1,942 – Career points for Takia Starks, making the senior from Houston the Aggies’ all-time leading scorer. Starks surpassed former All-American Lisa Branch on a three-point play late in the second half of A&M’s win against Evansville on Sunday.
20 – Points for Tanisha Smith in her first NCAA Tournament game. Smith’s total against Evansville also marked her career high, eclipsing the 19 points she scored against Baylor on Jan. 21.
7 – Players on the baseball team with a team-high three home runs: Dylan Petrich, Kevin Gonzalez, Brodie Greene, Luke Anders, Adam Smith, Caleb Shofner and Nick Anders.
2 – Top-10 opponents defeated by the men’s tennis team. The Aggies knocked off No. 7 Illinois and No. 10 Southern California in back-to-back matches last week.
119 – Wins in the last five years for the men’s basketball team. The Aggies have won at least 20 games each season. Before the 2004-05 season, A&M had six 20-win seasons in its entire history.
9 – Deficit facing the women’s golf team entering the final round of the Thompson Invitational in Honolulu. However, solid rounds by Lauren Johnson, Sarah Zwartynski and Ashley Freeman helped boost the Aggies to a six shot victory.
101 – Career goals for soccer signee Chelsea Jones of Belton. Jones, just three goals away from setting Belton’s all-time record, has led her school to four consecutive district titles. She already owns Belton records in season scoring, season assists and career assists.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Christmas Come Early
Say what you want about the first fall weekend at Kyle Field or the buzz at Olsen on opening day. More power to you if you get your kicks during a fantastic autumn evening at the Aggie Soccer Stadium, or if you live for catching some rays during a spring softball game or tennis match. It’s all good; no arguments here.
For my money, though, there is nothing like March Madness.
From the bracketologists who start predicting the 64-team field every week during conference play, to the drama of Selection Sunday, to the bonanza of games during the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, nothing tops the month of March (and the first week of April, if your team makes the Final Four). It’s Christmas come early for a college sports junkie—the most intense, pressure-packed form of college athletics.
No other college sport dominates the headlines with its postseason tournament, and no other spectacle can compete with the emotion of a packed gym during a tight elimination game.
And our Aggies are right there in the middle of it.
The A&M men, a 9-seed, get underway Thursday at 11:30 a.m. against BYU in a rematch game from last year’s tournament. The women earned their second consecutive 2-seed and will open up Sunday against Evansville in South Bend, Ind., at 11 a.m.
(As an aside, if you’ve never been able to experience one of the Aggies’ NCAA Tournament games, please do yourself a favor and put it on your bucket list. There’s simply nothing like it. The suspense and importance of every shot, pass and rebound is immense, with the crowd sitting (and often standing) on edge throughout. It dwarfs the mid-to-late December snooze-a-thon that is football bowl season.)
Fans are usually the ones who get caught up in the drama of it all, but basketball coaches aren’t immune to the excitement this month often brings.
“It’s what March Madness is all about,” said A&M women’s coach Gary Blair, who coached the Aggies to a 25-7 record this year. “I love for people to go, because it’s a great experience. It’s excellent basketball. This is our time. It’s like baseball, when it gets to the playoffs and World Series—that’s baseball’s time.
“But, right now, it’s our time.”
Indeed it is.
And it’s a big deal when your team is playing in it. Just ask men’s coach Mark Turgeon. He played in four straight NCAA Tournaments during his days at Kansas, and he’s successfully guided A&M to its third and fourth straight trips to the Big Dance.
“It’s the music for the Tournament on TV; it’s the smell in the air; it’s how big every game is,” said Turgeon. “If you have any competitive spirit in you at all, it gets your juices flowing. I don’t sleep as much this time of year because I can’t wait for the next day to start. I love it; I always have. It’s a time to be grateful for what we get to be a part of. That’s what I try to tell our guys all the time. We’re so lucky to be doing what we’re doing.”
Many thought the Aggies’ string of three consecutive NCAA bids would come to end after Turgeon’s team sank to 3-7 in Big 12 play. But a magical run of six consecutive wins propelled A&M back into the tournament, making it one of just 16 schools to qualify for the last four NCAA fields.
Prior to this stretch, the Aggies had never made back-to-back appearances. When you consider that the women’s team is also making its fourth straight NCAA trip, these are special times in College Station.
“I hope fans here don’t take this for granted,” Turgeon said. “Just because we’ve been there four years in a row, people should be really excited of their men’s and women’s basketball programs and the things we’ve done. To lose the players we’ve lost over the years and continued to be an NCAA Tournament team says a lot about the kids in our program. I don’t want anyone to take this for granted, because there’s so much hard work to do what this group’s done and get where they are.”
Friday, March 13, 2009
On And Off Track, Star Sprinter Shaped By Experiences
The NCAA Indoor Championships, hosted at Texas A&M’s Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium begin today and continue through Saturday. For heat times, participants and ticket information, please go to: 2009 NCAA Indoor Track Championships
Gerald Phiri is an interesting case study in contrasts.
For instance, the easy-going sophomore resembles just about any other Texas A&M student when he quietly ambles across campus on his way to class. Phiri offers a quick smile and handshake when he meets a new face, but his soft voice is almost difficult to discern as he exchanges pleasantries.
It’s quite the contrast that with the flamboyant sprinter who confidently struts into the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium before a meet. Phiri is loud, determined, brash and, more than anything, he exudes confidence. The mild-mannered young man from the previous day is long gone, and in his place is a finely tuned sprinter, readying himself to explode off the starting blocks.
While the differences in Phiri’s demeanor are certainly noticeable, so too are the differences in his cultural background. Phiri owns a travel log that dwarfs most classmates or competitors his age. Born in Ndola, Zambia, in 1988, Phiri’s family also lived in South Africa, Wales, England and Chicago before he arrived in College Station. Phiri’s father, Huggins, is a Pentecostal pastor, and the family often moved to accommodate Huggins’ evolving church duties.
“I don’t remember a lot of things (about Zambia),” recalled Phiri, pronounced “FEER-ee”). “Sometimes, somebody from Zambia will add me as a friend on Facebook and say we were good friends, so I remember some people. I loved South Africa. It was very much like the U.S.A. in the way people talk and the tall buildings and cities.
“(After that) We lived in a small town in Wales, (with a population of) maybe 3,000-4,000 people. There were only two other black families there, so it was a different experience. But I still have great friends there who I stay in contact with.”
It’s no surprise that old friends want to stay in contact with him.
Phiri, in his second year as a member of the A&M track and field team, is a seriously talented sprinter. He owns the five best marks in school history in the 60 meters (which is only contested during the indoor season). After setting the record with a time of 6.64 at the NCAA Indoors in 2008 to earn All-American honors, Phiri bettered the mark this season with a 6.59 clocking at the Texas A&M Showdown on Jan. 31.
Phiri was just as dominant during last year’s outdoor season. He picked up early-season wins against loaded fields at the FSU Relays and the Penn Relays while clocking a second-place finish at the prestigious Texas Relays in Austin. Phiri rolled through the conference meet, picking up gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4 x 100 relay. His stellar performance in the sprints made him the first male athlete in Big 12 history to win the 100 and 200 sprints in the same year, and it helped him earn men’s high-point award (22.5 points) and the conference’s Freshman of the Year honor.
Phiri’s record book should likely be even more impressive. He qualified for three events in the 2008 NCAA Outdoor meet, but was held out of the competition after sustaining an injury during the Midwest Regional, the final event before nationals.
To those who have known Phiri for a long time, his success probably isn’t a big surprise. He began competing at age 4, and it didn’t take long before Phiri was dominating the competition.
“In fifth grade, I ran a 12.49 in the 100 meters, which is what most people run in eighth grade,” Phiri said. “It’s a gift I’ve always had, and I’ve always worked hard to make sure that I could make it to where I am now.”
Recruiting Phiri was a no-brainer for A&M coach Pat Henry.
Phiri owned a well-established reputation and wasted no time making a national name for himself after his family moved to England. He quickly locked down his age group in the sprints, winning the national crown in his age group from 2003-06. Perhaps one of Phiri’s most impressive accomplishments came in 2005, when, at age 16, he finished fifth overall in the British Indoor Championships. He was the youngest sprinter in the final by three years.
“He is a good talent,” Henry said. “He’s done very well, but he’s young and is learning every time he gets on the track. We have to be pleased with how he’s done since he’s been here. He is very, very talented. (What he’s done indoors) is a good look at what he can do, but when you look at last year’s conference meet outdoors (when he won the 100 and 200)…as a freshman, that doesn’t happen.”
Another instance that rarely happens is finding a college student as well-spoken and experience-driven as Phiri. In fact, in this season’s media guide, Phiri noted that he came to College Station for “life changing experiences.”
For Phiri, who has experienced a multitude of cultures and nationalities, living in College Station has opened his eyes even more. Even the Texas slang—words like “howdy,” “y’all” and “fixin’ to”—were a new experience.
“It was kind of funny the first time I was in a class during my first semester,” Phiri said. “The professor came in and said “Howdy!” and about 300 people all shouted it back. I didn’t know what it was at first, but I have quickly joined in that.
“I’ve met people from different countries, and even people from different parts of Texas are completely different. My life changing experience (here) is about learning more from different people and different cultures. (It’s more about) maturing in myself and being more competent in terms of what else is out there.”
The opening of the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium inside the McFerrin Athletic Center has helped shape Phiri’s immediate future, as well. Prior to the facility’s ribbon cutting earlier this year, A&M track and field had not hosted a home meet in four-and-a-half years. Consequently, an entire class of Aggie athletes graduated without ever performing in front of a home crowd.
That will likely never be the case again.
A&M played host to five indoor meets from January-March, including both the Big 12 and NCAA championships.
Phiri, in particular, was grateful for the opportunity to compete in front of his fellow students. He’s done his part in telling classmates and people in the community about upcoming meets, and Phiri noted that even his barber has come out to watch him race.
Phiri’s parents now live in Frisco, Texas, and the new facility has allowed them to see their son compete for the first time in two-and-a-half years.
“That’s been the greatest thing about having this fantastic facility here,” Phiri said. “Last year, we were traveling to New York and Arkansas, and with my mother working and my brother having school, it was hard for them to fly away on Friday and back on a Sunday. They were able to come to three meets this year. I got them tickets right on the finish line. Every time I cross (the line), I can see them there…it’s been fantastic.”
The Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium has also given fans a chance to see just how impressive A&M’s athletes truly are. The 60 meter dash and 60 meter hurdles have become a fan favorite. Unlike some indoor track facilities, the sprint lanes at A&M are set up outside of the main competition oval, basically pressed up against the grandstands. That means some spectators are literally just feet away from the lanes when the competitors speed by.
In Phiri’s case, running also represents a way to express something very important to him: his faith. With a father who is a pastor, religion has played a large role throughout Phiri’s life. Phiri currently attends a non-denominational church in College Station, and he said he often finds his faith intertwined with his athletic endeavors.
“I believe I’ve been given a fantastic gift,” Phiri explained. “I feel it would be insulting if I did not use this gift to its fullest. To me, track is more about me showing people what God can do through me. I’ve learned to rely on God a lot. I always find that when my relationship with him is strongest, I perform at my best. I go through my Bible often, and it does help a lot when I read my Bible because it will relate to my everyday life and to my track.”
Phiri said one Bible verse he draws inspiration from is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
“It helps me be strong and keep trust in God,” Phiri said. “It’s really helped me a lot, so I keep giving God the glory. I want people to see me do well in track, and I want people to say ‘there’s something about him.’ That something that they will be seeing, hopefully, is God. Whether it’s the hard work or perseverance—I want people to see that and say if Gerald can work hard, I can work hard and do great things, too.”
Gerald Phiri is an interesting case study in contrasts.
For instance, the easy-going sophomore resembles just about any other Texas A&M student when he quietly ambles across campus on his way to class. Phiri offers a quick smile and handshake when he meets a new face, but his soft voice is almost difficult to discern as he exchanges pleasantries.
It’s quite the contrast that with the flamboyant sprinter who confidently struts into the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium before a meet. Phiri is loud, determined, brash and, more than anything, he exudes confidence. The mild-mannered young man from the previous day is long gone, and in his place is a finely tuned sprinter, readying himself to explode off the starting blocks.
While the differences in Phiri’s demeanor are certainly noticeable, so too are the differences in his cultural background. Phiri owns a travel log that dwarfs most classmates or competitors his age. Born in Ndola, Zambia, in 1988, Phiri’s family also lived in South Africa, Wales, England and Chicago before he arrived in College Station. Phiri’s father, Huggins, is a Pentecostal pastor, and the family often moved to accommodate Huggins’ evolving church duties.
“I don’t remember a lot of things (about Zambia),” recalled Phiri, pronounced “FEER-ee”). “Sometimes, somebody from Zambia will add me as a friend on Facebook and say we were good friends, so I remember some people. I loved South Africa. It was very much like the U.S.A. in the way people talk and the tall buildings and cities.
“(After that) We lived in a small town in Wales, (with a population of) maybe 3,000-4,000 people. There were only two other black families there, so it was a different experience. But I still have great friends there who I stay in contact with.”
It’s no surprise that old friends want to stay in contact with him.
Phiri, in his second year as a member of the A&M track and field team, is a seriously talented sprinter. He owns the five best marks in school history in the 60 meters (which is only contested during the indoor season). After setting the record with a time of 6.64 at the NCAA Indoors in 2008 to earn All-American honors, Phiri bettered the mark this season with a 6.59 clocking at the Texas A&M Showdown on Jan. 31.
Phiri was just as dominant during last year’s outdoor season. He picked up early-season wins against loaded fields at the FSU Relays and the Penn Relays while clocking a second-place finish at the prestigious Texas Relays in Austin. Phiri rolled through the conference meet, picking up gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4 x 100 relay. His stellar performance in the sprints made him the first male athlete in Big 12 history to win the 100 and 200 sprints in the same year, and it helped him earn men’s high-point award (22.5 points) and the conference’s Freshman of the Year honor.
Phiri’s record book should likely be even more impressive. He qualified for three events in the 2008 NCAA Outdoor meet, but was held out of the competition after sustaining an injury during the Midwest Regional, the final event before nationals.
To those who have known Phiri for a long time, his success probably isn’t a big surprise. He began competing at age 4, and it didn’t take long before Phiri was dominating the competition.
“In fifth grade, I ran a 12.49 in the 100 meters, which is what most people run in eighth grade,” Phiri said. “It’s a gift I’ve always had, and I’ve always worked hard to make sure that I could make it to where I am now.”
Recruiting Phiri was a no-brainer for A&M coach Pat Henry.
Phiri owned a well-established reputation and wasted no time making a national name for himself after his family moved to England. He quickly locked down his age group in the sprints, winning the national crown in his age group from 2003-06. Perhaps one of Phiri’s most impressive accomplishments came in 2005, when, at age 16, he finished fifth overall in the British Indoor Championships. He was the youngest sprinter in the final by three years.
“He is a good talent,” Henry said. “He’s done very well, but he’s young and is learning every time he gets on the track. We have to be pleased with how he’s done since he’s been here. He is very, very talented. (What he’s done indoors) is a good look at what he can do, but when you look at last year’s conference meet outdoors (when he won the 100 and 200)…as a freshman, that doesn’t happen.”
Another instance that rarely happens is finding a college student as well-spoken and experience-driven as Phiri. In fact, in this season’s media guide, Phiri noted that he came to College Station for “life changing experiences.”
For Phiri, who has experienced a multitude of cultures and nationalities, living in College Station has opened his eyes even more. Even the Texas slang—words like “howdy,” “y’all” and “fixin’ to”—were a new experience.
“It was kind of funny the first time I was in a class during my first semester,” Phiri said. “The professor came in and said “Howdy!” and about 300 people all shouted it back. I didn’t know what it was at first, but I have quickly joined in that.
“I’ve met people from different countries, and even people from different parts of Texas are completely different. My life changing experience (here) is about learning more from different people and different cultures. (It’s more about) maturing in myself and being more competent in terms of what else is out there.”
The opening of the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium inside the McFerrin Athletic Center has helped shape Phiri’s immediate future, as well. Prior to the facility’s ribbon cutting earlier this year, A&M track and field had not hosted a home meet in four-and-a-half years. Consequently, an entire class of Aggie athletes graduated without ever performing in front of a home crowd.
That will likely never be the case again.
A&M played host to five indoor meets from January-March, including both the Big 12 and NCAA championships.
Phiri, in particular, was grateful for the opportunity to compete in front of his fellow students. He’s done his part in telling classmates and people in the community about upcoming meets, and Phiri noted that even his barber has come out to watch him race.
Phiri’s parents now live in Frisco, Texas, and the new facility has allowed them to see their son compete for the first time in two-and-a-half years.
“That’s been the greatest thing about having this fantastic facility here,” Phiri said. “Last year, we were traveling to New York and Arkansas, and with my mother working and my brother having school, it was hard for them to fly away on Friday and back on a Sunday. They were able to come to three meets this year. I got them tickets right on the finish line. Every time I cross (the line), I can see them there…it’s been fantastic.”
The Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium has also given fans a chance to see just how impressive A&M’s athletes truly are. The 60 meter dash and 60 meter hurdles have become a fan favorite. Unlike some indoor track facilities, the sprint lanes at A&M are set up outside of the main competition oval, basically pressed up against the grandstands. That means some spectators are literally just feet away from the lanes when the competitors speed by.
In Phiri’s case, running also represents a way to express something very important to him: his faith. With a father who is a pastor, religion has played a large role throughout Phiri’s life. Phiri currently attends a non-denominational church in College Station, and he said he often finds his faith intertwined with his athletic endeavors.
“I believe I’ve been given a fantastic gift,” Phiri explained. “I feel it would be insulting if I did not use this gift to its fullest. To me, track is more about me showing people what God can do through me. I’ve learned to rely on God a lot. I always find that when my relationship with him is strongest, I perform at my best. I go through my Bible often, and it does help a lot when I read my Bible because it will relate to my everyday life and to my track.”
