Nicole Greenwalt...born 4-4-83 in Clovis, N.M....daughter of Buzz and Terri Greenwalt...both parents attended from Eastern New Mexico University...father works for Southwestern Public Service and mother works for the pubic schools...has an older brother, Coby...hobbies include sports, shopping and hanging out with friends...majoring in Pre-Nursing.
Vanessa Hayden (http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/women/bios.php?year=2001&bio=hayden.html)
(Florida/Booner H.S., Orlando, Fla.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-4
Position: Center
Vanessa Hayden brings a physical presence to the court… one of 31 players invited in June 2001 to tryout for the 2001 USA Basketball Junior National Team … known throughout her prep playing days as Vanessa Randall … named First Team Freshman All-America by Real Sports Magazine … has the potential to become one of the most dominant post players in the country.
Game Highs
Points - 22 vs. Harvard, 11/24/00
Rebounds - 14-2x last vs. Arkansas, 3/2/01
Assists - 2 at Maine, 11/25/00
Steals - 4 vs. Tennessee, 2/11/01
Blocks - 7 at Colorado, 12/22/00
Minutes - 28 vs. Holy Cross, 3/16/01
Field Goals - 9 vs. Harvard, 11/24/00
FGA - 15 at West Virginia, 11/29/00
3FG - 0
3-FGA - 0
FT - 7 (twice) last vs. Providence, 1/25/01
FTA - 14 vs. Providence, 1/25/01
Dbl Fig Scoring Games - 15
Dbl Fig Reb Games - 16
Double-Doubles- 11
Freshman Year (2000-01)
Selected First Team All-Freshman by Real Sports Magazine ... named to the five-player SEC All-Freshman Team by the league's coaches ... ranked No. 2 in the SEC for rebounding behind teammate Naomi Mobley in all games (9.2 rpg) and SEC-only games (8.0 rpg) ... ranked No. 2 in the SEC for blocks (2.27 pg) and No. 3 for offensive (3.63 pg) and defensive (5.53 pg) rebounding in all-games stats ... tied for third among all SEC players with 11 double-doubles … ranked fifth on the team in scoring (10.4 ppg), second in rebounding (9.2 rpg), while leading UF in field goal percentage (52.5%) and blocks (68, 2.2 pg) ... her 68 blocks was the third highest season total in UF history ... shattered UF's freshman record for blocks by swatting 68 (record was 42 by DeLisha Milton in 1994) ... primary reason UF set a new program record with 165 blocks (old record was 110) ... one of three Lady Gators to play in all 30 games ... at the team's postseason banquet was voted by her teammates as the Most Improved Gator, presented to the player who made the most progress throughout the season ... became only the third UF freshman to receive the Lady Gator Award, which is an overall student-athlete award given to the player with the highest combination of statistics, academics and community service ... UF's leading rebounder in 14 games ... in her NCAA debut scored a game-high 17 points with nine rebounds and six blocks against Holy Cross (March 16) - the six blocks tied the NCAA West Region record with Vanderbilt's Angela Gorsica in 1997 ... tallied her 10th double-double of the season with 12 points and 14 rebounds against Arkansas (March 2) in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament ... held scoreless once this season but did grab three rebounds in 16 minutes before fouling out in the win at Alabama (Feb. 25) ... hit four straight free throws in the final minute of the win over No. 14 LSU (Feb. 22) to help secure the victory, while dominating the paint during the game with 16 points and 12 rebounds with three blocks ... had a huge first half in the win at Ole Miss (Feb. 15), when she contributed 12 points, four rebounds, three blocks and two assists in 11 minutes of action - finishing the game with 14 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and three assists in 19 minutes ... during the win at Ole Miss, had a clutch offensive rebound off a missed free throw with under one minute to play and the Lady Gators clinging to a three-point lead, then had the presence of mind to pass it to Naomi Mobley, one of the team's best free throw shooters ... snatched a career-high four steals against Tennessee (Feb. 11) ... continued her efficient play in the win at Arkansas (Feb. 8) where she scored 14 points with seven rebounds in 15 minutes of action ... provided a clutch basket in the win over Vanderbilt (Feb. 4), hitting a 5-foot hook shot with 37.3 seconds remaining to give UF a four-point lead and help secure the victory ... solid game in upset win over No. 5 Georgia (Feb. 1) grabbing 11 rebounds with four points and two blocks in just 14 minutes of action … only freshman named the SEC Player of the Week, when she was honored on January 29 after helping UF to two wins while averaging 19.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks and playing just 19 minutes per game in two outings the previous week ... dominated Providence (Jan. 25) with 19 points and 13 rebounds, as she made 14 trips to the free throw line … recorded a double-double in her SEC debut, contributing 10 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes of work at Mississippi State (Jan. 4) … key player in UF's upset win over then-No. 7 Rutgers (Dec. 29) scoring eight points with a game-high 11 rebounds … blocked seven shots against Colorado (Dec. 22), one shy of the school record, becoming only the second player to block at least seven shots as she joined Quientella Bonner, who accomplished the feat eight times, last on January 8, 1981 ... scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against Harvard (Nov. 24) to record her first career double-double … snared a game-high 12 rebounds while contributing seven points, three blocks and two assists in her collegiate debut on Nov. 17 against Fordham … 15 double-figure scoring games … 16 double-figure rebounding games… 11 double-doubles.
High School
Graduated from Boone High School in 2000… broke BHS record for blocked shots, swatting 539 in her final three years… during her senior year, Hayden averaged 17 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.6 blocks per game, while helping the Lady Braves advance to the Class 6A final four for the third consecutive year … averaged 14.2 points, 12.1 rebounds and 7.4 blocks her junior year… MVP of the state final four in 1998… following her senior season, was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Florida… additional awards after her final year: All-USA Today High School Honorable Mention for Florida, WBCA Honorable Mention All-American, Full Court Press Second Team All-American, Sixth Team All-American by All Star Girls Report… ranked 29th in Blue Star Index's Top 100 Seniors list… one of just 42 players aged 18-and-younger invited to tryout for the 2000 Women's Junior World Championship Qualifying team… scored five points for the EAST team in the inaugural L'adidas high school All-Star game played in Knoxville, Tenn… coached by Misty Cox.
Personal
Given name is Vanessa L'asonya Hayden… resides with her grandmother Adella Hayden, who she considers her inspiration… born on June 5, 1982 in Orlando, Fla… has four brothers: Van Hayden, Marques Hayden, Quincey Randall and Edward Bickershaff; and one sister: Sheree Randall… collects bears… enjoys reading and writing short stories… signed to play at UF on November 11, 1999 at 4:39 p.m… contemplating a career in elementary education… majoring in Social & Behavioral Sciences.
SeSe Helm (http://ukathletics.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/helm_sese00.html)
(Kentucky/Warren Central H.S., Bowling Green, Ky.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-4
Position: Center
General
Cats’ leaading scorer and rebounder ... Go-to player in the middle ... Very athletic with great size and a soft touch ... Nickname is SeSe ... All-America candidate.
2001-02 (Sophomore)
Named second team All-SEC ... Led the team and ranked fifth in the SEC in scoring (17.0 ppg) and free throw percentage (80.0%) ... Led UK in rebounding (6.7 rpg), free throw percentage (80.0) and field goal shooting percentage (51.0) ... Scored in double figures 27 of 29 games this season, 10 with 20-plus points, including a career-high 26 against Cincinnati and Evansville ... Scored 600th career-point in 42nd game as a Wildcat, the second fastest player to accomplish the feat as former UK Kodak All-American Valerie Still (1979-83) did it in only 29 games ... Ended her sophomore season surpassing the 700-point mark with 786 ... Has five career double-doubles, four this season (22 pts/13 rbs vs. Sam Houston State, 26 pts/13 rbs vs. Evansville, 11 pts/11 rbs vs. No. 8 South Carolina, 26 pts/10 rbs vs. Cincinnati) ... Named to the Lady Tiger Classic All-Tournament Team ... Named the Blue Sky Restaurant Group Classic Tournament MVP ... Averaged 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds against ranked opponents ... Improved three-point range, nailing 2-of-2 three-pointers against Arkansas ... Was the Cats' leading rebounder in 11 games , leading scorer in 18 ... Cats' second-leading shot-blocker with nine ... Started in all 27 games this season ... Scored a team-high 19 points in the first round of the SEC Tournament, leading UK over fifth seed Mississippi State ... The win marked only the second time in SEC Tournament history that a No. 12 seed defeated a No. 5 seed ... Ranked among the Southeastern Conference's best in five statistical categories: Free-throw Shooting Percentage - T-5th (80.0%); Scoring - 5th (17.0); Offensive Rebounds - 9th (2.48); Field-goal Shooting Percentage -10th (51.0%); Rebounding - 12th (6.7).
2000-01 (Freshman)
Named to All-SEC Freshman Team after averaging 12.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in her rookie season ... One of only two freshmen to rank among the top-20 in scoring in the SEC ... Ranked second in the conference in free-throw percentage, shooting an impressive 86.1 percent ... Tied with McDole in SEC scoring with 12.2 points per game ... Started in 21 of 24 games played for Kentucky ... Was 34-of-40 from the charity strip in UK’s 14 conference games, nailing 12 straight FTs ... Scored at least seven points in 22 of 24 games played and netted double figures 14 times, including seven of the last 10, including her first double-double versus Ole Miss (21 pts and a career-high 10 rebounds) ... Team’s third leading rebounder with 4.7 rebounds per game ... Nailed a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line versus Ole Miss, tying UK’s record for best FT% ... Leading scorer in seven games for Kentucky, leading rebounder in three ... Led the Cats over South Carolina with a game-high 18 points, hitting a career-high nine field goals ... Nailed her first collegiate three-pointer against Xavier ... Also knocked down a trey versus No. 14 Florida ... Notched a then career-high 22 points, hitting 8-of-11 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line versus Houston ... Returned to action on Dec. 22 versus Cincinnati after missing three games due to a partial MCL tear in her left knee ... High school jersey was retired after charting over 3,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her four-year career at Warren Central High School.
