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Tigers' McDade coming off strong showing
1/25/2012
By CONOR NICHOLL
cnicholl@dailynews.net
Fort Hays State University junior Omar McDade played at Sheridan (Wyo.) College before he came to the Tigers this season. Last winter, he averaged 14.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per contest to earn all-region and all-region tournament team honors. He led Sheridan with 61 3-point field goals and stood in the top-10 in Region 9 in free throw percentage (82.7).
For the Tigers, McDade has started every game and has been a solid player for Fort Hays (13-4, 7-4 MIAA). Offensively, though, McDade's numbers have slipped significantly from his junior college level. He has averaged 6.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and two assists a contest. McDade has shot 34 percent from the field, 29 percent from 3-point range and 71 percent from the foul line.
Tiger coach Mark Johnson has talked with McDade several times this season about expanding his game, especially to include a pull-up jumper.
"When you drive to the basket, there are guys sitting there waiting for you, so you have got to be able to hit a pull-up shot," Johnson said.
In the last two contests, McDade has scored more often. He tallied 11 points against Emporia State University in a key road victory last Wednesday and then had 14 points in a home win against Lincoln (Mo.) University on Saturday. The 14 points marked one off his career-high.
"Some guys, like we have talked about all the time, it happens quickly, others it happens slowly," Johnson said.
It marked the first time McDade had scored in double figures in back-to-back contests as a Tiger. As well, McDade went 8-of-17 from the floor in the two games. Versus Emporia, he collected a career-best seven rebounds. Against Lincoln, he tacked on a career-high seven assists.
"He definitely hasn't shot the ball like he is capable of shooting," Johnson said. "Maybe starting to get a little comfortable hopefully and starting to relax."
Phillips shooting a high rate
Conversely, junior guard Tyrone Phillips, a transfer from Chemeketa (Ore.) Community College, has continued to score at a high rate. In Oregon last season, he averaged 23.1 points per contest and was a two-time all-region first team selection.
At Fort Hays, Phillips collects 12.1 points per contest, just behind senior Karron McKenzie (12.2) for the team lead. Phillips has scored in double figures in four straight contests, including 23 against Lincoln, his highest total in a conference game.
Phillips, displaying a smooth jumper, has shot 52 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from beyond the arc, fifth-best in the conference. Shooting the trey was Johnson's No. 1 question about Phillips in the recruiting process.
Nelson, Weiser's playing time changing
On the women's side, junior guard Melissa Nelson has seen her minutes decrease, especially in the last four contests for the Tiger women (14-5, 6-5 MIAA). Nelson, who averages 18 minutes and 7.3 points a contest, has averaged 11 minutes and scored six total points in the last four games.
Senior Kimber Weiser, an Oakley graduate, has taken on some more minutes. Weiser has averaged 9.7 minutes and 3.9 points a contest, but many of her minutes came in blowouts in non-conference play.
In the last four games, Weiser has collected more minutes versus MIAA teams. She has tallied 9.8 minutes and scored 11 points in those contests.
"Strength-wise, in our conference, (Nelson) is having a hard time getting to the basket and maintaining control of the ball," fourth-year coach Tony Hobson said. "That's why she is probably seeing no more playing time than she is.
"It's just that we have some kids who are more effective," he added. "Kimber has been more effective, so we are giving her some more time. It's one of those things in our position, we are going to play the kids we need to play or think we need to play to win games."
Poll changes
The Tiger men, on a three-game winning streak, jumped up two spots in the newest NCAA Division II national poll released Tuesday. Fort Hays is now ranked No. 23 in the nation, a change from last week's No. 25 ranking. The Tiger women, on a three-game losing streak, had been on the cusp of the national rankings for several weeks. However, the losses dropped FHSU back in the poll. They received only five votes.
The Missouri Southern State University men are ranked No. 14 in the country.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |