The Queens of the Hardwood Take the Floor

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — November 21st, 2003

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The Queens of the Hardwood Take the Floor

 

"There's a level of excitement that I have. I am excited about the possibilities," said Cathy Parson, Head Coach of Women's Basketball, who has been preparing her team for the 2003-04 season.

On Saturday, the Kings of the Gridiron will be forfeiting the throne to the Queens of the Hardwood.

Tonight they take the court for the first time tonight against Villanova. Villanova is a powerhouse school and they finished third in the Big East, but there's nothing in a name. It's just a word. When you break down the etymology of any word, it's not as powerful. 

Take the word "Villanova" -- from a Spanish standpoint, they're "a village or residence that doesn't go." Not as intimidating, now is it? 

 

The Written Test 

 

Improvisation has its place, but under Coach Parson's system, it's "how well they learn, how well they execute the information that has been given to them and who can really hold that information." 

Coach Parson stood at center court with a board and a marker between two offenses as the Lady Bison simultaneously ran through each play in a half court set. Rotating players watched as the play was executed and then reenacted it. Play after play, the repetition of offense gave them an understanding of how the offense was going to operate, but it didn't end there. 

Her players' studying wasn't just limited to the classroom. In order to have the plays work for them, the Lady Bison had to be one with the plays. "Reinforcement. It's only when you go home and write it down and make it your own, " explained Parson. 

 

The Real Test

 

"It's very difficult for me to rate us completely and totally because we don't have everyone available," Parson said. 

Even with the absence of Simone Agee, Essence Coggins and Melloni Benson, the Lady Bison beat Four Corners 74-71. 

The Four Corner zone forced the Lady Bison behind the arc and gave spectators a glance of their deadliness behind the perimeter.

 

"Most teams aren't going to want to zone us because we shoot the ball too well," said Parson. 

Opposing teams will either have to defend against the three or fall victim to the Lady Bison's deep threats of Laura Askew, Essence Coggins, Christina Aden and Brittany James.

The performance of freshmen Shannon Carlise, Christina Aden and sophomore Brittany James led the team.

Don't let Carlisle's quiet presence fool you. She hits the floor with enough noise in her actions to make opponents take notice. Her 9 points, 5 assists and 3 steal paled in comparison to her intensity on the court. If you didn't know any better, you would have sworn there were five Carlisles on the floor because of her hustling, defending and rebounding. 

"She's 5'4, can jump out of the gym, is quick as lightning and will put on a show whenever she's on the floor," said Parson.

"They defend well, can run the floor and can shoot the ball," commented Parson on the duo of James and Aden.

They combined for 27 points, but it was Aden who led the team with 17.

Even with their win over Four Corners, Parson wasn't satisfied. 

"We did some good things against them," Parson said. "They hung around far longer than I had anticipated. We weren't able to break it open. We realized defense is going to be a trademark. It maintained our victory." 

Preseason is an intense practice and a learning experience. 

Four Corners came into the exhibition with little knowledge of the Lady Bison's quick hitting offense; however, during the season, teams will be prepared for the Lady Bison. "Everybody knows what you're running if you do you homework," Parson said.

 

The Starting Five

 

The most difficult part for the Lady Bison coaching staff is picking the starting five. 

"That's a problem, but it's a good problem," explained Parson. "When you have as many guards as we have, you have to look at it as a rotation."

The Lady Bison are eight deep at the guard and five of those eight are veterans.

 

Coggins and Agee are the only Lady Bison with MEAC credentials. In her freshman year, Coggins earned MEAC Rookie of the Year and Agee's work ethic has earned her MVP twice. 

With Askew's stroke like water and her ability to roll off screens and pull up behind the arc, she will be a huge weapon for the Lady Bison.

"She has sat behind a great player in Asia (Petty) and never got the quality minutes that she desired up until now," said Parson. "She's in position to do great things. She's been one of the most consistant players throughout the preseason."

Shauna Ruglass rounded off the senior class. 

"Shauna is back and it's going to give us a tremendous lift at the five," said Parson.

Shauna came down awkwardly on her ankle earlier, but is now practicing and ready to complete the Lady Bison center trio with Andrea Johnson and Tracie Suggs. 

"Andrea's getting better everyday and with Tracie being able to give us a few good minutes here and there, it will solidify our five positions," Parson noted.

 

Redemption

 

Parson and the rest of the returning team want to put last season behind them.

"Our seniors are going to be more of an impact than in previous years," Parson emphasized. "They're hungry and they've prepared because they fought hard with the kind of season we had last year." 

Resting easy isn't something that the seniors will be doing this season because of their schedule. But if they happen struggle, the freshmen are nipping at their heels have their backs. 

While Melloni Benson was recovering from her injured hip, Courtney Smiley backed her up and proven herself to be a smart player. But once Benson comes back, she'll be able to take the Lady Bison to that next level of offensive explosivenesses.

Both Shari Johnson and Seuquoya Moore are quickly learning the Parson system. Accustomed to playing the five in high school, Moore has had to make the transition to the three spot and Parson said that it has been an adjustment for her.

 

"We have a Daisha (Hicks) who starts at the one and a great leader," said Parson praising her veterans point guard. "She's always teaching everybody where they're supposed to be. She should be credited for the knowledge that everyone around her has."

In the Hicks and Carlisle relationship, there's no envy between them; they are able to make each other better. Chartia Roberts, a transfer from UVA, is watching and building from both Hick and Carlisle. 

Parson said that her players are going to have to accept the team concept. "They'll have to understand, maybe tonight's my night, maybe not," she said. "Can I cheer for the player whose night it is? If we can build on that and accept that, we'll see a team grow together and enjoy the spoils that we receive from the success."

The Lady Bison's arsenal is locked and loaded. Their depth rotations are going to cause match-up problem keeping opponents off balance.

Each night it's going to be a different player who takes the lead. Tonight, it's anybody's call, but they're ready. Are you?