Phiri said one Bible verse he draws inspiration from is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
“It helps me be strong and keep trust in God,” Phiri said. “It’s really helped me a lot, so I keep giving God the glory. I want people to see me do well in track, and I want people to say ‘there’s something about him.’ That something that they will be seeing, hopefully, is God. Whether it’s the hard work or perseverance—I want people to see that and say if Gerald can work hard, I can work hard and do great things, too.”
Monday, March 9, 2009
Weekend By The Numbers
6 – Consecutive wins for the men’s basketball team. The Aggies sat at 3-7 after the loss at Baylor on Feb. 14, but the magical run over the last three weeks has A&M in good position for another NCAA Tournament bid.
132 – Games played by Josh Carter, tying Dominique Kirk’s school record. Carter has a career record of 97-35, making him the winningest player in school history.
18-0 – A&M’s record when it scores at least 27 points in the paint. The Aggies had 36 points in the paint against Missouri.
62 percent – Season-high shooting percentage for A&M, achieved Saturday against Missouri. Its previous best was 57.1 percent against Kent State on Nov. 29.
800 – Career wins for softball coach Jo Evans. Evans captured the milestone after the Aggies claimed an 11-0 run rule victory over Louisiana Tech on Sunday.
.444 – Batting average for sophomore Brooks Raley last week. Raley went 8-for-18 at the plate, scored six runs and picked up the win on the mound Friday against Utah.
61 – Strikeouts for A&M pitchers in the five games played last week. The Aggies have now struck out 10 or more batters in seven straight games.
6 – Double-doubles this season for Danielle Gant. Gant scored 16 points and had 13 rebounds in Saturday’s game against Baylor.
4 – Consecutive years of third place or better finishes for the women’s basketball team.
132 – Games played by Josh Carter, tying Dominique Kirk’s school record. Carter has a career record of 97-35, making him the winningest player in school history.
18-0 – A&M’s record when it scores at least 27 points in the paint. The Aggies had 36 points in the paint against Missouri.
62 percent – Season-high shooting percentage for A&M, achieved Saturday against Missouri. Its previous best was 57.1 percent against Kent State on Nov. 29.
800 – Career wins for softball coach Jo Evans. Evans captured the milestone after the Aggies claimed an 11-0 run rule victory over Louisiana Tech on Sunday.
.444 – Batting average for sophomore Brooks Raley last week. Raley went 8-for-18 at the plate, scored six runs and picked up the win on the mound Friday against Utah.
61 – Strikeouts for A&M pitchers in the five games played last week. The Aggies have now struck out 10 or more batters in seven straight games.
6 – Double-doubles this season for Danielle Gant. Gant scored 16 points and had 13 rebounds in Saturday’s game against Baylor.
4 – Consecutive years of third place or better finishes for the women’s basketball team.
Friday, March 6, 2009
B.J. Holmes Coming Up Big For Aggies
The pages devoted to B.J. Holmes in the Texas A&M men’s basketball media guide this season are filled with the essentials on the sophomore from Houston: his high school accolades, last year’s statistics, previous career highs in points, assists, rebounds and steals, and even a tidbit about his penchant for playing the piano and singing.
Nowhere, however, does it mention what may very well be one of his most unique talents—predicting the future.
The day before the Aggies played Texas Tech at Reed Arena on Jan. 28, Holmes made an ear-catching statement to a reporter.
“I think we are getting ready to explode,” proclaimed a confident Holmes.
The fact that A&M entered the match-up against the Red Raiders on the heels of a brutal 1-4 start to the Big 12 schedule left the reporter questioning Holmes’ prognostication skills.
Sure enough, the following night Holmes more than made good on his words.
With A&M facing an early 13-4 deficit, coach Mark Turgeon substituted Holmes into the game, and he quickly knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers. Later in the half, Holmes entered the game again with the Aggies down by three. Three possessions led to three more 3-pointers, with last giving A&M its first lead of the game. His final bomb of the night came in the second half, and the Aggies never trailed again.
After the dust had settled on the 79-70 win, Holmes finished his career night with a game-high 24 points on a smoking 6-of-7 from behind the arc. Indeed, Holmes’ fortune-telling ability may be about as exact as his pinpoint shooting accuracy.
In fact, the Aggies wouldn’t be charging toward an NCAA berth without Holmes’ recent contributions. He hit a big three-pointer late against Nebraska to help set up Josh Carter’s last-second bomb, and his seven-points-in-30-seconds in Colorado essentially erased a late eight-point Buffaloes’ lead.
