SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
-Our 2012-13 WBB player preview continues with junior Tia Gibbs.
-USA WBB fries the French 86-50 for Gold
If you look at the box score for the 2008 Ky. High School Girls State Championship, you'll see that Butler High School won the title. You'll also see that the name Tia Gibbs is missing. A further look shows she was the Most Valuable Player in the Sweet Sixteen Tournament. A concussion in the morning semi-finals kept her out of the title game, but it only took three games to show the coaches that the all-time leading scorer at Butler was the cream of the crop.
The concussion must have had lingering effects, because Gibbs ended up at Vanderbilt University her freshman year of college instead of UofL. While the Cards were marching to a Final Four appearance, Gibbs was sitting the bench at Vandy, a non-starter averaging about twelve minutes and five points a game. There was also shoulder trouble for the 2008 Miss Kentucky Basketball. Eventually TG decided that there's no place like home sweet home, and returned to the 'Ville and transferred to Louisville.
Things looked bright for the Lady Cards and Gibbs for the 2011-12 season. But, in the first half of the Cards opening game against Missouri State, Gibbs gets fouled with 16:10 remaining. Hitting her second free throw, leaving the game in obvious pain. A right shoulder injury again, this time a torn labrum with bone fragments effectively ending her season.
After another season of rehab, Gibbs is ready to return to the floor...rejoining a Cardinal squad that looks strong, deep and very talented. A conversation with her at the Cardinal Caravan at Captain's Quarters reveals that she's fully recovered, ready to go and excited about the Cards chances. With Gibbs available at guard, the Cards have depth, talent and experience that is unprecedented in Coach Jeff Walz's tenure as Cardinal WBB head coach.
Her defense, scoring and hustle will be an integral part of the Louisville attack in 2012-13. The Cards will try to get her an extra year for 2013-14 as well, because of the injury status.
For now, though...it is the immediate task ahead for Tia and her UofL teammates. Gibbs ready to fulfill whatever role Jeff Walz has for her on the Cardinal squad. Despite setbacks and adversity, Gibbs retains her engaging personality and optimistic view. Eager to help the younger players. Ready to resume her own goals and desires on the court. Focused on the team and comfortable with whatever role she plays on it.
You could say that Tia might have a lot of responsibility on her shoulders this season...here's hoping the shoulder(s) stays strong.
The Gibbs Numbers
GP GS Pts Reb Avg
2008-2009 (Vandy) 29 0 147 71 5.1
2010-2011 (Louisville) 35 35 307 135 8.8
2011-2012 " " " " 1 1 1 1 1.0
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USA takes Gold in the Olympic WBB competition, disposing of France 86-50 in the championship game. Taking a 12 point half-time lead and expanding upon it to once again prove their dominance in a sport that has been very good to the USA over the past five Olympics.
Candace Parker providing the spurt, eight straight points in a 13-2 USA run that provided an insurmountable lead.
Angel getting token playing time...11 minutes, seven points, three steals.
After a brief respite, the "Ladies of London" return to the WNBA wars...where Angel will get the chance again to improve on her WNBA leading scorer stats and be an opponent, instead of teammate, against Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Parker, Big Syl, Lindsey Whalen and the other USA stars. Geno can't gum up the works this time.
First of many Olympic appearances for our Angel. Hopefully, a new skipper in 2016. And a few less UConn alumnae.
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Congrats to USA for the title and here's hoping Tia has an excellent season. She deserves it after all the setbacks and hardships she has had.
ReplyDeleteOn a team full of wonderful young student athletes, it is hard to pick a favorite. Louisville women's basketball is blessed with a roster full of good kids living their dream.
ReplyDeleteTia is among the top of the list, in my opinion, who sets a high standard for all of those around her. A self- proclaimed "nerd" she is an excellent student who just recently tweeted about making the Deans List! It can not be easy to get those kinds of grades while being an integral part of a top 10 team.
On the court she brings the same level of excellence. You are not going to find another person that out works her. It is my impression that she brings and gives her all every time on the court. It is my hope that this year brings Tia a season full of personal bests. Tia is an excellent example of the student-athlete. After battling heart breaking physical adversity I am ready to see her on the court, in her element, helping to lead our Cards towards an excellent season, a berth in the playoffs to be played right here at home and a hopeful deep run in to the NCAA tourney next year.
Welcome back, Tia, you have been missed!!!
Where do u see Gibbs playing?
ReplyDelete-- Joe Hill --
Always tough to know what kind of offensive strategy UofL will employ. Gibbs has a passable three-ball and if it's still effective she could see time at the "three" maybe? Her defensive skills are solid, so that makes her a valuable component in the transition game.
DeleteWe'll know soon enough.
Paul
Where are the other Cardinal Couple writers lately? Haven't seen David, Sandy, Jenny or Mark lately.
ReplyDeleteWe've had them sequestered deep in the underground of the Cardinal Couple Worldwide offices with Mondo Vendo and Timmy the Intern, devising strategy and topics for fall sports at UofL (and baking banana creme pies). All except Mark, who should be returning from London soon after getting a bronze in Olympic bull riding.
DeleteMiss a day, miss a lot.
Paul
Great article about one of my favorite players. I'm a Shively boy after all - grew up less than a mile from Butler High. One correction, though. Tia had a torn labrum, in her shoulder. A labium is, well, something else. You can check it out for yourself if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteDarn spell check...
DeletePaul
I am still here on Wednesdays! My articles lately have been about volleyball. Volleyball is gearing up and not much going on in the world of Louisville Women's basketball. I expect things will start heating up in the recruiting world in the next few weeks with official visits and decisions being made. With basketball being my passion I certainly look forward to getting back to it.
ReplyDeleteJenny
They have assigned me all of the writers and interns laundry so I primarily have only Tuesdays available to come up from headquarters to write about what I see once I am in daylight - I spout off about some issue and then I find myself once again sliding down the laundry chute until another week or so passes.
DeleteSandy W