The Hawks women's basketball team held its picture day on October 6. Check out this behind-the-scenes look at the Hawks stepping in front of the cameras.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Where Are They Now: Erica Beverly (October 3, 2011)
The newest feature on the Hartford Hawks Women’s Basketball Blog returns for its first installment of the 2011-12 season. The Where Are They Now feature will be updated every few weeks with an update from a former member of the Hartford women’s basketball team. Cedric Quackenbush, women’s basketball Director of Operations, will catch up with former Hawks and provide an update on their life after basketball. If you have a question or a possible topic for a future Where Are They Now feature, email athletics@hartford.edu.
Where Are They Now: Erica Beverly (October 3, 2011)
Beverly played for the Hawks from 2005-2010 and finished her career the only basketball player in Hartford history to amass 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. After serving as the Director of Basketball Operations for the Hawks last season and recovering from a torn ACL, the 2005-2006 America East Rookie of the Year and 2009-2010 America East Defensive Player of the Year is now lacing up her sneakers while playing professionally in Switzerland. She started her professional playing career this past summer while playing for the Southern Peninsula Sharks in Australia.
For starters, I was very blessed to have started my professional career in Australia. It was a crazy and fast decision to go there but I thank God I was given the opportunity. Playing in Australia was awesome! The culture was very different from the United States. The kind hearted and laid back people of the land were just so welcoming that it made my stay there very easy. My coaches and teammates were the best, they made me fit in. Australia not only gave me confidence but it also got me started on my on-court physical strength since my injury. At the beginning, it wasn’t a pretty sight seeing me play. but as time went on I gained a belief that each day I would get better and see progress. And it happened just like that, with the Grace of God and His guidance, I got through Australia and now I'm here in Switzerland!
In Switzerland I play on a team called Nyon Basket Feminin and the league I play in is call LNA, basically Division I. I am currently living in Crassier, Switzerland in my own apartment that is a very comfortable living situation. Right outside, I can go pick fresh fruit because the family who lives near has their own farm! My first impressions of the city was, "Wow, this place is beautiful and breath taking from the landscape of it." I have the Alps Mountain all around me and there is miles and miles of open land that most people have turned into farming land.
My first impression of my team and coaches were these are some very kind people! They speak such a gorgeous language but I don't understand any of it! I'm interested in the language and will start soon! So far I am really enjoying this country. I can't wait until the season starts on October 8th, it's going to be a great one!
Playing professionally has been a dream that I am finally living. I look forward to developing as a player, getting stronger and dominating when its time. Also, to meeting great people, visiting awesome places and developing as a person. So, I look forward to what my journey is becoming and I am forever grateful to be living it.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Preseason Update with Freshman Shanise Bultron and Coach Rizzotti
Freshman Shanise Bultron's blog below talks about how her and the team are preparing for the start of practice in early October. In the video on the right, Coach Rizzotti talks about what the Hawks are working on during individual workout sessions.
After having the chance to play as a team last month in France, our team was very excited to get back in the gym and start working on getting better for the upcoming season.
Having the chance to play with my team during the summer helped us get to know the way each other plays. The experience showed us what we are good at and what we need to work on.
We are now in our second week of preseason individual workouts and although I was nervous at the start, it has been great to see how my teammates and I are improving each day.
In my group are the other freshmen guards. During the first and second sessions it took some time to get used to the drills but now that we are in our second week we know what is needed and are focused on bringing our own individual game to the next level.
With individuals, team lift and cardio, we are provided opportunity to become the best player we can be so that when we are able to start practicing together in October, our team can be at its highest potential.
Overall I have been having an incredible experience my first year here at the University of Hartford and I look forward to what is to come.
After having the chance to play as a team last month in France, our team was very excited to get back in the gym and start working on getting better for the upcoming season.
Having the chance to play with my team during the summer helped us get to know the way each other plays. The experience showed us what we are good at and what we need to work on.
We are now in our second week of preseason individual workouts and although I was nervous at the start, it has been great to see how my teammates and I are improving each day.
In my group are the other freshmen guards. During the first and second sessions it took some time to get used to the drills but now that we are in our second week we know what is needed and are focused on bringing our own individual game to the next level.
With individuals, team lift and cardio, we are provided opportunity to become the best player we can be so that when we are able to start practicing together in October, our team can be at its highest potential.
Overall I have been having an incredible experience my first year here at the University of Hartford and I look forward to what is to come.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Final Blog from France: Freshman Amber Bepko talks about this once in a lifetime opportunity
This trip to France was a once in a lifetime experience. For me to be able to come here as a freshman and be a part of the team so early made the trip that much more incredible.
We spent two days in Paris, visiting places I’ve only seen on TV. The night cruise of the city was phenomenal! Being able to see the Eiffel tower all lit up was something I will never forget.
