Winning motivates Jamie Hawkins.
She runs. She sweats. She leads by example.
Hawkins does it all with a goal of achieving the success that has eluded her.
She spent three years with the Boise State basketball team without experiencing a winning season. Her name firmly etched in
“I know it’s going to be a challenge and that’s a big role to fill ’cause Gabe is such a great basketball player,” Hawkins said. “She is very solid and consistent.”
Richards’ absence leaves Oregon with Hawkins, Eleanor Haring, Carolyn Ganes and Jessie Shetters in the post.
Haring, who can play both forward spots, possesses an efficient mid-range game. Ganes is a pure shooter who can play along the perimeter as well as in the low post. Shetters is a defensive-oriented center who alters shots with her 6-foot-6-inch frame.
Richards gave Oregon a low-post presence and coach Bev Smith has indicated Hawkins will help replace her.
“It’s kind of funny that I’ve always
had to fill that role (at center) because I consider myself more of a true power forward – a four player – only because I’m only 6-1,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins had to redshirt last season as a result of transfer rules. In two of her three seasons at Boise, Hawkins played center out of necessity. She used her back-to-the-basket game to average 6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in her last season with the Broncos in 2004-05. Hawkins scored in double figures six times and was one of three Broncos to start all 29 games. She completed her Boise State career 17th in career scoring with 862 points.
Hawkins practiced with Oregon during the 2005-06 season and continued to prepare for the 2006-07 season by spending the summer in Eugene. She improved her perimeter skills and practiced her mid-range jumper. She worked out with teammates and noticed improvement, primarily in Shetters’ game.
“She’s gotten a lot stronger,” Hawkins said of Shetters. “She’s more aggressive around the basket. She’s become more offensively minded. I think she’s made huge strides.”
The multiple posts give Oregon a variety of
different looks.
“It just matters who we’re coming up against,” Hawkins said. “We can go with a small lineup or we can go with a bigger lineup with Jess.”
Coaches are implementing a quicker, more up-tempo game to suit the addition of incoming guards Taylor Lilley, Micaela Cocks and returnee Tamika Nurse. Already, the hard-working Hawkins, who prefers to lead by example, has seen Lilley’s shooting and Cocks’ on-court know how.
“If I draw a double in the post, she’s the type of player that I feel confident in kicking back out to her to hit an open three,” Hawkins said of Lilley.
Hawkins has adopted an optimistic approach to this season, saying Oregon can be an NCAA Tournament team, provided they play to the team’s potential. For now, she has a simpler goal in mind.
“I’m just excited to be able to put on a jersey again,” Hawkins said. “A little nervous, but I should be OK.”
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