| By Drew Moody
Ohio Valley University dealt the Lady Pioneers their
first loss early in the season. Expect a close contest as
the initial meeting was decided by 4 in overtime. OVU
prevailed 114-110.
To maintain their current WVIAC ranking of third
todays's game at 2 p.m. is a must win for the Lady Pioneers.
Their record heading into the OVU game is 16-5
in conference play, 18-8 overall.
Prior to WV State's upset victory Wednesday night in
Institute the Lady Pioneers held the top spot in the
WVIAC ranking.
The team came within two wins of being conference season
champions. It represents a remarkable program overhaul in
less than two years.
Coach Bunky Harkleroad is finishing his second season
at the helm of the GSC women's basketball program. Both
the team and fans have witnessed a shift in direction leading
to the success the team is currently enjoying.
For example, Harkleroad's five-at-a-time substitutions still
have some opponents mystified.
It's altogether fitting that Harkleroad (pictured above) left the 'Bluegrass
State" of Kentucky to come to GSC ... home of a bluegrass
music program that is unique nationally.
Harkleroad's sport of choice during his student years
was soccer, but he quickly established a winning tradition
at Berea College coaching multiple sports. He served as
head mens soccer coach, assistant girls basketball coach
and led the swim team.
His success earned him several honors from
the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
(KIAC), naming him Women's Coach of the
Year for 2001-2002. In addition, the KIAC named
him Coach of the Year for the next three successive
seasons in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06.
Harkleroad stresses hard work and consistency. And,
his commitment to coaching is obviously heart-felt.
Sometimes when those unavoidable tense moments of
a game crop up his feet can't seem to stay off the court.
The result...a predictable technical foul or two.
Off-court he's soft-spoken with an easy sense of humor.
He's earned such a degree of respect that friends, family
and former co-workers often travel to Glenville supporting
his efforts here.
This time of year the pressure is always for 'just one
more win,' he said. "I'm proud of our girls, but you always
want to do better."
He's got plenty of reason to be proud. The Lady Pioneers
lead the WVIAC conference in several statistical categories.
They're the top SCORING team averaging 96 points per
game.
Other top-ranked areas include: STEALS, where they
average 16 per game; offensive rebounding, averaging 51.7;
TURNOVER MARGIN at +7.56 per game; OFFENSIVE
REBOUNDS average 22.81 per game; 3-POINT FIELD
GOALS MADE hitting 11.33 per outing; and Mishae
Miles is the league's most accurate shooter hitting 61.5-percent
of her shots.
A brief ceremony is planned during the game
in honor of the four senior girls: Miranda Reed, Autumn
Davis Kim Stephens and Kristen Golden.
First round of the WVIAC Tournament begins at campus
locations Monday. Quarterfinal play begins Wednesday,
March 2, at the Charleston Civic Center.
For information about attending games at the Civic
Center call 304-343-9414.
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