Photo by Jim Hilton Photography
Stephen F. Austin Women's Basketball
'Basketball needs creators,' and the Ladyjacks have one
He picks up his dribble and turns his shoulders to the left. The defender makes a subtle step that way and seals their fate. He begins by taking a big step to the left onto his left leg; the defender jumps that way. A slight change in momentum, and he jumps back to his right onto his right leg. He flips the ball up to the hoop and the defender lunges - it's too late. They both go tumbling. And-one, free throw good by James Harden.
Yes, when it comes to basketball the Houston Rockets have my heart. Don't stop reading San Antonio, Dallas, or *insert your teams city here* fans.
A close second for me is SFA basketball. If you're reading this, I know we probably have a common interest here. So where does James Harden fit into this? Allow me to explain...
Flashback to December 7th. The Ladyjacks are taking on Louisiana Tech on their home court and its a tight game. 4.3 seconds remain on the clock and Taylor Ross is inbounding the basketball. She tosses it out high to Kennedy Harris who throws it right back to Taylor on the wing. As soon as she catches it she looks to penetrate, squeezing past two defenders at the top of the key. She picks up her dribble and takes a wide step to the left, freezing her next two defenders. She then takes a wide step back to the right cutting between them. Ross releases the ball off the tips of her fingers right before the buzzer sounds.
Off the backboard and in. Taylor Ross for the win.
Harden is one of the best, if not the best, at the euro step. He can pretty much get to the basket at will and, most of the time, the only way to stop him is by fouling. It's not uncommon for the Rockets' star to put up 16-points from the free throw line and 15 from the field. His game is all about angles and creating space. He's an elite passer, too, even leading the NBA in assists in this current young season.
Although surrounded with talent that doesn't require the ball in her hands as frequently, these are all attributes held at the collegiate-level by Taylor Ross.
Taylor always finds a way to put points on the board. It's her forte. She does it the easy way from the field and the hard way from the line. Taylor is 4th in all of DI women's basketball in free throws attempted, 3rd in free throws made.
She is getting to the basket at will and no one seems to be able to stop her without a whistle. She has perfected the euro step in a way I can only compare to what Harden does. Watching her play basketball is beautiful. Her driving skills allow her to create for her teammates as well. During a play against Prairie View A&M, Ross went hard to the lane and went up, drawing 3 defenders up with her. She then dumped the ball off to Adrian Lewis, while in the air, for the easy two-points.
SFA fans should be excited because as the Ladyjacks enter league play this week, as good as their star is, it isn't just about Ross. The entire team has grown up in the last year, gelling and look poised for a big season. It's hard to overstate the improvement that Lewis has made in only just a year. What she's shown this season is hard not to love - good court communication, going up with her shots, fighting for loose balls, great all around hustle and effort. She has become the kind of player that brings together teams like this. Stevi Parker and Brentney Branch have found big roles on this team as well. They need a lot from everyone if they're going to make a run at a Southland title.
But Taylor Ross is the Ladyjacks' James Harden. Like "The Beard," Taylor is the commander and chief on the court. She knows how to run the offense and knows when to attack the basket. She can light you up from long range if you don't respect her shot and she'll "stir you up" on offense if you're an overzealous defender.
Every team has their leader -- James Harden, Thomas Walkup, Porsche Roberts. Few of those leaders have the supporting talent that this SFA Ladyjacks basketball team does. With so many weapons, Mark Kellogg's only real problem is figuring out how to dish out their minutes on the court.
One thing is for certain however; if opposing teams aren't careful, they are going to be frozen by a Taylor Ross euro step as SFA blows past their competition over the next couple months.
Yes, when it comes to basketball the Houston Rockets have my heart. Don't stop reading San Antonio, Dallas, or *insert your teams city here* fans.
A close second for me is SFA basketball. If you're reading this, I know we probably have a common interest here. So where does James Harden fit into this? Allow me to explain...
Flashback to December 7th. The Ladyjacks are taking on Louisiana Tech on their home court and its a tight game. 4.3 seconds remain on the clock and Taylor Ross is inbounding the basketball. She tosses it out high to Kennedy Harris who throws it right back to Taylor on the wing. As soon as she catches it she looks to penetrate, squeezing past two defenders at the top of the key. She picks up her dribble and takes a wide step to the left, freezing her next two defenders. She then takes a wide step back to the right cutting between them. Ross releases the ball off the tips of her fingers right before the buzzer sounds.
Off the backboard and in. Taylor Ross for the win.
Harden is one of the best, if not the best, at the euro step. He can pretty much get to the basket at will and, most of the time, the only way to stop him is by fouling. It's not uncommon for the Rockets' star to put up 16-points from the free throw line and 15 from the field. His game is all about angles and creating space. He's an elite passer, too, even leading the NBA in assists in this current young season.
Although surrounded with talent that doesn't require the ball in her hands as frequently, these are all attributes held at the collegiate-level by Taylor Ross.
Taylor always finds a way to put points on the board. It's her forte. She does it the easy way from the field and the hard way from the line. Taylor is 4th in all of DI women's basketball in free throws attempted, 3rd in free throws made.
She is getting to the basket at will and no one seems to be able to stop her without a whistle. She has perfected the euro step in a way I can only compare to what Harden does. Watching her play basketball is beautiful. Her driving skills allow her to create for her teammates as well. During a play against Prairie View A&M, Ross went hard to the lane and went up, drawing 3 defenders up with her. She then dumped the ball off to Adrian Lewis, while in the air, for the easy two-points.
One thing is for certain however; if opposing teams aren't careful, they are going to be frozen by a Taylor Ross euro step as SFA blows past their competition over the next couple months.
SFA fans should be excited because as the Ladyjacks enter league play this week, as good as their star is, it isn't just about Ross. The entire team has grown up in the last year, gelling and look poised for a big season. It's hard to overstate the improvement that Lewis has made in only just a year. What she's shown this season is hard not to love - good court communication, going up with her shots, fighting for loose balls, great all around hustle and effort. She has become the kind of player that brings together teams like this. Stevi Parker and Brentney Branch have found big roles on this team as well. They need a lot from everyone if they're going to make a run at a Southland title.
But Taylor Ross is the Ladyjacks' James Harden. Like "The Beard," Taylor is the commander and chief on the court. She knows how to run the offense and knows when to attack the basket. She can light you up from long range if you don't respect her shot and she'll "stir you up" on offense if you're an overzealous defender.
Every team has their leader -- James Harden, Thomas Walkup, Porsche Roberts. Few of those leaders have the supporting talent that this SFA Ladyjacks basketball team does. With so many weapons, Mark Kellogg's only real problem is figuring out how to dish out their minutes on the court.
One thing is for certain however; if opposing teams aren't careful, they are going to be frozen by a Taylor Ross euro step as SFA blows past their competition over the next couple months.
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