High School
Parade Magazine All-American, Nike All-American, Street & Smith All-American, WBCA All-American ... Averaged 27.3 points and 12.2 rebounds as a senior at Warren Central High School ... Compiled 878 points, 392 rebounds, 109 blocks as a senior, leading WCHS to the 4th District Championship ... Holds the school record for career field goals, free throws and blocks ... Ranked as the 14th best high school player in the nation by Street & Smith’s ... Listed as one of the nation’s Top 25 Senior Players by the USA Today ... Ranked 12th by the Women’s Basketball Journal for the Class of 2000 ... One of 20 players selected to participate in the Phoenix/WBCA High School All-America Game ... Runner-up for Kentucky’s Miss Basketball crown after compiling 3,114 career points, 1,486 rebounds, 345 blocks (second all-time in Kentucky) ... Named to the Courier-Journal and Lexington Herald-Leader All-State first team three straight seasons ... Three-time Player of the Year by the 4th Region Coaches Association.
Mattox on Helm
“As a freshman All-SEC pick, SeSe added a low-post presence to her arsenal. That, combined with her great shooting ability, has helped her develop into a player who can score from anywhere on the floor.”
Check This Out
Full Name: Selia Lauren Helm
Nickname: SeSe
Birth date: 1/19/82
Hometown: Bowling Green, Ky.
High School: Warren Central HS
Team Nickname: Lady Dragons
Major: Elementary education
Contemplated Profession: WNBA and teacher
Family: Father Larne Helm ... Mother Julia Helm passed away from cancer on April 20, 2001 ... Has one sister ShaDonna McKinney, a brother-in-law Kelvin McKinney and two nieces JaLeah and Ukari
Doneeka Hodges (http://www.lsusports.net/bio.cfm?ref=00003817-6EAA-1AC2-8CF7809F2103FE77&sporttype=WB&indivtype=PL)
(Louisiana State/O. P. Walker H.S., New Orleans, La.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-9
Position: Guard
Was an immediate contributor for the Lady Tigers as a true freshman ... Spent the offseason working to improve her game ... Versatile player that is capable of playing at point guard or off guard ... Rated as one of the top 10 high school guards in the country by All-Star Girls Report ... Intelligent player with an excellent three-point shooting touch ... Participated in 2000 United States Junior National Team trials in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"As a freshman, Roneeka and Doneeka were great for us, having to step up their games when our team was ravaged by injuries. They had to come in and play a lot of minutes, but that experience is something that should help them out this season. They know what it is like to play at this level and there is nothing that can surprise them on the court. Doneeka spent a lot of time on her game in the offseason and that has helped her to really see some improvements. She is a very versatile player that will see playing time at both guard positions this season. Although she is primarily a two guard, she can also play the point, which gives us some options in our match-ups."
-LSU head coach Sue Gunter
Freshman Season (2000-2001)
Played in all 31 games with eight starts ... Averaged 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds a contest ... Connected on 78-of-211 from the field for 37 percent ... Second on the team with 24 three-point goals (on 79 attempts) ... Scored career-best 15 points vs. Penn State on Nov. 25 ... In all, scored double-figures in nine games, including a pair of SEC contests ... Scored 13 points in 35 minutes vs. Alabama on Feb. 8 ... In that game, connected on a career-best three three-pointers (on four attempts) ... Closed out regular-season with a 13-point, 7-rebound effort in road win over South Carolina ... Also had three steals in win over Lady Gamecocks ... Registered a career-high four steals in road victory against Ole Miss ... Had six points, five assists and four rebounds in SEC victory over Kentucky ... Scored 10 points to go with career-high six assists and five rebounds in non-conference win over La.- Lafayette in late January.
High School
Earned six letters in basketball at O.P. Walker, playing for coach Vernon Riley ... Led her squad to five district championships during her career ... Averaged 19 points, four rebounds and six assists per game in her senior year ... A three-time all-New Orleans Metro selection ... Also a four-time all-district and all-West Bank choice.
Personal
Full name is Doneeka Danyell Hodges ... Born July 19, 1982, in New Orleans ... Parents are Ronald and Donna Hodges ... Along with twin sister and LSU teammate, Roneeka, her other siblings are Ronald, Donald and Magic.
DONEEKA HODGES' CAREER-HIGHS
Points: 15 vs. Penn State, 11-25-00
Rebounds: 7 at South Carolina, 2-25-01; 7 vs. Prairie View, 12-18-00
Field Goals: 6 vs. Penn State, 11-25-00
FG Attempts: 13 vs. Penn State, 11-25-00
3-Pt Field Goals: 3 vs. Alabama, 2-8-01
3-Pt FG Attempts: 5 vs. Mercer, 12-12-00; 5 vs. Penn State, 11-25-00; 5 vs. Sam Houston State, 11-18-00; 5 vs. Duke, 11-11-00
Free Throws: 5 vs. Prairie View, 12-18-00
FT Attempts: 9 vs. Prairie View, 12-18-00
Assists: 6 vs. La.-Lafayette, 1-30-01
Steals: 4 at Ole Miss, 1-21-01
Minutes: 39 vs. SW Missouri State, 11-24-00
Temeka Johnson (http://www.lsusports.net/bio.cfm?ref=000A5D77-6DCF-1AC2-8CF7809F2103FE77&sporttype=WB&indivtype=PL)
(Louisiana State/Bonnabel H.S., New Orleans, La.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-3
Position: Guard
Will not be eligible to play until the conclusion of the fall semester ... Did not play in 2000-2001 ... Led Bonnabel to the Louisiana 5Astate championship game in 2000 ... Was a USA Today honorable mention All-USA selection ... Was a member of the LHSAA women's basketball Sweet 16 all-tournament team ... Selected Most Valuable Player in the Louisiana All-Star game.
"Temeka is a true point guard. She will become eligible in December and we can't wait. She has worked very hard to become eligible academically and we just can't wait until she can play. She is a leader on the floor at the point and will provide us with some more depth with Kisha James."
- LSU head coach Sue Gunter
Freshman Season (2000-2001)
NCAA academic non-qualifier who was ineligible for competition until December of 2001.
High School
Was a USA Today honorable mention All-USA selection ... Helped Bonnabel advance to the state tournament championship game under head coach Lee MacAllister ... Selected Most Valuable Player in the Louisiana All-Star game ... Was a member of the LHSAA women's basketball Sweet 16 all-tournament team ... Named the district Most Valuable Player for three straight season ... Honored as a four-time all-state selection ... Also a three-time all-New Orleans metro selection ... Scored 2,952 points with 1,042 assists in her career ... Earned four letters in basketball and three in track.
Personal
Full name is Temeka Rochelle Johnson ... Goes by Meek ... Born Sept. 6, 1982 ... Daughter of Veronica Johnson ... Raised by her grandmother, Jewel Johnson ... Has three siblings: Valencia, Earl and Latifah ... Her uncle Keith Johnson played professional basketball in Russia and Venezuela.
