1 - University of Kentucky Athletics

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Watkins is a remarkable athlete and off-the-charts leaper with a motor that matches her immense talent. One would hardly know that Watkins played her entire freshman season with eight screws in her back after a high school injury. She ranked second on the team in charges drawn with eight. Not only did Mitchell inherit top-notch talent, but he also has the good fortune to welcome late additions to the program that will enhance the wealth of perimeter talent. Chelsea Chowning, a legend at Lexington Catholic High School, returns home after beginning her career at Xavier. The 6-0 senior has one year of eligibility remaining and is a Q A dangerous perimeter shooter. Freshman guard Ali Lomax also joins UK Hoops as a walk-on. The Lake Oswego, Oregon native brings both pedigree and a high skill level to Lexington. Her father, Neil, was a record-setting quarterback at Portland State before going on to a very successful career in the NFL. Lomax, 5-9, is regarded as an active defender, capable of disrupting opposing offenses with a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Front Court Elliott headlines a deep and versatile Kentucky frontcourt. The imposing senior pivot, who led UK in scoring last season with 13.5 points per game, is one of the most gifted offensive players in the country. Elliott is a dominating scorer off the low block, and is a threat to draw opposing centers away from the basket with her ability to make the high post jumper. Elliott also averaged 7.0 rebounds last season. At 6-6 she is an intimidating defensive presence. She is UK’s second all-time leading blocker with 139 and needs just 21 more to break the school record. The Wildcats lost rebounding machine Jennifer Humphrey (UK’s second all-time leading rebounder) to graduation, which makes the return of Eleia Roddy very important. Mitchell says the 6-3 Roddy could be one of the nation’s best rebounders. Roddy, who missed last season with an ACL injury, claimed 6.7 rebounds per game while averaging only 20 minutes of action in 2005-06, a number which figured to a whopping 13.2 rebounds per 40 minutes. Roddy had four double-double efforts (and six double-figure rebounding games total) in her sophomore campaign. Junior Jenn’e Jackson and sophomore Brittany Edelen round out the Wildcat frontcourt, and both players are expected to make great strides this season. Jackson, a 6-1 Radcliff, Ky., native, had a tremendous off-season. Jackson is a terrific athlete and leaper, evidenced by her 30 blocked shots a year ago in only 12 minutes per contest. She is rapidly improving on offense, and her athletic ability makes her a potent weapon in Kentucky’s transition game. The 5-9 Edelen is a tough-asnails competitor, and she brings a multi-faceted game to the frontcourt. Her ability to swing out on the floor causes match-up difficulties for bigger opponents, and her strength and conditioning allows her to hold her own under the basket. Mitchell formed a strong bond with four very special young players as an assistant at UK, and now he has the privilege of helping them chase NCAA glory one final time together as the head coach. Bowman, Elliott, Mahoney, and Roddy came to Kentucky to help lead the program back to national prominence. They have already done that. Now, along with Ormerod, a deep bench, and a fabulous freshman class, they prepare to take on a phenomenal schedule (perhaps the SEC’s toughest with two meetings each against LSU and Tennessee, plus road trips to Georgia and Vanderbilt) as they seek to complete their mission with a deep run into March Madness. As Mitchell begins his journey at one of the greatest basketball schools in the country, he plans to lead the program to its own greatness with his winning tools: honesty, hard work and discipline. Q&A with Head Coach Matthew Mitchell What are you most looking forward to in your first year as head coach at Kentucky? “All of it. I can’t wait to be with them every day on the court and try to fuse them together into the great team that I know we can be. I love being the coach at Kentucky, so I look forward to every day.” Q A As a former assistant to both Pat Summitt and Mickie DeMoss, what are key things you learned from them? “Pat Summitt has a focus and a singular sense of purpose that she brings to practice every day - unlike anybody that I’ve ever been around. She’s never distracted during practice. In the season that I was there, she never came in dragging or having a bad