Freshman finds starting role
By KATIE McVOY
Associate Sports Editor
If the last several weeks have been rocky for the Irish, then Courtney LaVere has been a diamond in the rough.
In the last four home games, the Irish have recorded zero victories and left nearly every game looking frustrated. But among those frustrations, there are a few glimmers of the possibility of success.
LaVere holds one of those lights.
"[LaVere] deserves all the minutes she's playing and all the glory she's getting because she's a great player," said teammate Megan Duffy.
As one of only two freshman on this year's Notre Dame team, LaVere was slated to start off slow. Unlike her classmate Duffy, who didn't have as many returning players competing at the guard position, LaVere had a large group of talented, experienced players ahead of her. The idea of LaVere starting seemed almost foreign to any analyst or fan at the beginning of the year. It seemed uncertain even to LaVere herself.
"I really didn't think so," Lavere said. "I knew I'd come in and help contribute but I didn't know to what extent."
LaVere began the season coming off the bench, playing behind post players Katy Flecky, Teresa Borton, Jackie Batteast and Kelsey Wicks. LaVere wasn't sure when her chance would come to step on the court first for the Irish. But the freshman from Ventura, Calif. managed to find herself a back door into the Irish starting lineup.
"I think she kind of snuck in," Duffy said. "At the beginning of the year all the coaches said to Courtney and I that we're going to take it slow … but I think we both caught on quick."
Over the holidays, the Irish began to first struggle and then to lose confidence in their abilities. They were looking for someone who would step up. LaVere made it perfectly clear that if she could get the ball, she could get some things done for the Irish.
"I think that when we were struggling someone had to step up and I was confident enough to know I could help the team win the games," LaVere said.
Although she had made solid contributions for the Irish before, it was during Notre Dame's Dec. 28 loss to Tennessee that LaVere made her first statement that was loud and clear. That statement was that she would get the job done.
Against the Vols, LaVere had a game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds. That, coupled with the aggravation of Flecky's back injury, set the freshman up for her first start against Marquette. During that game, she proved that starting her had not been the wrong choice.
"We didn't have anyone out there with the exception of Courtney who was saying, `Hey, give me the ball and I can score,'" McGraw said after the game.
Marquette was one of four double-doubles that LaVere has had since the Tennessee game. Her other double-doubles came against top 10 Purdue and against St. John's last Tuesday.
"It's crucial for our team that Courtney almost get a double-double," Duffy said. "And she's capable of doing that every night."
And what she did before she earned herself a starting spot was only the beginning. Since her start against Marquette on New Year's Eve, LaVere has been celebrating the new year in style. She is averaging 15.9 points and 8.4 rebounds a game, shooting 56.6 percent from the field and is in the top 20 in the Big East in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots with 18 blocked shots in 16 games.
LaVere knows that if she can get the ball, she can score. So when her team is down, she wants to take control.
"If we're struggling offensively, I feel like I can score so I want the ball, I'll call for it," LaVere said.
The style of Notre Dame's offense has also been beneficial. As a post player in the triangle offense that revolves around getting the ball into the post, LaVere has the benefit of being the first look from her teammates. And as far as they're concerned, there's no one else they'd rather look for.
"I love to give her the ball as much as I can," Duffy said. "She's a great post player."
And the teams that Notre Dame, aside from Connecticut, hasn't really been able to respond.
Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma was impressed by LaVere's play on Monday when the Huskies beat the Irish 72-53.
"LaVere's going to be a great player," Auriemma. "I love the way she plays."
Although her teammates may describe her as being "goofy" off the court and tease her about the change from Southern California to the snowy South Bend weather, LaVere is has proven that Notre Dame is for her.
Lucky for the Irish, she is for Notre Dame.
Contact Katie McVoy at mcvo5695@saintmarys.edu
All Sports Stories for Thursday, January 23, 2003
