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KU's Danielle McCray (4) battles for a rebound during the first half of the game against Pitt State on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at Allen Fieldhouse.
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KU women top Pittsburg State in exhibition opener
The 2009-2010 Kansas women's basketball season — at least the exhibition portion — got under way Sunday against NCAA Division II foe Pittsburg State.
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KU women's basketball vs. Pittsburg State
Danielle McCray is Danielle McCray, but the Big 12 preseason women’s basketball player of the year was on the back burner Sunday afternoon.
“It bodes well for us,” Kansas University coach Bonnie Henrickson said, “when you have Danielle McCray, and she’s not the most impressive player in the gym.”
Two Jayhawks making their first starts — Aishah Sutherland and Angel Goodrich — stole the show as KU punctured Pittsburg State, 86-56, in an exhibition game in Allen Fieldhouse.
At this time a year ago, Goodrich was on the shelf because of a knee injury, and Sutherland was so far down the bench she was nearly in another zip code.
The 6-foot-2 Sutherland, who evolved into KU’s best bench player late last season, earned her first start and paced the Jayhawks with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
“She has just outplayed everybody at her position,” Henrickson said when asked why she had started Sutherland. “She has started where she finished last year.”
What a difference a year has made for the 6-foot-2 sophomore from Perris, Calif.
“Last year I wasn’t as confident,” she said. “I was messing up on and off the court.”
Henrickson told Sutherland at mid-week she had earned her first opening bell after coming off the bench 29 times as a freshman.
“I expected it,” Sutherland said, “because I was doing good in practice.”
Goodrich expected to start, too, even if it was a year late for the talented point guard from Tahlequah, Okla.
“I was very nervous,” Goodrich said. “Actually, I’ve been nervous all week.”
That Goodrich had the jitters caught at least one of her teammates by surprise.
“She doesn’t show it at all,” McCray said. “She has that straight face all the time.”
Goodrich logged 18 minutes and contributed 10 assists, many of them thanks to finishes by Sutherland and McCray off fast breaks.
“I thought she did good,” McCray said. “That’s just talent. She was born with the ability to see the floor.”
Added Sutherland: “She’s the best passer I’ve ever played with. As long as I’m running, I know she’ll get me the ball.”
Notably, however, Goodrich attempted only two shots, missed both and didn’t score a point. Then again, Henrickson said she hasn’t installed many plays designed to free Goodrich to score.
“Right now, we don’t have a lot in for her,” the KU coach said. “We will put in more, but I didn’t want to overload her.”
Meanwhile, although playing third fiddle to Sutherland and Goodrich, McCray was solid with 18 points, five assists and three steals.
Also impressive was Nicollette Smith, who had lost her starting job to Sutherland. The 6-2 junior from Tulsa, Okla., contributed 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Krysten Boogaard, the other starter inside, had 13 points and two boards. Thus, KU’s three top post players combined for 45 points and 20 boards.
Other than Goodrich, none of the other newcomers produced moments to remember. Freshman Monica Engelman saw the most time, logging 16 minutes, but missed six of seven shots.
Junior-college transfer Rhea Codio played 10 minutes at point guard with two assists and two turnovers.
“Rhea struggled a bit, but she’ll be fine,” Henrickson said.
Lawrence High product Tania Jackson logged three minutes in mop-up time and had three rebounds while hitting one of two free throws.
Jackson, like Goodrich, had missed all of last season because of a knee injury, so it was her first floor time since the 2008 Class 6A state championship game, when she was a junior.
KU falls to Oklahoma State, Riley March 11, 2010
Jayhawk women end regular season with loss March 7, 2010
Lady Jayhawks to honor seniors March 5, 2010
KU women lose at No. 17 Baylor February 28, 2010
KU women fall short of Iowa State February 25, 2010
Comments
FlaHawk (anonymous) says…
Good start against a weak opponent. Need contributions from everyone. What about Sade Morris?
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jayhawk_teacher (anonymous) says…
A very good start. A weak opponent, yes, but they (the first 7 or so) looked like they're beginning to click with one another, which is essential given our floor-running capability. I like what I see!! Rock Chalk!!
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Code_2008 (anonymous) says…
Yes, a weak opponent, but that is the reason it's an exhibition game... to fix any problems that need to be addressed. Besides, the Men's Team is playing Fort Hays State University. They're also a weak opponent as well.
Give the team a few games, a lot of new faces, and Bonnie got to experiment with her bench. That is the reason for these exhibition games.
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jayhawkerjoel (anonymous) says…
FlaHawk - Sade took a hard spill to floor on her tail bone. She may be sitting on ice for a few days.
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KGphoto (anonymous) says…
This is the deepest KU women's team I've ever seen.
Goodrich will quickly evolve into the team leader, and then all that depth will start falling into place. They certainly deserve the pre-season ranking.
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KGphoto (anonymous) says…
God that no-look by Angel was sooooo smooth. So natural. Shades of Magic.
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jayhawker97 (anonymous) says…
Goodrich, you're my Angel!
You gals will show the rest of the world how powerful KUWB is this season!
Go get 'em, Hawkess!!
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onlyoneUinKansas (anonymous) says…
Don't think PSU is as "weak" as some say. Lane Lord is a proven winner(used to be T Macs HS coach). They will rattle some cages in D2 this year. ESU is also loaded as always so these warmup games are good for the ladies.
Angel is flatout amazing and she was nervous. Just wait.......;)
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pburgstu (anonymous) says…
Pitt was within 3 of Neb in the 2nd Half 10 min remaining also I beilieve they held the hawks scoreless for a 3 min stretch
Only lost by 14
Weak is a little harsh but yes still D2
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