Laurie Koehn (http://kstatesports.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/koehn_laurie00.html)
(Kansas State/Moundridge H.S., Hesston, Kan.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 5-8
Position: Guard
Koehn’s Trophy Case
• ESPN.com's Rookie of the Year
• Big 12 Third Team All-Conference
• Kansas City Star All-Freshman Team
• San Antonio Express News Second Team All-Conference
• Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll
• Three-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week
• Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic All-Tournament Team
• MVP of the Loyola Holiday Tournament
• 2000-2001 Commissioner’s Fall & Spring Honor Roll
• 2000-2001 Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year (coaches & media)
• First Team Women’s Basketball News Service Preseason College All-Freshman Team
• Athlon Sports Magazine top incoming college freshman
• Member of the gold-medal winning 2000 USA Basketball Women’s Junior World Qualifying Team
• Two-time USA Today and AP Kansas Player of the Year
• Street & Smith honorable mention All-American in HS
• Four-time 2A State HS Player of the Year
• Three-time First Team All-State
• Second all-time scorer in Kansas HS history
Milestones -
• Finished the season with 122 three-pointers, the second-most in a single season in NCAA history, the most in the Big 12 and the most in Kansas State history in one year
• Ranked first in the nation in three-pointers made
• Her 122 treys rank her fifth on the career three-point chart at K-State
• Broke the KSU freshman record for three’s in a season and percentage (.422)
• Tied the K-State record for most three-point field goals attempts in a conference game with 14 on Jan. 16
• The 14 attempts also ranks tied for sixth all-time in a single season and is among the top 10 in the Big 12
• Her season-high 17 three-point field goal attempts in a single game is the third-most in school history and ranks second on the Big 12 single-season chart
• Broke the season and freshman records for three-point attempts and is currently sixth on the career list
• Has four of the top eight single-game three-point field goal performances in school history and four of the top 15 performances in the Big 12
• Her 42.2 three-point field goal percentage is second-highest in school history for a season
• Became the first freshman in Kansas State history to score 600 points in a season and only the third Wildcat to ever score 600 points in a season (Tammie Romstad, 1979-80, 686; Nicole Ohlde, 2001-2002, 610)
• Finished third on the single-season scoring list and is 38th on the career scoring list
• Her 17.6 scoring average broke the freshman record
• Registered the highest free throw percentage in a season and broke the freshman record by shooting 89.5 percent
As freshman (2001-2002) -
• Turned in one of the finest freshman seasons in Kansas State women’s basketball history
• Named Big 12 Rookie of the Week three times
• Averaged 17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.5 three-pointers
• Shot 45.1 percent from the field, 42.2 percent from three-point range and 89.5 percent from the free-throw line
• Ranked first in the country in three-point field goals made
• Played and started all 34 games at guard
• In three games in the NCAA Tournament, she averaged 21 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 35.7 minutes and shot 48.9 from the field, 38.5 from three-point range and hit all nine of her free throws
• Averaged 16.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 3.0 three-pointers in Big 12 games
• Finished the regular season ranked ninth in points, second in free throw percentage, first in three-point field goals and eighth in three-point field goal percentage in league play
• Scored in double figures 30 times, including a string of 14 consecutive games from Nov. 26 to Jan. 16
• Led K-State in scoring 12 times, in rebounding once and in assists six times
• Produced 12 20-plus point games and two 30-plus point outings
• Is only the third Wildcat in school history to have two 30-plus point games in a single season
• Sank five or more three-pointers in 13 games
• Scored 27 points in her first collegiate game, including a career-high seven three-pointers
• Went on to hit seven three-pointers against UW-Green Bay, Oregon State, Georgia State and Texas
• Had a personal-best 11 field goals on 17 attempts in a win over Oregon State
• Made and attempted season-highs of 10 free throws and 11 attempts in a victory over Colorado
• Broke the school record for three-pointers in a conference game with seven against Texas
• Tied K-State marks for trey’s in a half and percentage by hitting 6-of-6 vs. UW-Green Bay on Dec. 6
• Tied the school record for most three-point field goals attempted in a conference game with 14 against Texas A&M and Texas
• Played the most minutes in a K-State women’s basketball game when she played 50 minutes in a double overtime victory over Texas on Jan. 30
• Played 40 or more minutes in eight games
• Earned MVP honors at the Loyola Holiday Tournament after averaging 24 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 6.0 three-pointers per game
• Also garnered Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic All-Tournament honors after averaging 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game
• Averaged 13.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.0 three-pointers per game at the Paradise Jam Tournament
• Shot 50 percent or better from the field 17 times, from three-point range 13 times and was perfect from the free-throw line 18 times
• Dished out three or more assists in 13 games and had three or more steals in five outings
• Hit 16 consecutive free throws from Jan. 27 to Feb. 5 and will enter next season with a string of 21 straight
As a redshirt freshman (2000-2001) -
• Named Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year by both the league coaches and media
• Sat out entire regular season with a foot injury suffered in preseason
At Moundridge High School - A two-time USA Today Kansas Player of the Year • Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year in 1999 • Two-time Associated Press Kansas Player of the Year • Three-time Kansas Sports Magazine Player of the Year • Street & Smith honorable mention All-American as a senior • 1999 Nike All-American • Four-time 2A Player of the Year • Three-time first team all-state • Four-time first team all-class 2A • Four-time all-area and all-league • Four-time league all-tournament team • Helped team to three 2A state championships (1997, 1998, 1999) • Holds seven single-game school records, including points with 50 as a senior • Has six single-season school records and four 2A state tournament records • During her senior season she averaged 37 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 5.2 steals per game • Finished prep career with 3,160 career points, second all-time in Kansas history behind Southwest Missouri State’s Jackie Stiles • Averaged 30.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 4.7 steals over a four-year career • Shot 58.3 percent from the field, 44.7 percent from beyond the three-point arc and 89.5 percent from the foul line for her career • Helped team to an overall record of 97-7 during her four years at Moundridge • Listed as the 13th best guard in the country by Blue Star Report and rated a Top 15 guard by the Reebok All-Star Girls Report • Considered a Top 25 player by the Fastbreak Women’s Basketball Digest and rated the sixth-best player in the nation by Full Court Press • Coached by Sue Hetzke • Four year letterwinner in volleyball • Helped Moundridge to three state titles • Named Class 2A Player of the Year twice • Picked up all-state first team honor in 1999 and third team all-state in 1998 • Earned All-Class 2A first team all three seasons she played and all-league two seasons • Four-year letterwinner in track • Placed second at state in the 800 and 4x400 in 1997 and 2000; second in the 1,600 and 4x400, third in the 3,200 in 1998; qualified for the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in 1999 but was unable to compete • Won the 3,200 and 1,600 meters as a senior • Holds school records in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters.
Personal - Born May 13, 1982 in Newton, Kan. • Daughter of Perry and Cyndi Koehn • Has one older brother, Ryan, and one younger brother, Clinton • Father ran cross country and track at Hutchinson Junior College and Wichita State • He earned NJCAA All-American, MVC first-team honors and qualified for the 1974 and 1975 NCAA cross country meet • Member of the gold medal-winning 2000 USA Basketball Women’s Junior World Qualifying Team • Played AAU for the Kansas Thunderbolts • Captured 1996 AAU 13 & Under National Shootout title, finished 2nd in 1998, 7th in 1997 and 9th in 1995 • Named to the 15 & Under all-tournament team in 1998 • Named MVP of the 1999 Miss Basketball Tournament • Played for the Kansas Belles in 1999 and qualified for the national tournament • Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes • Class valedictorian • Recipient of the Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year Award • Majoring in arts and sciences.
Kelly Mazzante (http://www.gopsusports.com/BasketballW/People/players/Playerprofile.cfm?rosterID=429)
(Penn State/ Montoursville H.S., Montoursville, Pa.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-0
Position: Guard
National Freshman-of-the-Year Kelly Mazzante looks to guide the Lady Lions through another successful season.
LADY LION CAREER
2000-01: Women's Basketball News Service National Freshman-of-the-Year...WBNS third team All-America and first team Freshman All-America honoree...Women's Basketball Journal first team Freshman All-America...Real Sports All-Freshman Team selection...Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year...first-team all-Big Ten honoree...Conference All-Freshman Team selection...saw action in every game with 26 starts...led the team and Big Ten Conference in scoring with 18.2 ppg, becoming the first-ever freshman to lead the Big Ten in scoring...ranked nationally in scoring...notched double-figure scoring in all but two games...was perfect from the line 12 times...re-wrote the school season record for points by a freshman (529)... paced the squad with 18 points in upset win over No. 5 Purdue...earned third Big Ten Player-of-the-Week honor on Feb. 19...had 17 points and a block at No. 22 Wisconsin... broke six school records with career-best 38 points in win over Illinois, the most ever by a PSU freshman...also tossed up a career-best and school record six treys against the Illini...the 38 points re-wrote three Jordan Center scoring records and her 6-11 treys set the records for most makes and attempts...had a streak of 22 consecutive free throws through 10 games...grabbed a career-best nine steals win over Ohio State...had a game-high 28 points, eight rebounds, seven steals, and six assists in win over Michigan State en route to her second Big Ten Player-of-the-Week honor...had 23 points in win over Indiana...went 12-14 from the field for 29 points in the win over Northwestern...had 18 points in the first half against the Wildcats...recorded first career double-double with game-high 26 points and career-high 10 rebounds in win at Ohio State...went 10-18 from the field against the Buckeyes...became just the third player in Lady Lion history to reach 30 points as a freshman with her career-high 32 points in the win at Pittsburgh... named the Big Ten Player-of-the-Week, becoming PSU's first-ever freshman to earn the weekly honor...also blocked two shots against the Panthers...had 21 points, shooting 10-18, in win over Maryland...paced PSU against No. 12/13 Texas Tech with 22 points off the bench, including four treys...moved into the starting line-up against No. 10 Louisiana State, where she led the team with career-high 24 points... named to the Paradise Jam all-tournament team ...first collegiate start was against No. 3/4 Duke...in collegiate debut, recorded 14 points in win over No. 12 Old Dominion...named to Athlon Sports' preseason "Top Incoming Freshmen" list...had her high school No. 13 jersey retired on Dec. 29, 2000, becoming the first female in Montoursville HS history to receive the honor.
HIGH SCHOOL: WBCA Honorable Mention All-American...third-team Parade All-American...Street & Smith's Honorable Mention All-American...Nike All-American...Associated Press Big School Player of the Year...ranked 17th best player for the Class of 2000 by Basketball News...four-time Susquehanna Valley League Player of the Year from Montoursville HS...three-time USAToday Top 20 Girls in Pennsylvania...Warriors captured four Conference championships, three district titles, and two state final appearances...first-team Daily Item All-Star...two-time Daily Item Player of the Year...three-time Christmas tournament MVP...first-team all-tourney team...five-time Price Optical Player of the Week...two-time Price Optical Player of the Year...five-time WNEP-TV Sports Star of the Week...two-time Williamsport Sun-Gazette Athlete of the Week...reached 1,000 career points as a sophomore and 2,000 as a junior...the all-time leader scorer (male or female) in Montoursville HS history...set the girls' single game high with 43 points and school all-time single game high with 46 points...tallied 3,270 career points, the third best in girls' Pa. history...MVP of the Eat 'N Park Roundball Classic...also a four-time letterwinner in tennis...three-time district singles champion and the 1998 district doubles champion...played softball for district champion Warriors.
PERSONAL: Full name is Kelly Anne Mazzante...born February 2, 1982, in Williamsport, Pa....parents are Julia and Louis Mazzante...her older brother Louis (19) is a junior at Old Dominion, where he plays baseball...open major.
Coach's Quote:
"Kelly is a tremendous offensive threat from all areas of the court. Her creative thought process will make her impossible to stop and a real crowd pleaser."