The diminutive Holmes, listed officially as 6-feet but he admits it’s probably more like 5-10, has developed into a legitimate scoring threat for Turgeon’s team. He’s also seen his minutes increase exponentially after being relegated to the bench for most of 2008. Last year, Holmes barely averaged six minutes per game in spot duty. In Big 12 play this year, he’s logging around 20 minutes per night.
While he didn’t gain much playing time in 2008, he certainly took in some valuable lessons from some veteran players.
“Last year was kind of frustrating because of the (lack of) minutes,” said Holmes, who played his high school ball at Hastings High School in Houston. “But, I was able to learn a lot from Dominique (Kirk) and even Joe (Jones) in what it means to be a leader of the team. I took that into this year, knowing that I had to work harder in the offseason so I could get more minutes this year.
“I admired the fight that they had. Whatever was happening, whether we were up or down, they always had the same look in their eyes that they were ready to get even better. Dominique’s leadership—he directed everybody on the team. If somebody didn’t know what they were doing, he’d go over and talk to them. He didn’t yell at them, but he’d go tell them what they needed to do. I learned from Joe’s intensity, whether it was in practice or games, he was always very intense.”
Holmes hobbled out of the gates this year. He missed all six of his shots in the season-opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and that was followed by another 0-fer against Stephen F. Austin. He made his first field goal of the season in the third game before hitting his stride against UNC Wilmington on Nov. 25. Holmes exploded for four 3-pointers against the Seahawks to set a new career high.
While those in the stands at Reed Arena that night might have been surprised to see Holmes get hot, his teammates and coaches certainly expected the shots to fall.
“Last year, he really didn’t get a chance to show what he can do,” said junior guard Donald Sloan. “We all knew he was a great shooter who can make plays, plus he’s a good finisher. Just him getting the opportunity (is the biggest difference this season). I’ve always known he could be a player, but this year, he’s getting that opportunity to make plays, and that’s helped him grow all year.”
As non-conference play progressed, Holmes played a vital role in two of the Aggies’ signature preseason wins. Against Arizona on Dec. 5, the Wildcats threatened to run A&M out of its own gym. But Holmes keyed they Aggies furious second-half comeback with three triples in the final 10 minutes of the game. His two free throws with 1:01 remaining pulled A&M to within two points and set the stage for teammate Nathan Walkup’s game-winning shot in the closing seconds.
Then, in a road game at Alabama, Holmes capped another big Aggie rally. His 3-pointer with two seconds on the clock forced overtime, where A&M escaped with an 86-78 win.
While Holmes has certainly hit some clutch shots this season, it’s his play on other areas on the floor that have drawn solid reviews from the Aggie coaching staff. Holmes is no longer a liability on defense, and his ability to serve as a stopper has helped him earn more minutes in the pressure cooker of conference play. Holmes’ sixth man role is more than just scoring, as he is second on the team in steals.
He’s managed to stay strong on defense against some stiff competition. Holmes was part of the A&M defensive corps that held Longhorn A.J. Abrams to nine points on 3-of-10 shooting earlier this season in Austin, and Oklahoma State guard James Anderson’s 3-point threats were mostly neutralized in the two match-ups between the Aggies and the Cowboys.
“B.J. is really helping us defensively,” said Turgeon. “He’s really playing with intelligence on both ends of the floor and he’s started to make some shots. When he does that, he’s pretty good for us. I’ll say this. All across this staff and all across with his teammates, we know B.J. is going to be in the right spot to do the right thing every time, and that’s good to have.”
Holmes said his defensive presence was improved greatly in the off-season. After weighing in at 180 pounds at the end of last year, Holmes decided to dedicate himself to shedding a few pounds. To accomplish that, he sought out longtime NBA player and coach John Lucas, who also worked with Holmes in his youth days. Holmes played with Lucas’ son, Jai, on the same AAU team in Houston, and the two have worked out together since the eighth grade.
As a result of Lucas’s tough workouts, Holmes checked in before the season at a more respectable 168 pounds. Carrying less weight has led to improved foot speed on defense and been a big factor to his success on that end of the court.
“Last year, (defense) was all new to me,” Holmes said. “I didn’t get the reps that I needed, but the more I’ve played, the better I’ve become. With Dominique graduating, I knew another guard would have to play, so I figured why not me? I’m feeling better about myself, moving faster, having more energy—(losing weight) helped that.”
Two of his quietest contributions to the team have come in other areas.
Holmes, who spent a majority of his time at point guard before coming to A&M, currently has the best assist-to-turnover ratio on the team. While his assist numbers aren’t as high as primary lead guards Donald Sloan or Dash Harris, Holmes has proven to be a good decision maker who can protect the basketball. In his first 505 minutes of play, Holmes had just 15 turnovers—much less than one per game.
