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(DAILY_WILDCAT)

By Kevin Clerici
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 26, 1997

Women's basketball doesn't mind getting a little help from the guys


[photograph]

Tanith L. Balaban
Arizona Daily Wildcat

Freshman Cedric Clark finds himself surrounded at a UA women's practice.


Arizona women's basketball head coach Joan Bonvicini has always believed that height is overrated. Quickness is what wins ball games and mental toughness in the pressure situations out-ranks being tall any day.

But Bonvicini doesn't just talk about it, she implements it into her game plan and practices almost every day.

Enter Cedric Clark, Brent Braden and Allen Whitten - the three members of the team that no one has ever heard about. Yet, they have arguably helped the team improve during its record-setting season as much as any other factor.

"I like having the guys practice with us, especially in full-court scrimmages," Bonvicini said. "I don't want them to let-up at all. It doesn't help us if they are taking it easy."

And they don't. Clark, a freshman who tried out for the men's team in the fall, participates almost daily. Whether it's filling in to round-out a team or going one-on-one with a player, he doesn't back down.

"The coach tells us to treat them like anybody else," Clark said. "The harder and more we go at them the better they will get. They are better than some guys that I have played with."

"They definitely help us," UA junior Mikko Giordano said. "It's good for us, they are quick and strong. We have to set better picks and make better decisions, otherwise they will run away from us."

Bonvicini saw Clark during the men's tryouts and asked if he wanted to help out. He's been with the women ever since. Braden and Whitten are both managers, and since they are around anyway they figured, why not play?

"Hey, it keeps me in shape and it's fun," said Braden, who stands over 6-feet. "They don't like losing to us either, so it can get pretty heated out there."

Bonvicini said she started using male players last season. She said she would like to use them even more.

As of Monday, the Wildcats lead the conference in steals with 13.6 per game and average 42 rebounds per game, which is nearly five more than last season's totals. The team is also giving up less points as compared to last year (62.4 vs. 70.3).

"It helps us without a doubt," Bonvicini said. "We are a good team and it makes us that much better. They can't fight back with the guys, it makes them use their heads. It challenges them."

The men don't just show up and play. Besides being full-time students and in good-standing, they had to fill out all the qualifications and forms that the women do.

"In a way, we are players," Braden said. "We had to go through all the same procedures."

The women's sweat and trash-talking is not all that is in the package, as Braden said he gets a free pair of shoes in the deal.

Clark, another 6-footer and the point guard of the bunch, did admit the guys try not to foul hard in the key, but he said doesn't want people to think they are soft.

"We beat on them when we can, they have their moments, though," he said.

Clark said that he plans on trying out again next season and is pretty confident about his chances. He shoots regularly with UA's Michael Dickerson before practice.

One thing Braden and Clark agreed on was All-Conference junior forward Adia Barnes doesn't like to be shown up.

"Adia talks more trash than anybody by far, she lets you have it if she scores on you," Braden said.

Barnes natural responce: "Who, me?"


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