Jacobs Steps Up as a Senior Leader
Feb. 10, 2010
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas guard LaChelda Jacobs used her senior experience to help the Jayhawks fight tooth and nail against the third-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, but unfortunately in the Jayhawks fell 67-60.
Jacobs, who had some starting experience throughout her KU career, has finding herself in a senior leadership role that was a little unexpected.
“I really didn’t think I would find myself in this position,” Jacobs explained. “I thought Angel Goodrich would be healthy, unfortunately she’s not, but I was ready when my time came.”
When you look on the court you can see Jacobs setting up the plays, handling the ball and looking for an open teammate to feed the ball. She played with confidence against Nebraska and ended the night with five assists, just one assist shy of her season high.
“I think the fact that she (Jacobs) is a senior has helped to calm her down and to play well under pressure,” said freshman standout Carolyn Davis.
Her experience on the court also helped the Jayhawks to shoot 69.2 percent from the field in the second half, marking the highest percentage KU has shot in either half all season.
“I just try and go out there and play,” Jacobs said. “I try to add my own touch to the game and play well every night.”
She also assisted the Jayhawks in their 21-11 run in the opening of the second half. Jacobs touch is obviously working for the Jayhawks.
“I thought she played inspired and I thought she did a good job,” head coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “She hit a tough shot in the corner in the second half. I thought she handled the game well and got us into some good half court sets.”
Jacobs had ample time to set the Jayhawks up for scoring drives, she played a total of 32 minutes and finished the game with seven rebounds, six points, one block and one steal.
“I think LaChelda is doing a great job of playing the role of point guard,” Davis said. “She is trying to keep up with the pace that Angel set, obviously no one is better than Angel at passing, but I think LaChelda is doing a great job for us and bringing what she can bring.”
Jacobs also uses her speed to set the pace on the court and tries to keep things moving as much as possible.
“She is doing a great job,” forward Aishah Sutherland said. “She is faster and has a different way of playing. She was the started some last year, so this a role that she has played. She is doing a great job and she is not turning it over much. She is filling the role well.”
