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Schlegel earns 1st start tonight
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
After Heidi Schlegel’s freshman year was lost to a foot injury, she spent several hours a week sitting in a chair, hoisting up 400 shots a day, expanding her shooting range to 17 feet while fighting boredom and frustration.
“It was good,” she said, half sighing, half laughing. “At the time ... I was ready to get back to playing. But I’m glad I did it.
“I took advantage of it, I guess I should say.”
Schlegel was back in a chair on Monday afternoon, seated in front of reporters for the first time in her career after scoring 17 points — one shy of her career-best — in a 91-81 win over IPFW on Sunday.
Her interview skills proved rustier than her outside shot.
After saying all the right things about needing to improve (especially defensively), using the non-conference games to prepare for Horizon League play and making sure to stay focused, Schlegel finally showed her inexperience when asked about tonight’s opponent, Bucknell.
“Honestly, we haven’t went over anything yet,” she said, pointing out that the team had played the day before and she was heading to practice after the press conference. “I couldn’t tell you.”
(OK. Fine so far.)
“We’re just gonna win.”
At that, her coach, Bob Boldon winced and broke into a smile, saying, “Can you guys make sure to send that to Bucknell?”
Now. There are two ways to look at this. The positive view is that, after suffering through a winless season in 2009-10, the Penguins are finally at the point where they can expect to win.
The other view is, well, it’s typically not a good idea to promise wins, particularly when you’re a redshirt freshman with zero career starts.
But as one of the team’s most cerebral players, it’s a safe bet she’ll learn from it, just as she learned from her injury.
“Last year she went through a lot trying to get healthy, but all the while, she kept her head in the game,” said Boldon. “She was paying attention and learning what we were doing, offensively and defensively.
“Even though she doesn’t have a lot of floor experience because she wasn’t able to practice last year, she has a great understanding of what we’re trying to do.”
Schlegel did play in seven games last year, scoring a career-best 18 points in her final game, an overtime loss to Western Michigan. She played well enough in her first two games this season to earn her first start tonight, replacing senior Tieara Jones, who started 27 of 29 games last season.
“Heidi used her time off last year to really develop her game, both mentally and physically,” said Boldon. “I think it’s she’s reaping the rewards now, and hopefully throughout the season.”