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NOV. 11, 2014 LOUISVILLECARDINAL.COM
Valuable role players could prove to be pivotal by the end handling and outside shooting, I thought that was where my weaknesses Forgotten between the five were,” Walton said. “I needed to get seniors and five freshmen are three more comfortable with the ball outside contributors who have played of the paint.” “I want to do what my teammates meaningful minutes throughout their need me to,” Walton said. “If they need careers. Juniors Cortnee Walton and Megan me to get ten rebounds a game I will do Deines and sophomore Emmonnie that, if they need me to score 12 points Henderson are experienced role a game I will do that.” Deines, the 6-foot-1 guard, can players who will see expanded provide a perimeter threat for a team responsibilities this season. “All three of them, I am counting on that lost a majority of its outside to be a big part of this team this year,” scorers from a year ago. Deines hit 20 threes during her Louisville head coach Jeff Walz said. Walton and Deines were freshmen freshman campaign and has shown the during Louisville’s trip to National ability to score throughout her career. Championship game, both appearing She scored in double figures eight games as a freshman, including totals in games in the NCAA tournament. As a freshman, Walton appeared in of 17, 19, 15, and 16 points. “Cortnee and Megan have both 33 games, pulling down 84 rebounds worked hard this offseason. I’m and shooting 52.9 percent from the expecting them to do big things for field. She played in 37 games last season us,” Walz said. Henderson was the lone freshman and had at least five rebounds in nine last year, but provided strength and games. Walton prepared in summer for size in areas Louisville desperately her expanded role by opening up her needed help. She played in 34 games, finishing the year with 5.5 points and offensive game. “The offseason, I did a lot of ball 3.1 rebounds per game.
SAM DRAUT
SDRAUT@LOUISVILLECARDINAL.COM
Henderson earned American A t h l e t i c Conference All-Freshmen honors and also competed on Louisville’s track and field team in the shot put and discus throw. “Her freshman year was an eyeopener for her. Junior guard Megan Deines can step out and knock You come from down three’s as well as play good defense. high school and PHOTO BY AUSTIN LASSELL / THE CARDINAL you’re bigger and stronger than everyone and you get to college and it understanding what to expect. matters that you are in shape,” Walz “I understand defensively now, said. “She has bought into it. She had honestly, sometimes it went in one a great summer, but she still has room ear and out the other because I was to grow. But her basketball game is so flustered with other things,” where I thought it would be because Henderson said. “I know what he she is able to get up and down the means now when he says go here or floor.” go there.” Henderson did fight through Walz will look to these three players growing pains last year, but said to step up and play key roles in the this season has a different feel to it, Cardinals’ success. partly being in better shape and also