Julie McBride (http://www.suathletics.com/roster.asp?playerid=50&sport=177)
(Syracuse/ Catholic Central H.S., Mechanicville, N.Y.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-4
Position: Guard
As a Sophomore
Third-team All-BIG EAST pick … Led the team in scoring with a 14.9 points per game average … Led the Orangewomen in assists with 175 (5.6 per game) … Became the first Orangewoman ever with 400 points and 150 assists in the same season … Is the seventh player, men’s or women’s, to reach the 400/150 marks at Syracuse, and first since men’s player Adrian Autry (501 points, 183 assists) in 1993-94 … Ranks sixth on the Syracuse sinlge-season scoring list with 461 points … Ranks second on the SU single-season assist ledger with 175 … Currently is fourth on the Orangewomen single-season three-pointers list with 61 … She and teammate Jaime James are the only Syracuse tandem ever to each record 60 or more three-pointers in a season … She and James are also the first SU duo since 1980-81 to each score 400 or more points in the same season … She is part of the first Syracuse foursome (James, Jazmine Wright and Shannon Perry) since 1986-87 to each score 300 or more points in the same season … After just 58 career games, ranks fourth on the SU career three-point list with 107 triples … She is the second-fastest to reach 100 three-pointers in her career (McBride, 55 games; Jaime James, 49 games) … Already ranks 10th on the Orangewomen’s career assist ledger with 282 … Just the fifth Orangewoman ever to record back-to-back 100-assist seasons (107 in 2000-01) … Set the Syracuse single-season record for minutes played with 1,186 … Also ranks first on the SU single-season minutes per game list at 38.3 … Set Syracuse’s BIG EAST Tournament single-game record with nine assists versus Notre Dame … Led Syracuse in scoring 11 times and led in assists 26 times this season … Scored a career-high 28 points versus Pepperidine on November 21 … Her 13 free throws versus the Waves is tied for second on the Syracuse single-game list … Reached double figures in 25 of SU’s 31 games, including the first 11 games of the season.
As a Freshman
Appeared in all 27 games, starting 10 … Played all 40 minutes in the last six games … Was the only Orangewoman to play an entire game all season … Scored 10 points, had two rebounds and three assists in her Orangewomen debut against Old Dominion … First collegiate start was against Dartmouth … Recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 assists at West Virginia … Had 13 points, eight assists and three steals in 45 minutes against Georgetown in the BIG EAST Tournament … Ranks eighth on SU's freshman list for points with 265 and Third in assists with 107 … Recorded career-high 20 points against Providence. … Led the BIG EAST with a .868 free-throw percentage (46-53) during league play … Averaged 9.8 points and 4.0 assists … Played on BIG EAST All-Star Team that went 6-0 on an exhibition tour of Germany … Averaged 7.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in six games.
High School
First-team All-State selection … Led Section 2 in scoring, averaging 30.8 points per game … Set a single-game school record with 47 points … Troy County Player of the Year … Four-time All-City and All-Conference selection … Named conference MVP as a senior … Earned the Catholic High Basketball Coaches Award … Two-time team MVP … Two-time NYS Section 2 All-Tournament team selection … Scored her 1,000th career point as a junior … Two-time team captain.
Personal
Born September 24, 1982 in Troy, N.Y. … Daughter of Michael and Debbie McBride … One brother and two sisters … Majoring in child and family studies.
Janel McCarville (http://www.gophersports.com/Sports/player.asp?player_id=1604&sport_id=wBasket)
(Minnesota/Stevens Point Area H.S., Stevens Point, Wis.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-2
Position: Forward/Center
Looking Forward to 2001-02
Janel should see immediate action this season and has the potential to be one of the most dominating post players in Gopher history.
High School Highlights
• The 2001 Co-Wisconsin High School Player of the Year
• A first-team all-state selection after leading Stevens Point to a runner-up finish in the Wisconsin Division I State Tournament
• Averaged 19.4 points per game and shot 66.9 percent as a senior
• Led her team to a 59-11 mark her last three years, including 26-1 mark in 2000-01
• Honorable mention all-state pick as a sophomore and junior
• An AAU American
Personal
• Born Nov. 3, 1982
• Undecided on a major
• Daughter of Terry and Bonnie McCarville
Did You Know...
Janel averaged a double-double in the Wisconsin State Tournaament last year, leading her team to a runner-up finish by averaging 21.7 points and 14.7 rebounds in three games.
Kristen O'Neill (http://gohuskies.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/oneill_kristen00.html)
(Washington/Meadowdale H.S., Lynwood, Wash.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-1
Position: Guard
at Meadowdale High School
Parade Magazine All-American, third team, in 2001 … Street and Smith’s Third Team All-American … Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington … honored with having high school jersey displayed in Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn. … top recruit out of the state of Washington … ranked No. 38 among top 750 seniors in class of 2001 by All-Star Girls Report … ranked No. 19 on HoopPlanet.com’s list of top 100 recruits for 2001 … Tacoma News Tribune preseason All-State selection in 2001 … Everett Herald co-Player of the Year, with current UW teammate Kayla Burt, Seattle Post Intelligencer selection for Athlete of the Year … owns four school single-game records for points (36), three point field goals (6), three point field goal percentage (85.7) and deflections (18) … also owns 15 career school records … finished prep career with 1,154 points, 516 rebounds, 342 steals and 185 blocks … first team all-area and all WesCo … first team all-state tournament … as a senior led Meadowdale to a fourth-place finish at the state tournament … averaged 19.3 points, five assists, six steals and four blocks … led Meadowdale to a 40-33 win over No. 10 Blanchet to claim the state championship as a junior ... sank a three pointer with 2:01 remaining in that game, to put her team ahead, and then scored the final six points to steal the victory … named to the all-state first team, the Associated Press First Team and first team all-area squad after finishing with a record of 19-9 … averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals … as a sophomore, played on the MHS team that compiled a record of 27-1 and were state runners-up … earned second team all-WesCo honors and was named Best Defender … averaged 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals per game … earned second team honors at state tournament … as a freshman, helped lead team to a 26-2 record and earned second team all-WesCo honors … team won the NW District and finished seventh at the state tournament … averaged 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Personal
Kristen O’Neill ... daughter of Tina and Rich O’Neill ... born April 12, 1983 in Seattle ... older sister, Kellie, is a junior on the UW women’s basketball team ... also has two younger brothers, Richard (15) and Roger (10) ... father is a Seattle police sergeant and mother is a homemaker ... compiled a 3.7 grade point average and was enrolled in honors classes and a member of National Honor Society ... played for coach Karen Blair at Meadowdale High School … selected Washington over Stanford, Notre Dame, Oregon, Arizona State and Texas.
June Daugherty on Kristen O’Neill
“Kristen is a tremendous defender who brings a great deal of versatility to the game. She can flat out play defense, defend anybody. Kristin is a great defender, great playmaker, and has an awesome overall floor game.”
Amber Obaze (http://www.latechsports.com/ladytechsters-players-obaze.html)
(Louisiana Tech/Bryan Adams H.S., Dallas, Texas )
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-9
Position: Guard
Summer 2001: Selected as one of 30 participants in the 2001 USA Basketball Women¹s Junior National Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 15-18 ... 2000-01: Played in all 36 games for Tech while making 17 starts ... Was the first true freshman to start for Tech since Tamicha Jackson did in 1996 ... Voted Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year ... Voted as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association State Freshman of the Year ... Honorable mention member on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana team ... Averaged 9.2 points and 3.9 rebounds a game ... Her 330 points ranks No. 10 in Tech record books for most points by a freshman ... Hit 43 percent of her shots and 70 percent of her free throws ... Hit 14 of 36 three pointers, third most on the team ... Also recorded 79 assists and 34 steals ... Scored in double figures 18 times ... Recorded five or more assists four times ... Led the team in scoring once ... Scored a career-high 18 points in SBC win over New Orleans Feb. 22, 2001 .... Scored 16 points, including the game-clinching three-pointer with less than 30 seconds remaining, in Preseason WNIT Championship game win over No. 4 ranked Purdue ... Scored 10 points and grabbed a career-high nine rebounds in win over No. 13 Virginia ... Scored 16 points in win over Western Kentucky Jan. 18, 2001 ... Recorded a career-high seven assists in NCAA Tournament second round win over Texas Christian ... Hit a career-high three three-pointers in win over Louisiana-Lafayette Feb. 8, 2001 ... High School: Played guard for Coach Sheila Davis at Bryan Adams High School ... Averaged 30 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Lady Cougars ... Named all-state and all-district two years ... Also, named Nike All-American honorable mention and USA Today All-American honorable mention ... Getting Acquainted: Daughter of John and Sandra Obaze ... Has one sister, Alona (14) ... Major is still undecided ... Lists Sheryl Swoopes and the Houston Comets as her favorite professional athlete and team ... Born June 25, 1982, in Dallas, Texas ... Age 19.
Ugo Oha (http://gwsports.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/oha_ugo00.html)
(George Washington/Hastings H.S., Houston, Texas )
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-4
Position: Center
A talented center that can dominate in the low post, with her knack for scoring, and incredible ability to block shots.
As a Freshman in 2000-2001:
Was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year after setting Atlantic 10 single-season record for blocks with 76, with a block vs. URI (2-25-01) and earning five Rookie of the Week awards in 2000-2001.. Started in 25 of 32 games... Set a GW single-game freshman record with nine blocks vs. SBU (1-22-01)... Scored 20 pts. and collected 7 rbs. against La Salle (1-30-01)... Opened the season with two-straight double-doubles, earning her Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week (14 points and 10 rebounds against Delaware, 11-10-00, 16 points and 12 boards No. 14 Virginia, 11-12-00)... led the A-10 in blocks and blocks per game average with 76, a 2.4 per game average which ranked her 12th nationally... Her A-10 freshman record total of 76 blocks eclipsed eight Atlantic 10 foes’ total team blocks in 2000-2001.
High School:
Basketball News ranked Oha No. 27 nationally among the senior class... The Blue Star Basketball scouting service rated her No. 28... averaged 17.8 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks per game as a senior...selected first team all-district and all-region last season... second team all-state... named to the Parade fourth team All-American team... first team all-district as a junior, and was named honorable mention all-district in Houston as a sophomore.
