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CJ grad finding her way at Wisconsin

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By Sean McClelland, Staff Writer 5:43 PM Friday, December 31, 2010

She would like to be playing more, of course, but Tiera Stephen (Chaminade Julienne) for now is just happy to be contributing to a basketball team again.

As a freshman, Stephen started at point guard for Louisville in the 2009 national championship game loss to Connecticut, then surprised many by transferring to Wisconsin — a better fit, she still thinks.

That move required sitting out last season, which was frustrating enough. Then, as Stephen prepared for her Wisconsin debut, back spasms and a concussion set her back about a month.

“The concussion (before the first exhibition game) was huge,” Wisconsin coach Lisa Stone told madison.com. “That would’ve been an opportunity to gain a lot of experience and build her confidence.”

Only recently has Stephen been seeing regular, if not exactly extended, time. She played a season-high 17 minutes as the Badgers (6-7) opened Big Ten play with a 68-66 win at Purdue on Thursday, their first at Mackey Arena since 1984.

“I’m starting to get into the flow of things,” said Stephen, who grew up in Trotwood.

Known for her defense at CJ, Stephen has become the primary backup to do-everything point guard Alyssa Karel — not exactly the role she envisioned, but she’s not complaining.

“Being a Division I athlete at a big-time university, everybody wants to play,” she said, “but it’s not about individuals. We’re starting to get it together as a team.”

In her best game to date, Stephen had four assists, two steals, two rebounds and two points in nine minutes on Dec. 12 as the Badgers beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee 68-53.

Stephen, home for the holidays, said she planned to attend a CJ game. She’s coming to grips with what became of her coach there. Marc Greenberg, a local attorney, recently was sentenced to two years in prison for sending obscene materials to minors.

After playing for Greenberg for four years and knowing his family, Stephen still can’t believe it.

“I was surprised, to say the least,” she said. “I e-mailed him when it first happened, but I’m pretty sure he’s not allowed to contact us. I don’t know what I can say about it except I’m praying for him and his family.”

Campus tour

• Sophomore Mikaela Ruef (Beavercreek) has appeared in nine of Stanford’s 11 games, averaging 2.3 points and 3.0 rebounds. She played one minute Thursday when the Cardinal ended UConn’s historic 90-game winning streak. UConn freshman Samarie Walker (CJ) played 23 minutes in that game, with three points and six rebounds.

• Marist College senior Erica Allenspach (Miamisburg) collected her second consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Week award Monday. Allenspach, who recently scored her 1,000th career point, had a career-high 34 against Houston to help the Red Foxes win the Duel in the Desert Tournament title in Las Vegas.

• Junior guard Courtney Chihil (Alter) was named Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week after compiling 14 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds in a 73-69 win over Indiana. The Tipp City native played a team-high 38 minutes as FGCU stayed unbeaten (9-0).

• Lamar Skeeter (Fairmont) and fellow guard Jeremy Shardo (Versailles) have Walsh University off to a 13-0 start, best since 1982-83 (14-0).

If you have news of area athletes competing in college sports, please contact Sean McClelland at smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com or at (937) 225-2408.

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