THE UNIVERSITY HARRY KANSAN
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2009
SPORTS
3B
FRESHMEN (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
the minors was a task he was not ready to take on.
"I have never lived on my own before, and I haven't gone through many life experiences," Ridenhour said. "Plus I feel really comfortable with the coaches and the school, it's just a really good fit for me."
With an extremely young team, which includes 13 freshmen, both Elate and Ridenhour expect to be
thrown into the mix fairly quickly and to contribute to the team early on. But neither feels any added pressure to perform well.
"It's a whole different level of baseball than where I was playing up in North Dakota," Elgie said. "I'm starting to feel more comfortable, we've been working on some little mechanical things with my swing, I feel a lot more confident than when I started."
With Price's earlier praise of Ridenhour, it would be easy to assume that the former Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year would feel the need to produce early and often. Especially since Kansas' rotation was devastated from graduation last year, with only two proven starters returning.
But Ridenhour already understands his role, and won't try to do too much.
"Obviously I want to grow as well as I can, get as many wins for us as I can."
"Obviously I want to grow as well as I can, get as many wins for us as I can," Ridenhour said. "I want to hopefully be successful and with the team around me I think I have a pretty good shot."
Another similarity between these two diaper dandies is their expected shuffle of positions. Price said that Ridenhour will open up the season next week against Air Force as a pitcher. One of the harder throwing freshman Price has encountered, Price raved on about Ridenhour's ability to reach the low 90s on his fastball and his effective slider.
Elgie however will rotate positions more often than Ridenhour. His natural position is first base, but he also expects to see some time behind the plate.
first base."
Senior first baseman Preston Land is currently holding the starting spot, but Price alluded to Elgie snagging most of the playing time if Land continues with last season's struggles.
"He's going to pressure Preston to play at a high level and if he (Land) doesn't he's going to play early as a freshman." Price said. "I see him (Elgie) catching a little bit, playing DH a lot, and also playing
Price also said he wanted to develop Elgie as a catcher because that's where he is expected to be in the major leagues. But before Elgie can become a full-time catcher he has to refine his defense.
LEE RIDENHOUR Freshman pitcher
"He doesn't block the ball very well yet so that's the area that we're trying to improve his game defensively," Price said. "He has all
the tools."
Elgie doesn't seem to mind the flip-flopping of positions; he expressed a team-first mentality when discussing where he would play this season.
"I've played around and played
different positions," Elgie said. "Just wherever I can be more comfortable is where I'll be more successful."
Kansas needs these two players to show their big league potential if the Jayhawks want to compete in a Big 12 Conference, which includes top five teams Texas and Texas A&M. A two-week gauntlet to start the season includes games against both teams. Price expects these freshmen to not act like freshmen after playing in these environments.
"I think that when we walk into A&M that first time and there's 7,000 people in that triple deck stadium my freshmen are going to be in awe." Price said. "Also you rise to that level of play because you haven't seen anything like it your entire career"
Edited by Sam Speer
FRESHMEN
DRAFTEES
WHO: Zac Eglie
ROUND DRAFTED: 12th
TEAM: Oakland Athletics
WHO: Lee Ridenhour
ROUND DRAFTED: 31st
TEAM: Minnesota Twins
SEASON OPENER
Kansas vs. Air Force Feb.20
Millington USA Stadium
Millington, Tenn.
1:00 p.m. CT
MORRIS (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
McCray, who was forced to the sideline because of foul trouble.
A vastly similar situation unfolded last Saturday against Missouri, when fouls again relegated McCray to the sideline for segments of the game. In that game, which Kansas lost 74-60, Morris scored just three points and missed all four of her attempts.
"When Danielle not in, who's going to be that person to step up?" junior guard LaChelda Jacobs said. "And I think Sade really did that on Wednesday."
If Kansas wants to compete with No. 2 Oklahoma tomorrow, though, Henrickson's team will need all-around performances from McCray, Morris and the rest of the Jayhawks.
More so than any team Kansas has faced this season, Oklahoma is a supremely talented squad that has played and defeated — some of the best teams in the country.
"We're going to need our starting five, our bench, everyone," lacobs said.
Throughout the conference season, Henrickson has continuously stressed the need for balanced scoring.
In games Kansas has experienced success, multiple players have made significant contributions. In games they've struggled, though, the Jayhawks have relied heavily on one or two scorers.
Against Texas, Morris and sophomore forward Nicollette Smith paced Kansas on offense. The duo combined for 30 points and made big shots to keep the score close in the second half.
"Well, I think (Sade) took it upon herself and held herself accountable," Jacobs said. "And I think Nic also did that. They took it upon themselves to do that for our team."
Yet, as impressive as Kansas' second-half effort against Texas was, Kansas can't let that serve as their highlight. Sure, Morris and Smith played well down the stretch. But against a team as talented as Oklahoma, playing one good half is not enough.
All of Kansas' pieces must play consistently well for the entire game to compete against Oklahoma. And the Jayhawks know they're in for a challenge against the Sooners on Saturday.
"Time to battle again, we gotta find a way," Henrickson said. "We'll compete, play our tails off, try to hang in there and find a way to win at the end."
— Edited by Sam Speer
Kansas (13-9, 2-7) vs. Oklahoma (21-2, 9-0)
| P | No. | Kansas | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| G | 3 | Ivana Catic | 5-8 | Sr. | 2,5 |
| G | 4 | Danielle McCray | 5-11 | Jr. | 19,0 |
| G | 20 | Sade Morris | 5-11 | Jr. | 11,9 |
| F | 24 | Nicollette Smith | 6-2 | So. | 7,1 |
| C | 14 | Krysten Boogaard | 6-5 | So. | 9,7 |
P No. Oklahoma Ht. Yr. PPG
G 13 Danielle Robinson 5-9 So. 13.0
G 25 Whitney Hand 6-1 Fr. 9.7
F 21 Amanda Thompson 6-0 Jr. 6.7
E 5 Ashley Paris 6-3 Sr. 13.9
C 3 Courtney Paris 6-4 Sr. 15.9
When/Where ...
When ...
Tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.
The game is also being broadcast by MetroSports.
Who to watch for ...
Senior center Courtney Paris. While it's apparent Paris is having a down year, averaging nearly 16 points and 14 rebounds a game, it speaks volumes about her previous seasons. A three-time consensus All-American, Paris is as real as it gets. However, in last year's meeting Kansas was able to hold Paris to "just" 10 points and 13 rebounds. Employing a Hack-a-Shaq type approach may be effective. Paris shoots just 51 percent from the free throw line, 10 percent worse than her field goal average.
What to expect ...
Very few second chances. The Sooners hold a 11.2 advantage in rebounding for the season so far, and the Paris sisters account for most of that. Kansas will have to shoot well.
OK, stay with me. Oklahoma is without question the second best team in the country. But Kansas was able to hang with Texas on the road Wednesday. Sophomore Nicolete Smith's jumper may have returned, and a three-point barrage will keep the game close at halftime. If the Jayhawks can keep it close for 30 minutes, they might be able to run a halfcourt offense and sneak out a win.
Why Kansas will win .
How the game is important ... Simply, if Kansas beats Oklahoma, they are back in the tournament picture. But rationally, Kansas just needs to establish consistent play.
Magic number.
9 — Turnovers by Danielle Robinson in last year's game against the Jayhawks. She averages more than four a game this year. If the Kansas perimeter defense can get some steals and easy buckets on the fast break, they will stay with Oklahoma until the very end.
Clark Goble
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