News & Views
Michelle Matthews (12) defends the home basket against Manhattan Christian College's Susie NcGraw (12) in an Eagle's home game Nov. 3. (OkwuStudents Photo/Gary Smith)
A New Era
With the blast of a whistle and the toss of a ball, the Lady Eagle’s basketball season began last week in a close home game against Shawnee, Oklahoma’s St. Gregory’s University. The Lady Eagles have much to live up to this season, after finishing seventh in the National Christian College Athletic Association’s league last season and as national champions in 2005.
Going into the current season, the ladies were tied for fifth place in the conference, a standing that they hope to improve upon in the coming months. However, if there is to be improvement, it will have to be hard fought as the Lady Eagles have undergone some hefty changes this year, the most notable change being the replacement of former head coach, Barney Hay.
Coach Hay gave up her title at the end of last season due to persistent problems with one of her arms, passing her torch to former OWU player and national record holding ball handler, Britney Kannady. According to Kannady, she is devoted to the team and is passionate about the game, which has brought her so far.
From playing basketball as an elementary school student, to playing international basketball as a college graduate in the countries of Mexico, China and Africa, Kannady has learned much from her years of experience playing the sport, and she hopes to impart her love for the game to her players.
“It makes me feel truly blessed to be in this position,” Kannady said. “It’s a dream come true and makes me want to work that much harder to do my best.”
Team Captain, Davia Seay, eyes the basket. (OkwuStudents Photo/Gary Smith)
Perhaps the most challenging change the team faces this year is the loss of all but four of last season’s players. Even with strong incoming talent, a team with new members will confront difficulty simply because the players are not comfortable or familiar with each other. To help combat this problem and bring the group together spiritually, Kannady hosts once-a-month dinner and devotion times.
“We try to hold each other accountable as much as we can,” Kannady said. “I’d eventually like to see us become like family,”
The players enjoy these dinners, too.
“I really like the group devotions because it bonds us and brings us closer together,” said Taylor Cooley (Fr., Bartlesville, OK). “It gives us time to get off campus and grow spiritually.”
These times of growth also help raise the team morale to a healthy level, a must-have when competing. And compete they will.
This season the Lady Eagles have a well-defined strategy for retaining their high rank.
“We are just taking one game at a time, and hopefully we will win them all,” Kannady said.
In addition to their bonding, the team has been spending a lot of time in the gym working on overall conditioning, ball handling, and offensive coordination. With two strong, experienced captains, Davia Seay (Jr., Big Cabin, OK) and Joni Shellenberger (Jr., Derby, KS), the players are gaining confidence and are looking forward to facing opponets like top-ranked, College of the Ozarks.
“We’re in the best shape of the last couple years,” Shellenberger said. “We’ve worked really hard, and skill wise, we’ve all gotten a lot stronger.”
Seay added that by cutting down on the number of turnovers and by being more consistent defense-wise, she thinks that the team has a better chance of having a winning season.
“Hard work and heart, that’s our biggest strength,” said Kannady.
OWU's Megan McGowan (21) looks for an open pass against Manhattan Christian College. (OkwuStudents Photo/ Gary Smith)
Kannady and the team are looking forward to what is shaping up to be a bright season. A close six-point loss in their first game was followed by a forty-three-point win over Manhattan Christian College on November 3.
Look for a competitive season from the Lady Eagles, and check out their schedule at:
http://www.okwu.edu/Brix?pageID=14522