Marquette University Athletics
Ellis Emerging in Freshman Season
1/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
"That final play was drawn up with several options. Anyone on the floor could take the shot if they had it." Mitchell explained.
Krystal Ellis had it.
Maneuvering around two Irish defenders outside the perimeter, Ellis got the shot off before the buzzer sounded and red lights behind the basket beamed. Her trey banked in from beyond the arc, tying the game at 57-57, and forced another five minutes of play.
While the game turned out in the loss column, the signs that Ellis has been showing in her last two games point decidedly towards a winning formula.
"We always saw her as an explosive player. She has that extra gear that she uses to get to the basket, make deflections, and rebound." said Mitchell. "Freshmen need to realize that it takes being in great shape and having the right stamina and strength to compete with the nation's best players, like we do here, night in and night out in the BIG EAST."
"The biggest adjustment for Krystal - and any other freshman who transitions to Division I play - is the work ethic you need to bring everyday and in every facet of your college life." added Mitchell. "I haven't encountered a freshman that fully and completely understands what it means to play at this level. But eventually, they all get it. They understand that it's not something you can just turn on and off. You can't just do it 'sometimes,' it has to be an 'all the time' thing."
Ellis, a three-time First Team All-Wisconsin selection for St. Catherine's H.S. in Racine, agreed with her coach's sentiments. "Things were a lot harder to adjust to in the beginning. But once you start to get in shape, it's easier to deal with." said Ellis. "This level takes a lot more dedication than high school."
She has seen action in each of the Golden Eagles' 14 contests this season, earning seven starts. Overall, she is averaging 6.5 points per game, but in games in which she earns a spot in the first five, she is scoring at a 7.7 ppg. clip.
In her first BIG EAST action, Ellis has shown no signs of freshman jitters. In those three contests, she is averaging 9.3 points per game, including a career-high 17 points at home against nationally-ranked DePaul on Jan. 7. In that game, Ellis was 7-of-13 from the floor, including 3-of-6 from the perimeter. Last time out, against the also nationally-ranked Fighting Irish, she tallied eight points, including two key trifectas - the banker to force overtime and another to start the scoring in OT.
"What we're trying to get her to do, on the offensive side of the ball, is to always be a threat, catch the ball and be ready in the triple-threat position." Mitchell stated. "Early on, she was more of a stand-up player. She's much more explosive when she's low and in that triple-threat position. Defensively, we're working with her on full-court ball pressure. It takes one or two steps that makes the difference between being a good defender and a great one."
"Coach Mitchell told us that we (the three freshmen) have would play a big role this year," Ellis said. "When I get into the game, I feel my role is to penetrate, dish the ball and play good defense."
One of the team's toughest defenders, Ellis ranks second on the squad with 22 steals. She had back-to-back games with four steals at Penn State on Dec. 9 and at home against Wis.-Milwaukee on Dec. 18.
"I think I'm playing pretty good defense right now," Ellis said. "I'm still working on my offense."
Mitchell would agree with that assessment, adding that she is grooming Ellis to play a little more point guard in preparation for the 2006-07 season.
"Krystal is starting to realize the more effort she puts in, the more she is able to help us on the court. Her personality off the court is a very quiet and unassuming one, maybe even a little shy.? Mitchell recalled. ?But we saw early on that she would turn it on for games. When the lights were on, so was Krystal. If we can channel all of that to practice everyday, she will be a very special player for Marquette."
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