Posting Up - Scoreboard - Top 25 - Features - Notables - Team of the Week - Live Audio

Virginia Beach

Coverage of the women's Final Four

2004 season

Pointers' fire is burning

The UW-Stevens Point starters looked dejected at the half against Hardin-Simmons.

By Mark Simon
D3hoops.com

With 90 seconds remaining and the score tied in the Elite 8 game between Hardin-Simmons and UW-Stevens Point, Pointers forward Cassandra Heuer pulled a protective sleeve up over the brace supporting the partially torn ligaments on her right knee, turned to the trainer and said she needed to be on the floor.

“I felt like something had to be done,” she said 24 hours later.

It was a move that was as significant as dramatic. Heuer, a senior who ranks among the team’s leaders in rebounds, blocked shots, and assists, hadn’t played since injuring the knee Feb. 23. She knew her presence could make a difference, especially with two post players having already fouled out. She approached head coach Shirley Egner when the whistle blew on a Hardin-Simmons foul.

“I turned around and she was sitting in my chair,” Egner said. I knew then that she was ready to go. I asked her if she was ready and she said ‘Let’s go. We were losing our breath as a team at that point. We needed some type of lift.”

The crowd of more than 1,600 started to stir when they saw Heuer get up off the bench. They launched into a full-throated standing ovation when she entered the game after a pair of free throws gave UWSP the lead with 1:18 remaining.

“I was really nervous,” Heuer said. “I said to myself that we were going to play the best defense and just get one stop. That’s what it took.”

Heuer’s stint lasted 44 seconds, long enough for the team to launch a defensive stand against two Cowgirls’ scoring opportunities. The value was as much inspirational as anything.

“She has such a passion for the game,” said Pointers senior guard Andrea Kraemer. “She leaves it all on the court. She still has scars on her knees from diving on the floor for balls from two years ago. It was a huge uplift to have her on the floor.”

Drawing upon Heuer’s leadership, the Pointers hung on to win 72-67 and advance to the Final Four and a semifinal matchup with unbeaten Bowdoin. Heuer’s effort was indicative of what is probably the Pointers' best attribute — togetherness.

“There’s no doubt that anybody on our team would have done that,” Egner said. “We are truly a unified team.”

The Pointers are unified and experienced, having won the national championship two seasons ago, when key seniors Heuer, Kraemer and Tara Schmitt were sophomores (the three have 100 wins in their four seasons), and top scorer, forward Amanda Nechuta (the WIAC Player of the Year) was a freshman. Schmitt made the all-tournament team, turning the ball over only once in two games. Kraemer was the leading scorer in the national semifinal win against Marymount. Heuer was the top scorer in the championship game triumph over St. Lawrence.

“The fire has been burning for them for a while,” Egner said, referring to the fact that UWSP didn’t get to defend its championship last season, as league champ UW-Eau Claire was the only NCAA qualifier.

That showed over last weekend in an emotionally draining win against Washington University, and then the equally challenging defeat of Hardin-Simmons. Kraemer showed her ability as a big-game player, netting 26 points against the Cowgirls on 11-for-13 shooting from the field.

“Normally I focus more on my defense,” Kraemer said. “But I told myself then that this was no time to be giving up open looks at the basket. I can knock down big shots. I’m not afraid to take them.”

Heuer provides the intangible spark, setting the example for others to follow, even when she’s not on the court.

“I’m a player who feeds off emotion and contributes a lot of emotion,” Heuer said. “All the sports I’ve ever participated in, I’ve been a team player. I don’t have the individualistic style to play golf or tennis. I need to be able to give support to my teammates. Whatever it takes, I’ll give for the team.”

We saved the big question for the end of the interview. Would Heuer play at the Final Four?

“I’m not going to say yes or no flat-out,” Heuer said. “I’m just trying to keep high hopes and spirits and work hard at rehab so that I do have the ability to get back in again.”

Contact Us
About us
Feedback
Privacy Policy
Send Game Scores
Send Press Releases
Team of Week Nominations
User Survey