Women's Hoops Blog

Inane commentary on a game that deserves far better


Thursday, November 02, 2006

Courtney Paris and her Sooner team opened play last night with a 88-56 exhibition win over Lady Truck, a team made up of former college players coached by Houston Comets assistant Kevin Cook. All 14 players for the Sooners scored at least one point. While Sherri Coale had her entire starting line-up back from last season, she also has a talented group of freshman to work with. “One thing that has impressed me with this group of freshmen is their collective confidence,” Coale said.

In Charlottesville, the Virginia Cavaliers put on a show in their new arena with a 102-67 win over Team Concept, another group of former college players. Minneapolis native and L.A. Spark Tamara Moore led Team Concept with 23 points, but it was not enough as Siedah Williams led five players in double figures and added 13 rebounds, while Sharnee Zoll dished out 12 assists. Zoll said playing in new arena makes you feel like a star.

In a new promotion this year, season ticket holders in Minnesota are given identification tags that will grant them access to post game events with the team and a chance to win prizes. With only three players returning from last year's team with game experience, it's good the team still has last names on the back of the jerseys, or the fans may have wanted the players to have the tags.

The one and only senior, Kelly Roysland, led the Gophers past D-II Winona State last night in a 86-48 victory. Roysland scored 18 points, while Emily Fox wowed the crowd with her spins to the basket and no look passes. Fox was also the team leader in rebounding and assists. Fox and Roysland were joined by Brittany McCoy in the backcourt and the freshman enjoyed being in a three guard line-up. "This is the type of game that I love to play," she said. "I love having the ability to just run the floor." While post players Zoe Harper and Ashley Ellis-Milan overcame early foul trouble to have solid games, the guards know they are going to have to help out with rebounding. As Roysland explained, "we're going to need to average three, four, five rebounds a game, if not more, if we want to get out and run."