|
Nice to finally see a few threads on women’s bball out there as a new era of OHIO women’s hoops begin. Been a long time since there’s been much activity on this board about them since they’ve been anywhere from mediocre to awful for a few decades. I been following them a long time, even back before the Caroline Mast era when they won the MAC and got a NCAA home game against Illinois the day before the men got a home game against OSU in the NIT. Both good games, huge crowds, but we lost them both. Tough weekend.
Back to today’s women’s team. I first must confess to not having lots of knowledge and insights, only having seen the few home games they’ve played so far and most of the players are new. I've spoken briefly to the coaches and other supporters of the team. Anyway, here’s my 2 cents and I’d love to get others insights:
Bottom line
It’s time to get on the ground floor with this team because the future is bright. Expect progress each year. Heck, they’ve already equaled the total number of wins from last year. But it will be a roller coaster ride for a year or two, as the team is incredibly young- no seniors and 1 junior who plays. Mainly play 4 frosh, 3 sophs and a jr. The downside is the scholarship numbers will be limited for some time.
The coaching staff
That’s where it all starts and that’s why OHIO has faltered for so long.
New Coach Bob Boldon already has been a D1 head coach, and he’s been successful and has been able to keep his entire coaching staff for some time, a good sign. After taking NAIA Lambuth to No. 3 in the nation, he took over an 0-30 Youngstown team, and in 3 re-building years, they went 23-10 with a 1st round win in the NIT. He was Horizon Coach of Year. The staff will show in the next few years they can recruit (they did pretty well with late Spring recruits, and has a couple of nice players coming in), that they can coach and that they can win. Whether Boldon stays here a long time or not, one thing I’m confident is that if and when he leaves, he’ll be moving up not down, unlike his predecessor now at Alabama (A&M, that is.). My guess it will be a John Groce-like scenario, if so I’ll take it. But who knows, maybe he’ll take basketball to the level of our volleyball team, play regularly in the NCAA, and make OHIO a Gonzaga/ Butler type of school and end up staying. Lots of people love it here. I came here as a stop gap-nearly 40 years ago!
Boldon is feisty, smart, and highly engaged. He even got t’eed up in the first few minutes of his first game due to consecutive hideous calls by the same ref causing the outburst. Players seem to like him although he can ride them hard. I’ve heard that a few recent former players wish they had had the opportunity to play for the new staff. One thing I don’t like is his quick trigger of pulling players who mess up on a play, a pretty regular occurrence, usually after the opponents score. This approach is not uncommon to see from coaches. Christian does it too to some extent. I guess you can argue it helps motivate/focus players but I also think you want players to play loose, and to me that’s not a strategy that encourages a positive approach to the game. Anyway, I do like his patterned offense that frees up his shooter/scorers, his rotation system, and his aggressive defensive approach.
The team
It appears this team will need a year or two to be highly competitive in the MAC but it will happen. This year we’ll see signs of future greatness but also not ready for prime time performances. It will be a roller coaster ride for a bit. Cases in point:
E Carolina road game, up by 2 at half, lose by 29.
At JMU, lose 56-33, go 3 for 20 from beyond the arc.
Next day against UMBC, win 84-36, break MAC 3 point record with 19 3’s
Other night, 13 treys as they blow out Miami at home, 1st win against them in 3 years.
The team has trouble at times with all phases of the game. Consistency is a big issue. Offensive boards is a big problem. Part of it is lack of size, but part of it is too much hanging around, too much of one player playing alone. They like to drive but often are forced to throw up some junk as there are no options, with no teammates coming to the hoop. Players need to move toward the play, find lanes, and get a better sense of the court.
The players
Kat Yelle
with the great Bobcat name, was the frosh starting guard 2 yrs ago. She’s now back after 2 yrs of med. redshirting and has 3 yrs left to play. She looks great physically, considering her 2 years away from the game, maybe even stronger. Hard-nosed, a good dribbler/controls the ball and can drive to the hoop and get to the line. Not a shooter but can make the 3 when she squares up with a good look. If she can develop a midrange stop and pop jumper and get better movement from teammates, she could really control the offensive flow.
Mariah Byard,
the only upper classmen who plays, still only a jr; pure shooter with quick release; has really improved her game.
Lexie Baldwin
a soph; has improved significantly in one year and has plenty of upside. A real athlete, can shoot, run the floor, and jump. Love her.
Quiera Lampkins
Q is a player! A frosh; Will be an important piece to the future. She’s quick, fast, strong, with lots of pieces to her offensive game, and will be solid on D. A player with potential to take her game to another level.
Hannah Boesinger
A frosh; recruited by Boldon at Youngstown, but she followed him here. A work in progress, but getting playing time and catching up to the speed of the game. Coach seems to like her and she seems to be a smart, hard working kid who needs to learn her role and to maximize it.
Kiyanna Black
KB is soph. and a scorer. When she’s hot it’s show time! Scored 35- off the bench!- in their opening win against Xavier. Also scored 16, 18 & 20 but also has 0, 3, & 4 point games. She can shoot and create, and will be in the game if we must have a score.
Destini Cooper
Another frosh with a huge upside; will become a monster player if she continues to develop but still a long ways to go. She’s about the only muscle we have but not the size of many of the players she’ll match up against. OHIO definitely needs a size ‘BIG’ recruit.
Yamonie Jenkins
A frosh who shares the point with Yelle. She is a blur, plays D like a glove, and can move the ball on offense, not a scorer, and like many, a work in progress.
Jasmine Weatherspoon and Tmisht Stinson
Both fresh. Look like potential down the road but need to see more of them to comment.
Erin Bailes
A senior, a lights out shooter who apparently will miss the season due to injury. Don’t know if she’s taking a med redshirt. I’m sure someone can help me out on this.
Recap
Boldon and his staff are the real deal. This program will be going places. How far remains to be seen. This year will be a developing year, will have its ups and downs but they will continue to progress. OHIO women’s basketball is on the rise. Get in on the ground floor and enjoy the ride.
Game Sunday at 2 against WMU before the men's game. A chance to get a look at the future. Expect anything.
Last Edited: 1/11/2014 5:05:28 PM by stub
| 
