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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Around the Country and Back

The women's basketball team has gotten to travel all across the country this year to compete against schools that Coach Randall and the Ohio Athletic Department believe will make them better. This includes trips to Utah and Florida to name two. Traveling to different parts of the country means playing in different environments. The players have to quickly adjust to a variety of arenas, fan bases and altitudes. Most players have a favorite gym or two that they can't wait to travel to. Do you have one? This map takes you to all of the facilities the women have played in and includes pictures, descriptions and a few fun links!


View Basketball Arenas 2009-2010 Season in a larger map

A Fairytale Ending Looks a Little Something Like This

It was three clutch free throws from senior Jenny Poff and a 3-pointer at the buzzer from senior Jennifer Bushby to capture a W on senior day at the Convo Saturday. Here is a game recap with Tony Castricone and I so you can see the winning moment for yourself:)

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

"No Matter How Down You Are, You Have to Keep Pushing"

Senior night is approaching ahhhh! Saturday the seniors will step on the hard court for their last career game as a Bobcat. I can only imagine what it would feel like, so I sat down with senior Jenny Poff to see what is stirring in her mind with the big night only three days away. She walks us through everything from emotion and family to life lessons she will take away from this sport. 

Q: First, congratulations on such a successful career at Ohio University. What is going through your head as the season approaches its final few games?

A: It's crazy to think that I have been playing basketball for 20 years of my life and it's all just coming to an end. I think senior night is going to be a wreck for me. All of my emotions are going to come at me all at the same time. 

Q: Having spent so much of your time practicing and playing in the Convocation Center, will you feel overwhelmed with emotion knowing Saturday will be the last time you step foot on the floor for a game?

A: I definately think it will be emotional with my family being there and with everything I have gone through with the transfer and all of the coaches I have had. The good times and bad times, it's all going to come to mind all at once. 

Q: You obviously had a senior night in high school, what was that like and do you expect your college senior night experience to be similar?

A: It was not as big of a deal because I knew I was going on. I knew I was playing in college and so I could think about all that was still to come. I was excited about moving on to the next level.

Q: You mention family, what will the Poff crew be like?

A: My mom is going to be emotional and my grandparents. Everybody seeing it come to an end will be emotional. The only person that won't be there is my grandpa who passed away 7-8 years ago. There will be at least 17 of my family members there so it will be powerful. 

Q: Looking back, what is your favorite memory at Ohio University? One that just stands out above the rest.

A: Beating Bowling Green in double-overtime in the semi-finals game in Cleveland. It felt like the MAC Championship game. Seeing our senior Quintana Ward hit the game winning shot was awesome. I had fouled out before the second overtime so I got to see it all happen from the bench. Everyone rushed the floor and it was really awesome. 

Q: Basketball has been such an integral part of your life. What is the most important life lesson you will take away from this game?

A: I just think that sports can teach you so many life lessons. The biggest thing I have taken away is no matter how many times you fail, you always need to get back up and try again. Always. Especially playing a team sport, even if you are low you have all of your teammates to help you and get you back up. No matter how down you are, you have to keep pushing yourself for your teammates even if you don't want to or don't feel like it that day. 

Jenny Poff thank you for taking the time to help us understand what a big moment this will be for you. Good luck!

Fun Fact: Poff has been playing basketball for 20 years. She is 23 years old and, believe it or not, started playing at the age of three!

Go Bobcats!

MAC Standings, Tournament and More

As tournament time approaches you may be wondering what the standings are looking like, how you can get tournament tickets, how to find hotel information or what fun activities will be going on for fans. For the latest information, check out the Mid-American Conference Website below.

MAC Women's Basketball Site

Go Bobcats!

The Sweet Taste of Victory, Finally.

The Bobcats are no longer winless at home in February after snapping a five game losing streak with a 69-56 win against rivalry Miami last night. The "Battle of the Bricks" was an intense battle between two teams struggling to make a turnaround. The 8-19 Redhawks have been facing the same difficulties as the 7-20 Bobcats in terms of finding consistency and overcoming adversity, but last night's contest game down to three key moments and statistics.

