Sports
Bobcats Must Share Ball to be Successful
By: Todd Ward
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The Ohio Bobcats women’s basketball team is looking for scoring to come from some new places this season.
Tenishia Benson, who was first team all-MAC, led the team last year with 14.5 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game, but she graduated. Also, the team’s third leading scorer and second-leading rebounder Porsha Harris transferred over the summer to Saint Joseph’s.
That leaves Ohio with a lot to make up for, but the team is not worried about the losses. The Bobcats are looking to have everybody step up their offensive game.
“Our whole team (has to) come together and I think if we do it as a collective group, I think we’ll be able to match that 15 points and seven rebounds (Tenishia) provided for us,” Bobcats head coach Semeka Randall said.
Ohio wants its offensive identity to be three-point shooting and driving to the basket this year. The team finished with the eighth-best free throw shooting and three point shooting team in school history last season.
“We (have) some good shooters and we’ve been working a lot on inside-out stuff to open it up for the shooters,” Ohio senior forward Tina Fisher said.
The bulk of this year’s scoring may come from last year’s second leading scorer Shavon Robinson. Robinson, a junior this season, averaged 10.4 points per game, but only 3.9 rebounds per game. With both of the Bobcats’ leading rebounders gone, Shavon knows she has to step up and rebound.
“I have confidence in my rebounding game,” Robinson said. “I kind of was complacent last year with it because Tenishia would come out of nowhere and get my rebound. I think that’s a main focus of mine this year is probably to increase my stats for rebounding.”
Ohio has also added two freshmen that will see significant minutes this season. Lexie Baldwin started in the Bobcats’ 76-74 exhibition win over Wheeling Jesuit and scored the game-winning bucket in overtime, and Kiyanna Black, is another added shooter for the Bobcats to utilize.
“(With Tenishia gone) A lot of people are going to step up, you still got Shavon and (Kiyanna) coming in and helping out,” senior Ashley Fowler said. “Everyone’s stepping up and shooters (are) ready to knock down shots, so I don’t think we’re lacking.”
The season officially starts Tuesday with the home opener against Cleveland State. For this to be a successful season, the Bobcats need to distribute the ball and the scoring.