Jenny Yopp has problems with her team heading into Sundays 1 p.m. exhibition game with the Chicago Challengers. But they are problems the Illinois State basketball coach is happy to have.
In Wednesdays 74-61 win over a team from the National Womens Basketball League, Yopp saw all 11 of her players contribute. She saw the non-starters shoot better than the starting five (.480 to .365). The Redbirds got 27 points, 9 of the teams 20 assists and 8 of its 16 steals from non-starters.
But the starting five did plenty on its own. Freshman
Katie Donovan had 10 points and 13 rebounds, senior
Kristi Larson had 11 points and as many boards. Thats one more double-double than the Redbirds had all last season.
Sharon Blade also had 11 rebounds, giving ISU a trio of players who rebounded in double figures. Again, last season, the Birds had just two double-digit rebounding performances all season.
Sure, it was only an exhibition game, but the Redbirds are trying to establish a team-oriented, unselfish, hard-driving style of play and Yopp believes its happening.
I was particularly pleased at the number of times our players attempted to take a charge (on defense), said Yopp. It wasnt just one or two players, it was several. We made a commitment to playing physical and we need to do that.
The other unselfish part of the game which had Yopp smiling was the teams passing.
Taren O'Brien,
Beth Huston and
Stacey White each had five assists, but it was the kinds of passes which impressed Yopp.
Our players recognize how talented their teammates are and get them the ball, said Yopp. There were a couple of occasions where a good decision would have been to shoot, but players gave up the ball to teammates for a better shot.
The solid contributions from so many players still have Yopp considering which players to start and which combinations work best on the court. She started OBrien, Donovan, White, Blade and OBrien in the NWBL victory.
We had a solid group to begin with (against NWBL), said Yopp, but its too soon to say who will be our pacesetters on Sunday.
One player who probably wont see action is junior guard
Steph Reichle, still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.
We dont expect to have Steph on Sunday, said Yopp. We dont see any need to push her because we want her to reach a point where she doesnt have pain.
Yopp looks forward to having Reichle ready for the regular-season opener Nov. 19 at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Illinois State opens its home schedule Nov. 25 vs. Central Michigan.