1. REBOUNDING! In the loss to Miami earlier this season, Ohio lost on the boards by one rebound. Last night however, the story was completely different. Ohio out-rebounded the Redhawks 45-31!

2. Miami's best player Courtney Osborn was injured in the first half and Ohio took advantage of her time on the bench by busting out a 13-2 run to chip away at the deficit.

3. Everyone played their individual role. Kamille Buckner stayed out of foul trouble and earned her third career double-double, Thia Gholson scored eight and tallied 12 rebounds, Jennifer Bushby added 15 points, Carolyn Barnett chipped in with 14 off the bench, Tina Fisher played solid defense and was a physical presence inside, Jenny Poff struggled to score early but managed to contribute with assists and rebounds, and Symone Lyles played consistent off the bench and added a free-throw.

Isn't that what life is all about though? We are thrown in different situations and different environments as we embark on new opportunities in our lives. Different environments mean new teammates or co-workers and certainly new roles. It is our job to adjust and figure out the best way we can contribute. Sometimes we will be hero, other times we will have to give the hero the assist. Either way, teamwork is what makes success possible and teamwork starts with the individual.

Before the game, Assistant Coach Ryan Bragdon said, "We have been in every single position possible. It is just whether or not we can make plays down the stretch."

The Bobcats have been in close games where they are leading and close games where they are trailing, but in almost every close game the team has made bad decisions late in the game. What Coach Bragdon was saying is, it all depends on whether or not they will learn from the past. Each moment in our lives prepares us for an even bigger moment. Whether or not we are ready for that bigger moment depends on what we have learned from the past and how we have prepared for the future. Ohio finally learned from its mistakes and were able to seal off the Redhawks for the sixth straight time at the Convocation Center.

What shall they prepare for next? Ohio will take on Buffalo at 2:00 for the last home game of the season. Don't miss it!

Fun Fact: Senior night at the Convo Saturday! Come honor Jennifer Bushby and Jenny Poff for their successful career as a Bobcat.

Go Bobcats!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

More than Your Average Mother Daughter Duo

Senior Gaurd Jennifer Bushby gives us an inside scoop on her relationship with her best friend, her mother.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Barnett Leaves Mark on MAC

If there has been one thing Ohio has struggled with all season it's scoring. But for one Bobcat, scoring is the least of her problems. Junior guard Carolyn Barnett averaged 21.5 points per game last week against Northern Illinois and Bowling Green combined and her work has certainly been rewarded. Barnett has been named Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week, her first career weekly award.

"Wow," she said. "I didn't know they even saw me. I didn't even know that people noticed me. I was just surprised and it feels great to know that my hard work has paid off."

Well, it is hard NOT to notice a career high 29 points against the Huskies, shooting 11-of-19 from the field with five rebounds and two steals, to spark an offense for Ohio. Then, against Bowling Green, the lights out shooting only continued. Her 60 percent from the field was good for 14 points in just 19 minutes of play.

What is most exciting about Barnett's honor is seeing how far she has come. Last year, Barnett averaged two points and a little over one rebound per game in just six minutes overall for the year. Now, she is arguably one of the most important offensive players on the team.

"It feels so good and I have always thought of myself as a scorer. That is what I am really good at," she added. "Offense is my main key I just had to get a feel of it my first two years. Now I have a better feel of it and I continue to."

Her teammates and coaches have always described her as a a boost of energy, but the way she sees it that is how everyone should be coming off the bench.

"Anyone that is coming off the bench should want to be that spark for the team. I want them to think of me when they think of a spark and I think I am. You have to prove that you deserve to be on the court and if you are coming off the bench, your time to do that is limited," she said.

This Chicago native may have started with limited time, but her impact only continues to increase and with tournament time approaching the Bobcats will take all of the scoring it can get.