day of practice. That taught me a lot. I try to hit the practice floor with no distractions in my head and I come prepared. DeMoss taught me a thousand things, but the most important was she taught me how to work on my weaknesses and how to become better. She stressed to me not to just rely on my strengths, but also to work on my weaknesses. And that’s exactly what she did with me – she went to work on my weaknesses and she helped me become a much more thoughtful and organized coach.” Q A Is your coaching philosophy similar to Coach DeMoss’? “Our philosophies are fairly similar. We emphasize the same things but go about them differently. Our teams really value defense and rebounding. Offensively, we’ll probably run the floor more. We’ll try to push the ball in transition a little bit more.” Q A How are you dealing with the expectations that come with inheriting a very good team that returns four veteran starters? “I would much rather go into a season confident that I have players that can compete for a championship than being unsure about it. Knowing how good we can be is exciting for me. I know we have a good team. And I know that if the players dedicate themselves and come to work every day and are disciplined, then we should have a heck of a team. No one will ever have higher expectations for us than we will have for ourselves. We intend to set a standard of excellence for ourselves with the overall goal of being the best basketball program in the country.” Q A What are the team’s goals for the season? “The goal is the same every season and it always will be because it’s the only season this team will ever have. This is the only time this particular group of players will play together. We’re going to try to be the best team in the country this year, and that’s going to be our goal every year. We’re going to try to get the most out of every single player every single day and come together as a unit in which everybody is pulling for each other.” Q A Has anyone emerged as the team’s leader? “I’ve been very impressed with Sam Mahoney, who I think has a willingness and desire to lead this year. Chanté Bowman has been a leader since she got on campus. And Carly Ormerod is clearly one of our leaders.” Q A What facet of the game is most important to this team’s success? “I think we have a chance to be really, really special defensively. I think if we have a special season, it’s going to be because we’re one of the best defensive teams in the country. We have a good combination of size, speed, strength and intelligence that could make us exceptional defensively.” Q A How have the veteran players responded to the transition to you as the new head coach? “I try to demonstrate winning tools to them every day with the way that I handle myself. First of all, I try to be honest with them and say ‘This is where we are. I was an assistant when I left and I’m back as the head coach. You need to grasp that. You need to know that I have not changed at my core, but I have changed roles and I am very comfortable coming back as the head coach. I’m ready to lead you. If there’s any discussions we need to have beyond that, let me know.’ But to answer the question very simply: It’s been a smooth transition.” Q A Talk about the SEC schedule. “I don’t know how your SEC schedule can be tougher than having to play twice against the two teams (Tennessee and LSU) that will probably be picked to win the conference. Playing them twice gives us a tremendous opportunity to show people that we’re also among the best. The SEC schedule is probably the most exciting it’s been since I’ve been associated with Kentucky basketball.” 44 • 2007-08 Women’s Basketball
Alabama (3) Florence Karen Killen Birmingham Stephanie Stumbo Gadsden Catina Bett Arkansas (1) Hot Springs Tiffany Wait D.C. (1) Washington, D.C. Danyelle Payne Florida (4) Clearwater Michele Pennie Ft. Walton Beach Afton Perry Winter Haven Moe Gamble Amber Smith Georgia (6) Atlanta E’Lisa Ladson Chickamauga Vanessa Foster-Sutton Decatur Tedra Eberhart Amani Franklin Hephzibah Niecee Patterson Jonesboro Jaye Barnes Where are the Cats from? In 33 years of varsity women’s basketball, Kentucky has been represented by Wildcats from 26 states, the District of Columbia and six countries. Illinois (5) Altamont Caroline Huelskoetter Carmi Jennifer Goin Chicago Stephanie Christman East St. Louis Rita Adams Elmhurst Laurie Hudgens The 2007-08 Wildcats represent eight states. Alabama (Bett) Florida (Smith) Georgia (Franklin) Indiana (6) Austin Jodie Whitaker Crown Point Nancy