I made the comment twice during Wednesday's broadcast of the Lady Demons' thrilling, overtime win at Central Arkansas, and I will make it here.
I have never seen a team--and a head coach--that wanted to win a game more.
From start to finish, NSU was focused, determined, and "all-in". From the first timeout, Head Coach Jennifer Graf's face was red as can be. She wasn't mad--she was intense. And from my vantage point close behind the Lady Demons' bench, every player was tuned in--hanging on every word she had to say.
The result? A win against a good team, at a place where that good team doesn't lose very often. Wednesday's effort--and result--emphasizes what has been obvious most of the year. NSU has the talent to be a very good team. Maybe--hopefully--it has just taken a little longer than everyone would like for that talent to come together.
Saturday, the second half of the Southland Conference season begins. NSU will take a 4-4 league record--and a two-game winning streak-- into a 2pm home game against winless Texas A&M Corpus Christi. It will be one of just two Prather Coliseum appearances for the Lady Demons in February. I hope to see you at the game, but if not, I hope you will listen on 100.7 KZBL and the Demon Sports Network, or nsudemons.com.
See you on the radio!
Tony Taglavore
Voice of the Lady Demons
Friday, February 04, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Headin' West
The Southland Conference schedule makes for visits to quaint places like Huntsville, Texas and Thibodaux, Louisiana.
But Wednesday night, the Lady Demons will pay a visit to one the league's marquee cities--San Antonio.
Here's hoping NSU will bounce back from their first SLC loss--last Saturday's home defeat against Central Arkansas. The Lady Demons could very well be 3-0 going to the Alamo city. NSU led UCA by six at the half. Unfortunately, runs of 15-0 and 12-0 propelled the Sugar Bears to a come-from-behind win.
16 games into the season, a star is emerging for the purple and white. Jordi James has taken over as the Lady Demons' leading scorer. Before a recent game, I told Jordi I enjoyed watching her play, and I meant it. She can hit the jumper, but is not afraid to--and almost plays like she would rather--take it inside. I also like her attitude on the court. She, like others, plays with a purpose--the purpose of winning.
Wednesday's game at UTSA could catapult NSU to big things. The Lady Demons come back home Saturday for the first of three straight at Prather Coliseum. Who knows? If things break just right, NSU could be 6-1 going into February.
But, as head coach Jennifer Graf likes to say, one game at a time.
The team headed to San Antonio Tuesday morning. I will bring up the rear and arrive Wednesdsay afternoon. I invite you to tune in for all the action Wednesday night on 100.7 KZBL in Natchitoches, 92.1 KSYR in Shreveport, and around the world at nsudemons.com. The pre-game show comes your way at 6:45--tip-off is set for 7pm.
See you on the radio!
Tony Taglavore
Voice of the Lady Demons
But Wednesday night, the Lady Demons will pay a visit to one the league's marquee cities--San Antonio.
Here's hoping NSU will bounce back from their first SLC loss--last Saturday's home defeat against Central Arkansas. The Lady Demons could very well be 3-0 going to the Alamo city. NSU led UCA by six at the half. Unfortunately, runs of 15-0 and 12-0 propelled the Sugar Bears to a come-from-behind win.
16 games into the season, a star is emerging for the purple and white. Jordi James has taken over as the Lady Demons' leading scorer. Before a recent game, I told Jordi I enjoyed watching her play, and I meant it. She can hit the jumper, but is not afraid to--and almost plays like she would rather--take it inside. I also like her attitude on the court. She, like others, plays with a purpose--the purpose of winning.
Wednesday's game at UTSA could catapult NSU to big things. The Lady Demons come back home Saturday for the first of three straight at Prather Coliseum. Who knows? If things break just right, NSU could be 6-1 going into February.
But, as head coach Jennifer Graf likes to say, one game at a time.
The team headed to San Antonio Tuesday morning. I will bring up the rear and arrive Wednesdsay afternoon. I invite you to tune in for all the action Wednesday night on 100.7 KZBL in Natchitoches, 92.1 KSYR in Shreveport, and around the world at nsudemons.com. The pre-game show comes your way at 6:45--tip-off is set for 7pm.
See you on the radio!
Tony Taglavore
Voice of the Lady Demons
Thursday, January 13, 2011
2-0...and Counting?
Well, well, well.
Look who is 2-0 in the Southland Conference--your Northwestern Lady Demons!
Yes, I realize there are two months of basketball remaining.
Yes, I realize the conference office doesn't hand out trophies for winning your first two league games.
And yes, I realize winning your first two conference games is a HUGE confidence-builder for a team that has struggled at times when it comes to building confidence.
Wednesday night, NSU ventured into deep South Louisiana for their first league road game of the season. The Lady Demons shot 51 percent from the field in the first half, and led by as many as 16 in the second half. But someone left the doors open at NSU's end of Stopher Gym. The Lady Demons went cold, going more than nine minutes without a field goal.
And that's what makes NSU's victory so impressive. Despite that drought--one which allowed Nicholls to tie the game--the Lady Demons refused to lose. Freshman Jasmine Bradley, who is hardly playing like a freshman right now, came up with two HUGE offensive rebounds late in the game, AND gave her body for the team by taking a charge in the final minute. And when Ronnika Drake rebounded a Nicholls missed three-pointer and dribbled out the clock, the Lady Demons had survived.
And in conference play, there is a lot to be said for survival. Especially on the road.
NSU returns home for a 2pm game Saturday against Central Arkansas. Admittedly, I am biased. However, I sense something very positive starting to build. A 3-0 league start would raise this team's confidence level even higher. I hope you will come out and support a team that, I promise, will feed off your energy. Of course, if you just can't make it to Prather Coliseum, tune in to 95.7 KDBH in Natchitoches, and around the world at nsudemons.com for all the action.
And will someone make sure the coliseum doors are closed--at least on NSU's end?
Tony Taglavore
Voice of the Lady Demons
Look who is 2-0 in the Southland Conference--your Northwestern Lady Demons!
Yes, I realize there are two months of basketball remaining.
Yes, I realize the conference office doesn't hand out trophies for winning your first two league games.
And yes, I realize winning your first two conference games is a HUGE confidence-builder for a team that has struggled at times when it comes to building confidence.
Wednesday night, NSU ventured into deep South Louisiana for their first league road game of the season. The Lady Demons shot 51 percent from the field in the first half, and led by as many as 16 in the second half. But someone left the doors open at NSU's end of Stopher Gym. The Lady Demons went cold, going more than nine minutes without a field goal.
And that's what makes NSU's victory so impressive. Despite that drought--one which allowed Nicholls to tie the game--the Lady Demons refused to lose. Freshman Jasmine Bradley, who is hardly playing like a freshman right now, came up with two HUGE offensive rebounds late in the game, AND gave her body for the team by taking a charge in the final minute. And when Ronnika Drake rebounded a Nicholls missed three-pointer and dribbled out the clock, the Lady Demons had survived.
And in conference play, there is a lot to be said for survival. Especially on the road.
NSU returns home for a 2pm game Saturday against Central Arkansas. Admittedly, I am biased. However, I sense something very positive starting to build. A 3-0 league start would raise this team's confidence level even higher. I hope you will come out and support a team that, I promise, will feed off your energy. Of course, if you just can't make it to Prather Coliseum, tune in to 95.7 KDBH in Natchitoches, and around the world at nsudemons.com for all the action.
And will someone make sure the coliseum doors are closed--at least on NSU's end?
Tony Taglavore
Voice of the Lady Demons
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