MsProudSooner
02-04-2006, 06:11 AM
Oklahoman • Rush Struggles to Find Her Rhythm
By George Schroeder
The Oklahoman
COLUMBIA, Mo. - When news of the Paris twins’ decision to attend Oklahoma arrived, Leah Rush might have celebrated more than anyone else. She sensed - well - freedom.
The 6-foot-1 forward had shouldered a heavy burden in her first two years on campus. She was OU’s most consistent offensive weapon. And she had spent much of her time out of position at center.
“I knew it was gonna be different,” Rush said. “I knew I was gonna be able to move around and be a little more opened up and free.”
What Rush didn’t expect was this: Different doesn’t always mean better. Although the junior forward remains one of the Big 12’s toughest defensive matchups - guards struggle against her size, forwards against her agility - Rush has at times struggled to adjust to her new role as OU’s second offensive option.
After averaging 15.5 points in 2004-05, she’s averaging 10.5 points so far this season. In Big 12 play, the average drops to 8.8 points.
“I’m just trying to get into the swing of it,” Rush said. “I guess it’s just a process of more than anything just figuring out my role. It’s frustrating, because I’m not playing the way I’m capable of right now.”
When No. 11-ranked OU plays Missouri today at Mizzou Arena, the Sooners can forge a three-game lead in the conference standings. Halfway through the schedule, Missouri (18-4, 6-2 Big 12) is the only team within two games of OU (18-4, 8-0). And the Sooners could match the best start in Big 12 history (set by OU during the 1999-2000 season).
All of this is because of the impact the Paris twins, especially Courtney Paris, have had on the Sooners. OU coach Sherri Coale and opposing coaches have noted the relaxing effect Paris’ presence has had on her teammates.
“She lets everybody relax,” Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke said the other day.
But strangely enough, Rush hasn’t seemed relaxed, at least not consistently. Coale said at times, Rush has been “pressing and trying a little too hard.”
Rush said she has not felt tense. She likes Paris’ impact, and understands what a potent weapon the 6-4 freshman is.
“If we can get the ball to Courtney on the block, that’s a pretty high-percentage shot,” Rush said. “That’s definitely what we’re looking for. I think sometimes, I get so focused in on looking for (Paris) that I forget to look for my shot. And then I realize, ‘Oh, I’m open, shoot it.’
“Sometimes I’m just not in the right rhythm.”
Rush worked during the offseason, when she was a finalist for USA’s World University Games team, to better her perimeter shooting ability and ballhandling skills. After spending most of the last two seasons mismatched down low against bigger players, she has adjusted to a different game. Playing everything from shooting guard to power forward, her ability to create shots off the dribble and on the move has been augmented by extended shooting range.
Rush is shooting a career best 36.2 percent from 3-point range, and has matched her total 3-point production in her first two seasons combined.
But she has been as consistent as a yo-yo: nine points against Baylor, four against Texas, 11 against Texas A&M, two last Wednesday against OSU (when she was 1-of-7).
Against the Cowgirls, especially, Rush seemed off-kilter. Afterward, she admitted as much.
Coale said she’s not too concerned. She noted other players like former All-American Stacey Dales who went through similar stretches and said she expects Rush will shoot herself out of any funk.
Rush sounds like she’ll try just that.
“I can miss 10 in a row and think I’m about to hit 50,” Rush said. “Maybe that’s bad, but I’ll let it fly if I’m open. ... The good thing about it is we’re 8-0 in conference. It’s kind of encouraging.
“I figure when I get myself together and start playing, everybody else is already playing well. I think I’m about to get on track.”
By George Schroeder
The Oklahoman
COLUMBIA, Mo. - When news of the Paris twins’ decision to attend Oklahoma arrived, Leah Rush might have celebrated more than anyone else. She sensed - well - freedom.
The 6-foot-1 forward had shouldered a heavy burden in her first two years on campus. She was OU’s most consistent offensive weapon. And she had spent much of her time out of position at center.
“I knew it was gonna be different,” Rush said. “I knew I was gonna be able to move around and be a little more opened up and free.”
What Rush didn’t expect was this: Different doesn’t always mean better. Although the junior forward remains one of the Big 12’s toughest defensive matchups - guards struggle against her size, forwards against her agility - Rush has at times struggled to adjust to her new role as OU’s second offensive option.
After averaging 15.5 points in 2004-05, she’s averaging 10.5 points so far this season. In Big 12 play, the average drops to 8.8 points.
“I’m just trying to get into the swing of it,” Rush said. “I guess it’s just a process of more than anything just figuring out my role. It’s frustrating, because I’m not playing the way I’m capable of right now.”
When No. 11-ranked OU plays Missouri today at Mizzou Arena, the Sooners can forge a three-game lead in the conference standings. Halfway through the schedule, Missouri (18-4, 6-2 Big 12) is the only team within two games of OU (18-4, 8-0). And the Sooners could match the best start in Big 12 history (set by OU during the 1999-2000 season).
All of this is because of the impact the Paris twins, especially Courtney Paris, have had on the Sooners. OU coach Sherri Coale and opposing coaches have noted the relaxing effect Paris’ presence has had on her teammates.
“She lets everybody relax,” Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke said the other day.
But strangely enough, Rush hasn’t seemed relaxed, at least not consistently. Coale said at times, Rush has been “pressing and trying a little too hard.”
Rush said she has not felt tense. She likes Paris’ impact, and understands what a potent weapon the 6-4 freshman is.
“If we can get the ball to Courtney on the block, that’s a pretty high-percentage shot,” Rush said. “That’s definitely what we’re looking for. I think sometimes, I get so focused in on looking for (Paris) that I forget to look for my shot. And then I realize, ‘Oh, I’m open, shoot it.’
“Sometimes I’m just not in the right rhythm.”
Rush worked during the offseason, when she was a finalist for USA’s World University Games team, to better her perimeter shooting ability and ballhandling skills. After spending most of the last two seasons mismatched down low against bigger players, she has adjusted to a different game. Playing everything from shooting guard to power forward, her ability to create shots off the dribble and on the move has been augmented by extended shooting range.
Rush is shooting a career best 36.2 percent from 3-point range, and has matched her total 3-point production in her first two seasons combined.
But she has been as consistent as a yo-yo: nine points against Baylor, four against Texas, 11 against Texas A&M, two last Wednesday against OSU (when she was 1-of-7).
Against the Cowgirls, especially, Rush seemed off-kilter. Afterward, she admitted as much.
Coale said she’s not too concerned. She noted other players like former All-American Stacey Dales who went through similar stretches and said she expects Rush will shoot herself out of any funk.
Rush sounds like she’ll try just that.
“I can miss 10 in a row and think I’m about to hit 50,” Rush said. “Maybe that’s bad, but I’ll let it fly if I’m open. ... The good thing about it is we’re 8-0 in conference. It’s kind of encouraging.
“I figure when I get myself together and start playing, everybody else is already playing well. I think I’m about to get on track.”