Monday, March 13, 2000

Xavier women get No. 6 seed

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Open with Stephen F. Austin in Baton Rouge

BY PETE HOLTERMANN
Enquirer Contributor

Jennifer Parr, captain of the XU team, watches the women's selection show. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Last year, the Xavier women's basketball players spent Selection Sunday on the edge of their seats, waiting to see if they would receive an NCAA Tournament at-large bid.

        This time the Muskies were relaxed, having secured an automatic bid by winning the Atlantic 10 conference tournament last Monday.

        Sunday, the 26-4 Musketeers had barely settled into their seats to watch the selection show when Xavier was the ninth team to be announced.

        The Musketeers earned a No. 6 seed in the East Region, and will face 27-3 Stephen F. Austin in the first round in Baton Rouge, La.

        “I wasn't expecting to go that fast,” junior Jennifer Phillips said. “Last year we had to wait, we had more time to be nervous. It's nice to get it over with so we can sit back and watch the rest of the show.”

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN

• Location: Nacogdoches, Texas   • Nickname: Ladyjacks   • Colors: Purple, Red and White   • Record: 27-3 (16-1 Southland Conference)   • How they got here: Won Southland Conference Tournament, 79-68, over Northwestern State on Saturday   • Coach: Royce Chadwick, six years, 146-36 (16 years, 373-124 overall)   • Key Players:   Shawnta Johnson, 5-11 SR F; 15.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg   Stephanie Whitmore, 5-5 SR G; 15.4 ppg, 4.6 apg   Tami Rater, 6-2 JR C; 9.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg   Nathesia Wright, 5-10 FR G; 9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg   • Notable: The Ladyjacks are appearing the NCAA Tournament for the 12th straight time. In 1996, SFA advanced to the Sweet 16. Whitmore was Southland Conference Player of the Year, and Wright was tabbed as Freshman of the Year.

        The team gathered with roughly 200 supporters to watch the selection show on a big-screen TV at the Musketeer Inn in Xavier's University Center.

        “I was nervous again,” head coach Melanie Balcomb said.

        As the show got under way, Balcomb turned to an assistant and said, “I'm still feeling nervous. I know we're in, but I'm nervous to see who we play.”

        Stephen F. Austin is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the 12th straight season and 14th time overall. The Ladyjacks have advanced to the Sweet 16 five times, with the last appearance coming in 1996.

        SFA secured an automatic bid Saturday by winning the Southland Conference tournament for the third consecutive year.

        “Stephen F., you can say what you want, but they're 27-3,” Balcomb said. “I know Stephen F. has a tremendous history. If I want to put a spin on this with our players, I might say we're the underdog because they have a better record.”

        Most of her players know little or nothing about the Texas school that is roughly twice the size of Xavier.

        “I really don't know much about them,” freshman guard Amy Waugh said. “It's just exciting for all of us to be going.”

        Balcomb feels the Muskies have an advantage because of their thick playbook.

        “I think we are tough to scout because we run so many different things,” she said. “We probably have more offenses than anybody you've seen.”

        Women's bracket
        Join the discussion in our College Sports forum

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