Personal
Daughter of Anthony and Ebele Oha. Has two younger siblings, Anthony (17) and Chidi (14). Full first name is Ugochukwa. Hopes one day to play in the WNBA or pursue a career in criminal justice.
Oha’s Career Highs
Points: 20 vs. La Salle 1-30-01
Minutes: 34 vs. St. Joseph’s 1-9-01
FG Made: 8 vs. La Salle 1-30-01
FG Attempted:16 vs.#11 Xavier 3-5-01
3-pt Made: 0
3-pt Attempted: 0
FT Made: 8 vs. Delaware 11-10-01
FT Attempted: 14 vs. #12 NC State 12-28-00
Rebounds: 12 at #14 Virginia 11-12-00
Assists: 3 at Georgetown 12-6-00
Blocks: 9 vs. St. Bonaventure 2-22-01
Steals: 2 vs. Mount St. Mary’s 12-17-00
Nicole Ohlde (http://kstatesports.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/ohlde_nicole00.html)
(Kansas State/Clay Center H.S., Clay Center, Kan.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-4
Position: Forward/Center
Ohlde’s Trophy Case
• 2001-2002 Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America
• 2001-2002 Kodak District V All-America
• 2001-2002 Finalist for ESPN The Magazine Center Of The Year
• 2001-2002 First Team All-Big 12
• 2002 Verizon Academic All-District selection
• 2001-2002 First Team Academic All-Big 12
• 2001-2002 Big 12 Player of the Week
• 2001-2002 Women’s Basketball Journal Fifth Team Preseason All-American
• 2001-2002 Third Team Women’s Basketball News Service Preseason College All-America Team
• 2000-2001 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Third Team All-Big 12
• First Team Women’s Basketball News Service College All-Freshman Team
• First Team Women’s Basketball Journal Freshman All-American
• 2000-2001 Kansas City Star’s All-Freshman Team
• Three-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week
• Two-Time Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic All-Tournament Team
• Beaver Classic All-Tournament Team
• Second Team Women’s Basketball News Service Preseason College All-Freshman Team
• Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll Selection
Milestones -
• Finished the season ranked 22nd in scoring and in rebounding, fifth in field goal percentage, fourth in rebounding average and second in blocks on the Kansas State career charts
• Became the 28th Wildcat to score 1,000 career points when she tallied 11 points versus Texas in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament
• Became the second sophomore in Kansas State history to score 600 points in a season and one of only three Wildcats to ever score 600 points in a season (Tammie Romstad, 1979-80, 686; Laurie Koehn, 2001-2002, 600)
• Ranked second in points, third in field goals made, fifth in field goal percentage, second in free throws made, third in free throws attempts, seventh in rebounds and first in blocks in a single-season
• Set the school records for a sophomore in points, rebounds, field goal percentage and blocks
• Needs 15 blocks to become K-State’s all-time shot blocker
• Fourth in career double-doubles (18) and third in double-doubles in a season (12)
• Finished the regular season ranked fifth in scoring average, seventh in field goal percentage, 10th in rebound average, eighth in blocks average and ninth in double-doubles on the Big 12 career charts
• Blocked the third-most shots in a single-season in the Big 12
• Holds the freshman records for points (36) and rebounds (19) in a game, and scoring average (17.2), rebounding average (8.1), points (455), rebounds (146) and field goals (187) in a season.
• Became the first K-State freshman in school history to lead her team in scoring and rebounding.
• Posted the second most field goals (17) in a game on Nov. 24 and the second-highest field goal percentage (82.4 percent) in a game in school history on Feb. 20 by sinking 14-for-17.
As a sophomore (2001-2002) -
Averaged 17.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.0 blocks per game
• Shot 57.9 percent from the field and 65.2 percent from the free-throw line
• Played and started all 34 games at center
• In three NCAA Tournament games, she averaged 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and shot 71.4 percent from the floor and 85.7 percent from the charity stripe
• Averaged 19.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.6 blocks per game in Big 12 games
• Finished the regular season ranked fourth in points, fifth in rebounding, third in field goal percentage and first in blocks in league play
• Ranked fourth in double-doubles in overall games (12) and third in Big 12 contests (7)
• Is the only Wildcat to score in double figures in 32 of 34 games
• Scored in double figures for a string of 24 consecutive games from Nov. 30 to Feb. 27
• Led K-State in scoring 13 times, in rebounding 20 times and in assists four times
• Produced 14 20-plus point games
• Registered 12 double-doubles
• Tied the school record for consecutive double-doubles with four from Dec. 30 to Jan. 5
• Shot 50 percent or better from the field in 26 games and over 60 percent in 17 games
• Named Big 12 Player of the Week on Jan. 7 when she averaged 20 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals and 40 minutes in victories over then-No. 4 Iowa State on the road and then-No. 7 Baylor at home
• Just missed Kansas State’s third-ever triple-double with 24 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high eight assists in a win over Texas Tech on Jan. 27
• Blocked a personal-best six shots in a win over Colorado on Jan. 9
• Scored a season-high 27 points on Feb. 2 versus Iowa State
• Played 40 or more minutes in five games
• Named to the Loyola Holiday Tournament All-Tournament team after averaging 22 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks
• Also garnered Paradise Jam All-Tournament honors after averaging 14 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.0 steals in three games
• Earned all-tournament honors at the Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic after averaging 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game
• Made 10 or more field goals in seven games
• Dished out three or more assists in 18 games, had three or more steals in eight outings and blocked three or more shots in 13 contests
• Attempted her first collegiate dunk in the final regular season win over Missouri on Feb. 27
As a freshman (2000-2001) -
• Turned in one of the finest freshman seasons in Kansas State women’s basketball history.
• Named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and third team all-conference.
• Averaged17.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
• Shot 50.1 percent from the field and 67.2 percent from the foul line.
• Missed the first game of the season with an injury, but came off the bench the next three games and started the remaining 24 games.
• Averaged17.7 points and 7.9 rebounds in Big 12 contests.
• One of only three freshmen ranked among the top 70 scorers in the nation (69th).
• Finished the regular season ranked sixth in points and rebounds, including sixth in defensive boards, and 11th in field goal percentage in league play.
• Scored double-figure points in 22 games, including a string of 10 consecutive games from Dec. 2 to Jan. 13 and six contests from Jan. 20 to Feb. 10.
• Led K-State in scoring 17 times, in rebounding 20 games, three times in assists and nine times in steals.
• Pulled down double-digit rebounds in six games.
• Recorded six double-doubles as well.
• Produced nine 20-plus scoring games and two 30-plus point outings.
• Is only the second Wildcat in school history to have two 30-plus point games in a single season.
• Came off the bench in her second collegiate game to register career-highs of 36 points and 19 rebounds, both just shy of school records, in a overtime loss to Wyoming in the Oregon State Beaver Classic.
• Tied the Beaver Classic tournament rebounding record with 25 boards in two games.
• Poured in 32 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and hit 14 of 17 shots vs. Texas A&M.
• Her 14 field goals made on Feb. 20 are the fifth-most field goals made in a single game in school history.
• Shot the second-highest field goal percentage in school history when she sank 82.3 percent of her shots against Texas A&M.
• Produced back-to-back 28-point performances vs. Missouri and then-No. 9/7 Iowa State to earn her third Big 12 Rookie of the Week accolade on Feb. 12.
• Earned her second Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors for her 19-point, 10-rebound performance in a win over Vermont on Dec. 17.
• Picked up the first Big 12 Rookie of the Week honor of the year with her showing at the Oregon State Beaver Classic.
• Is the only K-State freshman since the formation of the Big 12 to garner three rookie of the week honors and the first Wildcat to be honored since Kristin Rethman in 1999.
• Shot 50 percent or better from the field in 13 games.
• Made the most trips on the team to the free-throw line with 122.
• Hit a personal-best 12-for-15 (.800) from the foul line in a win at South Florida on Dec. 28.
• Went to the charity stripe 10 or more times in three games.
• Dished out three or more assists in five games, including a career-high and team-high five in a win at Western Michigan on Dec. 5.
• Had two or more blocks in four games and two or more steals in 14 games
• Registered a career-high five steals in the regular season finale at Baylor on Feb. 28.
• Named to the Oregon State Beaver Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 22 points and 12.5 rebounds.
• Earned Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic All-Tournament accolades after averaging 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 38 minutes in two games.
At Clay Center High School - Named USA Today honorable mention All-American from Kansas • Earned second team all-state and first team all-state Class 4A as a senior • Two-time all-area Player of the Year and three-time all-classes first team, all-area, all-conference • Topeka Capital Journal Player of the Week • Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA first-team Class 4A • Led league in rebounds with 12.4 per game • Team leader in scoring (22 ppg), three-point shooting (33.8 percent), field goal percentage (48.9 percent) and steals (3.2 spg) • Helped team to a share of the league title with a 19-3 record • As a junior, helped Tigers to a 4A Sub-State title and third place in the state • Associated Press all-state honorable mention • Third team all-state, all-classes • First team all-state Class 4A • Averaged 18.0 points per game at state tournament • Led league in rebounds with 12.9 per game • Tops on her team in points (18.0 ppg) and field goal percentage (50.7 percent) • As a sophomore, named second team all-state Class 4A by the Topeka Capital Journal and third team all-state Class 4A by the Wichita Eagle • KBCA second team Class 4A • Led league in rebounds with 9.1 per game • Tops on team in scoring (14.8 ppg), rebounding (9.1 rpg) and assists (3.0 apg) • Who’s Who In Sports All-Star • As a freshman, she was honorable mention Class 4A by the Kansas Sports Magazine • Led the league in field goal percentage (55.6 percent) • In four years, she averaged 17.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.4 steals, 1.7 blocks and helped Clay Center to a 59-31 record • Coached by Jason Tatkenhorst • Four-year letterwinner in basketball and track and three-year letterwinner in volleyball • In volleyball, she was a two-time Class 4-5A first team all-area selection • Three-time all-league honoree • Named team Co-MVP as a junior • Led team in kills (345), hitting efficiency (.358) and blocks (1.33 bpg) as a senior • Tops in the league in blocks (1.63 bpg) and team leader in kills (2.41 kpg) as a sophomore • In track, she helped her team to three league and regional titles and two state titles • Won the state high jump title as a senior and was the runner-up as a junior • Placed fourth and fifth in the state in the 300m hurdles in 1998 and 1999, respectively • First-and second-place finishes in the 4x400m relay at the state meet as a senior and junior • Placed first in the 4x800 and fifth in the 4x100 in 2000.
