SPORTS
Unified Badgers off to hottest start under coach Stone
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Also by Derek Zetlin:
- Gridiron: BCS top 2 intact; who's No. 3? (November 29, 2007)
- Cinderellas fly under national radar (November 1, 2007)
- GRIDIRON - No sure bet this year in Heisman race (October 25, 2007)
- GRIDIRON: Senior quarterbacks show potential (October 18, 2007)
- USC loss keeps upset train rolling (October 11, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Stone looks to rebound in tourney (February 28, 2006)
- Lady Badgers keep 'fresh' focus (January 30, 2007)
- No vacation for Wisconsin (February 20, 2007)
- Kohl Center hosts WNIT (March 16, 2007)
- Stone raises roof (January 24, 2007)
by Derek Zetlin
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Even before this season began, UW women's basketball head coach Lisa Stone had a feeling that this year's team was special and unique.
"They're young," Stone said. "The element of unknown is a good thing. Every game to them is a big game. The personality of this team is competitive. They want to win. They're energetic, emotional."
That energy and emotion has led the Badgers to an 8-1 start, the best in Stone's four year career.
"[They're a] very funny group," Stone added. "They like to be around each other."
According to junior tri-captain Jolene Anderson, camaraderie is something that may have been missing is years past.
"We're a lot closer this year," Anderson said. "Our team chemistry is great off the court as well as on the court. What we do off the court obviously represents what we do on the court."
"When [we know each other] better off the court, there's a better understanding [on the court]," agreed fellow tri-captain Danielle Ward. "If this were my freshman year, I'd feel a lot more comfortable talking. We talk all the time off the court. We're kind of like sisters."
This group may be friendly among themselves, but they certainly haven't been friendly to opposing teams, especially in the Kohl Center where they are a perfect 5-0.
"Their talent level is awesome," Stone exclaimed. "They get better every day; they want to get better every day. They come to work. I really, really enjoy being around them."
An 8-1 team with eight new players on the roster must have some exceptional leaders. Something Stone's squad has plenty of.
"These freshmen really need someone to lead them," said sophomore forward Caitlin Gibson, the third tri-captain who has assumed one of these leadership roles. "Getting them prepared for [the Big Ten season] is going to be important."
With all the hype about the newcomers on this team, the veterans have begun to slip under the radar.
"Those three juniors (Janese Banks, Ward and Anderson) have really elevated their game," Stone said of her top three leading scorers. "Jolene is Jolene. She leads us in every category."
Despite the fact that there are so many freshmen and no seniors on this year's roster, all three captains agreed that the transition from being underclassmen to leaders was an easy one.
"The hardest part was [teaching the freshmen drills in practice]," Anderson said.
Every member of this Badger roster is extremely focused on the task at hand: winning now. But because there are no seniors on the team, all of them should be returning next season.
"This year is our learning year. And the way we've started out, it's really exciting to think about next year," Gibson noted enthusiastically.
"Building up this year is going to help us for next year," Anderson added. "Having everyone for the next two seasons is going to help us in the long run."
Illinois-Chicago Comes to Town Wisconsin will square off against Illinois-Chicago (3-4) Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Kohl Center.
The Flames are in the midst of a three game losing streak, but took Illinois, another Big Ten opponent, down to the wire, losing by a mere six points.
Senior forward Jacquay Holmes is the Flames' leading scorer, averaging 12.7 points per game. Gibson and Ward will do what they can to keep her off the blocks.
Senior guard Krystal Hugelier is the Flames' most consistent three-point shooter while averaging 11.4 ppg this season. Stone said Anderson will be given the grueling task of trying to slow her down from beyond the arc.
"We recruit the same players [as Illinois-Chicago]," Stone noted. "They're very athletic; they're young; they're going to come to battle. They'll give us a good challenge."
Fans should also expect to see the same starting lineup for the cardinal and white they have used all year.
"We got a good thing going, and we want to keep it going," Stone added with a smile.