We traveled to Toulouse were we spent the balance of our trip and played our games. We had the morning off on Saturday and went to a town called Conque. What an experience within itself. To see this village which is considered one of the prettiest villages in France was incredible. The small town of only 300 people was beautiful and welcoming to our team as we walked around and saw all the sites from up in the hills.
It was a challenging three games against some very talented European teams. It was a different style of play that took our team some getting used to. By the third game we started to gel more as a team and that was shown by a much closer outcome.
Having the chance to play with my team so early as a freshman helped me to really be a part of the team which most freshman don’t get to see until late October. To be able to play against such difficult teams made the experience that much more fun.
After our last game we had a team dinner and then a surprise party for junior Alex Hall to celebrate her 21st birthday. We had cakes from a local French bakery that were delicious. This trip to France was one I will never forget.
We spent two days in Paris, visiting places I’ve only seen on TV. The night cruise of the city was phenomenal! Being able to see the Eiffel tower all lit up was something I will never forget.
We traveled to Toulouse were we spent the balance of our trip and played our games. We had the morning off on Saturday and went to a town called Conque. What an experience within itself. To see this village which is considered one of the prettiest villages in France was incredible. The small town of only 300 people was beautiful and welcoming to our team as we walked around and saw all the sites from up in the hills.
It was a challenging three games against some very talented European teams. It was a different style of play that took our team some getting used to. By the third game we started to gel more as a team and that was shown by a much closer outcome.
Having the chance to play with my team so early as a freshman helped me to really be a part of the team which most freshman don’t get to see until late October. To be able to play against such difficult teams made the experience that much more fun.
After our last game we had a team dinner and then a surprise party for junior Alex Hall to celebrate her 21st birthday. We had cakes from a local French bakery that were delicious. This trip to France was one I will never forget.
Update from France: Hawks Fall in Final International Game
Before returning to the United States to begin classes on Wednesday, the Hawks took the court one last time to play the Toulouse Metrepole Basket team on Sunday afternoon. This game wraps up three games total that the Hawks will have played in Rodez, France, the second international trip for Hartford under head coach Jennifer Rizzotti. Below is a recap of their final game against Toulouse, written by Cedric Quackenbush.
Hartford rallied late but fell short in a 75-66 loss to Toulouse Metrepole Basket on Sunday in the final game of their 2011 European tour in France. Toulouse is a professional team from the second division in France.
The Hawks were led by Ruthanne Doherty who scored a game high 23 points to go with seven rebounds. Freshman Amber Bepko added 17 points, 10 if which came in the first half, to go with four steals and two assists. Overall, the Hawks shot 42% from the field.
Toulouse got off to a fast start, building an 18-7 lead late in the first quarter, but Bepko pulled the Hawks within 4 points heading into the second quarter with a steal and fast break layup followed with a made layup off of a baseline drive in the final possession of the quarter.
At the start of the second quarter, Toulouse again got off to a hot start building the lead back up to double digits, but freshman Shanise Bultron nailed a three and Bepko converted another fast break layup to bring Hartford back within 25-18 midway through the period.
Doherty then scored the next seven Hartford points and ended the first half with a nifty layup and got fouled to make the score 37-31 in favor of Toulouse at the break.
After Toulouse built their lead up to 17, Doherty continued to shine with an array of tough jump shots from the high post that pulled Hartford within 55-43 heading into the final quarter.
Hartford never got within single digits until a late rally forced Toulouse to call a timeout after Bepko scored inside and sophomore Alyssa Englert drove and made an up and under layup.
Also contributing for the Hawks was sophomore Taylor Clark who added six points and three rebounds and Alex Hall who added five points and three rebounds.
The Hawks were led by Ruthanne Doherty who scored a game high 23 points to go with seven rebounds. Freshman Amber Bepko added 17 points, 10 if which came in the first half, to go with four steals and two assists. Overall, the Hawks shot 42% from the field.
Toulouse got off to a fast start, building an 18-7 lead late in the first quarter, but Bepko pulled the Hawks within 4 points heading into the second quarter with a steal and fast break layup followed with a made layup off of a baseline drive in the final possession of the quarter.
At the start of the second quarter, Toulouse again got off to a hot start building the lead back up to double digits, but freshman Shanise Bultron nailed a three and Bepko converted another fast break layup to bring Hartford back within 25-18 midway through the period.
Doherty then scored the next seven Hartford points and ended the first half with a nifty layup and got fouled to make the score 37-31 in favor of Toulouse at the break.
After Toulouse built their lead up to 17, Doherty continued to shine with an array of tough jump shots from the high post that pulled Hartford within 55-43 heading into the final quarter.
Hartford never got within single digits until a late rally forced Toulouse to call a timeout after Bepko scored inside and sophomore Alyssa Englert drove and made an up and under layup.
