OU Women Set on Final Four Three-peat

The Oklahoma Sooners are focused on reaching the Final Four for the third time in a row, armed with talented players and one of the country’s best coaches.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:01 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Nov 3, 2010 2:22 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLHAOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Sooner have big shoes to fill this season. The program has reached the Final Four two years in a row, produced three WNBA players last season and boasts, arguably, one of the best coaches in college hoops.

Head coach Sherri Coale has been named Big 12 Coach of the Year four times -- more than any other coach. Her ability to not only produce constantly successful squads but also smartly invest in future teams has earned her more than 300 wins and a program with a reputation of achievement.

While the 2009-10 Sooners (27-11) lost three key players to graduation in Abi Olajuwon, Nyeshia Stevenson and Amanda Thompson, Coale is prepared for the upcoming 2010-11 season.

Olajuwon, who recorded 67 steals and 34 blocks last season, spent a significant amount of time with San Antonio native and now-sophomore Lyndsey Cloman, taking her under her wing just as Courtney Paris did for her.

Cloman, along with Serbia-native and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Jelena Cerina, give the Sooners size and strength in the center position. Cerina averaged 13.8 points and 9.8 rebounds last season with the Golden Norsemen.

Joanna McFarland brings a steadfast presence to the center position. The sophomore is known on her team for her dedication and perfectionism. The six-foot-two-inch forward/center had a career-high 14 point game in last year’s Big 12 Championship Game and will add to the Sooners’ depth on the bench.

Perhaps one of the most exciting players to watch this upcoming season will be incoming freshman Nicole Griffin. The PARADE All-American stands at six-foot-six-inch and has a seven-foot wingspan. She shot an impressive 53.5 percent from the field in high school, but also landed 78.5 percent of her shots from the free-throw line. Not only is her shooting primed, but she can also rebound--snatching up almost nine rebounds per game.

Offensively, Danielle Robinson will likely take reign again this year, having led her team in points by averaging 16.8 per game, steals with 71 on the season, and assists by dishing out 202 last year. The five-foot-nine-inch guard will begin her final season with the Sooners with 1,459 points under her belt and is up for the prestigious Wooden Award.

In her career at Oklahoma, she’s seen her share of success--visiting the Final Four in back-to-back appearances.

But what makes Robinson perhaps the most valuable is her ability to lead her team? She’s made her mark in OU’s history book, leading in double-digit assist games in one season. Robinson sees her teammates, creates plays and gets them the ball.

Her signature short braids bounce with every dribble as she calls out to her team. She directs the flow of the game and has proven she can shift the momentum of a game. While her explosiveness to the basket is obviously valued by the Sooners, she also puts up numerous points on the board courtesy of her 87.7 percent from the charity line.

Jasmine Hartman stepped up last year in a big way. The Sooners will once again look to her to come off the bench and keep the pressure on opponents. Hartman dished out 63 assists last season and grabbed 60 rebounds for OU. The junior started in 15 games last season, gaining essential experience to help provide depth for her team.

Incoming freshman Aaryn Ellenberg is the shortest player on the team, but could provide the most punch for the team. The McDonald’s All-American averages 22.8 points per game, along with 3.7 steals. She’s quick as she is pint-sized, but will prove she’s the upcoming point guard to watch in the Big 12.

Kodi Morrison will also offer her skills from the bench, as she comes off her Cinderella story of sorts from last season. She was watching the Sooners from the stands before a former coach offered her name to Coale. The Sooners, down in numbers from injuries of last season, needed some relief. Morrison, who had led her high school team to the Class B state title, jumped at the chance.

Morrison’s return to OU’s roster will give Oklahoma that added security at point guard.

Possibly one of the team’s most dynamic and versatile players won’t see the court until December, at the earliest. Redshirt sophomore Whitney Hand sustained a season-ending ACL injury last season, just five games into the Sooners’ schedule. She had to undergo a minor procedure for swelling over the summer, and discovered a cartilage defect, prolonging her recovery time.

Find more on Whitney Hand's knee injury.

Hand, who could have chosen to take a backseat role on her team, didn’t shy away from the challenges of rehabilitation. Instead, she utilized her time on the sidelines to learn from her decorated head coach and help her team better understand messages from Coale.

Hand, who earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors in 2009, will be eager to get back on the hardwood. Her charisma and new-found perspective will definitely be a key resource for her team.

Teammate Lauren Willis will begin her final season with the team, having seen increased playing time last year. The five-foot-eleven-inch guard can be a potent threat from the perimeter. Freshmen Morgan Hook and Alexann Yancey will also be vying for playing time.

Much like the previous season, the Sooners challenge themselves early, facing off against some of the toughest teams, including Connecticut, Ohio State and Arkansas.

Sherri Coale’s squad tips off its 2010-11 season in an exhibition game against Oklahoma Christian in Norman November 4 at 7 p.m.