Kala Bowers

[swok34]

I posted an article on the front page about OSU and Kala Bowers.

"We have to establish ourselves as a program that the kids in Oklahoma want to stick around and play for," said Goodenough, who in her first year coaching the Cowgirls can't be held accountable for Bowers' escape.

Still, seeing Bowers in the wrong shade of orange won't sit well with Goodenough, whose Cowgirls are in Austin tonight for their Big 12 opener.

"We don't want players like Kala to leave the state any longer," Goodenough said. "We talk about her daily; how to defend her and the problems she presents.

"No, we can't let players like her get away."


I do not subscribe to the theory that Oklahoma players should stay and attend one of the four DI programs available. I'm not even sure that Bowers considered OSU; I know that she considered OU, but I think OU wanted her to sign early and she didn't want to.....

Who knows what these 17 year old kids want?....to get away from home? To get out of the state of Oklahoma? I wish the Oklahoma players all the luck in the world, and I do like to see them stay in the Big XII....simply because in Bower's case; when Texas pays OU and OSU a visit, Bowers has fan's in the stands and folks have that opportunity to see her play.

We, OU fans, are rather fond of the panhandle of Texas at the present http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[RaiderPower1]

Hey!! Stay out of the panhandle! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif Why don't you just make your way to the Austin area...that'll be fine with me! At least we'll get first choosin' over the panhandle girls.

[carolann]

That article came directly from yesterday's Big 12 women's teleconference. The interviewers asked Goodenough and Conradt about Bowers. While every player won't stay in state, I think most coaches will tell you the importance of in-state recruiting when trying to build a program. While Bowers signed with Texas, it is notable that OU gets consideration from most top players in Oklahoma now and signs a lot of those players. A lot of the excitement at Kansas State comes not only from the suddenly winning program but from the fact that this likable, winning team is made up largely of small town Kansas girls. I'm very excited that the 2003 recruiting class marks the 3rd year in a row that the top ranked Texas recruits have chosen either Texas or Texas Tech. I read that LSU, which has historically pitiful attendance, sold 1,000 season tickets soon after signing local star Augustus.

[swok34]

and Kansas State has found their way down the I-35 corridor as well:

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State head women's basketball Deb Patterson announced Wednesday that Tiffany Brooks (Leavenworth, Kan.), Claire Coggins (Lee's Summit, Mo.), Jetta "Twiggy" McIntyre (Sapulpa, Okla.), Shanda Murdoch (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Naytanda Smith (Enid, Okla.) have signed national letters of intent to play at Kansas State.

I do understand a program needing "local" girls for the fans....
and having both Caufield and Hill brought fans from Ada, OK.
This year, we still have Andrews playing, from small town Washington. Erin Higgins has probably the closest fan base, being about 5 miles right out of Norman.



[This message has been edited by swok34 (edited 01-08-2003).]

[DblT81]

I agree with CarolAnn. Goodenough's comments came from a directed question asked by a reporter on the teleconference. He asked something like, "Do you want to try to keep all Oklahoma kids like Bowers playing in state?" Of course she said yes.