Richardson's Rise a Key to Jennies' Resurgence

Mar 10, 2006, 12:30

Dave Kopp

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- There are times when it's hard to pinpoint the exact cause for a dramatic turn of events. Often, a combination of factors comes into play at the right time to effect change.

For the most part, one could argue the combination theory as the reason for the midseason turnaround of the Central Missouri State women's basketball team. However, throughout that second half resurgence, Jennies head coach Dave Slifer has consistently pointed to one big factor - Melissa Richardson.

"Mel Richardson is a big reason for this run," Slifer said. "She's a senior. I wasn't starting her and wasn't playing her a whole lot and Mel has brought just a new emotion to the team and everybody's feeding off of that right now."

After winning six of their first seven games, the Jennies began to struggle, going 4-6 over the next 10 games. At 10-7 and 3-4 in the MIAA, Central Missouri was in danger of missing the postseason.

Things began to turn around with a trip to Pittsburg, Kan. Jan. 25. Richardson, had earned the opportunity to start, but home losses to Emporia State and Missouri Southern certainly provided no glimpses of what was to come.

At Pittsburg State, the 6-1 native of Paola, Kan. keyed a Jennies victory with 15 points and eight rebounds. The win sparked a nine-game streak that included road victories over Missouri Southern and then third ranked Emporia State.

"Throughout my four years here, I've never been what you would call a go-to player," Richardson explained. "I am more of a defensive player, I look to get the extra pass to get a great shot instead of a shot I would take. That wasn't working this year. Yes, I was playing good defense, but I wasn't scoring and that's what they needed.

"When (Coach Slifer) gave me the opportunity to start and prove myself, I said to myself, 'I've got to do something or we're not going to win games.' So, I just got it out of my head that I wasn't that person and just decided to play the game."

With Richardson playing a key role in the charge, Central Missouri brought itself back into the postseason hunt. Since returning to the starting lineup, Richardson has scored in double figures nine times, including a 19-point, eight rebound performance at Emporia State and a double-double in a first round win over Northwest Missouri State at the MIAA Tournament.

"I think everybody just got sick of the way things were," Richardson said. "Christmas break was really rough for us. Things weren't happening for us. We had so many mental breakdowns. People didn't have confidence and I think everyone decided we just had to put an end to it. We all came to the same conclusion that we've got to get something done here or we're not going anywhere. It was at that moment, we decided to pull together and play as a team."

Though the Jennies eventually lost to top ranked Washburn in the championship of the tournament, Richardson's play earned her a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

"I’ve become a more well-rounded player," she said. "I still look to get the extra pass, but I have a lot more confidence in myself. It wasn't anything anybody said, but I don't know when it started. I know I'm happier when I play than I was before. I was in a dark hole. I was doing what I was supposed to do, but I wasn't having fun with it. Now, I'm having a great time."

"Mel has made a difference because she's become a senior leader," added Slifer. "When she was on the bench, she didn't feel she could be very vocal. The other thing is she does a great job defensively in the low post. Plus, she sometimes has to go out on the perimeter and defend some people. Even though Tiff (Vincent) and Mel are our two biggest players, they're also our fastest players. It's not like they are plodding-type post players. They are quick, strong runners."

The Jennies open the NCAA Division II South Central Regional tonight (Friday) against Angelo State. Win or lose, Richardson knows her career will end before the month of March is over.

"It's unbelievable because we didn't make it this far my freshman and sophomore years, then we made it to the first round last year," Richardson said. "After the loss on Sunday (to Washburn), I felt like it was over, knowing we still had another weekend of basketball left. It's just something where I and the other three seniors are just going to have to go out and play like it's our last and hope that we come out on top to stretch it as long as possible."