With impressive victories over Valparaiso and then-No. 9 LSU, the Oregon women’s basketball team established itself as a force to be reckoned with.
The Ducks proved to be more than adequate in every facet of the game, but one area has stood out as exceptional.
Oregon post players have excelled both offensively and defensively and have sent a message to opposing teams: If you’re going to bang with Oregon’s “bigs,” you better pack a lunch.
Senior Cathrine Kraayeveld has played larger than her 30-foot by 12-foot “Home Court Advantage” banner on the side of McArthur Court. After missing 13 games last season with a staph infection in her right knee, Kraayeveld hasn’t missed a beat. The 6-foot-4-inch forward is averaging 25.5 points per game, scoring both inside and outside. There is no better example of her offensive versatility than the nine three-pointers she drained in two games during the Women’s Sports Foundation Classic last weekend.
Kraayeveld, who hails from Kirkland, Wash., has also been a force on the boards and defensively, averaging 10 rebounds a game and challenging almost every shot near the basket.
Junior Andrea Bills may not have the outside game of Kraayeveld, but the 6-foot-3-inch center doesn’t need it. Bills averaged 16.5 points per game during Oregon’s two exhibition games, but saved her best performance of the young season for Sunday’s battle with LSU. Bills, who hails from Moreno Valley, Calif., found ways to get open under the basket and punished Lady Tiger post players to the tune of 21 points on nine of 11 shooting.
More importantly, Bills’ scoring total was the timeliness of her baskets. Every time the Lady Tigers started cutting into the Oregon lead, Bills would find a way to score down low. Her biggest basket of the night came with 3:45 remaining, after LSU had trimmed Oregon’s lead — which was once 21 — to nine. Bills made herself available under the basket, and, after receiving a pass from point guard Corrie Mizusawa, finished the play with a layup and was fouled. Bills converted the three-point play, giving the Ducks a 66-54 lead which wouldn’t be threatened the rest of the way.
Forward Carolyn Ganes didn’t produce big offensive numbers over the weekend, but she did grab seven rebounds. The 6-foot-3-inch sophomore showed her offensive capabilities in the Ducks’ exhibition finale against Western Oregon, finishing with 22 points on 11 of 14 shooting. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native has the size and strength to bully defenders down low, but can take her game outside as well, possessing the soft touch of a jump shooter. She also finished eighth in the Pacific-10 Conference in free throw accuracy at 79 percent last season. Ganes tied for the team lead in scoring during her freshman campaign at 10.9 points per game, while being voted the team’s Most Valuable Newcomer.
Freshman forward Jessica Shetters should be getting her first chance to contribute soon. The 6-foot-6-inch Portland native has missed every game with what head coach Bev Smith described as a stress reaction above Shetters’ ankle. Shetters showed the capability to contribute in all aspects at Oregon’s intra-squad scrimmage on Oct. 29. Offensively, Shetters routinely knocked down jumpers in the 18-foot range and was able to score inside as well. Defensively, she swatted away several inside shots against players who weren’t used to her long wingspan.
As the season continues, Oregon’s post players will only get better. Once Shetters returns to the floor, the Ducks will have four players standing at least 6 feet 3 inches tall who can each score, rebound and play defense.
This should be a promising season for Oregon basketball.