Star recruit McKenzie gives Hounds more clout
Brian Hungarter
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Sports
By Brian Hungarter
Columnist
It does not take rocket science to figure out building a program or a franchise in any sport is difficult, but while professional sports use salary caps and free agency to their advantage, college coaches must rely on coaching, teaching and recruiting in their efforts to gain wins and prestige.
The "coaching effect" cannot be understated; this is the initial step towards gaining new recruits and solid programs. But the reality of college sports is that the most talented teams -- those with the best recruiters at the helm -- typically win games regardless of how good an instructor the coach is. Joe Logan, the head coach of the women's basketball team, is taking that leap to savvy recruiter. He brought in star point guard Candice Walker last season and watched her earn All-MAAC Rookie honors. This year he found her a compliment: Miriam McKenzie.
Four seasons ago, Miriam McKenzie walked into her Oakland Mills varsity basketball gym and met a 5-15 team lacking the necessary talent to compete at even a mediocre level. McKenzie, who hails from Brooklyn, N.Y., knows about tough situations. She played all day and night against the boys in her neighborhood, who taught her about physical play and how to create her own shot.
As a result, McKenzie's freshman season for the Scorpions hardly resembled one of a typical rookie learning her way. McKenzie averaged 16 points per game, showing flashes of the player she is today.
The recently-signed Greyhound finished off her senior campaign at Oakland Mills with an 18-5 record and a No. 15 ranking in the state of Maryland. McKenzie led her team with 634 points (28 per game) while averaging 14 rebounds, 4.4 steals and four assists a night. McKenzie posted an amazing 21 double-doubles in 23 games to go alongside four triple-doubles.
Oh, did I mention she stands only 5-foot-8?
McKenzie now embarks on a new challenge at Loyola under Logan. Logan took over the team in 2005 and has posted a 38-22 record in his two seasons with the Greyhounds. More impressively, Loyola has begun to climb the ladder in MAAC play with a 25-11 record over that time.
Columnist
It does not take rocket science to figure out building a program or a franchise in any sport is difficult, but while professional sports use salary caps and free agency to their advantage, college coaches must rely on coaching, teaching and recruiting in their efforts to gain wins and prestige.
The "coaching effect" cannot be understated; this is the initial step towards gaining new recruits and solid programs. But the reality of college sports is that the most talented teams -- those with the best recruiters at the helm -- typically win games regardless of how good an instructor the coach is. Joe Logan, the head coach of the women's basketball team, is taking that leap to savvy recruiter. He brought in star point guard Candice Walker last season and watched her earn All-MAAC Rookie honors. This year he found her a compliment: Miriam McKenzie.
Four seasons ago, Miriam McKenzie walked into her Oakland Mills varsity basketball gym and met a 5-15 team lacking the necessary talent to compete at even a mediocre level. McKenzie, who hails from Brooklyn, N.Y., knows about tough situations. She played all day and night against the boys in her neighborhood, who taught her about physical play and how to create her own shot.
As a result, McKenzie's freshman season for the Scorpions hardly resembled one of a typical rookie learning her way. McKenzie averaged 16 points per game, showing flashes of the player she is today.
The recently-signed Greyhound finished off her senior campaign at Oakland Mills with an 18-5 record and a No. 15 ranking in the state of Maryland. McKenzie led her team with 634 points (28 per game) while averaging 14 rebounds, 4.4 steals and four assists a night. McKenzie posted an amazing 21 double-doubles in 23 games to go alongside four triple-doubles.
Oh, did I mention she stands only 5-foot-8?
McKenzie now embarks on a new challenge at Loyola under Logan. Logan took over the team in 2005 and has posted a 38-22 record in his two seasons with the Greyhounds. More impressively, Loyola has begun to climb the ladder in MAAC play with a 25-11 record over that time.
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