Carolyn Barnett

Fun Fact: Barnett is a Health Service Administration Major

Go Bobcats!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

No Valentines Day Love this Year

Happy Valentines Day! I hope you are getting all of the love you deserve. Unfortunately, Bowling Green had no love for Ohio. A 73-57 loss to the Falcons was no holiday gift but it is significantly better than the 77-42 beating from Bowling Green at the Convo earlier this season. What was a two possession game going in to the half, before BG hit a jaw dropping half court shot to go up 9, turned into more of a challenge when Bowling Green's school leader in 3 pointers hit four out of five to stretch the lead.

My play-by-play partner and I decided the team needed some love so we made Dora the Explorer valentines for each player to read on the bus ride home:) They either said "You're Sweet," "You're Awesome," or something similar and we wrote specialized notes based on each players individual strengths. For example, Danielle Woodmore (extremely quick guard who started her first game yesterday) got a valentine that said "You're Sweet" and then we added "At Driving to the Basket." Ha ha ha. Anyways, we thought it was clever.

It was clear from the game yesterday that the Bobcats continue to get better as the season progresses. They no longer have a chance to host a home tournament game but no one is throwing away hopes of a successful tournament run despite the devastating seven win season.
Ohio will finally have the week off to relax, catch up on school and rehab before next Saturday's matchup against Kent State. The next three games are all home and against beatable teams. If there is a time to gain some momentum, it's now!

Fun Fact: Senior Jenny Poff has now hit a three-pointer in 17 games straight!

Go Bobcats!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Tweet Tweet

Alrighty I am finally joining the Twitter train. I will have my tweets on the blog so I can update you on scores throughout the games and other fun traveling stories:) Enjoy!

Over the River and Through the Snow to Northern Illinois We Go!

What a trip!! Wow. Ohio traveled to Northern Illinois for a Wednesday night game and here is how the trip was supposed to go: Meet at the Convocation Center in Athens at 5:00 Tuesday night, drive to the charter plane and fly to Northern Illinois, wake up the next morning to beat the Huskies and fly back Wednesday night. Simple right?

Here is how the trip went: Huge snow storm, meet at 9:00 in the morning Tuesday and start the drive to Northern, stop in Indianapolis because the weather was too dangerous, wake up the next morning and finish driving, lose to the Huskies (who were only 2-8 in the MAC), another bus ride to Indianapolis through the night, crash at the hotel for a few hours and arrive in Athens at 2:30 in the afternoon Thursday. Ahh!!

Not only did these players and coaches lose one of the most "winable" games of the season, but they also missed roughly 5-8 classes and are fueled by approximately four hours of sleep. To add to hectic travel schedule, the lady Bobcats are already on the way to Bowling Green to face off against the best team in the MAC. And who said being a college athlete was easy?

So how exactly do the girls deal with all of the missed classes and down time on the bus?

"Each player is required to fulfill a specific number of study table hours based on academic performance. We recognize that the classroom is the first priority and that is why we are called student-athletes. The bus trips are a great way to get a few hours of studying in and we make sure the team gets those hours in," said Assistant Coach Karen Hewitt.

But having traveled with the team, I know how hard it is to focus on school work on a bus especially when there is no internet and your laptop only lasts as long as its battery. So, to help ease the pain of the trip, most of the parents send the girls home from games with more baked goods than you could ever imagine! The bus ride home consists of a snack every hour, at least. The first hour this trip we had famous cupcakes from a hometown bakery on Northern Illinois' campus. The second hour we devoured Tina Fisher's chocolate chip cookies that her mother baked. The third hour was heart-shaped brownies and the fourth hour was homemade sugar cookies! See the tips aren't all that bad!

Anyways, off to Bowling Green we go. The Bobcats fell to the Falcons earlier this season 77-42 in Athens and tomorrow's matchup will not be an easy one. Cross your fingers for an Ohio upset.

