Morris shining in second half
Published on Thu., December 4th, 2008
When a player struggles for stretches to start a Kansas practice, coach Bonnie Henrickson makes a point to turn the situation into a game-like scenario.
“‘We say, ‘hey listen, it’s halftime,’” Henrickson said. “‘It’s the second half, let’s turn it around.’”
Junior guard Sade Morris takes the ball to the basket during Sunday's game against New Orleans. Morris scored all 17 of her points in the second half
Photo by Jon Goering
No player has applied that message to games as noticeably as junior guard Sade Morris. Twice this season — most recently against New Orleans on Sunday — Morris has overcome sluggish starts with high-scoring second halves.
In Kansas’ second game of the season against Iowa, Morris scored all 17 of her points after halftime. And she performed well after the break again on Sunday, scoring 12 points in the second half against New Orleans after making just three of 11 shots in the first 20 minutes.
“I felt like I was doing the same in the first half. Shots just weren’t falling,” Morris said. “The more you go, the more it’s going to happen.”
So what changes in the 20 minutes between each half? Not much in terms of strategy or intensity, Morris said.
During her second half scoring outbursts, though, Morris appears more at ease driving toward the basket — something Henrickson consistently stresses.
“She’s got great pace to the rim, she’s just got to find rhythm around the rim to finish,” Henrickson said.
But Morris has also made a habit of making shots early in the second half. After erratic shooting in the first halves against Iowa and New Orleans, Morris’ early baskets provided a much-needed spark.
“You make that first one and it’s like ‘there you go, I’m unleashed, let’s go,’” Morris said. “‘I can keep doing what I’m doing because I know the next shot I take is going down.’”
Boogaard out today, questionable for Sunday
After having her stress reaction reevaluated by a doctor yesterday, sophomore center Krysten Boogaard will miss today’s game against San Jose State. She is questionable for Sunday’s game at Marquette.
Boogaard, who is averaging 8 points and four rebounds in two games, has already missed two games because of the injury.
— Edited by Scott Toland
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