Friday, December 10, 1999
Roper helps
Wahine fill a
tall order
The 6-foot-5 freshman is
By Al Chase
beginning to provide Hawaii
with solid post play
Star-BulletinCHRISTEN Roper watched the Hawaii women's basketball team play road games at Fresno State and San Diego State last year, a season in which the Wahine had no starters taller than 6 feet.
At that time, the 6-foot-5 center from Ojai, Calif., had narrowed her college choices to Denver, San Diego State and Hawaii.
"Denver and San Diego were taller, though not too much taller (than Hawaii) and I felt like maybe I could help out," Roper said of the Wahine.
That's an understatement. Hawaii's lack of solid post play was glaringly evident for two seasons.
It might be a gross understatement by the time she graduates.
The frustration ended for Wahine coaches when they signed three post prospects last year.
HAWAII INVITATIONAL
Today: Oregon State vs. Wichita State, 1 p.m. Hawaii vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3 p.m. Games at Klum Gym.
Roper's father, Robert, took an active role in helping his daughter make a decision.
"My dad was very prepared. He read a lot of books about recruiting and was on the web when he couldn't find an answer. On the home visits, when the coaches came to our house, he had a four- or five-page list of questions and there were at least 20 to 30 questions on every page," Roper said.
When she went on recruiting trips, Dad had an evaluation form ready for her to fill out.
"On the plane ride home from Hawaii, I filled it out so everything was fresh in my mind, like all my emotions and that kind of stuff," she said.
She selected UH in part because the other two schools had female head coaches and Roper had never played for a woman.
"I figured that would be kind of different. I really liked the UH coaches, the program and it was a little bit different here in that the team bonded better on and off the court," she said.
Roper and 6-4 junior college transfer Dainora Puida have shared the post position this season. That means the Wahine have matched up well height-wise with their first six opponents.
Roper didn't arrive with great expectations. She did, however, have three basic goals.
"I wanted to work hard, to do what they told me to do and try to improve," she said. "Most of my life I've been told I'm a coachable person who can improve rather quickly and so hopefully I could do that here."
Three of the four years she played for Nordhoff High School, Roper was in an offense that was structured, as opposed to a more free-wheeling, run-and-gun style used during her junior year. This helped in the transition to Wahine basketball, although the UH offense is hardly second nature for her.
"It's structured, but if you see the open spot, you go to it, you can improvise. We're learning more options, but I still have to think because the offense is new," Roper said.
"Her intensity level has picked up and she has found out what it's like to play at this level," said UH assistant coach Jon Newlee, who is responsible for the post players.
"I think her offensive game has come around as far as handling the passing aspect of playing the post. She has cut down her turnovers a lot and has done a great job on the defensive boards. She needs to work on finishing the ones in close."
Per-game averages: THE ROPE ON ROPER
In her first couple of games, Roper would get clear for layups, but had a tendency to bank the ball too hard off the glass.
"It gets to me, but by the time I get to half court, I have to forget it. When I cross the line I go from one mentality to another. I have to stay totally focused on what you have to do at the other end," Roper said.
There have been other adjustments. She had been told by the Wahine players to be in shape when she got here, that preseason conditioning was hard. Kyla Evers told Roper to "just run, that's all, just run all summer."
When preseason conditioning began, Roper got acclimated by playing mind games with herself.
"In the mornings I would wake up and tell myself, 'It's going to be really bad and you're going to run until your legs turn to Jell-O.' After practice, I'd say, 'Wow,' it wasn't that bad. I did that until I got used to it," she said.
In early practice sessions she was quiet, intently watching the veterans, then trying to do exactly what they did in each drill. One thing she struggled with was catching the ball.
"At first I could not catch the ball to save my life. It seems to be a curse with me every time I start with a new team. It happened in high school and with club teams," Roper said. "Eventually I get over it. The coaches talk me through it, telling me to catch the ball first, then do your move, or catch the ball first and square up."
"Her work ethic is supreme and she's one of the most coachable players I've ever worked with," Newlee said.
"She is learning she has to make moves. She can't just turn and shoot anymore. We're working on things ... that she'll have to use now to survive and progress and be the player we think she can be at this level."
From the first Wahine tournament to the second, it was obvious Roper was gaining confidence and beginning to experience a comfort level with the offense and defense.
"I try not to get too comfortable because then I get lazy," she said. "When you get too comfortable you either take a step backward or stay in the same spot and everyone else steps forward."
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
Ka Leo O Hawaii
