Jayhawks Host Fort Hays State In Exhibition Opener
Oct. 30, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Game Notes in PDF Format
OPENING TIP
The University of Kansas hosts Fort Hays State in its first exhibition game of the 2008-09 season Sunday, Nov. 2. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse. Bonnie Henrickson is in her fifth season at the helm of the women’s basketball program after leading the Jayhawks to a 57-65 overall mark during her first four campaigns, including a 17-16 mark and a bid to the Women’s NIT during the 2007-08 season.
FAST BREAKS
-Kansas holds a 32-9 all-time record in exhibition games and has won 23 of its last 25 preseason contests. See below for complete preseason exhibition results.
-Today’s game will mark the 12th time the Jayhawks have played an in-state Division II foe in the preseason, including last season’s wins over Pittsburg State and Emporia State.
-KU defeated Fort Hays State, 80-55, on Nov. 1, 2006, in Bonnie Henrickson’s third season as head coach. The Jayhawks also defeated FHSU, 88-49, on Nov. 9, 2004 in Henrickson’s very first game as the head coach at Kansas. KU is 2-0 in preseason exhibition games against the Lady Tigers.
-Fort Hays State leads the regular season series with Kansas, 5-4. The Jayhawks and Lady Tigers have not met during regular-season play since KU took a 72-32 win over FHSU on February 20, 1976.
-The Jayhawks will host Sacred Heart in the 2008-09 season-opener on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m., in Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas and Sacred Heart will be meeting for the first time in program history.
A LOOK AT FORT HAYS STATE
The Fort Hays State women’s basketball program will be under new guidance in 2008-09 with Tony Hobson entering his first year as head coach of the Lady Tigers. Hobson comes to Fort Hays State from Hastings College, where he posted a record of 234-50 in seven years and guided the Lady Broncos to three NAIA National Championships. The Tigers return only two starters from last year’s squad and only four players who averaged over two points per game. In addition to the six returners on the team, six new players join the team this season. Junior guard Naomi Bancroft is the top returning offensive threat for the Lady Tigers, averaging 12.2 points per game last year as a sophomore. Bancroft shattered the FHSU school record for three-point field goals made last year with 86, breaking the old mark by 20. She also shattered the school record for three-point field goal attempts with 245, breaking her old mark of 187 set in 2006-07. Junior forward Erica Biel is the top returning rebounder, averaging 5.2 per game last season.
A LOOK AT KANSAS
Kansas will hit the court to begin the 2008-09 season returning 11 letterwinners, including four starters, from last season’s 17-16 team. Junior guard-forward Danielle McCray returns as the Jayhawks’ leading scorer (14.9 points ) and rebounder (7.1 rebounds). McCray, who scored in double digits in 26 games last season, earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors as a sophomore. Sophomore center Krysten Boogaard nabbed Big 12 All-Rookie Team honors last season after averaging 9.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Junior guard Sade Morris also returns to the starting line-up. Morris turned in 9.8 points (second on the team) and 3.5 caroms per contest last season. Senior guard Ivana Catic and junior guard LaChelda Jacobs took turns handling the point guard duties in 2007-08 and both return to the court this season.
BIG 12 PRESEASON POLL
The University of Kansas was tabbed ninth in the preseason poll voted on by the league’s head coaches. For the second time in the last three years, Oklahoma topped the poll. The Sooners received seven first-place nods and 124 total points as they return four starters, highlighted by three-time unanimous All-America Courtney Paris. Iowa State collected two first place votes, while Texas, Baylor and Oklahoma State each picked up one first place nod.
LEADERS OF THE HAWKS
Seniors Ivana Catic and Katie Smith and junior Danielle McCray have been named tri-captains for the 2008-09 season. It is the third-straight year for Catic to be bestowed with the honor, while Smith and McCray are serving as captains for the first time in their Jayhawk careers.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
Kansas freshman guard Angel Goodrich will miss the entire 2008-09 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in practice on Oct. 19. The 5-foot-4 guard was expected to see significant playing time in her first season with the Jayhawks. Goodrich, a native of Tahlequah, Okla., arrived at KU as one of the highest ranked signees in Kansas women’s basketball history after helping guide her Sequoyah High squad to three state titles in four seasons. She was named a 2008 WBCA State Farm High School All-American, as well as the 2007 Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year. Goodrich had successful reconstructive surgery on Oct. 29.
UP NEXT
The Jayhawks will remain in the friendly confines of Allen Fieldhouse for their next outing as they play host to Washburn on Sunday, Nov. 9 in their second and final exhibition game. Game time is slated for 2 p.m. Following the outing versus the Ichabods, KU will officially tip-off the 2008-09 season with a home game versus Sacred Heart on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m., in Allen Fieldhouse.
