Hoops notes (JMU, W&M, ODU etc)




Dawn Evans

 

JAMES MADISON: Dukes star Dawn Evans says she has "way more energy than I did last year", when she played most of the season after being diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder. That's a scary thought for the rest of the CAA, as despite the physical and mental toll uncertainy her condition exacted, Evans still averaged nearly 25 ppg and led the Dukes to the NCAA Tournament in 2009-10.

The story by WHSV.com's Damon Dillmon also talks about Evans' work with the non-profit NephCure Foundation, which enlisted Evans as an ambassador last spring.

On Tuesday, NephCure announced "Sign on for Dawn," an online fundraising campaign. A day later, the campaign had already raised $1,100, with the list of donors including JMU coach Kenny Brooks and his wife Chrissy; Evans' predecessor as JMU's point guard, Andrea Benvenuto; and Old Dominion women's basketball coach Wendy Larry.

For more information and/or to make a contribution, click here.

WILLIAM AND MARY: Encouraging sign out of William and Mary's 77-56 exhibition victory over Davis and Elkins Wednesday night - the Tribe shot 70.6 percent from the free-throw line. Now, 70 percent isn't exactly lights-out shooting. But it definitely represents progress for the Tribe, who shot an embarrassing 56.8 percent from the stripe in 2009-10. Obviously, the now-departed Tiffany Benson's 28-percent (!) shooting was the major drag on that number. But everyone tossed in their share of bricks. Katherine DeHenzel led the Tribe at an acceptable 75 percent. The second-highest figure was Taysha Pye's 66.8.

The Tribe played Wednesday without sophomore center Jaclyn McKenna, who according to a school official tweaked her ankle in practice Tuesday and was likely held out of the exhibition as a precaution. McKenna is expected to be good to go when the Tribe begins the games that count on Nov. 14 at Wisconsin.

OLD DOMINION: It sounded horrific. But the knee injury sustained by guard Jasmine Parker apparently wasn't serious and the Lady Monarchs star is expected to play in Friday's exhibition against Davis and Elkins. This was not the first ODU fans have came away from a game fearing for Parker's health; incidents at Georgia State two years ago and against Towson last season quickly come to mind. But Parker has actually been remarkably durable as she's been available at tipoff for all 99 games in her Lady Monarchs career. The final buzzer? That's a different tin of tuna. But she's always rebounded by tipoff. By the way, Parker and center/forward Tia Lewis have been named ODU's captains for 2010-11.

In other injury news, there's still no word on when ODU will regain the services of forward Mairi Buchan, who has been sidelined for a few weeks with foot problems. Also, freshman Ashley Dolgoff is no longer on the team. No official reason was provided, but Dolgoff, an 11th-hour addition to the Lady Monarchs in August, took an elbow to her head in ODU's first practice and sustained a concussion so severe it left her unable to attend practices or classes.

RICHMOND: Two interesting stories from the school paper The Collegian:

   - The Spiders recently took a self-defense for women class offered by the university police department;
   -  Rachael Bilney - broadcast journalist

CLEAN SWISHES: HAMPTON:The Pirates recently received a verbal commitment from Benee Glanton, a 6-3 center from Florida. She is the fourth player to announce intentions of signing with Hampton. Click here for a complete list of verbals at Hampton and the state's other Division I schools...ACC: Previews of Virginia and Virginia Tech, courtesy of theacc.com...LIBERTY: Speaking of previews, the Lady Flames offer up a very comprehensive one on what looks to be an extremely deep team.