Nike Shoes-Do They Just Do It?

The team is sponsored by Russell Athletics, but if you know anything about basketball shoes then you know that Russell kicks are not always the most ideal. To compensate, the team wears Russell clothing and is allowed to use a portion of the budget to purchase Nike shoes. The team gets to decide between two or three pairs depending on shoe size and budget. They can either pick a pair of Nike shocks or a pair of Nike Blue Chips. 

Throughout their entire basketball careers, each player had been able to purchase the shoe that is perfect for them. Coming to college and having to pick between just two pairs can be a big adjustment to make. No one is complaining because they are free, but not everyone is excited about the scarce selection. Now that the season is over, I can't just show up to practice and get the scoop so I sent out a mass text that said, "Hey guys, which Nike shoe did you pick this year and what did you think of them overall. Please be honest." Here is how they responded:  

Senior Jenny Poff says there is no competition between the two. "I wear the Nike shocks and everyone thinks that they are too heavy but I just like shocks in general so they are more comfortable for me. I never have problems with them and they are great," she said convincingly.

Junior guard Carolyn Barnett is in the same boat. "I really like them. I didn't have to break them in, they were good to go as soon as I put them on."

Freshman Symone Lyles, on the other hand, hasn't had the same experience. "They started off really good and I was happy. But then toward the end of the season they started to hurt the crap out of my feet," Lyles said. 

Are you sure it's the shoes...or is it the line runs and the suicides that take a toll on your feet? Last year I chose the Blue Chips and decided to give them a try. Like Poff said, a lot of girls think the shocks are too heavy and I am one of them. The Blue Chips were extremely light, they formed around my feet really well and they were cute! 

Lyles is right though. They started to kill towards the end of the season. Usually a player experiences the worst pain during the break-in process, but the Blue Chips continued to loosen until there was no support. With no support, my feet start start sliding forward and my toes were constantly jamming into the front of the shoe. Not a pretty site, or feeling. Luckily, the girls get two pairs of shoes so if they start to fall apart a fresh pair is waiting.  

Freshman Tina Fisher decided to choose one of each kind. She says as long as they are Nike she will be happy. "I really like all of them. I am a Nike girl and I have always worn Nike so I really like them. Nike is all you need!" she said.

All of the players go through two pairs a season. The Nike Shocks run around $110.00 and the Blue Chips run close to $85.00 so it's good thing for team discounts and scholarships. For now, it's time for the players to give their feet a rest until Spring Quarter begins. Then, believe it or not, they will be back to work already! 

Fun Fact: The team buys pink shoe laces for the breast cancer awareness game and most of the players finish out the season with their pink shoelaces in. I STILL have mine in!

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!

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!

The Beauty of Teamwork, Bobcats Capture W Against Cardinals

The saying goes, "There is no 'I' in team" but people often joke by saying, "There is a 'me' though." While I have never really given this statement much thought beyond a quick laugh, after the Bobcats match-up against Ball State Saturday I realized it is so true!! The way I see it is everyone has an individual role on a team and each player is responsible for focusing in on that role. At the same time, each player is responsible for a role only because she is one piece of a larger puzzle that all comes together to produce the best product. If everyone buys into their roles, or their pieces of the puzzle, then the end goal will be accomplished.

Ohio did exactly that to capture a big W against the Cardinals. Da'Keisha Mann is still not playing because of a violation of team policy and Thia Gholson, one of Ohio's most powerful rebounders, missed the contest due to a back injury. It was time for the younger players to show that they were ready to step in and fill the gaps and wow did they execute! All but one player that stepped on to the floor scored a basket. The one that did not score, Lyles, was an absolute spark off the bench and caused significant havoc on defense. Bench players Maxine Ohakim, Carolyn Barnett and Danielle Woodmore were outstanding. Ohakim used her great size and strength to keep Ball State off the boards, Barnett once again was good for a few quick scores and steals and Woodmore used her unprecedented quickness to penetrate the gaps and open up shots for her seniors.

Speaking of the seniors...wow. Jennifer Bushby made the defense look silly. She played like she was straight from the "And1" commercials putting up a season high 23 points and seven rebounds. Her fellow senior Jenny Poff added 14. This was no easy win either. The ball game was tied six times and the lead changed nine times. Other than against Akron, this is the only time Ohio was able to finish down the stretch.

Remember when I got excited about 22 turnovers? How about 15 against Ball State!! Wahoo! Now, we can't get too excited because it was a game of two half court zone defenses so 15 isn't actually that great but hey we will take it! Next up is Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. Game starts Wednesday night at 7:00. You can tune in by visiting ohiobobcats.com. Until then, so long!

Fun Fact: Jennifer Bushby is only 14 points away from 1,000 at OU!

Go Bobcats!