MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
-Epps commits to UK
-Shawnta Dyer looks to build on freshman debut
-Field Hockey bests Miami (OH) 3-1
CARDINAL COUPLE SPECIAL REPORT
It looks like Makayla Epps has committed to UK following her visit to the campus today. Epps is considered the best point guard in the 2013 Class in Kentucky and had previously verballed to Louisville.
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( We've been previewing the UofL WBB squad the last couple of months and we've reached the sophomore class. First up for us, red-shirt sophomore forward Shawnta Dyer.)
For Shawnta Dyer ( to borrow a line from Tom Petty) the waiting had to be the hardest part. Part of the heralded class of 2010, Dyer looked to be a freshman that could impact the Cardinal front line right off the bat and had a successful debut in the 2010 exhibition game against Indiana Wesleyan.
Then, a fractured heel beset the Marion, OH star and brought an end to the season. A season of analyzing and critiquing certain areas of the game. Cheering from the sidelines as the Cards marched to the Sweet Sixteen.
After a season of rehab and waiting, she returned to the 2011-12 Cardinal contingent and became the leading rebounder for UofL. An inside force that got plenty of chances to impact the Cardinal scoring and rebounding game inside with Monique Reid on the shelf for a year.
Improvements for 2012-13? Dyer will tell you that she wants to become a better student of the game. That basketball isn't simply putting the ball in the basket, but strategizing and coming up with a game plan to outsmart the opponent.
She's been busy over the summer working on her individual skills. Ball handling, jump shots, free throws. As part of a deep and experienced Cardinal squad, Dyer will be counted on to continue her inside scoring abilities and rebounding prowess on both ends of the court.
Ask Shawnta about the team and you'll get this reply:
"We've been working hard this summer on our individual skills, taking classes and building on our team chemistry every chance we get. We are making improvements in the off season, not only to become better basketball players...but also to become better people."
The 2012-13 season looks to be one where the Cards will make a huge run to dispose Notre Dame and Connecticut as front runners in the BIG EAST. Shawnta Dyer will be one of the prime components in an essential area...rebounding and inside scoring.
Hoping to become an elementary teacher after her days as a Cardinal are finished, Dyer will be "schooling" opponents this season on the boards and in the paint. We think she'll continue to be at the head of the class.
Dyer numbers
Games played Games Started Min. Rebs. Pts. PPG
2011-12 33 4 17.8 165 242 7.3
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Louisville Field Hockey captured their first win of the season Sunday with a 3-1 win over Miami (OH) in the consolation game of the Sherrill Brakemeier Classic at Trager Stadium.
The Cards showed improvement in their passing, transferring and offensive attack...according to head coach Justine Sowry.
UofL (1-1) opened the scoring in the first half when Erin Schneidtmiller netted her first goal of the season at the 9:22 mark. Louisville dominated the first half with a 12-0 advantage in shots.
70 seconds into the second half, the Cards increased to lead to 2-0 when Becca Madock sent one past Miami goalie Sarah Mueller. Miami managed to cut the Cardinal lead in half a few minutes later, but Haley Jurich notched the Cards' third goal when she corralled a rebound from her first shot on goal and found success the second time around.
Goalie Erin Conrad had two saves and Louisville outshot the RedHawks 20-6.
The Cards take to the Trager Stadium turf again on Saturday when they host Davidson. They'll also face off against Ball State on Labor Day. Both are 2 p.m. starts.
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Let's hope she has recovered from her groin injury at the end of last year. I'd love to see her and Mo as our front line.
ReplyDeleteSo many options on this current Cardinal team. Does anyone besides Shoni see 30 minutes?
ReplyDeleteWhen Shawnta Dyer gets on fire, don't try her or you'll be a cryer.
ReplyDelete-- Joe Hill --
Health is a big concern for this team starting to resemble mens team.who is the back up point guard?
ReplyDeleteEither Jude Schimmel, Shelby Harper or Megan Deines
DeletePutting aside Deines, whom I know nothing about, and assuming no injury to Shoni, which would be an unmitigated disaster for the team, the back-up point guard situation is really a coaching problem, not a personnel problem. Here are the facts: 1. There is a huge drop off from S Schimmel to either J. Schimmel or Harper. 2. In close games, Shoni plays 40 minutes.
DeleteHere's the problem: Last season, even in close games, Walz put Shoni at the 2 for some of time, and during those periods, the team suffered dramatically with Jude or Harper at the point (e.g., v. Maryland). The solution - again, I'm only talking about close games - is to keep Shoni at point (which doesn't mean she can't run off of screens without the ball in the half court offense) and substitute players at other positions, where the back-ups are all better than either Jude or Harper.
--PDX Phil
We think Cardinal fans will be pleasantly surprised with Megan Deines.
DeletePaul
I love Dyer! She came alive mid to late season And was a force. I'd take a Dyer Dozen when it comes to heart and effort on the court.
ReplyDeleteJenny
No surprise really on Epps. Knew she'd followed Rogers.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I like both Jude and Shelby, neither has shown me that she is a Big East-quality PG. I hope that you're right about Deines. I'm OK with a 40-minute Shoni.
ReplyDeleteI'm not OK with a 40 minute Shoni. A whole lot to ask of her. Am ok with either Shelby OR Jude for 2-4 minute stretches. OK, maybe not in crunch time, but definitely first half and first 10 minutes of the second half. Think Jude needs to shoot more to be more effective. She does have range. Don't know much about Deines, but hearing she could be an option also.
ReplyDelete