Women take second in Waubonsee tourney
By JJ Ossola
IV Leader Sports Writer, Nov 9, 2006
The Illinois Valley Community College women’s basketball
team brought home second place in Waubonsee’ 11th annual invitational on Nov. 5.
The Eagles beat the host team on Nov. 4 109 – 47, coming
within two points of tying the invitational record of 111 points in a game.
Head coach Steve Crick said, “Against Waubonsee we were
facing a complete unknown. They had a new coach and a new team. In some ways,
that was to our advantage. We went in focused on running our game plan and we
accomplished that. We were able to hold them to one shot and we ran our fast
break. When the game slowed down, we were making our perimeter shots.”
Freshmen forwards Larisha McAdory and Shel’si Weaver’s game
play was critical to the success of the Eagles. Weaver shot 55 percent for the
game, knocking down 6 3s, totaling 28 points and added 7 rebounds. While Weaver
played the outside game, McAdory provided critical inside gamesmanship.
McAdory grabbed 11 rebounds, had 4 steals and a block while
on her way to a quiet 23 points. Sophomore forward Erin Wiedmann and guard
Markita Barnes provided some leadership on the floor. Barnes, while having an
off night, managed to put up 16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals.
Wiemann added 16 points, 4 assists, and proved critical down
low, grabbing 6 offensive rebounds on her way to 13 boards for the game.
Freshman Brittany Leonard led the Eagles in assists with 13
for the game and added 18 points on 55 percent shooting for the night.
The second game of the series, the shoe was on the other foot
as IVCC faced Carl Sandburg Community College. Carl Sandburg is ranked fourth in
the nation by the National Junior College Athletic Associations pre-season
polls. Last year, they qualified for nationals on a 31-5 record. They also
fielded returning first team, all-American guard Latoya Wright who averaged 15
points, 14.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 5.1 steals per game.
The Eagles were able to contain Wright, holding her to 10
points, one rebound, and one steal but were unable to get any advantage against
a team that fielded 17 players.
Crick said, “When we faced Carl Sandburg, we just ran into a
better team. We had no answer for Heather Lawson who put down five out of six
three’s in the first half. They were bigger, faster and deeper. I’m not happy
about losing but there is no shame in getting beat by a better team – it
happens. What is important is that our players never quit; never gave up. They
played hard the entire time they were on the floor and in the second half our
goal was to play them even and we did that.”
Leonard had several fast breaks towards the end of the game
and racked up 30 points and 5 steals, with a 68 percent field goal average, but
was only able to get 3 assists.
McAdory had a double double with 11 rebounds and 12 points.
Barnes was unable to get into her game shooting 33 percent for 18 points but had
6 assists, 5 steals, and a block.
Crick said of the team, “This season we are focused on
conditioning since we are only playing seven players right now. We also have
five freshmen to get familiar with our game and that takes awhile. We are still
looking to add one or two players. Anyone with high school experience and a
willingness to learn would be welcome to contact me.”
The women’s team faces Danville at Rock Valley Community
College on Friday, Nov. 10 and then plays a tough road game against Kankakee
Community College on Nov. 14.