2008 Woodie Awards
Let the 'madness' begin
Jennifer Miller
Issue date: 11/11/04 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
While Southwest Baptist University men's and women's basketball teams have been practicing hard since mid-October, Bearcat fans were given the chance to cheer them on during SBU's Basketball Madness. The annual event was held Tuesday, Nov. 2 at Meyer Wellness and Sports Center.
Before being introduced to the crowd, SBU's Lady 'Cats trotted on to the court with pillowcases, painted like faces, that covered their heads and arms - making them look like tiny people with huge heads. Several players began losing their pants to the amusement of the crowd. The men were introduced with spotlight performances that included dancing and peddling toy tractors around the gym.
Later on, the Lady 'Cats split up to play an intersquad scrimmage. Noticeably missing from the scrimmage was junior Amber Wheeler, the 2003-2004 MIAA Most Valuable Player. A medical redshirt, Wheeler is out for the season after major surgery in August. SBU Head Coach Jim Middleton says Wheeler's absence will not stop the Lady 'Cats from doing well this season.
"She's a very good player, but one person doesn't make a team." He said the Lady 'Cats have made it to national tournaments in the past with good players being injured - and said other players have stepped up to fill the void. "They've done a tremendous job of picking right up and keeping on going. I'm very proud of them for that."
Free handouts at the event included T-shirts and coupons from local businesses. Posters of the men's team that read "Extreme Makeover" were given away. The new slogan highlights a new coaching staff led by Head Coach Jeff Guiot who brings 12 new players to the team this year.
The men topped off the evening's festivities with a action-packed slam dunk contest. One of the competition's highlights had one player completing a dunk after jumping over another player lying on a table.
Middleton said was pleased with the turnout for this year's Basketball Madness.
"It's fun and gives students an opportunity to participate and win prizes. In general, those are things that help set the tone for the season. We want the crowd loud and rowdy. We want you to come out and just let loose."
In the MIAA Preseason Polls, the SBU men's team, while picked to finish seventh, received one first place vote.
The Lady 'Cats, picked to finish sixth, are coming an eighth place finish last year. Middleton described the 2003-2004 season as an "atypical" season where the team lost a lot of close games. He said the Lady 'Cats "are out to easily better that."
The SBU men have already started their season with an exhibition game in Springfield against the Chile national team. The 'Cats picked up a convincing 108-88 win over Dreambuilders in another exhibition game played Nov. 9 in Springfield. The Lady Cats' season will start Nov. 19 in Pittsburg, Kan. in the Chatter's Roundball Classic.
On Nov. 30, the men's and women's teams will host a doubleheader in SBU's Meyer Wellness and Sports Center. The Lady 'Cats will take on Missouri Baptist at 6 p.m. in their first home game of the season, and at 8 p.m. the men will take on long-time rival Drury University. The teams are planning to give away 300 free T-shirts to fans who come out to show support.
Before being introduced to the crowd, SBU's Lady 'Cats trotted on to the court with pillowcases, painted like faces, that covered their heads and arms - making them look like tiny people with huge heads. Several players began losing their pants to the amusement of the crowd. The men were introduced with spotlight performances that included dancing and peddling toy tractors around the gym.
Later on, the Lady 'Cats split up to play an intersquad scrimmage. Noticeably missing from the scrimmage was junior Amber Wheeler, the 2003-2004 MIAA Most Valuable Player. A medical redshirt, Wheeler is out for the season after major surgery in August. SBU Head Coach Jim Middleton says Wheeler's absence will not stop the Lady 'Cats from doing well this season.
"She's a very good player, but one person doesn't make a team." He said the Lady 'Cats have made it to national tournaments in the past with good players being injured - and said other players have stepped up to fill the void. "They've done a tremendous job of picking right up and keeping on going. I'm very proud of them for that."
Free handouts at the event included T-shirts and coupons from local businesses. Posters of the men's team that read "Extreme Makeover" were given away. The new slogan highlights a new coaching staff led by Head Coach Jeff Guiot who brings 12 new players to the team this year.
The men topped off the evening's festivities with a action-packed slam dunk contest. One of the competition's highlights had one player completing a dunk after jumping over another player lying on a table.
Middleton said was pleased with the turnout for this year's Basketball Madness.
"It's fun and gives students an opportunity to participate and win prizes. In general, those are things that help set the tone for the season. We want the crowd loud and rowdy. We want you to come out and just let loose."
In the MIAA Preseason Polls, the SBU men's team, while picked to finish seventh, received one first place vote.
The Lady 'Cats, picked to finish sixth, are coming an eighth place finish last year. Middleton described the 2003-2004 season as an "atypical" season where the team lost a lot of close games. He said the Lady 'Cats "are out to easily better that."
The SBU men have already started their season with an exhibition game in Springfield against the Chile national team. The 'Cats picked up a convincing 108-88 win over Dreambuilders in another exhibition game played Nov. 9 in Springfield. The Lady Cats' season will start Nov. 19 in Pittsburg, Kan. in the Chatter's Roundball Classic.
On Nov. 30, the men's and women's teams will host a doubleheader in SBU's Meyer Wellness and Sports Center. The Lady 'Cats will take on Missouri Baptist at 6 p.m. in their first home game of the season, and at 8 p.m. the men will take on long-time rival Drury University. The teams are planning to give away 300 free T-shirts to fans who come out to show support.
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