Friday, March 17, 2000

Freshman points XU women into NCAAs

---

BY MICHAEL PERRY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Amy Waugh | ZOOM |

        BATON ROUGE, La. — The ball will be in her hands the most: Amy Waugh, a freshman point guard in her first NCAA Tournament.

        This is of no concern whatsoever to the Xavier women's basketball team, nor to Waugh herself.

        “She never acted like a freshman all year, I don't know why she would now,” coach Melanie Balcomb said. “She's almost better under pressure; she's almost better when the game's on the line.”

        The Musketeers open NCAA play tonight against Stephen F. Austin in a first-round East Regional game.

        Balcomb expects the Ladyjacks, who are making their 13th consecutive NCAA appearance, to full-court press. A lot. She calls Stephen F. Austin small, quick and as athletic as any team XU has played this season.

        “They're like little gnats everywhere,” she said.

        Xavier's primary ball handlers are Waugh, freshman reserve guard Reetta Piipari and sophomore Katie Griggs. Waugh averages 5.9 assists and just 2.9 turnovers a game, Piipari 2.4 and 2.0 and Griggs 1.7 and 1.5.

        “I look at their faces and they've never shown any fear, even when they make a mistake,” Balcomb said.

        The Musketeers' top three scorers are juniors Taru Tuukkanen, Nicole Levandusky and Jennifer Phillips. All are back for their second straight NCAA appearance.

        But the big concern coming into the season was how Xavier would fill the void left by departed senior point guard Nikki Kremer.

        Waugh has been a most pleasant surprise. She was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Year after leading the league in 3-point field goal percentage — she's seventh in the nation — and finishing second in assists per game. She ranks 12th in the country in free throw shooting.

        But more than that, she has taken — and made — big shots in big games. Balcomb recalls a moment in XU's 72-71 double-overtime loss to Cincinnati on Dec. 5 that told her something about her new floor leader.

        “I don't remember the play exactly,” Balcomb said, “but I remember the (shot) clock was winding down and she stepped back and hit a 3 from 40 feet.

        “I knew she understood the game and she wanted to be a coach. I knew she'd be putting in extra time and studying the game. But you don't have any idea until you get them how good they are under pressure.”

        When the Musketeers played pickup games before preseason practices started, Waugh wanted to show her new teammates that she could help them this season. She worked to earn their respect, figuring she could not be a vocal leader until that happened.

        Didn't take long. After one week of practices, she was comfortable.

        “Since the second week of practice, she's played like she's been here for just as long as we have,” Phillips said. “We have a ton of confidence in her. If we need a big shot, she'll take it. If we need a pass to a shooter that's on, she'll pass it. She's a really smart player for as young as she is.”

        The 5-foot-6 Waugh has played most of the season with multiple stress fractures in both shins. She still practices with splints on each leg, held in place by socks so lengthy they meet her long shorts. Her shins healed three or four weeks ago.

        She has missed one practice all season.

        After starting 30 games and averaging 36 minutes in three Atlantic 10 tournament games, she thinks he's ready for her first NCAA Tournament.

        “All my life, I've loved to play in pressure situations and big games,” Waugh said.

        “I just need to do what I've been doing, taking care of the ball and getting the ball to the people in the positions where they can score. If I can do that, I think we'll be fine.”

        Tournament game coverage at Cincinnati.com/madness
        Join the discussion in our College Sports forum

---

Xavier Stories

Freshman points XU women into NCAAs Women's NCAA Schedule Irish eye NIT title as consolation prize Xavier-ND tickets on sale Men's NIT Scores - Schedule

Bearcats have surprise on their side
Five keys for the 'new' UC
Huggins, Martin win national awards
UC women win NIT opener
Women's NIT scores
Pitcher Bell sent to Triple-A
Ankle swelling slows Sanders
Griffey beats shift with HR
Pokey may return Saturday
Reds Game Report
No reunion for Bengals, Boomer
Win or lose, Cinderellas enjoy the ball
UK pulls off great escape
Will Wildcats feel fatigue vs. Syracuse?
Prince has role in his clutches
Bonnies prove loss can yield some rewards
Men's NCAA Tournament: Thursday's Scores
Men's NCAA Tournament: Today's Games
Men's NCAA Tournament: Saturday's Games
Ohio, Appalachian have different states of mind
Buckeyes hope it's not the shoes
West Hi's Shelton puts down roots with Tulsa
St. X finishes off Elder
Badin's title hopes depend on defense
E. Brown girls lose in state semis
Hamilton's luck runs out
Mason won't settle for second best
Ohio boys regional scores
Ohio boys regional pairings
Ohio girls state pairings
Purcell makes regional finals
Quick start not enough for Madeira
Brossart wins in Sweet 16
Kentucky Boys State Tournament Schedule
Cyclones 4, Detroit 1
St. Louis 93, Stuff 79

SEASON IN STORIES