Mike Potter ·
6 Nov 2009, 12:59 AM ·
Comment
Duke wasn’t supposed to have much trouble in its women’s basketball exhibition opener against Wingate at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
And the Blue Devils didn’t.
Jasmine Thomas had 17 points followed by 16 from freshman Allison Vernerey (pictured), while four teammates scored in double figures as Duke walloped the Division II Bulldogs 99-31 on Thursday night.
Joy Cheek had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds for the No. 6 Blue Devils, while Krystal Thomas, Karima Christmas and Kathleen Scheer added 12 points each.
“(It was) great to get the season started and get after it as a team, good to have an opponent to execute and do things,” Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie said. “I thought there were some really good things out there on the floor, a million things to improve on but a great start. We are looking forward to the film and learning from the film some more things.”
Duke shot 49.4 percent to from the floor to 24.4 for the visitors, forcing 41 turnovers while committing 11.
Kurie Washington led Wingate with 11 points.
“Every kid that grows up in North Carolina watches ACC basketball and dreams about getting to play in places like Cameron Indoor Stadium,” Wingate coach Barbara Nelson said. “You see the fans jumping, you see it on TV, and it’s exciting.
“We were excited to be here, and even after taking the thrashing we’re still excited that we got a chance to be here, to play on this floor and play against a team as great as Duke is. I thought Duke’s players were gracious, I thought the staff was gracious, and it’s been a wonderful experience.”
The Blue Devils will complete the exhibition portion of their season on Sunday at 2 p.m. against visiting Alaska Anchorage.
ACC, Basketball, Duke, Women's Basketball Allison Vernerey, Barbara Nelson, Jasmine Thomas, Joanne P. McCallie, Joy Cheek, Karima Christmas, Kathleen Scheer, Krystal Thomas, Kurie Washington, Wingate
Mike Potter ·
4 Nov 2009, 8:30 PM ·
Comment
SMITH CENTER/CHAPEL HILL Jessica Breland won’t be in uniform with her teammates when UNC plays its first women’s basketball exhibition game of the season on Thursday night.
The Tar Heels, favorites to win the ACC and ranked No. 5 in both major national polls, will host Francis Marion at 7 p.m. at the Smith Center. Francis Marion is, of course, the school where veteran UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell began her career and which awarded her an honorary doctorate in the spring.
Duke, ranked No. 6 in both polls, is also in exhibition action tonight. Joanne P. McCallie’s Blue Devils will host Wingate at 7 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Breland (pictured) is suffering from Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which was diagnosed in May, and has not yet finished her course of treatment, Hatchell said. That is scheduled to end Nov. 23 with the removal of the port during which she receives chemotherapy. After that, time will tell whether Breland plays this season or - more likely - is a redshirt senior in 2010-11. Breland was at the Tar Heels’ media day earlier today, but declined to talk to the media.
“They’re going to be doing some testing on her and do a PET scan, then decide whether to do any more treatments of any kind,” Hatchell explained of Breland, the Tar Heels’ leading returning scorer and rebounder from last season. “She comes out and shoots a little bit. She’s lost so much muscle mass, because she hasn’t been able to do anything since May. If I had to make a decision right now we’d redshirt her. But a month from now - you know, she’s young. The doctors may say she’s good to go. …
“If she plays it’ll be a pleasant surprise, but I’m moving along like we’re not going to have her. … She’s excited that the chemo is over. She has gone into remission.” Continue reading »
ACC, Basketball, Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, Women's Basketball Barbara Nelson, C.C. Brooks, Cetera DeGraffenreid, Chay Shegog, Francis Marion, Heather Macy, Italee Lucas, Jasmine Thomas, Jessica Breland, Joanne P. McCallie, Joy Cheek, Kennesaw State, Kurie Washington, Laura Broomfield, Martina Wood, Robin Colbert, Shannon Singleton-Bates, She'la White, Stacie Rhodes, Sylvia Hatchell, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, Wingate
