Although falling short of a team goal--to reach the eight-team State Farm-Missouri Valley Conference Tournament--Steph Reichle and the Illinois State University womens basketball team have a chance to become one of the few teams in the nation to end the season with a winning note when the Redbirds meet Indiana State at 8:05 p.m. Thursday in Redbird Arena.
Only a few teams, like the national champions, finish the season with a win, said Reichle, whose inspired play at both ends of the court in recent weeks has been a bright spot for Illinois State, 6-20 overall, 4-13 in the Missouri Valley, We have a great opportunity to become one of those teams. We have a chance. We have to take it.
To Reichle, its more than just the trivia of which teams won their final game of the 2001-02 season?
If the team can finish the season with a win, thats something positive going into next year, said Reichle, who is one of two juniors on a team which bids farewell to just one senior, Kristi Larson, after the Indiana State game. Were also looking at this game not as an ending, but as a start to next season . We have a lot of work to do before next season. This can be a head start for this team.
Redbird coach Jenny Yopp believes her teams chances to reach the goal of going out a winner would be enhanced if all her charges followed Reichles recent determination and consistency. The junior guard has moved into the Valleys top 10 in offensive rebounds and steals with big late-season numbers, including an 11-rebound, 7-assist, 3-steal performance Sunday at Wichita State.
Steph is evidence of how maturity helps you perform as a player, said Yopp. She has controlled her emotions with her performance, especially in the last few weeks. She does not get rattled or upset. Shes very consistent on the court. Steph is what I expect of the class which will be juniors (next year). Its maturity.
In the context of starting next year now, Yopp has some specific areas targeted for team improvement.
Getting stronger will make us better rebounders, said Yopp. Ballhandling and one-on-one shooting are other areas of focus; weve seen our ballhandling improve and it needs to continue in that direction. In shooting, we need our players to move beyond their main strength; players arrive as three-point shooters, or post-up players and we need them to develop the middle game which includes the jump shot.
Since a 1-5 conference start, Indiana State has been one of the leagues most consistent teams. The Sycamores, 11-15 overall, 7-10 in league play, had won 6 of 9 conference games until losing in overtime in both ends of the Wichita State-Southwest Missouri State trip.
Missouri Valley Conference scoring leader Kourtney Mennen already has broken the Sycamore single-season record for three-point field goals with 75. If Valley womens basketball selected a most-improved team, junior center Kristin Stewart would be a shoo-in. Her 13 points and 8 rebounds per game are double her previous season averages.
