OSUCowgirls
11-18-2005, 07:32 AM
http://www.stwnewspress.com/
Sykes’ outlook keeps her on the court
By Jacob Longan
Sports Writer
Despite her display last Friday night, don’t look for 6-foot forward Destanie Sykes to make the opening tip-off jump for Oklahoma State Saturday at 2 p.m., when Texas State visits for the season opener.
Sykes, a junior, won the tip for the Cowgirls in an 86-43 exhibition whipping of Panhandle State, but did so only after starting center Whitney Pegram was forced to leave the court to remove her earrings.
But Sykes’ performance in that game went well beyond the opening tip — she hit 9-of-10 shots and recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
The Duncanville, Texas, product started 26 of 27 games last year, averaging just 6.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals. But it is her mindset that has impressed first-year coach Kurt Budke.
“She brings a great attitude every single day,” Budke said. “She is a lot of fun to be around. She is a competitor. Hopefully she will develop into one of the leaders on this team.
“She comes in everyday with a positive outlook on life. That isn’t just a basketball thing with her. That’s how she is off the floor, how she is with school. She is what you hope your daughter grows up to be like.”
Sykes was recruited mainly for her defensive ability, but the unorthodox jump-shooter has shown she can do damage on the offensive end as well.
And the way Sykes gives it her all is not overlooked by her teammates.
“She is hard-working and she never stops,” said junior center Christian Hood. “She is always playing defense hard, going toward the rebound hard. Last game she drove to the basketball hard. I just think she works hard all the time.”
Sykes, who was recruited by the previous coaching staff, used that blue-collar attitude to help retain her starting spot under the new staff.
“I felt like I could worry about the coaching change or I could actually get out here and work hard and secure my spot,” Sykes said. “I knew (Budke) wanted to bring in talent and make a change immediately, but as long as I worked hard and showed I wanted to play, I knew he would reward me accordingly.”
With the new coaching staff, a talent upgrade and plenty of hard work, Sykes expects the team to be vastly improved this year.
“Coach talks everyday about taking it up a level,” she said. “We want to be a competitor in the Big 12. We step it up a level and then you take it up another level the next day.”
About Texas State
The Bobcats played just one exhibition game, an 83-52 whipping by Everyone’s Internet. EI has also beaten Arkansas, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech during the exhibition season.
TSU returns three starters from last year’s 14-14 team. That squad lost to Oklahoma, 76-57, and Texas A&M, 73-55.
The Cowgirls are 2-0 against the Bobcats, with the last meeting a 75-62 game on Dec. 19, 1997.
http://64.217.29.134/daily_pics/2005/nov/2005-11-18osu2.jpg
Sykes’ outlook keeps her on the court
By Jacob Longan
Sports Writer
Despite her display last Friday night, don’t look for 6-foot forward Destanie Sykes to make the opening tip-off jump for Oklahoma State Saturday at 2 p.m., when Texas State visits for the season opener.
Sykes, a junior, won the tip for the Cowgirls in an 86-43 exhibition whipping of Panhandle State, but did so only after starting center Whitney Pegram was forced to leave the court to remove her earrings.
But Sykes’ performance in that game went well beyond the opening tip — she hit 9-of-10 shots and recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
The Duncanville, Texas, product started 26 of 27 games last year, averaging just 6.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals. But it is her mindset that has impressed first-year coach Kurt Budke.
“She brings a great attitude every single day,” Budke said. “She is a lot of fun to be around. She is a competitor. Hopefully she will develop into one of the leaders on this team.
“She comes in everyday with a positive outlook on life. That isn’t just a basketball thing with her. That’s how she is off the floor, how she is with school. She is what you hope your daughter grows up to be like.”
Sykes was recruited mainly for her defensive ability, but the unorthodox jump-shooter has shown she can do damage on the offensive end as well.
And the way Sykes gives it her all is not overlooked by her teammates.
“She is hard-working and she never stops,” said junior center Christian Hood. “She is always playing defense hard, going toward the rebound hard. Last game she drove to the basketball hard. I just think she works hard all the time.”
Sykes, who was recruited by the previous coaching staff, used that blue-collar attitude to help retain her starting spot under the new staff.
“I felt like I could worry about the coaching change or I could actually get out here and work hard and secure my spot,” Sykes said. “I knew (Budke) wanted to bring in talent and make a change immediately, but as long as I worked hard and showed I wanted to play, I knew he would reward me accordingly.”
With the new coaching staff, a talent upgrade and plenty of hard work, Sykes expects the team to be vastly improved this year.
“Coach talks everyday about taking it up a level,” she said. “We want to be a competitor in the Big 12. We step it up a level and then you take it up another level the next day.”
About Texas State
The Bobcats played just one exhibition game, an 83-52 whipping by Everyone’s Internet. EI has also beaten Arkansas, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech during the exhibition season.
TSU returns three starters from last year’s 14-14 team. That squad lost to Oklahoma, 76-57, and Texas A&M, 73-55.
The Cowgirls are 2-0 against the Bobcats, with the last meeting a 75-62 game on Dec. 19, 1997.
http://64.217.29.134/daily_pics/2005/nov/2005-11-18osu2.jpg