He’s also helped the Aggies from the charity stripe. Holmes has made 83 percent of his free throws this season. As opposing defenses wise up to his jump shooting accuracy, A&M coaches want him to be able to drive the lane and try and draw fouls.
“(Other teams) are starting to realize about my shooting ability,” Holmes said. “I think it was in the Baylor game that I was about to get a pass and shoot, but when I turned the guy was right there in my face. I wasn’t used to that because defenses are usually so worried about Josh (Carter) and Sloan.”
Holmes never made it off the bench for the Aggies in last year’s tournament, but there’s little doubt that he would play a large role if the Aggies eventually earn a bid.
Holmes initially committed to A&M after being recruited by former head coach Billy Gillispie. After Turgeon was hired in the spring of 2007, he made one of his first recruiting pitches to Holmes, who was rated one of the top 20 players in Texas by Rivals.com. Other Houston natives Nathan Walkup and DeAndre Jordan were also members of Holmes’ signing class, and Turgeon’s words convinced the trio they had made the right decision in committing to the Aggies.
“The program was rising (when I signed),” Holmes recalled. “When coach Turgeon came, we all had some questions but he came to one of my practices and talked to me and my family. He reassured us all that things were going to be OK, and they have been.
“Me, Nate and DeAndre all talked about it and stuck with our decisions. We were so close, and I think that was a big reason why everybody stayed. I don’t know what (Turgeon) told the other guys, but he told me everyone would have a fair chance. That’s what I wanted to hear, and that nobody was going to be over anybody else.”
Turgeon has certainly proven to be a man of his word. Jordan played significantly last season before being drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers, and Walkup and Holmes have both hit big shots in key situations this year. And if he stays healthy, Holmes will have many more chances to make clutch plays—and maybe even a few more bold predictions.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
So, Where Does It Rate?
Last night’s monumental win by A&M over No. 2 Oklahoma begs the question: how does the landmark victory stack up in the Aggies’ all-time record book? “Best-Ever” lists are hard to compile, particularly when A&M’s flashes of success have come in such different times. So, to make this list, I only considered games played in the modern era, which for all intents and purposes began with Gary Blair’s arrival in College Station.
Previous teams captured some special victories (the 1994 team made the Sweet 16; the 1996 team beat ranked Texas and Texas Tech to win the SWC Tournament; and the 2002 team upended No. 5 Iowa State and No. 14 Texas) but I only looked at games since 2003-04 to compile this list.
HONORABLE MENTION:
No. 19 Texas A&M 60, No. 9 Baylor 52 (1/13/07)
The Aggies had lost 27 straight to ranked opponents heading into this Reed Arena showdown with top-10 Baylor. A&M rallied from an early 17-5 deficit to whip the crowd of 8,886 fans into a frenzy. After the game, Gary Blair told the media “it’s time for people to understand we’ve got a program here.” How right he was.
5) No. 14 Texas A&M 67, Texas 60 (2/28/07)
The stars lined up perfectly for the Aggies on the final night of the regular season—a home game against rival Texas, where an A&M win would clinch a conference crown. The Aggies didn’t play their best game of the year, but they played well enough to hold off the struggling Longhorns down the stretch. The post-game celebration was extra sweet, as coaches, players and even a few fans cut down the nets for the first time (and, to date, the only time) in Reed Arena history.
4) No. 12 A&M 57, No. 2 Oklahoma 56 (2/23/09)
Wait, so the Aggies just knocked off the highest-ranked opponent in school history, and the accomplishment doesn’t even make the top three? I struggled with placing this tremendous moment so low, but my caveat is that what happens the rest of the season could easily catapult this game much higher. When you consider the Aggies pulled this off with one of their main contributors in foul trouble and another with health (and foul) issues, it’s certainly a fair argument to say this is ranked too low. Takia Starks’ game-winning shot with five seconds left might go down as the greatest play in school history.
3) No. 3 Tennessee 53, No. 8 A&M 45 (4/1/08)
This game had more on the line than any other contest in program history, and it was a study in contrasting styles—the dean of women’s coaches in Pat Summitt and her dozen high-school All-Americans against Gary Blair and his band of unheralded scrappers. The Aggies more than held their own for the first 35 minutes of the game, cobbled together a five point lead late in the second half against the defending national champs. The much deeper and more talented Lady Vols eventually won and claimed another national title, but A&M won over a lot of fans and a ton of national credit with this Elite Eight near-miss.
