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The RedHawks have won nine of their last 10 basketball games en route to a 20-win season.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
OXFORD — The Miami University women's basketball team has shoved adversity aside to enjoy one of the best seasons in school history.
Now the RedHawks are trying to make it even better.
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MU (20-10) is one of the hottest squads in the Mid-American Conference heading into this week's MAC tournament at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, having won nine of its last 10 games.
"We've been making a very conscious effort to stay focused on the things we can control," 10th-year Miami coach Maria Fantanarosa said. "The 20-win season kind of crept up on us. That's a good sign that we're taking care of the task at hand and realizing not only how important each game is, but how important each possession is."
The RedHawks finished second in the MAC's East Division behind Bowling Green, the lone team to beat Miami in February.
This is only the sixth time an MU squad has recorded 20 victories in a season. The school record is 24 (1981-82).
"I'm really enjoying coaching this team," Fantanarosa said. "It's been fun to watch the leadership and camaraderie develop."
The RedHawks have battled through injuries (they're down to a 10-player roster) and a difficult schedule this season after winning just 20 total games in the last two years.
Powered by senior guard Amanda Jackson (21.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game), junior guard Jenna Schone (13.9 points, 5.3 assists) and senior forward Laura Markwood (9.1 points, 10.6 reounds), Miami is peaking at precisely the right time.
"I don't think there was a turning point this season — I think it's been more of a gradual climb," Fantanarosa said. "When we've stumbled, we haven't fallen down. We've just lost our balance.
"I still think our best basketball is ahead of us," she added. "Our defense and rebounding are still continuing to improve, and those are controllable aspects of the game."
Fantanarosa noted that timely offensive contributions from players such as Stephanie Ford, Courtney Reed, Briana Dunlap and Ashley Hawkins have been vital to the RedHawks' late-season success.
"It's different people stepping up," Fantanarosa said. "We're starting to be a team that's difficult to scout."
The ultimate goal is earning a spot in the NCAA tournament. That's something no MU team has ever done.
"We never will talk about that," Fantanarosa said. "It's definitely an unspoken thing. Those are things that happen when you're doing things right. It's all about winning each game to win the big prize."
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194
or rcassano@coxohio.com.
