LADY PIONEERS CLOSE OUT REGULAR SEASON AT HOME

(02/26/2011)
By Drew Moody

Ohio Valley University dealt the Lady Pioneers their first loss early in the season. Expect a close contest as the initial meeting was decided by 4 in overtime. OVU prevailed 114-110.

To maintain their current WVIAC ranking of third todays's game at 2 p.m. is a must win for the Lady Pioneers. Their record heading into the OVU game is 16-5 in conference play, 18-8 overall.

Prior to WV State's upset victory Wednesday night in Institute the Lady Pioneers held the top spot in the WVIAC ranking.

The team came within two wins of being conference season champions. It represents a remarkable program overhaul in less than two years.

Coach Bunky Harkleroad is finishing his second season at the helm of the GSC women's basketball program. Both the team and fans have witnessed a shift in direction leading to the success the team is currently enjoying.

For example, Harkleroad's five-at-a-time substitutions still have some opponents mystified.

It's altogether fitting that Harkleroad (pictured above) left the 'Bluegrass State" of Kentucky to come to GSC ... home of a bluegrass music program that is unique nationally.

Harkleroad's sport of choice during his student years was soccer, but he quickly established a winning tradition at Berea College coaching multiple sports. He served as head mens soccer coach, assistant girls basketball coach and led the swim team.

His success earned him several honors from the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC), naming him Women's Coach of the Year for 2001-2002. In addition, the KIAC named him Coach of the Year for the next three successive seasons in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06.

Harkleroad stresses hard work and consistency. And, his commitment to coaching is obviously heart-felt.

Sometimes when those unavoidable tense moments of a game crop up his feet can't seem to stay off the court. The result...a predictable technical foul or two.

Off-court he's soft-spoken with an easy sense of humor.

He's earned such a degree of respect that friends, family and former co-workers often travel to Glenville supporting his efforts here.

This time of year the pressure is always for 'just one more win,' he said. "I'm proud of our girls, but you always want to do better."

He's got plenty of reason to be proud. The Lady Pioneers lead the WVIAC conference in several statistical categories. They're the top SCORING team averaging 96 points per game.

Other top-ranked areas include: STEALS, where they average 16 per game; offensive rebounding, averaging 51.7; TURNOVER MARGIN at +7.56 per game; OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS average 22.81 per game; 3-POINT FIELD GOALS MADE hitting 11.33 per outing; and Mishae Miles is the league's most accurate shooter hitting 61.5-percent of her shots.

A brief ceremony is planned during the game in honor of the four senior girls: Miranda Reed, Autumn Davis Kim Stephens and Kristen Golden.

First round of the WVIAC Tournament begins at campus locations Monday. Quarterfinal play begins Wednesday, March 2, at the Charleston Civic Center.

For information about attending games at the Civic Center call 304-343-9414.