Jeremy Ludemann
Numbers can lie. Even though The College of Wooster women’s basketball team is in last place in the NCAC and will most likely miss the conference tournament, this group has shown that they have the hearts of champions. There has been many a game where the Scots have been embarrassed on the scoreboard. For example, this past Saturday’s 27-point defeat at Wittenberg. I have, however, noticed that this team has not given up in the face of numerous losses.
The guard trio of Karley Walker ’14, Suvi Puripattarapan ’14 and Ashley Lindemann ’14 has continued to bring energy on both sides of the ball until the buzzer sounds. Puripattarapan has a motor that’s faster than a Tesla and she is an instant boost to this team off the bench. Lindemann’s defense has been strong at times and there’s no doubt that she’ll continue to improve on those abilities in the offseason.
Although Walker has not emerged as an elite three point shooter in the NCAC, she is showing that she is trying her best to perfect her perimeter shot. Sarah Abboud ’12, another guard for the Scots, has shown senior leadership and has made clutch shots to allow the Scots to stay competitive in many games this season. She sank a huge three late to give the Scots an early season victory over Northwestern Ohio in the Nan Nichols Classic.
The inside play of Samantha Sulzer ’12 has paced Wooster in tough games in conference this season as she has averaged 6.5 rebounds a game. Jess Wingen ’13 is a matchup problem for many teams in the NCAC, and she is leading the team in scoring at 11 points per game via her solid post play.
The most improved Scot this year has been Maura Hall ’14. Hall has developed a game where she can drive inside from the perimeter, and she embraces the tough battles inside. Her free throw shooting has also improved dramatically, and her play has helped the Scots tread water throughout the season. There are also numerous players on the bench that have contributed as well, like Danielle Spinden ’15, Mallory Band ’14, Lindy Howard ’15 and Allahya Sattaar El ’15 who have shown to be glimmers of hope for next year’s team.
I hope by this time tomorrow you will know all of these names. Why? The women’s basketball team will lace it up for one last game at home this season on Saturday at 1 p.m., and I hope that you will be at Timken Gymnasium to support them.
The Scots have a staunch challenge in DePauw, one of the best teams in all of Division III, a team that could potentially win the national championship. This is a huge game for the Wooster team, as a win could pilot the Scots into the future with something tangible to work for.
Now, you may be thinking, “why should I come and support a team who has won only three games all season?” While this may be a plausible excuse for some, I tend to disagree. This team has not played in front of 400 people all season at home.
I call the games for WOO 91, and I notice that a majority of the crowd is rooting against the Scots. The NCAC is a difficult conference in the women’s game to start out with, why should we make it even more difficult for them? So, I encourage you to come out for all these reasons and one more.
Tomorrow is Senior Day. The two seniors, Abboud and Sulzer, have dedicated a huge part of their life here at Wooster for this team. The least we can do is give them – and their teammates – a little something extra to play for.