The Observer, April 6, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 23
Lady Spartans see D-I stars up close at Final Four
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In the movie Hoosiers, when Coach Norman Dale (played by Gene Hackman) took out a tape measure and had his players measure the distance between the basket, floor, and free throw line, he showed his players that basketball, no matter how grand the stage, would always be the same game they had grown up playing.
A similar analogy can be drawn between the women's Final Four at the Division I level and women's basketball at Division III. At either level of play, players put their bodies on the line to accomplish one ultimate goal: to win the national championship.
Three Case Lady Spartans had the opportunity to watch their Division I counterparts in person at this year's Final Four, held this week at Quicken Loans Arena. Freshmen Kendall McKay, Emily Thews, and Ashleigh Tondo enjoyed their up-close view of the semifinal games on Sunday.
"We were sitting close to where [the Lady Volunteers] walked off the court," McKay said. "Candace Parker and Pat Summitt slapped our hands as they walked by. It was the highlight of the night."
"It was surreal," said Thews. "We see all these players on TV, and here we were right next to them. It's a once in a lifetime experience to have a Final Four come to your hometown and be able to get tickets."
McKay admitted that she is slightly jealous of the fact that players her own age get the chance to shine on the biggest stage while competing for a national championship.
"Every girl that I have played basketball with has always wanted to play Division I basketball," she said. "It is everyone's dream to play in a game like that with so many people watching. It's crazy to think that a lot of the girls are our age, this famous, and could go to the pros."
Thews realized, though, that the players competing in the Final Four, despite the stardom and fame, are not much different than players at smaller schools.
"When I was younger, I looked up to them so much," she said. "Now, after playing in college this year, I realize that we go through the same things as they do, like juggling sports and school. They just do it on a bigger scale."
During Sunday's games, the three asked each other if they thought they could hold their own against the likes of Tennessee and Rutgers.
"Being the competitive person that I am, I think we could hang with them, at least for a few minutes," Tondo said. "Playing against those types of players would make you a better player."
The three freshmen were back in their second row seats again Tuesday night for the championship game between Rutgers and Tennessee. All three favored Tennessee to win.
"They have the most experience of playing in the Final Four," Tondo said of the Lady Vols. "Rutgers earned their spot to be there, though, so we'll see what they bring to the floor."
McKay echoed Tondo's thoughts.
"Tennessee is older and more experienced," McKay said. "Pat Summitt is the winningest coach around, and Candace Parker is amazing. They are pretty unstoppable."
Their predictions proved correct, as Tennessee defeated Rutgers, 59-46. One of the keys to the Lady Vols' victory was their domination on the boards. Tennessee out-rebounded Rutgers, 40-30, and grabbed 23 offensive rebounds during the game.
"Their rebounding was pretty good," McKay said. "I think Rutgers' inexperience showed. [Rutgers coach C.Vivian] Stringer said that her team had the deer in the headlights look. Tennessee had been there before. They were just the better team."
