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March 16, 2007
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Balenga looks to bounce back
By Pat Coleman D3hoops.com SALEM — This was the time when TonTon Balenga made his reputation in 2006. Although Virginia Wesleyan fans certainly knew their starting shooting guard and fans of Old Dominion Athletic Conference rivals had seen him up close and personal, nationally Balenga was just a guy with an interesting name and not much else. That is, until the Sweet 16, in which Balenga hit the game-winning 3-pointer to defeat Lincoln. He had a big game against Illinois Wesleyan in the national semifinals, including two 3-pointers which staked the Marlins to a four-point lead in the final minute, and added another legendary performance in the national title game, hitting a 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds to go to defeat Wittenberg. Mr. March was born. But in 2007, Balenga is in danger of going out like a lamb. In his four NCAA Tournament games, the junior has shot 30% from the floor, 15-for-50, and is just 20% from 3-point range, 6-for-30. Is Balenga feeling pressure to perform? “I haven't been feeling too much pressure,” Balenga said. “I've obviously been in a slump but the only thing I can get out of that is the way my teammates have stepped up the nights I haven't been shooting well.” “He's not pressing,” said senior All-America Brandon Adair. “The team keeps telling him to shoot. If they're not going in it's not going to get him down.”
“We've had Stephen Fields, he's a great freshman, he's come in and hit some big shots. Terrell (Dixon) and other guys have stepped up. I don't have to feel the pressure to have a good shooting night because my teammates are going to be there to step up for me.” “My looks have definitely slimmed down since last year. It's hard for me to get open looks. That's just another thing that helps out the rest of the team, if everyone wants to focus on me and Brandon.” That's what has changed the most since last season. Two of the biggest shots Balenga hit last year were when the opposing defense collapsed on Adair in the closing seconds, leaving Balenga open on the perimeter. Coach David Macedo knows those opportunities aren't coming as frequently this season: “I think teams are certainly paying more attention to Ton and he's become more of a focal point for other teams. It helps when other guys on our team really set him up a little bit more and we've challenged our point guards and wings to do that but he needs to do more to create his own shot, to score in transition. “When he does get those opportunities sometimes he hasn't made teams pay like he did last year.” Meanwhile, the team is still alive in its run to defend its 2006 national title, having survived the season so far with the bull's-eye on its back. “Coming into the season, coach made sure to test us, how hungry we were,” Adair said. “To get back to the Final Four after what we did last year is a big accomplishment for us. I think every game that we entered this year, the other team had us marked on their calendar. To come out and take every play like it's our last, take every game like ‘we have to win this,' earned us a lot of confidence.” Balenga did shoot 7-for-8 from the line in the Elite Eight game, going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, an improvement over the 1-for-10, 1-for-7 and 1-for-7 he shot the previous three games. “I think he's always shot the ball pretty well here in Salem,” Macedo said, “and I think his confidence level's never been higher — Ton never lacks any confidence. He's a fearless competitor. He's just somebody who steps up when the game is on the line. I think he'll do a good job and we have confidence in him.” Balenga has confidence in himself as well. “I feel like I'm getting my rhythm back and I'll just come out and play basketball and I'll be fine.” And if that happens, teams better watch out. | ||
Is Mr. March set for another shot?
This time last year, TonTon Balenga put himself into the Division III history books, as one of a few to hit a game-winning shot in the closing seconds of the national title game. The Virginia Wesleyan guard joined UW-Stevens Point's Jason Kalsow and others in immortality. But as the 2007 playoffs have progressed, Balenga's shooting touch has run dry. The junior guard is 6-for-30 from downtown during the Marlins' 4-0 run in the postseason. Is the 3-for-6 performance in the Elite Eight a sign that Balenga is coming out of his slump? Is the hero of 2006 pressing too much in 2007? Will he and his coaches and teammates still have confidence in him to take the last shot? Find out the answers to that and more in our final Road to Salem feature, written by Pat Coleman. Plus check back on our features on Amherst, Washington U. and Wooster. And scroll down for our features on the Road to Springfield, as well as get ready for video and audio coverage for the Final Four on Friday! | ||
Bears, Tigers to play for title
The Division III women's basketball season will end as it began for DePauw and Washington U, though this time with much higher stakes. After starting the season against each other (a DePauw 75-68 victory), the Tigers and Bears will meet again tomorrow for the national championship. DePauw rallied from a five-point halftime deficit to defeat Mary Washington 67-61. Liz Bondi racked up 28 points on 11 for 17 shooting in the victory. The Tigers established a new school record with their 30th win of the season and will play in their first women's basketball championship game tomorrow at 3 p.m. Washington U took the rubber match of its season series with rival NYU, knocking off the Violets 72-53. The Bears got double-doubles from Jaimie McFarlin (22 points, 15 rebounds) and Rebecca Parker (14 points, 11 rebounds) and out rebounded NYU 46-27. Stephanie Ryba tallied 16 points and five rebounds for the Violets. The Bears will try for their fifth women's basketball national championship. Mary Washington and NYU will play in the consolation game at 12:30 p.m. EDT Saturday with the title game between DePauw and Washington U. tipping at 3 p.m. EDT. | ||
Marlins' defense thwarts last shot
Amherst got the Salem monkey off its back, as Tim McLaughlin scored 16 points and Andrew Olson added 15 points and nine assists to lead the Lord Jeffs to their first national title game, defeating Wooster 67-60. Amherst, which had lost in the semifinals and the third-place game on each of its two previous trips to the Final Four, advanced to the national title game for the first time. Photo gallery. The Lord Jeffs held on after Wooster rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to take a second-half lead. Amherst held Wooster without a field goal in the final 4:49 of the game. Amherst will face the defending national champion, Virginia Wesleyan, which advanced 67-65 after an attempted buzzer beater went off late for Washington U. The Bears, who led at the half, fell behind 62-53 late in the second half as TonTon Balenga, who broke his nose shortly before halftime, scored 10 points in the second half, including a 3-pointer to tie the game for the Marlins. Wash U went on an 11-0 run to take a 64-62 lead, but the Marlins answered and held on as the Bears had a chance to take the lead with 9.2 seconds left, then another to tie at the buzzer. However, Zach Kelly's 15-footer fell short, and a putback attempt was late. Video evidence was not used in the ruling; however, a review of the NCAASports.com video archive showed the ball still in the shooter's hands with the lights on and the clock reading all zeroes. Amherst and Virginia Wesleyan will play for the title at 5 p.m. tomorrow. Audio pregame coverage begins with the pregame show and coaches' roundtable at 1:30, followed by the third-place game at 2:30. | ||
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