Midway through the first half, in the midst of UCLA’s 83-75 win over Washington, senior guard Lisa Willis bounce-passed the ball to junior forward Amanda Livingston. Willis had intercepted a pass, driven across the floor and gingerly laid the ball into her teammate’s hands on the baseline for what appeared to be an easy layup. […]
Author Archives: Adam de Jong
Basketball’s vigor overcomes boredom
Boredom might never have been so comforting. As the UCLA women’s basketball team slashed its way out to a staggering 17-point lead within the first eight minutes of the game against Washington State, the perennial doormat of the Pac-10, coach Kathy Olivier noticed that her club was starting to look a little sluggish. “We started […]
Unheralded forward makes presence felt
Amanda Livingston’s presence on the UCLA women’s basketball team is felt, even if it sometimes unseen. The junior forward’s play in the paint has been overshadowed by that of teammates Noelle Quinn, Nikki Blue and Lisa Willis. Livingston relishes her unheralded role, if she doesn’t simply poke fun at the lack of attention she receives […]
UCLA breathes easy after solid win
UCLA women’s basketball coach Kathy Olivier’s nerves had been pushed to polarizing extremes over the last month. Her team’s wins and losses over the last month have not been separated by more than a missed free throw or a last minute lay-up, which has been the root of some late night restlessness. But for the […]
UCLA loss another home-court win for ASU
Maybe it’s the dry heat. Whatever the reason, opposing teams have not been able to travel to Tempe, Ariz., and hand the Arizona State women’s basketball team a loss ““ not in the last 18 games, anyway. The No. 18 Sun Devils’ home winning streak, which stretches back to last season, has helped separate them […]
Rising before the sun sets
It was the end of last school year, and center Chinyere Ibekwe was at the pre-party for her high school senior prom when she received a surprise visit. Senior guard Lisa Willis, basking in her new role as a veteran leader, showed up to her new teammate’s house to welcome her to the team. Ibekwe […]
Women’s basketball gets 2 big wins
The ball just seemed heavier. It was a simple put-back that carried so much weight. Trailing by two with the clock running out on the UCLA women’s basketball team’s weekend ““ and possibly even its last chance to make a stand at home ““ sophomore forward Lindsey Pluimer emerged from the baseline to grab her […]