WILBERFORCE, Ohio---Central State University’s new women’s basketball coach knows exactly how Old Mother Hubbard felt when she opened her cupboard.
Sheba Harris, who was promoted to the head job July 1 after six years as an assistant, looked on last spring as the Lady Marauders’ six leading scorers got their degrees.
Only two top players, Linda Ubadigbo and Brooklyn Morrow, return to face Lincoln University in the 2009-2010 season opener Sunday at 2 p.m.
Harris’ first team may be short on experience, but after a tough pre-season conditioning program that started at 5 a.m. each morning, her players can go all out for 40 minutes every game.
Among other challenges, they had to run 17 times across the basketball floor in 70 seconds; run 22 laps around the floor for a one-mile run; work on changing direction and hip flexibility; and then lift weights until 6 a.m.
After that came breakfast and a full day of classes.
A former CSU All-America selection, Harris has been working hard to sell her style of play to her team, and so far the response has been good.
“We know there will be times when we’ll have to play half-court basketball, but mainly we want to run,” she said.
“Our fans will see a team that is fast, focused, and which has a lot of athletic ability.
“We may not be big this year, but we’ll have heart.”