Also contributing for the Hawks was sophomore Taylor Clark who added six points and three rebounds and Alex Hall who added five points and three rebounds.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Update from France: Hawks Drop Consolation Game, will Play One More on Sunday
The Hawks took to the court for the second time playing on international soil on Saturday against Tarbes Gespes Bigoree in the consolation game of the 2011 BEST (Basketball European Star Tournament) in Rodez, France. The Hawks are one of four teams, the only international team, in the traditional tournament style event. Below is a recap of their first game against Tarbes Gespes Bigorre, written by Cedric Quackenbush.
Playing in their second game in France, Hartford fell 94-41 to Tarbes Gespes Bigorre in the consolation game of the “Basketball European Star Tournament.” Tarbes is considered one of the top professional teams in France and finished in second in the country last year.
Freshman Cherelle Moore led all players in scoring with 17 points on 7-15 shooting from the field. Alex Hall scored eight points to go along with three rebounds and one assist, while Ruthanne Doherty scored seven points and had a team high five rebounds.
The Hawks shot just 26% compared to 48% shooting for Tarbes. Sophomore Alyssa Englert who started the past two games at the point guard scored 6 points and had 5 assist.
Moore put Hartford on the board early with a jump shot but Tarbes jumped out to a quick 23-3 lead to claim control of the game. Hartford rallied at the end of the first quarter to pull within 27-9 heading into the second period.
A three by Moore pulled Hartford wihin 30-14 with 6:11 to go in the second but again Tarbes responded and took a 43-19 lead at halftime.
The Hawks were called for 26 fouls compared to 11 for their opponent and Tarbes attempted 39 free throws with Hartford attempting 10.
Hartford will take on Toulouse Metrepole Basket on Sunday to conclude their international campaign in France.
Playing in their second game in France, Hartford fell 94-41 to Tarbes Gespes Bigorre in the consolation game of the “Basketball European Star Tournament.” Tarbes is considered one of the top professional teams in France and finished in second in the country last year.
Freshman Cherelle Moore led all players in scoring with 17 points on 7-15 shooting from the field. Alex Hall scored eight points to go along with three rebounds and one assist, while Ruthanne Doherty scored seven points and had a team high five rebounds.
The Hawks shot just 26% compared to 48% shooting for Tarbes. Sophomore Alyssa Englert who started the past two games at the point guard scored 6 points and had 5 assist.
Moore put Hartford on the board early with a jump shot but Tarbes jumped out to a quick 23-3 lead to claim control of the game. Hartford rallied at the end of the first quarter to pull within 27-9 heading into the second period.
A three by Moore pulled Hartford wihin 30-14 with 6:11 to go in the second but again Tarbes responded and took a 43-19 lead at halftime.
The Hawks were called for 26 fouls compared to 11 for their opponent and Tarbes attempted 39 free throws with Hartford attempting 10.
Hartford will take on Toulouse Metrepole Basket on Sunday to conclude their international campaign in France.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Update from France: The Hawks First Taste of International Basketball
In their first game playing in Rodez, France, the Hartford women’s basketball team fell 70-55 to FC Lyon. The Hawks had three players score in double figures as Hartford shot 31% from the field. Freshman Amber Bepko paced the Hawks scoring with 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three point territory, off the bench. Junior Alex Hall just missed a double-double scoring 12 points to go with a team high nine rebounds. Fellow classmate Ruthanne Doherty added 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Doherty scored the first two points for the Hawks on a turnaround jumper in the post, helping her team jump out to a 12-9 lead. From that point, FC Lyon took control scoring the next 13 points to end the quarter with a 22-12 advantage. The Hawks trailed at the halftime break 45-25.
A pair of three pointers from Bepko along with back to back jumpers from sophomore Alyssa Englert and freshman Cherelle Moore pulled Hartford within a 56-40 deficit midway through the third quarter. However, FC Lyon quickly responded with five-straight points to finish the quarter and lead 61-40 going into the final period.
The Hawks would not go quietly as Moore opened the fourth quarter with an offensive rebound and put-pack that ignited a late surge. Back to back jumpers from senior Keyokah Mars-Garrick cut FC Lyons lead to 68-53 and Bepko added another bucket to bring the Hawks within thirteen with a minute left in the game. Overall, the Hawks held FC Lyon to just 25 second half points.
With two players out due to injury, Coach Rizzotti was able to give everyone valuable minutes including four freshmen. Bepko added five rebounds and two steals to go along with her team-high 14 points. Moore added four points and four rebounds while Shanise Bultron contributed six rebounds. Forward Shelby Fogarty chipped in four rebounds.
The Hawks return to the court on Saturday when they take on Tarbes Gespes Bigorre with game time scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
