Post by DECKS on Oct 6, 2009 21:27:32 GMT -5
www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/dublin/stories/2009/07/01/0702duwbb_sp.html
Women's Basketball
Murdaugh eager to get back on court
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 1:55 PM
By SCOTT GERFEN
ThisWeek Contributor
Dublin Scioto High School girls basketball coach Todd Hardesty couldn't help but think back a few years while watching one of his incoming freshmen at a recent summer camp.
She didn't say much and seemed to be content with keeping to herself, much like another incoming freshmen who would eventually help bring the Irish program to prominence with a run to the Division I regional final in 2007.
Ever since, Crystal Murdaugh has returned to her basketball roots to take part in summer clinics and open gyms.
"We kind of kidded her about the time she came over to meet us as an eighth-grader," Hardesty said. "Her mom just talked and talked. I don't know if Crystal said three words, but she couldn't be more the opposite right now, and it means a lot that the program still means so much to her."
But after leaving Scioto as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,197 points, her career on the college court hasn't gone exactly as planned.
The first-team all-Ohio selection mulled several offers before settling on Bowling Green State University and coach Curt Miller, who has led the Falcons to five consecutive Mid-American Conference regular-season titles.
She started every game as a freshman, averaging 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds.
Still, what seemed like the perfect fit when she signed her letter of intent wasn't working out. As a drive-the-lane scorer in high school, Murdaugh's main focus in Miller's offense was setting screens and getting others open.
She averaged 15.6 points during her senior season as the Irish went 25-1, falling to Pickerington North 52-42 in a Division I regional final.
"It was just very different for me," Murdaugh said. "But it's a great basketball program, and I have nothing against the school. I learned a lot from the coaching staff, and they helped me become a better basketball player. I just felt like I had to move on."
And when she decided to transfer, the recruiting process started all over again.
Murdaugh's father went to work helping get videos together and researching programs online. She eventually heard from North Carolina A&T State University, which is located in Greensboro.
Under fourth-year coach Patricia Bibbs, the Aggies defeated Hampton in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament final to advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1994.
As a transfer, Murdaugh had to sit out a season so all she could do was watch.
"Sitting out a year was probably one of the toughest things I've ever gone through," she said. "I did everything with the team, but play.
"There were times when I thought maybe I shouldn't have left Bowling Green. Right now, I'm just trying to remain focused on next season."
The Aggies' incoming recruit class is considered one of the best in the country and includes 5-foot-7 guard Amber Calvin, one of the top players in North Carolina, and center/power forward Nikia Gorham (6-2), who averaged 15 points at her high school in Springdale, Md.
Murdaugh (6-0) is expected to play small forward.
"We got spoiled in watching her progress and I don't doubt she'll be successful at the next level," Hardesty said. "She's just turned into a fabulous woman. It's hard to believe she was one of three starting freshmen for us, but she helped bring a very average program to where we are today."
Women's Basketball
Murdaugh eager to get back on court
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 1:55 PM
By SCOTT GERFEN
ThisWeek Contributor
Dublin Scioto High School girls basketball coach Todd Hardesty couldn't help but think back a few years while watching one of his incoming freshmen at a recent summer camp.
She didn't say much and seemed to be content with keeping to herself, much like another incoming freshmen who would eventually help bring the Irish program to prominence with a run to the Division I regional final in 2007.
Ever since, Crystal Murdaugh has returned to her basketball roots to take part in summer clinics and open gyms.
"We kind of kidded her about the time she came over to meet us as an eighth-grader," Hardesty said. "Her mom just talked and talked. I don't know if Crystal said three words, but she couldn't be more the opposite right now, and it means a lot that the program still means so much to her."
But after leaving Scioto as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,197 points, her career on the college court hasn't gone exactly as planned.
The first-team all-Ohio selection mulled several offers before settling on Bowling Green State University and coach Curt Miller, who has led the Falcons to five consecutive Mid-American Conference regular-season titles.
She started every game as a freshman, averaging 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds.
Still, what seemed like the perfect fit when she signed her letter of intent wasn't working out. As a drive-the-lane scorer in high school, Murdaugh's main focus in Miller's offense was setting screens and getting others open.
She averaged 15.6 points during her senior season as the Irish went 25-1, falling to Pickerington North 52-42 in a Division I regional final.
"It was just very different for me," Murdaugh said. "But it's a great basketball program, and I have nothing against the school. I learned a lot from the coaching staff, and they helped me become a better basketball player. I just felt like I had to move on."
And when she decided to transfer, the recruiting process started all over again.
Murdaugh's father went to work helping get videos together and researching programs online. She eventually heard from North Carolina A&T State University, which is located in Greensboro.
Under fourth-year coach Patricia Bibbs, the Aggies defeated Hampton in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament final to advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1994.
As a transfer, Murdaugh had to sit out a season so all she could do was watch.
"Sitting out a year was probably one of the toughest things I've ever gone through," she said. "I did everything with the team, but play.
"There were times when I thought maybe I shouldn't have left Bowling Green. Right now, I'm just trying to remain focused on next season."
The Aggies' incoming recruit class is considered one of the best in the country and includes 5-foot-7 guard Amber Calvin, one of the top players in North Carolina, and center/power forward Nikia Gorham (6-2), who averaged 15 points at her high school in Springdale, Md.
Murdaugh (6-0) is expected to play small forward.
"We got spoiled in watching her progress and I don't doubt she'll be successful at the next level," Hardesty said. "She's just turned into a fabulous woman. It's hard to believe she was one of three starting freshmen for us, but she helped bring a very average program to where we are today."
