Coach's Corner

Semester break continues, the conference season is progressing, and our team continues to develop, both as individuals and as a group.  The guest speaker series continued this week with visits from Pastor Ron Rector, Linda Slagell, and Gloria Marshall.

Members of the women’s basketball team were also a part of shooting a commercial (to promote the Coaches vs. Cancer program to be held at Millikin University on Sunday, February 11).  Ken Frye, from the local television station, WAND-TV, not only planned, videoed and edited the commercial, he was also kind enough to bring the tape to a practice and allow the team to see the edited and “unedited” (all the mistakes and “stuff” he didn’t use).  What a hoot!

One of the most special occasions of this semester break, was a team dinner, hosted by Assistant Coach Joanna Conner, at the Decatur Club.  The formal dinner included tantalizing appetizers (sushi, oysters, shrimp cocktail) soup and salad, a variety of entrees including filet mignon, fresh seafood and pasta, and mouth-watering desserts.  The dinner, lasting over two hours, was not only a culinary highlight, but a great experience for our team.

Speaking of a thrilling experience……the overtime victory at North Central on Saturday has to be one of the most exciting finishes to a basketball game ever!  Trailing by as many as 16 in the second half, the Big Blue mounted a furious comeback and tied the score late in the second half.  Following a defensive rebound, a North Central player dribbled the length of the court and drained a three pointer with 1.5 seconds remaining to claim the lead 75-72.  The Millikin junior captains quickly called time-out, and the team huddled to draw up the last second play.  Millikin needed to travel the length of the court (94 feet) AND make a three pointer, in 1.5 seconds. 

The improbable happened…..and it went something like this:  Megan Mateer fired a 70 foot inbound pass to Lindsay Ippel, who caught the ball, turned to shoot and was fouled in the act of shooting a three-pointer!   Lindsay had three free throw attempts with 0.1 seconds (yes, one-tenth of a second) left on the clock!   She calmly nailed all three free throws to send the game into overtime, and Millikin went on to prevail 77-75.  Unbelievable!

Athletes Corner

Name:  Jacquie Larson

Year:  Sophomore

Hometown:  Carol Stream, IL

High School:  Lincoln, IL

Major:  Athletic Training

Interesting Fact:  Jacquie is not only one of five children, she is also a twin!

Last Week’s Events and Scores:

Wednesday, December 20, JV at Maryville JV, W 77-58

Tuesday, January 9, JV vs. Lincoln College, W 67-63

Tuesday, January 9, Varsity vs. Illinois Wesleyan University, L 44-63

Saturday, January 13, Varsity vs. North Central College, W OT 77-75

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, January 16, Varsity at Augustana

Saturday, January 22, Varsity vs. Carthage