Personal - Born March 13, 1982 in Clay Center, Kan. • Daughter of Stan and Marlene Ohlde • Has two older brothers, Brett and Clayton • Member of the Renaissance Program and Future Business Leaders of America • Honor Roll student • Earned academic letters as a senior, junior and sophomore • Was a D.A.R.E. role model for fifth graders as a senior • Earned the Academic Athletic award as a junior • Teammate of Laurie Koehn and Kendra Wecker with the Kansas Thunderbolts AAU team from 1997-2000 • Qualified for the nationals in 1997-98 and 1999-2000 after winning the state AAU Tournament • In 1998-99 was a state AAU all-star and the team finished second at the Mid-America Youth Basketball national tournament • AAU All-American in 2000 • Majoring in arts and sciences.
Jia Perkins (http://hoopscoop.net/big12wbb/ttu.html)
(Texas Tech/Granbury H.S., Granbury, Texas )
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-8
Position: Guard
As a freshman: Played in all 32 games with eight starts...was named team's Most Valuable Player...named to the NCAA Mideast Regional All-Tournament team...named honorable mention All-Big 12...named to the Women’s Basketball News Service All-Freshman third team...named Big 12 Rookie of the Week Jan. 15, Feb. 5 and Feb. 28...scored in double figures in 24 of 32 games...scored a career-high 29 points vs. Purdue in the NCAA Sweet 16...scored 27 point vs. Kansas State and hit a career-high six three-pointers...scored 23 points, while adding seven rebounds vs. Baylor...had 20 points vs. SW Missouri State...scored 19 points and grabbed a five rebounds in first start vs. Southwest Texas...grabbed a career-high six rebounds vs. New Mexico...recorded four rebounds, while adding four assists four steals vs. SMS and a career-high two blocks...had 12 points vs. UTA and Penn State...had seven assists vs. UTA...tallied six assists vs. PSU...had steals vs. UTA...scored 12 points vs. North Carolina State...scored 17 points, while adding three rebounds, three assists and four steals vs. Oregon...dished out a career-high 10 assists against Southeastern Louisiana and scored nine points...recorded first career double-double with 15 points and 10 assists vs. USC, while adding a career-high nine rebounds...scored 11 points at Rice...scored 14 points vs. Missouri...had three rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal at Oklahoma State...scored 11 points and had seven rebounds and seven assists at Texas A&M...had six points, five rebounds and four steals at Nebraska...scored 19 points while adding five rebounds, four assists and three steals vs. Oklahoma State...scored 15 points and tied career-high two blocks at Oklahoma...had 20 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals vs. Texas A&M...had six points at Baylor...had 14 points and five rebounds vs. Texas...scored nine points vs. Oklahoma...had 17 points and seven rebounds, while going 11-of-13 from the free throw line at Colorado...scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while adding five steals at Texas...had 21 points and seven assists vs. Iowa State...had 18 points, seven rebounds and a career-high six steals vs. Texas in the Big 12 Tournament...had 12 points, three assists and five steals vs. Iowa State in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament...scored 13 points vs. Penn...had 10 points, five rebounds, seven assists and four steals vs. Virginia Tech.
High School: 2000 graduate of Class 4A Granbury High School...As a freshman: Team advanced to the area playoffs...As a sophomore: Was named District Offensive Player of the Year...named Fort Worth Star-Telegram Newcomer of the Year...team advanced to the regional quarterfinals...As a junior: Named District Offensive Player of the Year...named TABC first-team All-State...team advanced to regional quarterfinals...As a senior: Named first-team All-State, All-District...named All-America...selected as Granbury's Most Valuable Player...TABC first-team All-State honoree...named MVP by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram...team advanced to the regional quarterfinals holds district record for number of steals...averaged 24.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists...high school coach was Leta Andrews.
AAU: While playing AAU, was named the TSS Memorial Tournament MVP in 1998...named to the 1998 Southwestern AAU Regional All-Tournament team...selected to the 1998 Oregon Trail All-Tournament team.
Personal: Full name is Jia Dorene Perkins...born 2-23-82 in Newburgh, N.Y....daughter of Johnny and Debra Perkins...both parents attended Abilene Christian...father played professional football for the New York Giants...father owns his on business and mother is a caseworker...has an older brother, Jasmin, who plays basketball at Southwestern Christian College...while in high school, ran track one year...was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Student Council...was a member of the Granbury Church of Christ Youth...hobbies include playing basketball and hanging out with friends...undecided on a major.
Cappie Pondexter (http://www.scarletknights.com/basketball-women/roster/bio.asp?ROSnum=33)
(Rutgers/John Marshall H.S., Chicago, Ill.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 5-9
Position: Guard
Prior to Rutgers: Was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Parade National Player of the Year as a senior ... Also was a part of the Phoenix/WBCA All-America Team ... Played in the Phoenix/WBCA High School All-America Game and was named her team’s Most Valuable Player ... Was named Illinois' Miss Basketball each of her last two seasons, the first player in the state’s history to earn the honor twice ... Also was USA Today’s 2001 Player of the Year in Illinois and was selected to the newspaper’s All-America First Team ... As a member of the 2001 U.S. Junior National Team she won a bronze medal at the FIBA World Junior Championships in Prague, Czech Republic ... Named the 2001 Chicago News-Gazette Player of the Year ... A 2001 fifth-team all-American according to the All Star Girls Report ... Averaged 23.9 points per game as a senior at John Marshall High School ... Helped lead her team to a 26-5 record and the Public League championship in 2001 ... Set a school scoring record with 47 points in a loss to Hanford, CA, in the 2000 Nike Christmas Tournament of Champions in Chicago ... Averaged 21.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game as a junior ... Named an honorable mention all-American by USA Today, a first-team all-American by Street & Smith's, an underclass all-American by Reebok/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), a junior all-American by Student Sports and a Nike all-American in the spring of 2000 ... Also a member of the 2000 U.S. Junior World Championship Qualifying Team and led them to a gold medal in Mardelplata, Argentina ... Was a consensus first-team all-state selection as a junior and senior and a three-time first-team selection to the News-Gazette All-State Team ... Was rated third by the Blue Star Report, eighth by Fox Student Sports, ninth by Full Court Press, 20th by Women's Basketball Journal and 24th by the All Star Girls Report entering her senior season ... Compiled a 116-8 (.935) four-year high school record and her team won the 1999 state championship ... Will be able to practice with the team this season but cannot participate in games in accordance with NCAA initial-eligibility standards ... Born Jan. 7, 1983 ... Parents are Leo and Vanessa Pondexter ... Is enrolled at Rutgers College.
Heather Schreiber (http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/wbb_pages/roster.html)
(Texas/ Windthorst H.S., Windthorst, Texas )
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-2
Position: Forward
PERSONAL
Daughter of Gerald and Debbie Schreiber … has three siblings – brother Chad (16) and sisters Allison (13) and Melissa (10) … liberal arts major … born January 7, 1983.
THE SCHREIBER FILE
Name: Heather Marie Schreiber
This book had a profound effect on me: “Invisible Man” (Ralph Ellison)
I can’t go long without listening to this CD: any that I’ve made myself
My favorite Web site: audiogalaxy.com
Favorite snack food: fruit snacks
Food I really like but can’t have lots of during the season: nachos
“Must see” TV for me is: ESPN’s “SportsCenter”
My favorite film of all time: “Billy Madison”
Best film I’ve seen in the last year: “American Pie 2”
Favorite actor/actress: Adam Sandler, Julia Roberts
Most favorite moment on the basketball court was: playing in the Texas state tournament last year
Most embarassing moment on the basketball court was: tripping over someone’s feet
My favorite thing I always pack for a basketball road trip: my headphones
In the locker room before the game, I am the player who: is serious
My teammates would say I am: shy but friendly
If I could trade places with anyone or anything in time (living or deceased), I would like to be: Marion Jones, because I would like to run faster than any other woman in the world
You are dropped alone on a desert island ... the ONLY three things you bring with you are: a friend, a computer and a phone
To me, the Erwin Center is: a great place to play and a place full of tradition
I got started playing basketball: at the age of six, when I played on an all-boys team of seven-year-olds and eight-year-olds
I came to The University of Texas because: of UT’s tradition of success on and off the court; Texas felt like “home,” and I get to play with great people and get a fantastic education.
