Locals shined during last week’s Big Ten women’s basketball tournament in downtown Minneapolis. Here are some of their voices from the tournament:
On the Lynx court
“I’ve been on this court before. It’s really fun.” – Illinois soph guard Adalia McKenzie, Brooklyn Park
“It was really exciting. I watched the Lynx when I was growing up.” – Nebraska soph forward/guard Kendall Coley, Minneapolis
“I never played on the court before. The minute that I did [get to play], tried to make the most out of it. And I got a three out of it. It felt good.” – Wisconsin frosh guard Ronnie Porter, St. Paul, who connected on her only shot attempt, a three-pointer against Michigan State.
Teaching them young
Around 30 local youth, mostly boys and girls of color, participated in last Thursday’s Practice With A Purpose basketball clinic hosted by Gopher alums Lea B. Olsen, Eric Curry, Kiara Buford and Crystal Flint-Holloman.
The goal? “To have fun and be active,” said Buford, a school behavioral specialist, explaining the primary goal of the 90-minute session. “And to introduce them to basketball, whether they love it or it’s their first time.”
Olsen, a veteran broadcaster, added that to show the youngsters four Black adults who were once in sports but are now successful outside of it was very important.
Playing with a chip
The 5’10” McKenzie provides her team with much-needed energy, said Illini Coach Shauna Green. “She’s just a hard-nosed, blue-collar kid. We need her to keep playing with that chip and continue to be that energizer for us.”
Still learning
The 6’2” Coley is still learning how to be an effective college player, said Nebraska Coach Amy Williams. “She’s been really maturing and learning. We feel like Kendall hasn’t tapped into and reached her full potential just yet. We know her best basketball is in front of her.”
First year out of the way
“I think I’ve grown as a player and a person. Got a lot of growing to do, “said the 5’4” Porter, who starred at Como Park. “I’m willing to do whatever I can to help this team be better than the previous season.”
Eight was enough
Rutgers played all season with an eight-player roster. They posted a 1-1 tournament mark last week. “I’m just proud of them,” said first-year Coach Coquese Washington. “We had a lot of reasons to come into this season and say, ‘We don’t have enough or we’re missing this or missing that.’ We never did.”
The best years
Neesha Moore was the Gophers student manager for almost four years. “I worked for Coach Whalen for the last three-and-a-half years. It was the best three-and-a-half years of my life,” she said of her experience working with Whalen, who announced last week that she has resigned as coach after five seasons.
Celebration then sadness, all within seconds
Wisconsin hit a big shot to take the lead with only seconds remaining against Purdue. But just seconds later, the Boilermakers’ Jayla Smith came down and hit a game-winning buzzer-beater. “I think that was a big shot, especially for us to go to the next round and play Iowa,” Smith told me.
“At this time of year, a lot of crazy things can happen,” remarked Badgers Coach Marisa Moseley afterwards.
Final words
Despite the fact that Wisconsin’s season ended on that buzzer beater, Porter said, “I love March Madness. It’s crazy.”