Cowan North Vernon Jenny Pfeiffer Peru Arlene Baluyut Portland Shannon Freeman Ramsey Julie Swarens-Beickman Iowa (2) Panora Cathy Proctor Waukon Jody Runge Kentucky (Chowning, Edelen, Elliott, Ormerod, Jackson,Watkins) Michigan (Mahoney, Bowman) Ohio (Roddy) Cats By State Oregon (Lomax) Tennessee (Dunlap and Morrow) Kentucky (63) Alvaton Laura Upton Ashland Terry Boyd, Nikki Young Barbourville Melissa Napier Bedford Audre Andrew Berea Chelsea Chowning Bowling Green Selia Helm Carlisle Kim Denkins Corbin Lisa Collins Covington Lori Edgington, Katie Vieth Cynthiana Mary Custard East McDowell Geri Grigsby Eminence Chrissy Roberts Florence Julie Duerring Georgetown Stacy McIntyre Ghent Pam Browning Hazard Stephanie Baker, Carolyn Alexander Henderson Nikki Hay Hopkinsville Lydia Watkins Jackson Angel Stevens Jamestown Stephanie Higginbotham Jenkins Mitzi Combs Lexington Debbie Mack, Tayna Fogle, Lea Wise, Donna Martin, Leslie Nichols, Belitta Croley, Lisa Ellis, Tracye Davis, Marcia Webb, Erica Jackson, Nastassia Alcius Liberty Debbie Miller London Bonnie Sizemore, Sharon Garland, Stacey Reed Louisville Carly Ormerod, Janet Timperman, Maria Donhoff, Denise Fetter, Patty Jo Hedges, Diane Stephens, Terri Naiser, Lynne Elbert, Christina Jansen, Latasha Peterson, Domonique Mitchell Loyall Lynnette Lewis Madisonville Jamie Hobgood McKee Sarah Elliott Manchester Vonda Jackson McRoberts Debra Oden Mt. Washington Becky McKinley Monticello Pam Shrum Owensboro Elisabeth Lukschu, Melanie Warren, Kris Miller Radcliff Jenn’e Jackson Richmond Robyn Embry Russellville Lora Spencer Springfield Brittany Edelen Louisiana (1) Metairie Shawn Manning Maryland (3) Baltimore Pattresa Leonard Clarksville Keiko Tate Landover Cathy Barber Michigan (4) Detroit Chanté Bowman, Samantha Mahoney Lansing Michelle Smith Rochester Hills Sara Potts Mississippi (2) Gulfport Dasieka Hawthorne Yazoo City Shambrica Jones Nevada (1) Carson City Jennifer Gray 45 • 2007-08 Women’s Basketball
Page 1 and 2: From its inception in the 19th cent
Page 3 and 4: Kentucky has one of the top publica
Page 5 and 6: Matthew Mitchell begins his first y
Page 7 and 8: On, On, U of K ... The Official Fig
Page 9 and 10: “We want to go to postseason and
Page 11 and 12: “I love Memorial Coliseum. It is
Page 13 and 14: What they’ve said about Rupp Aren
Page 15 and 16: Meeting rooms feature ‘smart’ t
Page 17 and 18: Athletic Training/Conditioning The
Page 19 and 20: Academic Priority Ohio Casualty Cen
Page 21 and 22: first-class marketing I challenge y
Page 23 and 24: Wildcats in the Pros The Southeaste
Page 25 and 26: Aprivilege at a major university is
Page 27 and 28: “One of the many reasons playing
Page 29 and 30: A total of six Wildcats on the 2007
Page 31 and 32: This is Lexington, home of the Univ
Page 33 and 34: Degree Programs at Kentucky Undergr
Page 35 and 36: Jenny Hansen, BS 1998, Seven-time N
Page 37 and 38: Lee T. Todd, Jr. became the 11th pr
Page 39 and 40: Nine letter winners return from las
Page 41 and 42: Radio/Television Chart Carly Ormero
Page 43: Returning Production UK returns nin
Page 47 and 48: The 2007-08 UK Hoops team is compos
Page 49 and 50: Cat Scratches Date and Place of Bir
Page 53 and 54: Cat Scratches Date of birth: Aug. 2
Page 55 and 56: Cat Scratches Date and place of bir
Page 67 and 68: # 2 6-0 • Sr. • Guard Berea, Ky
Page 69 and 70: # 10 5-9 • Fr. • Guard Lake Osw
Page 71 and 72: # 24 5-5 • Fr. • Point Guard Wi
Page 73 and 74: The UK Hoops coaching staff has coa
Page 75 and 76: The Mitchell Family (left to right)
Page 77 and 78: Former Tennessee Lady Vol standout
Page 79 and 80: Wendy Palmer, an 11-year WNBA veter
Page 81 and 82: Basketball Support Staff Stephanie
Page 83 and 84: Stephanie Tracey-Simmons, MS, CSCS,
Page 85 and 86: UK’s SEC Great last season was fo
Page 87 and 88: The Southeastern Conference The Nat
Page 89 and 90: Highlights of UK’s 2007-08 schedu
Page 91 and 92: 29 TH ANNUAL JACK IN THE BOX RAINBO
Page 93 and 94: Auburn Florida Florida Atlantic Nel
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LSU Michigan Mississippi State Van
Page 97 and 98:
South Carolina South Carolina Upsta
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Wofford Xavier 2007-08 Travel Headq
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UK averaged a school-record 5,863 f
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No. 15/16 Kentucky opened the year
Page 105 and 106:
2006-07 Game-by-Game Results Record
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SEC Tournament Games Only Record: 1
