A Tough Road Ahead

Oct. 12, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. -- The schedule is right there in the locker room. There is no chance to overlook the challenge that Sherri Coale's Sooners face in the upcoming season.

Maryland. Tennessee. Arizona State.

The first three opponents loom large in the eyes of the Sooners. They represent the past two national champions and all were among last season's Elite Eight. There's no home court advantage for any of the contests.

Gone are Britney Brown, Erin Higgins, Kendra Moore, Leah Rush, Krista Sanchez and Chelsi Welch -- a group that was defined by roles and accountability in big-time contests. The most battle-tested Sooner on the current roster is already an all-time great in Courtney Paris, but experience falls off quickly after her.

What does the Sooners' head coach expect of her team when it begins it first official practice Friday?

"I always anticipate the culture change that exists in our gym as the baton of leadership exchanges hands," Coale said. "Our guys are hungry and edgy as the immediate challenges of our schedule have their attention. I expect a strong and productive weekend."

And quite a change it will be. Oklahoma has no seniors. Three juniors -- Ashley and Courtney Paris and Carolyn Winchester -- have suddenly been thrust from roles as developing underclassmen to experienced veterans. Sophomores Jenna Plumley and Amanda Thompson began to take over on-court leadership in the preseason. OU's four freshman have recognized their responsibility to be playmakers since they arrived on campus in July.

If preseason drills are any barometer, the Sooners' offensive game will be more rapid than in years past thanks to speedy point guards Plumley and Danielle Robinson, who might be the quickest duo in program history; OU's post presence is stout with National Player of the Year Courtney Paris, Ashley Paris and Abi Olajuwon defending the lane; and freshman Jenny Vining's range matches, if not surpasses, that of prolific 3-point shooter Higgins. With Nyeshia Stevenson, a healed Thompson and addition of Carlee Roethlisberger, OU also has the most athletic forwards in the conference.

All that is lacking is court time. Experience is priceless, especially for a team whose schedule opens with the standards of excellence in women's college basketball, and Oklahoma will need to take advantage of every opportunity they have together to grow.

The Sooners have a lot to live up to. OU has appeared in the past two Sweet 16s and captured nine of the last 14 Big 12 Championships titles, including back-to-back regular season and tournament championships.

The 12 who wear the crimson and cream jersey this year know the history. They know that in Coale's program, trophies are just as much as sign of attitude as it is ability. Though the faces may change, the attitude of the program does not. Coale, entering her 12th season, teaches that being part of an OU program means being part of excellence in everything you do.

Ultimately, those lessons learned on the practice court translate into great things on game day and greater things in life.

Thirty days remain until the Sooners start the 2007-08 women's basketball season.

How it all ends begins tonight.