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The Rice Thresher
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by Jason Gershman thresher editorial staff It's impossible to point to just one factor when determining a team's potential. But the success of the 2000-'01 Rice women's basketball team could possibly come down to the Lady Owls' abilities down low. Rice lost its top two inside players, forwards Kirra Jordan and Kim Smallwood, from last year. Finding someone to step up in their place will be one of the Lady Owls' early priorities. Forward Kenya Tuttle, the only senior on the roster, is Rice's lone returning post player. She started at forward/center last year and will do the same this year. In her first year at Rice after transferring from Southwest Missouri State University, Tuttle averaged 6.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. The Lady Owls expect Tuttle to increase both those numbers. "You'll see more scoring out of Kenya this year," head coach Cristy McKinney said. "Last year she didn't have to score a lot as we had others who got the open looks." The biggest question mark will be at the power forward spot. Juniors Daneesh McIntosh and Aarika Florus will share time at the position, and Florus will likely start tonight. Florus played in just 19 of Rice's 32 games last season and averaged only 5.9 minutes per game. McIntosh played in all 32 games, averaging 2.6 points per game. While McIntosh and Florus have big shoes to fill, McKinney is confident that her two power forwards can get the job done. "Aarika and Daneesh are doing real well in practice," McKinney said. "The two of them combined are the key to filling Kirra Jordan's spot. I don't think either one by themselves will do it, but with the two of them together, I think they can do it." On paper, the Lady Owls have six players at the power forward and the center position. But two of them, sophomores Elisa Inman and Johnetta Hayes, are transfers who must sit out this season according to NCAA rules. Additionally, sophomore center Sarah Bracken, who tore her ACL two seasons ago and received a medical redshirt, had additional surgery after last season. She is not yet medically cleared to play and will probably not return until at least December. So, for now, there are only three available players in the paint - Tuttle, McIntosh and Florus. Of those three, Tuttle and Florus are the tallest at 6-foot-1, while McIntosh measures an even 6 feet. The lack of height may prove to be the Lady Owls biggest weakness this season, but Florus believes the Lady Owls will be just fine. "I think we have compensated very well from last year," Florus said. "All our post players can step it up this season." With only three available inside players, McKinney may turn to junior Jennifer Rigg and sophomore Starla James to put in some time at power forward. James, who is just 5-foot-9, is described by her teammates as one of the top rebounders on the team. Rigg, from Toronto, Canada, is 6-foot and has played power forward before. "Jen can play at the four if we need her to," McKinney said. "She's a real smart player and brings a lot of experience, playing at SMU and for the Canadian Junior National Team." The Lady Owls may not have a star, but they hope their quickness, work ethic and intensity will make up for their inexperience and lack of height. "Our goal is not to go backwards this year," sophomore point guard Kim Lawson said. "We believe we can bring the same intensity as last year and go even further than that team did. We don't know about our roles yet and who will do what. "Last year, we had individuals who could get it done, but this year we need to work as a team to get it done. I think we're a more cohesive unit and that will show up later in the season when it counts."
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