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2006-07 Kentucky Superlatives Kentu
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SEC Final Individual Statistics-All
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2006-07 Game-by-Game Reviews Game 1
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off of those miscues. Ormerod’s 2
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South CarolinaMP FG 3FG FT R F A TO
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to tie the score at 25. Vanderbilt
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Game 31 No. 10/12 Georgia 72, Kentu
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Departed Seniors #32 Jennifer Humph
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Jennifer Humphrey set a school reco
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The 2005-06 team finished fourth in
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Team Records Most Points Scored Hal
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Field Goals Team Records Field Goal
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Free Throws Team Records Free Throw
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Assists Carly Ormerod became just t
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Team Records Most Steals Game: 28 v
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Top Individual Scoring Performances
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All-Americans & Misc. Records Pam B
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7 . S t a c e y R e e d ( 5 - 7 , G
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19. Samantha Mahoney (5-10, Guard,
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Mickie DeMoss Overall Record at UK:
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Dec. 28 UMass ** 57-51 Won (N) Dec.
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Jan. 18 Belmont College 79-75 Won (
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Jan. 13 Alabama 70-83 Lost (A) Jan.
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Scores vs. All Opponents Alabama 17
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Situated along Euclid Avenue on the
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Big Games at Memorial Coliseum Janu
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Rupp Arena Records Rupp Arena All-T
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In 2003, the recruiting class of no
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After a 50-year absence, at the tur
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1983—Valerie Still became the all
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1995—Stacey Reed and Chrissy Robe
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2003—Within months of her hire, M
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2005—Kentucky began the season 8-
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All-Time Kentucky Coaches Sue Feams
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All-Time Wildcat Letter Winners -A-
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Retired Jersey—Valerie Still UK
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Kentucky’s All-Time Teams 1974-75
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1990-91 Back Row: Graduate Assistan
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2006-07 Back Row (L-R): Katie Kaise
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Kentucky in the National Rankings K
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#21 (1-0) Date Opponent UK Rank Opp
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1975-76 Christmas Tournament W, Gul
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Iowa Amana Hawkeye Classic Iowa Cit
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Cats in the Southeastern Conference
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Cats in the NCAA Tournament Cats in
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Cats in the Postseason WNIT Cats in
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Matthew Mitchell was named the seve
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Media Policies Credential Requests
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Print Media Associated Press (Jeff
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Opponent Media Relations Informatio
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1 - University of Kentucky Athletics

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