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The shot not only sent the game into overtime, but helped propel the team to its best start in school history.
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It's Hallman's willingness to embrace her role as an aggressive player that's been key to the team's success.
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"I think she's grown to recognize that she's a play maker," Henrickson said. "Whether that's the ball will be in my hands to make a pass or to take a shot and be aggressive and get to the free-throw line."
Hallman's final season started on a sour note. Henrickson suspended her for the first two games for academic reasons.
"She knows how to get to me."
Hallman said the suspension wasn't because she was a poor student, but because of bad choices. The consequence from those actions was especially painful for Hallman.
"She knows how much I loved basketball and for somebody to take that away from me, it was heartbreaking," Hallman said. "She knows how to get to me."
When Hallman returned to the team, Henrickson noticed a change in her demeanor. Henrickson said she had a meeting with Hallman after
her first day back in practice because the usually-talkative Hallman had become silent.
"I think that was an adjustment for her because she was embarrassed of what she'd done," Henrickson said. "She understood the consequences, but around her teammates, she had let them down, and it was more difficult for her to be vocal."
As the team's vocal leader, she's come to demand more of herself and her teammates as she regained her confidence.
After spending her junior season at the point guard position, Hallman returned to her natural position on the wing for her senior season. The move was made after Henrickson brought a true point guard, freshman Ivana Catic, to the program.
"I was frustrated."
The move to the wing wasn't as smooth as Hallman had anticipated, though. After a year of having complete control of the offense, she felt more pressure when she got the ball on the wing.
"I feel like I have to do something and then every touch is then magnified because I don't have it as much as I did at the point," Hallman said.
Part of her readjustment to the wing was helping Catic become more comfortable as the point guard. Catic said having
"She came in brand new in that position and that's not her original position," Catic said. "I guess she had to do as much adjustment as I've had to do, coming from high school."
Hallman make similar adjustments help take the pressure of herself.
The women's basketball program was in turmoil during Hallman's sophomore season. Coach Marian Washington took a leave of absence midway through the 2002-2003 season and eventually retired at season's end. The change occurred in the midst of a fourthstraight losing season.
Hallman was so frustrated that season she said she considered leaving Kansas if Washington hadn't left.
The coaching change proved to be a pivotal moment in Hallman's career. Henrickson's impressive resume at Virginia
As the season moved on, Hallman began to embrace her new position. Without the pressure of having to run the offense and call out defensive assignments, Hallman said she's finally been able to relax on the floor.
Her relaxed, confident style has paid off. Hallman ranks 12th in the conference in scoring, averaging 14.7 points per game.
"A change for the best."
Tech was a key factor in Hallman and her teammates buying into the new system. In seven seasons in Blacksburg, Va., Henrickson won at least 20 games and made a postseason appearance each year.
"It was a change for the best," Hallman said. "Not to take anything away from Coach Washington, but Bonnie came in and had a mind-set from the beginning that she was going to get this program turned around."
If the game is close late, she wants the ball for a chance to beat Kansas State for the first time in her career.
While the coaching change was an adjustment, it wasn't the first time for Hallman. In high school in Covington Ky., Hallman changed coaches three times in four years. She said enduring the numerous changes in high school helped her adapt to the change at Kansas.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3B
"Once we had the change, I knew this is where I wanted to finish out."
After battling through a position change, new coaching and a suspension, Hallman knows the best way to close out her career at Kansas.
"It would be a great way to cap it off," Hallman said.
- Edited by Matt Wilson
to knock on the door of greatness when he was a freshman. His value cannot be measured by statistics, but he was certainly an asset to coach Bill Self and his staff this season.
Wilson
To some fans, tonight's ceremonies probably won't be as emotional as in past years because they will lack the star power usually seen on Senior Night. Those fans need to keep in mind that its players like Hawkins, Moody, Niang and Vinson who make the stars better every day. For that, they deserve a proper Jayhawk send-off: a standing ovation from 16,300 grateful fans.
- Wilson is a Windsor, Mo., senior in journalism.
Gault
Niang provided a link between the young Jayhawks and those that came before them. He played with the likes of Nick Collison, Kirk Hinrich and Wayne Simien, and he knew what it took for Kansas
Vinson has proven to be the type of player every good team needs. He hustles, plays strong defense and occasionally adds some offense. He is a stabilizer, often called upon when the young guards are playing recklessly or need a wakeup call. Vinson was big early in the season, when the Jayhawks were still learning how to play together.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
For Gault though, the highlight of the trip was getting to watch Westham United play in a premier league soccer game.
But the trip to Europe wasn't all business. The team took in some of the best sights in Europe with trips to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and several castles in Scotland.
"The atmosphere was so cool," Gault said. "No matter who plays, soccer in Europe is huge and it was cool to see
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
that much excitement."
Red Lyon Tavern
For now, Gault is focused on the spring season and her senior year next fall, when she knows her U-21 Team experience will help.
"Playing against the competition in Europe and in team practices exposed a lot of weaknesses and helped me learn different styles," Gault said. "Seeing my game through different viewpoints and perspectives can only make me better."
Edited by James Foley
Stop by our table at Wescoe or the Kansas Union this week to celebrate march madness!
Each day there will be different contests and prizes to win!
Monday,Feb.27
Cocoa on Wescoe with Big Jay: 9-10:30 a.m. Free hot chocolate while it lasts! Change for Champions kick-off: Donate your change to the Special Olympics all week.
Tuesday, Feb. 28
Breakfast with Baby Jay: 9-10:30 a.m., Kansas Union. Free donuts while they last! SAA meeting: 7 p.m., Adams Alumni Center. "Beat the Buffs" – free buffalo wings!
Wednesday, March 1 Tradition Keeper Appreciation Day: Get spotted in your TK T-shirt, and you might win! KU Senior Night: 7 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse. KU beats CU! Go Hawks!
Wednesday, March 1
Thursday, March 2
Sign the Good Luck Card for the Basketball Team: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wescoe Beach. Score some giveaways.
Free Cosmic Bowling: 7-9 p.m., Jaybowl.
Donations go to Special Olympics. Jaybowl
Friday, March 3 Crimson and Blue Day--wear KU colors! Sign the Good Luck Card for the Basketball Team: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kansas Union. Score some giveaways.
Saturday, March 4 KU beats KSU!
Friday, March 3
Why South Padre Island?
Spring Break capital of Texas! Featured on MTV, 48 Hours, Hannity & Colmes, and Travel Channel Kegs allowed on the beach Thousands of college students Seven miles of beach Only 1/2 hour to Mexico
Why Sheraton Beach?
Right on the hottest beach
Beach activities & water sports
Oversized party jacuzzi
Largest hotel pool & swim-up bar
Daily drink specials
Walking distance to hottest clubs
Restaurant on property w/ specials