2) No. 21 A&M 54, No. 6 Oklahoma 52 (1/27/07)
The fact that this is the only true road game on the list is what bumps it up to such a lofty perch. Oklahoma had finished a perfect 16-0 in league play the season before and was riding a 24-game league unbeaten streak. The Aggies battled the Sooners possession for possession and needed one last defensive stop to seal the win. Danielle Gant, playing in her home state, blocked a 3-pointer at the buzzer, stunning the 11,000-plus in the Noble Center and giving A&M its first road win over a ranked team since at least 1994. As an added bonus, the closing moments of the game were shown live inside Reed Arena, where a large crowd was awaiting the tip-off of an A&M men’s game. Pandemonium ensued inside Reed after Gant’s block, and the Aggies officially took their place at the Big 12’s head table.
1) No. 8 A&M 77, No. 9 Duke 63 (3/30/08)
Loud-talking Duke entered this Sweet 16 match-up against A&M with a touch of arrogance, as players told the media leading up to the game that they weren’t too worried about overcoming the Aggies’ high-pressure defense. Second-seeded A&M took control from the outset and never trailed past the three-minute mark in the first half. As it turned out, Duke’s offense was outclassed all night, and the Aggies ran away with the victory. For the first time ever, A&M was one win away from the Final Four.
Would you order these differently? Would you include different games in your top five? Should I have included last year’s Big 12 Tournament finals win against Oklahoma State? Post a comment or shoot me an email — true@12thmanfoundation.com — and let me know your thoughts.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Weekend By The Numbers
.900 – Batting average this weekend for sophomore Caleb Shofner. Shofner reached base on 15 of his 16 plate appearances, scored 11 runs and tallied five RBIs.
14 – Strikeouts recorded by pitcher Alex Wilson in just 6 2/3 innings Saturday. Wilson allowed only three hits and one baserunner through the first six innings. His 14 Ks were the most by an A&M pitcher since 2004.
9 – Walks allowed by A&M pitchers in 36 innings. The Aggies held Wright State to a .207 batting average to help claim the four-game series sweep.
21 – Career-high in points for Chinemelu Elonu in the Aggies’ 79-73 win over Texas Tech on Saturday. Elonu also pulled down 12 rebounds.
5 – Consecutive victories over Texas for the women’s basketball team. A&M completed the season sweep of the Horns on Saturday with a 76-65 win.
12 – Consecutive games for Takia Starks to score in double figures. Starks, who had 18 points against Texas, has score in double figures in all of the Aggies’ Big 12 contests.
25 – Runs in two Friday games for the softball team in Houston. A&M rolled to a 14-2 win against Northern Illinois and an 11-1 victory over Prairie View A&M. On Saturday, the Aggies knocked off No. 18 Houston on the Cougars’ home field.
16-under – The final-round score for the men’s golf team in Wahiawa, Hawaii, enough to erase an eight shot deficit and claim the team title in the Burns Intercollegiate. Freshman Geoff Shaw led the last-day charge, firing a six-under par 66 in his first college tournament.
16 – Combined number of goals and assists for freshmen Beth West and Jennifer Kmezich in A&M’s annual spring 7v7 tournament. The Aggies finished the weekend with a 3-0 record after convincing wins over Rice, Houston and North Texas.
14 – Strikeouts recorded by pitcher Alex Wilson in just 6 2/3 innings Saturday. Wilson allowed only three hits and one baserunner through the first six innings. His 14 Ks were the most by an A&M pitcher since 2004.
9 – Walks allowed by A&M pitchers in 36 innings. The Aggies held Wright State to a .207 batting average to help claim the four-game series sweep.
21 – Career-high in points for Chinemelu Elonu in the Aggies’ 79-73 win over Texas Tech on Saturday. Elonu also pulled down 12 rebounds.
5 – Consecutive victories over Texas for the women’s basketball team. A&M completed the season sweep of the Horns on Saturday with a 76-65 win.
12 – Consecutive games for Takia Starks to score in double figures. Starks, who had 18 points against Texas, has score in double figures in all of the Aggies’ Big 12 contests.
25 – Runs in two Friday games for the softball team in Houston. A&M rolled to a 14-2 win against Northern Illinois and an 11-1 victory over Prairie View A&M. On Saturday, the Aggies knocked off No. 18 Houston on the Cougars’ home field.
16-under – The final-round score for the men’s golf team in Wahiawa, Hawaii, enough to erase an eight shot deficit and claim the team title in the Burns Intercollegiate. Freshman Geoff Shaw led the last-day charge, firing a six-under par 66 in his first college tournament.
16 – Combined number of goals and assists for freshmen Beth West and Jennifer Kmezich in A&M’s annual spring 7v7 tournament. The Aggies finished the weekend with a 3-0 record after convincing wins over Rice, Houston and North Texas.
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