Purdue looks ahead to promising future

By Anne McLaren
Assistant Sports Editor

A few days past the Boilers' 68-66 last-second loss to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in the championship game of the NCAA tournament, there's a sense that the team has moved on.

"We feel very disappointed with the loss," said senior center Camille Cooper, who finished her career as a Boiler at 111-26, a member of the winningest class in Big Ten history. "We came out to win a national championship and go out on top. We didn’t reach that goal. But overall, over the whole season, one game doesn’t determine the success of this team. They have such a bright future, you can’t really feel low."

Purdue loses seniors Katie Douglas (15.5 points per game), Cooper (14.2), Candi Crawford (3.3), Shinika Parks (3.6) and Mo-nique Langston (0.5). But it gains the eligibility of transfer Laura Meadows, who sat this season out due to NCAA rules. Meadows, a 6-foot-2 forward, will be a senior next season.

"I’m ready to play a game," said Meadows. "I'm excited about that. I'm sorry the game ended like it did for the seniors. I wish it had ended better. But at the same time, we've got to get ready for next year. We've got to get to work."

The Boilers signed one recruit from high school, forward Emily Heikes from Staggs High School in Illinois. They have also received a verbal commitment from Mandy Davis, a 5-8 guard from Weatherford (Texas) Junior College. Purdue is also pursuing several other junior college players.

Backup center Mary Jo Noon saw several minutes of action in the Final Four, her first after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament against Iowa on Jan. 4. Noon was a redshirt sophomore this season, after spending her first academic season at Purdue out with a foot injury. She averaged 4.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game on the season.

Junior guard Kelly Komara, a starter for the past two seasons, will be looked at for leadership. This season Komara averaged 9.5 points and 2.6 assists per game.

Even with the seniors' graduation, Cooper dismissed national criticism that the level of competition would drop off next season.

"They were saying the same things (after Purdue lost former Boilers Stephanie McCarty and Ukari Figgs), but I guess they should learn from the past two years," said Cooper, who won a national championship as a sophomore. "We have quality people and players. The program has been through a lot. This team is going to have a lot to look forward to."

Purdue has five returning freshmen — forward Lindsey Hicks (2.2 points per game), forward Shalicia Hurns (9.3), guard Beth Jones (1.8), guard Erika Valek (6.4) and forward Shereka Wright (9.9).

Wright started seven games this season, replacing Valek and Douglas in the starting lineup when they had injuries.

"I believed in my ability all the time," said Wright. "It's just a matter of time for it to come up and for people to notice it. I work hard. If I'm blessed to be in the starting lineup next year, that's great, but I'm just going to continue to work hard.

"The ultimate goal is to win a national championship and I'll be damned if I don't get one here before I graduate. It's something to look forward to."

High jumper stays involved as graduate student

SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 251

Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

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