My top individual goal for 2001-02: to help this team win games
My top team goal for 2001-02: play in the Final Four in San Antonio
Stacy Stephens (http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/wbb_pages/roster.html)
(Texas/ Winnsboro H.S., Winnsboro, Texas )
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-1
Position: Forward
PERSONAL
Daughter of Rob and Kitty Stephens ... has one brother, Clint (22), a 6-3, 275-lb. three-year football letterwinner (offensive tackle) at NCAA Division II Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas ... her father played football at the University of Missouri-Rolla ... nickname of “Big Hands” comes from the fact that her hand size measures 9-1/16" from base of palm to her fingertips ... can palm a six-pound medicine ball ... liberal arts major Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll as a freshman ... born January 21, 1982 in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
THE STEPHENS FILE
Name: Stacy Diane Stephens
Nicknames: Big Country, Big Hands, Goober
This book had a profound effect on me: “Green Eggs & Ham” (Dr. Seuss)
I can’t go long without listening to this CD: any Garth Brooks’ CD
My favorite Web site(s): msn.com
Favorite snack food: fruit
Food I really like but can’t have lots of during the season: a Burger King Whopper
“Must see” TV for me is: any cartoon, especially Bugs Bunny and Johnny Bravo
My favorite film of all time: “Forrest Gump”
Best film I’ve seen in the last year: “The Princess Diaries”
Favorite actor/actress: Dick Van Dyke and Carol Burnett
Most favorite moments on the basketball court was: winning the state titles as a junior and senior in high school and winning the AAU 16-Under national championship
Most embarrassing moment on the basketball court was: “busting” in front of everyone at Nike camp
Song which best describes me or is my theme song: “I’m From the Country and I Like It That Way”
My favorite thing I always pack for a basketball road trip: my stuffed football
In the locker room before the game, I am the player who: is quiet and nervous
My teammates would say I am: nice
If I could trade places with anyone or anything in time (living or deceased), I would like to be: Paul Revere
You are dropped alone on a desert island ... the ONLY three things you bring with you are: food, water and a home complete with AC, electricity, family and friends!
To me, the Erwin Center is: burnt orange!
My top individual goal for 2001-02: do my best
My top team goal for 2001-02: win, and win some more
Ann Strother* (http://www.dcsd.k12.co.us/secondary/hrhs/ann-strother.htm)
(Highlands Ranch H.S./Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Class: HS Senior
Height: 6-1
Position: Guard
*University of Connecticut freshman-to-be
Ms. Colorado Basketball 2001
Ms. Colorado Basketball 2002
2002 State Tournament MVP
All-American 2002
Women's Basketball Coaches Association Player of Year 2002
Participant in McDonalds All American Game 2002
Parade Magazine Player of the Year 2002
USA TODAY Player of the Year 2002
Naismith Award Winner as Top Prep Player in Nation 2002
Ann Strother, Highlands Ranch
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 150 pounds
Age: 18. Born Dec. 11, 1983, in Grand Junction.
Hair: Dirty blond. Eyes: Hazel.
High school sports: Basketball (All-America guard)
Grade point average: 3.5 Class: Senior
Favorite subject: English
Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan Favorite team: University of Connecticut
Women's Basketball
Favorite people: All of my family
Favorite band: I like everything but country Parents: Ken and Jan Strother
Planned career: Will play basketball at UConn, undecided on major but
considering pediatrics and physical therapy
What I like most about high school sports: Probably the teammates I have
and just the atmosphere of a close game in a packed gym.
What I like least about high school sports: I wish there were more games.
If I could visit any place it would be: Hawaii
When I'm 64 . . . I'll probably be traveling around the world and visiting family
and friends
Final thought: I like the whole atmosphere of being part of a team, becoming
friends with teammates and players from other schools and getting to know
people around the state.
No bio available at the Connecticut athletics website, a Highlands Ranch article was probably not the best I could find.
Kelley Suminski (http://gostanford.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/suminski_kelley00.html)
(Stanford/Chester, N.J.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-9
Position: Guard
At Stanford: Strong fundamental player … Excellent passer and scorer … Solid defender.
High School: Named a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-American as a senior … Two-time Gatorade New Jersey State Player of the Year (2000 & 2001) ... High school jersey is displayed in the Ring of Honor at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame … Mendham High School went a combined 114-6 in her four seasons … Also named First Team All-New Jersey by the Newark Star-Ledger, Gannett and the Associated Press, and First Team Madison Square Garden/New York Daily News Tri-State to help Mendham High School to a 25-3 record and the New Jersey Section II and Group III Championships … As a senior, averaged 20.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and shot 60 percent from the floor and 82 percent from the foul line … As a junior, named to the Reebok/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Underclass All-American Team ... Named 2000 Gatorade New Jersey High School Player of the Year after recording 22.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in leading her team to the state title ... Named on of the "Top 10 Players of the 1990’s" by the Newark Star-Ledger ... Also named New Jersey State Player of the Year as a junior by the Associated Press, Gannett and the Newark Star-Ledger ... As a sophomore, shot 59.0 percent from the field en route to averaging 19.0 points per contest ... Led team to 29-2 record in 1998-99 and second straight Group II State Championship, as well as being named First Team All-New Jersey by Gannett, the Associated Press and the Newark Star-Ledger ... Also named the Newark Star-Ledger County Player of the Year as a sophomore ... Had an impressive freshman season as well, averaging 15.0 points and 4.5 rebounds en route to Second Team All-New Jersey honors ... Mendham went a perfect 32-0 in her freshman season … High school coach was Fred Corona … Four-year member of the Honor Roll.
Personal: Born December 18, 1982 … Daughter of John and Holly Suminski … Brother, Johnny, played lacrosse at Holy Cross from 1995-98.
Brandi Teamer (http://virginiasports.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/teamer_brandi00.html)
(Virginia/Berkshire H.S. (Miami, Fla.), Joliet, Ill.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-2
Position: Forward
High School
Attended Joliet High School in Illinois for three years before moving to Miami, Florida and attending the Berkshire School...a three-year letterwinner on the basketball team at Joliet High...she earned All-State and All-Conference honors...also earned All-Area honors...a Women’s Basketball Journal All-Star...earned all-state honors as a member of the track team at Joliet...she attended The Miller School in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2000-01...at The Miller School, she played basketball, volleyball and tennis.
Personal
Brandi C. Teamer…born January 6, 1982 in Joliet, Illinois...she is the daughter of Kelly McKenzie and Ronald Teamer…has two brothers, Daric (27) and Damen (24).
Christi Thomas (http://georgiadogs.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/thomas_christi01.html)
(Georgia/Buford, Ga.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-5
Position: Center
CHRISTI THOMAS
• Certainly has lived up to her billing as one of the nation's premier post prospects by sweeping SEC Freshman of the Year (in votes by coaches and media) and earning consensus Freshman All-America honors.
• Development should only be enhanced by the competition in practice among what could be Georgia's deepest and most talented front line corps ever.
• Still recuperating from off-season knee surgery performed April 10 to repair chipped cartilage and a small tear in the lateral meniscus of her left knee.
High School
• Coached by Scott Bursmith at Buford High.
• Ranked as the nation's No. 3 center prospect and No. 20 player overall by the All-Star Girls Basketball Report.
• Tabbed the 2000 Miss Georgia Basketball (all-classification Player of the Year) by both the Atlanta Journal & Constitution and the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
• Named 2000 Gwinnett County Player of the Year by the Gwinnett Post Tribune, after sharing the honor in 1999.
• A two-time member of the Atlanta Tipoff Club's “Terrific 10" (all-class, all-state team) after being named second-team all-state for Class A following her sophomore season
• Named third-team All-America by that service, as well as being tabbed honorable mention All-America by USA Today as a junior and senior.
• A four-year starter at Buford.
• Completed her stellar prep career with 2,174 points and helped Buford to an 81-10 record in her last three seasons with the Wolves.
• As a senior, averaged 22.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 4.0 blocks en route to posting two quadruple doubles and nine more triple-doubles.
• Led Buford to 26-2 record during the 1999-2000 campaign.
• As a junior, averaged 22.1 points, 13.0 rebounds and 7.0 blocks while leading the Lady Wolves to a 29-3 record and a runner-up finish in the 1999 Class A State Tournament.
• As a sophomore, posted averages of 15.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.1 blocks when Buford finished 26-5.
College
2001-2002 Season
• One rebound against Maine (or the lack thereof) is all that separated Thomas from a trio of double-doubles to open season.
• Her back-to-back double-doubles against MTSU and Georgia State upped her career total to five.
• Almost reached double-double status in the first half alone of the MTSU and Georgia State wins...notching nine points and nine rebounds in the opening stanza of each game.
• Broke out of a post-Christmas slump with a vengeance at Mississippi State, scoring 18 first-half points on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor.
• Eventually finished with 25 points in Starkville, what was then the highest single-game output by a Lady Dog during the 2001-02 campaign up to that point.
• Joined Georgia’s career top-10 leaders in blocked shots early in the campaign. Enters today’s game with 84 swats in less than two seasons, which ranks eighth all-time and is just one block behind the current No. 7 total of 85 by La’Keshia Frett.
• Among SEC leaders, tied 12th in rebounding (6.7) and sixth blocked shots (1.8).
• In SEC action only, ranked ninth in field goal percentage (.523).
2000-01 Season
• In addition to winning SEC Freshman of the Year honors, was a unanimous All-SEC Freshman pick by league coaches.
• Named first-team Freshman All-America by both The Women's Basketball Journal and womenscollegehoops.com.
• Finished the campaign ranked among SEC leaders in scoring (20th) and blocked shots (fifth).
• Posted team-high tallies of 16 points and 12 boards in the season-opener at No. 1 UConn on Nov. 12, becoming the first Lady Bulldog to begin her career with a double-double since four-time All-American Janet Harris in 1981.
• Became the 42nd freshman in Andy Landers' 22 seasons at Georgia to draw a starting nod when she did so against Georgia Southern on Nov. 27.
• Grabbed 11 first-half rebounds versus Georgia Tech on Dec. 8, just five shy of the entire Lady Jacket team for the period.
• Beginning with Dec. 18 date with Dartmouth, held out of action four games due to a case of mononucleosis.
• Recuperated quickly and returned to action with a bang, pouring in what was then a career-high 24 points against Illinois on Jan. 4, leaving Landers joking about trying to infect the rest of the team.
