Bethune Continues to Improve at AU
February 17, 2004

By Andrea Adame, AU Sports Information

A year ago sophomore DeAndria Bethune (Akron, OH/Hoban) was spending a lot of her time on the bench watching her teammates perform on the floor. Each game she would anticipate a time when she would get a chance to shine. Throughout the summer she spent countless hours practicing her technique to improve her game. And when it came time for the season to start, the hard work paid off.

“Last year was a different situation compared to now. I worked on my shot, got stronger and improved my defense,” Bethune said. “This year I’m stronger and more consistent.”

The 5-8 guard is not the only one who has noticed her continued improvement over the past year. Head coach Sue Ramsey agrees.

“The most important thing for Dee is that she has started to believe in herself. The level of confidence she has is reflected when she puts the ball in the basket and with her defense,” Ramsey said.

Not only has her playing time increased, but so has her scoring. Bethune has started all 24 games so far this season and is third on the team in points per game (13.2) and 19th in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference She also set an AU single game record by making 17 of 21 free throws in a game with Charleston on December 20.

“I don’t excessively practice shooting free throws. I actually shoot better during games then I do during practice. I just play and think about what needs done,” Bethune said. “I didn’t even know I made that many free throws until after the game when coach told me.”

Bethune believes she still has plenty of room for improvement.

“Defensively I could be better, and I’m trying to get better at shooting. Right now I’m kind of streaky,” Bethune said.

With Bethune helping the Eagles, they have showed that they are a team to contend with this year in the GLIAC and in the NCAA. AU is currently sitting on top of the GLIAC South Division with an 18-6 record and only three games left in the regular season. The team now has a chance to advance to the NCAA playoffs, a feat that has never been done at AU.

“I’ve always known we could accomplish this. I saw it coming into the program. I’m just glad we all decided to work together because it pays off. We get along on and off the court and I think that is due to the team chemistry. We are all out there working hard for the team,” Bethune said.

It’s understandable that this team is so successful thanks in part to Bethune herself.

“I’m glad coach gave me the opportunity to do the things that I knew I could,” Bethune said. “There’s no pressure, I just let the game come to me.”

“She’s just tremendous and adds a dimension to the team that makes it difficult for other teams to match her,” Ramsey said. “She gives 100 percent every time she is on the floor.”