Apaches News
Thu, Mar 22, 2007 - [Women's Basketball]
Joe Buie, Tyler Morning Telegraph
SALINA, Kan. - If Tyler Junior College sophomore Kristin Moore hadn't already signed a Division I scholarship, she might have earned one this week.
The NJCAA Women's National Basketball Tournament is a haven for four-year coaches looking to add talent. What they've seen in two games from Moore, a 5-8 guard from Irving, is a combined 29 points on 13-of-26 shooting.
The NJCAA Women's National Basketball Tournament is a haven for four-year coaches looking to add talent. What they've seen in two games from Moore, a 5-8 guard from Irving, is a combined 29 points on 13-of-26 shooting.
Those same recruiters have to love what they see from TJC's April Murphy. The 6-6 freshman post made eight of 10 shots Wednesday and scored 21 points in an 80-59 win over Wyoming's Casper College.
"Everybody is salivating for her," said TJC head coach Trenia Jones. "Our phones are ringing off the hook."
Murphy, who is from Corpus Christi, hasn't always lived up to expectations this year. In the regular season, she averaged a modest 7.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. The blocks ranked second in Region XIV.
"We knew she was capable of playing like this, and that's what we expected coming out of high school," Jones said. "Better late than never. We'll take it right now."
Murphy played 25 minutes against Casper and was a factor on both ends of the floor, and in both halves. She finished with eight rebounds - five on offense - two blocks and a steal. The throng of Division I coaches will dwindle by Friday, when the Apache Ladies play again, but the ones still here will want to see Murphy again.
"In the beginning of the game I'm like really nervous because I know they're out there, and they're all looking at me," she said. "After a while, you kind of shake it off."
Jones says that type of over-thinking has gotten Murphy into trouble in the past.
"Right now we've got her just playing happy," Jones said. "A lot of the season she's done too much thinking. We've just told her certain things like, 'When in doubt, go post up, go set a pick, go rebound.'"
Moore, a combo guard for TJC, has signed with St. John's University with the idea of playing point guard.
That's quite a change from playing post, where she started out years ago. Playing down low is where Moore first developed her unorthodox shooting motion, where she releases the ball from behind her head.
"I used to play post and I was shorter than everybody, so I had to figure out a way to shoot over everybody," said Moore, who had 16 points against Casper and missed only four shots. "So I developed a (fading) jump shot to get the shot off."
Moore's favorite shot is from eight to 15 feet near the baseline. She'd rather shoot a jumper than a layup, and she does it quite efficiently.
"She's one of our captains," Jones said. "She's always going to be working in the gym extra and trying to elevate her game to the next level. She eats, sleeps and drinks basketball."
In the final days of her junior college career, Moore will continue to enjoy every moment of the national tournament.
"Now that I'm here, I'm just cherishing it," she said. "I'm not taking any shots for granted, and just really trying to give my all to my teammates."
Original Link to Article: http://tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070322/SPORTS/703220301/-1/SPORTS
"Everybody is salivating for her," said TJC head coach Trenia Jones. "Our phones are ringing off the hook."
Murphy, who is from Corpus Christi, hasn't always lived up to expectations this year. In the regular season, she averaged a modest 7.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. The blocks ranked second in Region XIV.
"We knew she was capable of playing like this, and that's what we expected coming out of high school," Jones said. "Better late than never. We'll take it right now."
Murphy played 25 minutes against Casper and was a factor on both ends of the floor, and in both halves. She finished with eight rebounds - five on offense - two blocks and a steal. The throng of Division I coaches will dwindle by Friday, when the Apache Ladies play again, but the ones still here will want to see Murphy again.
"In the beginning of the game I'm like really nervous because I know they're out there, and they're all looking at me," she said. "After a while, you kind of shake it off."
Jones says that type of over-thinking has gotten Murphy into trouble in the past.
"Right now we've got her just playing happy," Jones said. "A lot of the season she's done too much thinking. We've just told her certain things like, 'When in doubt, go post up, go set a pick, go rebound.'"
Moore, a combo guard for TJC, has signed with St. John's University with the idea of playing point guard.
That's quite a change from playing post, where she started out years ago. Playing down low is where Moore first developed her unorthodox shooting motion, where she releases the ball from behind her head.
"I used to play post and I was shorter than everybody, so I had to figure out a way to shoot over everybody," said Moore, who had 16 points against Casper and missed only four shots. "So I developed a (fading) jump shot to get the shot off."
Moore's favorite shot is from eight to 15 feet near the baseline. She'd rather shoot a jumper than a layup, and she does it quite efficiently.
"She's one of our captains," Jones said. "She's always going to be working in the gym extra and trying to elevate her game to the next level. She eats, sleeps and drinks basketball."
In the final days of her junior college career, Moore will continue to enjoy every moment of the national tournament.
"Now that I'm here, I'm just cherishing it," she said. "I'm not taking any shots for granted, and just really trying to give my all to my teammates."
Original Link to Article: http://tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070322/SPORTS/703220301/-1/SPORTS
