YPSILANTI– The Eastern Michigan women got off to a fast start against Wyoming in a 65-43 non-conference win at the Convocation Center. Next up will be the ‘meat-and-potatoes’ of the Mid-American Conference schedule. The journey starts now for the Road to Cleveland and the Mid-American Conference Finals to be held March 7-10, 2012.
Wyoming women’s basketball coach Joe Legerski congratulates Eastern Michigan women’s head coach AnnMarie Gilbert after EMU bested the Cowgirls 65-43. Photo by Lars Hjelmroth
Senior Tavelyn James, the leading scorer in EMU history, is also moving up the Mid-American Conference records list. With her basket at the 10:36 mark of the second half against Wyoming, she surpassed the 2,000-point mark of her career. James, a native Detroiter became only the 11th in MAC history, to reach that milestone. She finished the game with 27 points. Sophomore forward Olivia Fouty continued her torrid rebounding with a career-high 18 boards against Wyoming.
After the game, Wyoming ninth year head coach Joe Legerski said, “Let me get some of this dust off from this contest.” He added with his slow western drawl, “The biggest key to this game was the rebounding discrepancy. They had 20 offensive rebounds in the first half and we talked that we needed to limit them to one shot and out. They ended up crashing the boards and the game was very physical. At halftime, we discussed was stepping out and making sure that everyone takes it as an individual responsibility to compete on the glass.
I thought we did better with that and offensively in the second half. You could see the frustration set in and the players looking for someone else other than being aggressive.”
Legerski also talked with EMU women’s head coach AnnMarie Gilbert about the upcoming Polish-American Heritage Day at EMU on February 11, 2012. Legerski said, “My father and grandfather kept Polish customs. Good strong Polish names Michael and Joseph. They came out west to be miners. The sign in front of Rock Springs, Wyoming says home of 56 nationalities, now that’s a melting pot. He added smiling, “I learned the difference between Polish masculine and feminine tense, ski and ska from my All-America center of a few years ago, Justina Podziemska. She could have gone on to play pro-ball in Poland but she took the academic route. She got masters degree from Brandeis University and now is a financial whiz in New York. And we had three times All-Mountain West, Hanna Zavecz.”
You all save me a cabbage roll. They make them just like Busha did here in Detroit and Chicago,” Legerski smiled and went on. We mine coal and trona in Rock Springs. Dza-dza was a coal miner and trona (soda ash) is used in soaps, detergents and glass. It’s not too hard to find good stuffed cabbage in Laramie.”
Gilbert was pleased with her team’s performance and the Eagles will host MAC rival Northern Illinois on January 8, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. “Rebounding was the key for us today,” said Gilbert.
EMU is having a Polish-American Heritage Day as part of a basketball doubleheader on Saturday February 11, 2012 at the Convocation Center. The afternoon will be highlighted with a Polish art show, educational and historical exhibits. Polish dance troupes, folk music and Polish food items will also be featured. Children’s activities will be in abundance and the ever popular EMU mascot, ‘SWOOP’ will entertain. The ‘EMU SPIRIT’ dance team will be conducting a pregame dance tutorial for the attending dance groups.
Anna Kowalska who played at Kent State is now an assistant coach for the Golden Flashes. An All-MAC performer in 2009, Kowalska is currently working on a master’s degree in sports administration. A native of Zdunska Wola, Poland, she was five times MAC Player-of-theWeek.
Photo: Anna Kowalska
Polish fraternal organizations, Polish National Alliance and PRCUA are sponsoring the dance activities. Social media marketing partners include Polish Times and Telewizja-Detroit.
Halftime entertainment will include a folk dancing spectacular and the song renditions of Polish pop sensation Magda Kaminski. Miss Polonia USA-2012 Paulina Kowalczyk will also take part in the program.
Included with a game ticket will be a free chance at a $1,000 MacBook among other prizes.
Telewizja-Detroit will broadcast highlights from the Polish-American Heritage Day event at Eastern Michigan University on Febrruary 11, 2012. Besides the basketball doubleheader there will be an art show in the atrium at the Convocation Center.
For more information or tickets: 734-502-2017
Weronika Lukaszewska contributed
http://www.detroitpolishtv.com
www.mypolishtimes.com
http://visitypsinow.com/emu-basketball-weekend-rate
http://www.emueagles.com/sports/2011/10/20/MBB_1020110401.aspx