• So much for the after affects of mono...Thomas logged a career-best 33 minutes against No. 10 Florida on Jan. 11. After starting 0-of-7 from the field against the Lady Gators connected on 5-of-9 second-half shots.
• Returned to the starting five against Ole Miss on Jan. 25 and celebrated with a career-high 25 points.
• Posted a double-double in the first half alone versus Kentucky -- 15 points and 11 rebounds -- on Feb. 15 and topped career highs for assists and steals.
• Rolled her ankle just two minutes after checking into the SEC Tournament semifinals against Arkansas on March 3.
• Returned less than 24 hours later with a gritty (and exceptionally productive) 10-minute outing versus No. 18 Vanderbilt in the championship game.
Personal
• Born August 14, 1982, the daughter of Maurice and Delores Thomas.
• Intended Major: Consumer Journalism.
Tanesheia Thompson (http://wellness.gc.cc.fl.us/wbasket99/index02.htm)
(Gulf Coast Community College/Roanoke, Ala.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 5-6
Position: Guard
No bio available.
Lindsay Whalen (http://www.gophersports.com/Sports/player.asp?player_id=1290&sport_id=wBasket)
(Minnesota/Hutchinson H.S., Hutchinson, Minn.)
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-8
Position: Guard
Looking Forward to 2001-02
Lindsay excited Gopher fans with one of the most outstanding rookie seasons in Minnesota women’s basketball history. As a sophomore, the new Gopher coaching staff looks for Lindsay to continue her high-scoring contributions. Lindsay will benefit from the addition of Janel McCarville and the solid post play expected from the Gophers’ frontcourt this season. Lindsay was a member of the Big Ten All-Star Team that toured Europe over the summer. She tied for team honors in averaging 13.2 points per game and helped the squad to a perfect 5.0 record.
2000-01 Season (Fr.)
• An honorable mention All-Big Ten pick by the conference media
• Named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team
• The starter at guard as true first-year Gopher
• Finished second in the Big Ten in scoring with an 17.0 points per game average, 16.8 ppg. in conference games
• Scored in double figures in 24 of 25 games
• Though she was the Gophers’ leading scorer, she captured game scoring honors just 10 times
• Netted a career-high 31-point performance in the win over Northwestern
• Her 31 points was the fourth-highest scoring game in the Big Ten in 2000-01
• Also gathered career highs with six assists and five steals against Northwestern
• Her 31 points is tied for the 10th-best single-game output and ranks as the second-most points scored in a game by a Gopher rookie
• Scored 20 or more points seven times in 2000-01, over 25 points three times and over 30 once
• Missed three games in early December with an abdominal ailment
• Averaged a team-high 35.8 minutes per game
• Earned MVP honors at the Four Points Sheraton Classic, averaging 21.0 ppg. and 8.0 rpg.
• Tallied 27 points and nine rebounds in the Four Point Sheraton Classic title game versus Providence
High School Highlights
• A four-time honorable mention all-state selection
• Named to All-Missota Conference during each year of her high school career
• Led her team to Missota Conference title in 1997, 1998 and 1999
• Averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game during her junior season
• Earned all-conference honors in tennis and track
• Competed against teammate Lindsay Lieser on the tennis court during high school
• Won a state title and placed 13th nationally with her club team, the Minnesota Jaguars
Personal
• Born May 9, 1982
• Majoring in sports management
• Daughter of Neil and Kathy Whalen
Did You Know...
Lindsay led the Big Ten All-Star Team to a perfect 5-0 record in a foreign tour of Switzerland and France last summer. She tied for team scoring honors, averaging 13.2 points per game.
Dee-Dee Wheeler (http://arizonaathletics.fansonly.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/wheeler_deedee00.html)
(Arizona/Dunbar Vocational Career Academy, Chicago, Ill.)
Class: Freshman
Height: 5-6
Position: Guard
Wheeler's Career Honors
2001-02
Pac-10 Freshman of the Year
UA Defensive Player of the Year
UA Freshman of the Year
UA Assists Leader Award
Arizona Basketball Classic All-Tournament Team
General: Fast, quick, competitive, athletic, defensive stopper... Hard worker... Good scorer... Has a calm demeanor on the floor with a "burning fire inside"... Complete, all-around player... Coachable... Excellent passer and ball-handler... Gets into the lane and makes good decisions... Great in the open floor... Fulfilled the need that the UA had for foot-speed and athleticism in the backcourt... Intelligent... Student of the game... Sees the floor well... Has an outstanding fitness level...
2001-02: Pac-10 Freshman of the Year... UA Defensive Player of the Year... UA Freshman of the Year... Was the top-scoring freshman in the Pac-10... Reached double digits in scoring in 19 of the season’s 28 games... Finished the season fifth in the Pac-10 in three-point field goal percentage (.404), sixth in steals (2.04 spg), eighth in assists (3.32 apg), ninth in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.94) and 13th in scoring (12.3 ppg)... Her .404 three-point percentage ranks fourth on the UA single-season list in that category... Was second on the team in scoring and fourth in rebounding (3.4 rpg)... Held to just 2 points and 4 rebounds against Arizona State (3/2/02) in first round of Pac-10 Tournament... Career-high 21 points, 3 steals against USC (2/16/02)... 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists against UCLA (2/14/02)... Was 8-for-11 from the floor while collecting 19 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds at Washington State (2/9/02)... 17 points, 4 steals at Washington (2/7/02)... Shot 4-for-5 from three-point range while collecting 18 points and 4 steals against Oregon (2/2/02)... 14 points against Oregon State (1/31/02) despite lingering soreness in her knee... Had 4 points at California (1/26/02) before twisting her right knee and missing the remainder of the game... 10 points, 3 assists at USC (1/17/02)... 7 assists against UC Santa Barbara (1/14/02)... 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists against Washington (1/12/02)... 14 points and season-high 8 assists against Washington State (1/10/02)... 11 points at Oregon (1/4/02)... Team-high 17 points to go with 5 rebounds and 5 assists at Arizona State (12/30/01)... 12 points, 4 assists vs. California (12/21/01)... 5 steals against Stanford (12/19/01)... 10 points, 6 rebounds at S.F. Austin (12/16/01)... Had 16 points, 7 assists at Rice (12/8/01)... Named to the Arizona Basketball Classic All-Tournament Team... Went off for 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals against Pittsburgh (12/2/01)... 11 points vs. Holy Cross (11/30/01)... 10 points, 6 rebounds at New Mexico (11/27/01)... Shot 7-for-7 from the line en route to 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals against No. 15 Notre Dame (11/24/01)... Racked up 15 points in only 15 minutes off the bench during collegiate debut versus Pepperdine (11/18/01)... Participated in the New Start program on-campus during the summer of 2001... New Start provides freshmen who are from ethnic minority groups or who receive need-based financial aid the opportunity to participate in a six-week summer program that includes a class, extensive orientation to the University and the chance to take part in an academic conference...
High School: Two-time first team All-Illinois Class AA and All-Midwest Region selection as a senior at Dunbar Vocational Career Academy in Chicago, Ill.... Also three-time All-Red Superconference and All-Chicago choice... Three-time team Most Valuable Player... Registered 27.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 4.6 steals per game as a senior while leading Dunbar to a 27-9 mark and third-place conference finish... Set Dunbar school records for career points (2,489), assists (498) and steals (803)... Helped Dunbar to a runner-up finish in the city championship twice and a third-place finish twice... MVP of Chicago All-Academic Basketball Team... Averaged 22.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game as a junior... Also named All-Illinois in softball and was an all-area selection in volleyball... Team MVP for both squads as well... Helped volleyball team to a runner-up finish in the city championship... Member of National Honor Society and named to Dunbar's Honor Roll.. Played for the Chicago Hoops Express AAU club team... Was club's scoring and assists leader, as well as team captain... Club team won the Prairie State Games... Was also recruited by Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Florida State and Texas A&M for softball... Recruited by Connecticut, Rutgers, Duke, Georgetown and Massachusetts for basketball...
Personal: Born Desire Denise Wheeler on Mar. 29, 1983, in Illinois... Prefers to be called "Dee-Dee"... Her grandmother is Addie Dunlap... Has two older brothers, Antinio and Earl... Interested in pursuing a degree in computer programming or education, because she enjoys working with computers and with children... Likes to shop, play basketball and watch television in her free time... Was the first girl to have a hit in the Junior League World Series.
WHEELER'S CAREER HIGHS
Field Goals Made: 8, twice, last vs. Southern California (2/16/02)
Field Goals Attempted: 15 at Arizona State (12/30/01)
Three-Point Field Goals Made: 4, twice, last vs. Oregon (2/2/02)
Three-Point Field Goals Attempted: 10 vs. Notre Dame (11/24/01)
Free Throws Made: 7 vs. Notre Dame (11/24/01)
Free Throws Attempted: 8 at Arizona State (12/30/01)
Rebounds: 6, four times, last at Washington State (2/9/02)
Points: 21 vs. Southern California (2/16/02)
Assists: 8 vs. Washington State (1/10/02)
Blocked Shots: 2 vs. California (12/21/01)
Steals: 6 vs. Pittsburgh (12/2/01)
Minutes Played: 38, twice, last at Rice (12/8/01)
WHEELER'S CAREER STATS
Games Played: 28
Games Started: 24
Scoring Average: 12.3 ppg (343 points)
Rebounding Average: 3.4 rpg (94 rebounds)
Field Goal Percentage: .458 (126-275)
Three-Point Field Goal Percentage: .404 (40-99)
Free Throw Percentage: .739 (51-69)
Assists Average: 3.3 apg (93 assists)
Blocks Average: 0.3 bpg (8 blocks)
Steals Average: 2.0 spg (57 steals)
Minutes Played Average: 28.5 mpg (799 minutes)
[This message has been edited by YCN (edited 05-08-2002).]