The Oberlin Review
<< Front page Sports February 22, 2008

Tough Shots: Yeowomen Fall to Hiram, OWU

Consistency and shooting may determine the Oberlin women basketball team’s success as it competes in its last game of the season and looks to gear up for the post-season tournament.

After a 32.1 shooting percentage against Hiram and a loss against Ohio Wesleyan University, the team is concentrating on making sure that “shooters maintain confidence in their shot,” according to Head Coach Christa Champion. Sophomore forward Liz Thompson said, “We did a lot of good things [in the Ohio Wesleyan game], but we have to hit our shots.”

The Yeowomen, with a record of 5-18, including a 4-10 season in the North Coast Athletic Conference, lost to the Hiram Terriers on Saturday, Feb. 16. After leading at halftime, the Yeomen finished the game 54-57. 

“Hiram wasn’t our best game. They played really well, and we had an off night,” said Champion, “We had chances to win. So, it was a disappointing loss, but we’re going to bounce back.”

They also faced Ohio Wesleyan University on Wednesday, Feb. 20, losing 49-78. Prior to the game, Champion noted that they are “a good team and they had a super game against us the first time, so our goal against them is to have a much better showing against them this time.” In sophomore guard Kayla Brandt’s opinion, they achieved this goal. “We lost, but we did better than when we played them last time,” she said.

The team looks to improve, both statistically and overall. “We have certain statistical goals. Beating them [Wittenberg and Ohio Wesleyan] can only happen if you improve on those goals. We’re going to focus on the goals first,” Champion said.  “It’s not going to be easy, but I know we are ready to come out and have a better game.” Asked what she thought the team did well, Brandt said, “We pressed them.”

Despite the loss, however, there has been some progress, however. Champion said, “A lot of different people are showing improvement. Different people are standing out in different games. It’s a good thing, but we need more than one or two [people standing out per] a game.” Thompson said, “Ray and Val [seniors Roneisha Kinney and Valerie Cain] both stepped up. They played really well,” of the Ohio Wesleyan game. “Both did a good job of rebounding for us.”

Still, Champion thinks that more people need to step up. “It’s just consistency. It’s something that happens when the team gets better, and the team gets better when all the individuals are better. It’s just a chicken and the egg kind of thing,” said Champion.

Looking to maintain their NCAC sixth place position, the Yeowomen will face Wittenberg on February 23 for their last conference game. The team will advance to the conference tournament if they capture at least an eighth place finish. “Our focus this week is to make sure we finish on a high note,” said Champion.

If Oberlin reaches the NCAC tournament and wins that competition, they will play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association  Division III championships.


 
 
   

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