Fun Fact: Two years ago, Ohio upset Bowling Green in double-overtime during the MAC Tournament to advance to the MAC Championship in Cleveland. It has been done before.

Go Bobcats!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Bushby Makes History in Loss to the Rockets

Jennifer Bushby is now the 13th player in Ohio history to reach 1,000 career points after leading all scorers with 16 points in the 76-54 loss to Toledo. It was a pair of three-pointers to open up scoring and a mid-range jumper at the top of the key to hit the 1000-point plateau. Lou, the man behind the mic, made an announcement to the fans and everyone stood up to recognize this rare accomplishment. What really makes this moment special is the type of person Bushby is. She is a kind of player that would pass to an open teammate before taking a shot anytime. Her teammates are her first priority and that is what made it even more exciting when she hit 1,000.

Her mother is even more important to her and unfortunately the snow storm kept "Momma Bushby" stuck in Columbus. The broadcasting team made sure to give her a shout-out on the radio but I am sure it was killing her not to be there! Jennifer grew up living with just her mother in Gahanna, Ohio and the two are inseparable. Before the game I ran up to Jennifer and picked her up off the ground, swung her around and asked her if she was ready to get that 1,000th point. She responded, "I have been playing basketball my whole life. This is just another basket to me. This is only exciting because I know how happy and proud my mother is going to be. Make sure you watch out for my hand signal that I do when I make the shot." We found out later was a +1 hand motion to show that her mom is with her in spirit.

Ohio was decked out in all pink jerseys to support breast cancer and the first 500 fans, as promised, received pink t-shirts! The Convo had a great fan showing despite a snow covered Athens. Toledo was the better team and while Ohio tried to hang on, the Rockets just had too many scoring threats. It didn't help that Ohio is second in the MAC in 3-point field goal percentage and Toledo is first in 3-point field goal defense. Ha! Everyone knew it would be a tough game to win for the Bobcats, but anything can happen in the MAC so you can never have doubt. Next up is Northern Illinois and lets up this snow goes away before the team hits the road Tuesday!

Fun Fact: Coach Randall wore pink and white Nike sneakers with her dress pants. Haha it was great!

Also, here are some photos from the pink filled Convo and the trip to Western Michigan!



Go Bobcats!

Friday, February 5, 2010

18 Hours on a Bus, Two Days of Missed Classes, Four Point Loss

A nine hour bus ride one way all for a four point loss. Ouch. The Bobcats have only won two games in a row once this season and if there was ever going to be a time to do it again it should have been against the Western Michigan Broncos. The Bobcats handed the Broncos its FIRST conference win and first win in nine games, 51-47. It was the same story last year when Western came to the Convo to upset Ohio for only one of three conference wins on the season.

So what exactly was the problem for Ohio? The Bobcats held its fourth straight opponent under 60 points, forced 23 turnovers and out-rebounded the Broncos 35-30 dominating the offensive glass with 15. That all sounds on track for a W doesn't it? Here is the problem: scoring! Ohio only scored 4 points in five minutes down the stretch from the 10:30 mark until there was 5:30 left on the clock. It wasn't that Western was scoring a lot during that time either but they managed to put enough on the board to slowing chip away at a slim Ohio lead.

I must give credit to the atmosphere that Western created. Their gym is called the "Zoo" for a reason. The band was obnoxious, the dance team was always kicking, the fans joined the band in counting down the shot clock a few seconds early to trick Ohio into forcing up quick shots and the fact that the Broncos were even close to getting its first win in nine games only accelerated the excitement.

Luckily the Bobcats are back at home for the next battle. It is going to take a serious comeback to play with Toledo Saturday afternoon for a 2:00 tip off.

Fun Fact: The matchup against Toledo is the called the "Pink Zone" game and will feature all pink jerseys and free give prizes to support breast cancer awareness! The first 500 fans will receive free pink t-shirts so don't be late!

Go Bobcats!