6B SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2008
BASKETBALL
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kansas forward Nicollette Smith, front, and Oklahoma center Abi Olajuwon, back, fight for control of the ball in the second half of KU's women's basketball game in Norman, Okla., Wednesday. Oklahoma won the ga. 67-15.
women's basketball notebook
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oklahoma forward Ashley Paris, right, defends, as Kansas forward Taylor McIntosh, left, goes to the basket in the first half of a women's college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Wednesday.
BLOODLINES
Oklahoma boasts an impressive athletic lineage. Sophomore center Abi Olaijuwan's father is NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwan. Freshman forward Carlee Roethlisberger's older brother is Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Last but not least, Ashley and Courtney Paris's father, William "Bubba" Paris, was an All-Pro offensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite disappointing loss, Henrickson remains confident about team
WEDDINGTON'S OKLAHOMA CONNECTIONS
Inspired inside play slows Sooners
Sophomore forward Porcha Weddington's father, Michael, was a four-time letter winner as a defensive lineman for the Sooners. He went on to play in the National Football League with the Green Bay Packers.
By Andrew Wiebe
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BY ANDREW WIEBE awiebe@kansan.com
NORMAN, OKLA. - Courtney Paris is as imposing a post player as the college game has ever seen. Consider this; the 6-foot-4 junior center hasn't fallen short of a double-double since her freshman year, a streak that stretched an astounding 78 games coming into Wednesday night's game with Kansas.
After 35 minutes the Jayhawks had almost accomplished the unthinkable. Though she had ripped down 13 rebounds, Paris was two points short of extending the streak. Those inevitable points would come after freshman center Krysten Boogaard was called for a blocking foul, but coach Bonnie Henrickson said she was encouraged by the talented freshman's efforts on the defensive end.
Boogaard finished with 11 points and eight rebounds to go along with four blocks. Hendrickson said she thought Boogaard's size bothered the Sooner's post players although the 6-foot-5 freshman has to get stronger to compete with the elite post players in the Big 12.
"She is getting better about when she should try and get a piece of shots." Henrickson said. "Most of the catches and pivots—she was there."
Senior forward Taylor McIntosh knows how hard it is to slow Paris down. Last year in Allen Fieldhouse, Paris dropped 32 points and grabbed 13 rebounds against the lajwahays. McIntosh said that to hold her to only 10 points and nearly break her streak in the process was the result of a solid game plan and the defensive play of Boogaard.
"Our plan was to double inside and we did that so it was hard for her to score, and when she did get the ball down low and try to score, Krysten was there to block it," McIntosh said. "I think Krysten did a really good time tonight on her and had her frustrated at times."
Boogaard said she knew coming in that the matchup would be tough
because Paris had a key advantage, size. In order to combat the All-American's power and strength, Boogaard said Henrickson encouraged her to use her quickness to even the playing field.
"I was trying to just be faster than her, make my moves quicker than her and just be smart with the moves I was making so that I wouldn't get blocked by her," Boogaard said.
But the night wasn't all good for the native of Regina, Saskatchewan. After picking up her first personal foul within the first minute of the game, Boogaard was able to stay out of foul trouble until late in the second half. For the first in her Kansas career, she was sent to the bench after fouling out with 3:07 left to play.
"It was very disappointing. I wish
I hadn't got that fifth foul but it happened," Boogaard said.
Despite the late disappointment, Boogaard seems to have gained the confidence and, more importantly, the trust of the coaching staff and her teammates. The Jayhawks may be 1-6 in Big 12 play but the freshman's progress is a sign of better things to come.
Edited by Madeline Hyden
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