Timbilla in control: Rashida Timbilla played the strongest first half of her teammates in the penultimate game of her freshman campaign. Along with eight points, Timbilla has grabbed eight boards, four on other side of the ball. She is 3-of-8 from the field and added a pair from the line. Furthermore, her three assists also comprise half of the teams dimes and while on defense she has three steals. Her presence in the key on the boards has been a catalyst for the Minutewomen because of Jasmine Watson’s foul trouble.
Foul trouble for the Minutwomen: Jasmine Watson only registered eight minutes in the first twenty, having to come off with two fouls early on. Fortunately, Watson’s absence has not made it hard for the team with Timbilla stepping up and Emily Mital being able to find her shooting touch. Aisha Rodney has also offered up six points and three boards in the Watson’s place. Timbilla is also in trouble with two personal fouls of her own, however her level of play has forced UMass coach Sharon Dawley to keep her on the floor. Watson’s fellow senior teammate Dee Montgomery also has a pair of fouls
Jessica Pachko big for XU: Xavier closed out the half with 24 points, half of which came through their center Jessica Pachko. Her early frustrations resulted in a warning from the refs, but after a brief cooling off period on the bench Pachko has kept the Musketeers competitive in the game. With much of the teams offense running through her, the XU big has showcased her ability to cut sharply in the key to get to the hoop for easy lay ups, while also requiring a defender down low to free up space in the zone.
Today is the final game of the season for UMass, which enters mired in a 12-game losing streak. The Minutewomen have never had much success against Xavier, but a win today would go a long way in erasing some of the bad memories from the season.
The Minutewomen have just two members of the 2013 senior class: Dee Montgomery and Jasmine Watson. They were honored with a lovely ceremony before the game. Watson even sang a lovely rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Massachusetts women’s basketball coach Sharon Dawley announced the signing of two incoming freshmen, Kymber Hill and Meredith Tarver, on Tuesday, according to a press release issued by UMassAthletics.com. Below is the release in full:
AMHERST, Mass. – UMass women’s basketball and head coach Sharon Dawley announced the signing of KymberHill and MeredithTarver to letters of intent to play for the Minutewomen on Tuesday afternoon.
Hill is a member of the Althoff Catholic girl’s basketball team that has averaged more than 20 wins per season during her three years with the squad while the all-conference forward and center has lettered in each scholastic season. Tarver led Northview to a Georgia Region 5 Sweet 16 appearance in 2010-11 and enters her senior campaign as an all-region and all-metro honoree after averaging 14 points per game a season ago.
“We are thrilled that Kymber and Meredith will be joining our UMass family next year,” said head coach Sharon Dawley enthusiastically. “Kymber is a long, athletic post player who has great hands, good instincts and runs the floor extremely well. Meredith is a very gifted and athletic guard who will be an impact player for us on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.”
MEET THE NEWEST MINUTEWOMEN
Name: Kymber Hill Hometown: Scott Air Force Base, Ill. High School: Althoff Catholic High School Coach: Todd Hill Notes: Has lettered three times forward and center for Althoff Catholic, helping the Crusaders to a 26-4 overall record as a freshman to go with regional, sectional and super sectional championships … Added conference titles as a sophomore and junior … Earned all-conference and was twice named an all-tournament honoree as a junior in 2011-12 … Led Althoff Catholic with 3.1 blocks per game in 2010-11 and was the most improved player on the 2009-10 team … Daughter of Kenard Hill and Nicola Hill … Stepdaughter of Delores Hill … Has five siblings, Aysha, India, Christian, Simone and Aleana.
Name: Meredith Tarver Hometown: Johns Creek, Ga. High School: Northview High School Coaches: Russell Harrell and Evan Deis Notes: Four-time letterwinner at Northview High School … Averaged 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block per contest with the Titans as a junior in 2011-12 … Started her scholastic career with MVP and Rising Star honors whole also helping her AAU team, the Georgia Pistols, to a division championship … Added another Rising Star laurel as a sophomore while being named to the All-North Fulton accolade listing … Grabbed all-region top-10 laurels to go with North Fulton All-Metro Team, Rising Star and Deep South Classic All-Tournament honors … Was named the MVP of her Douglasville Lady Tigers AAU squad in 2011-12 … Improved on her production during AAU play, averaging 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 4 blocks for Douglasville … Volunteers at Mission Atlanta, an organization that supports underprivileged families and served as a basketball counselor … Participates in Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) … Daughter of Clyde Tarver and Linda Bowles … Has three older brothers, Nick, Josh and Drew.
The Minutewomen are due to graduate two seniors after the 2012-13 season — center Jasmine Watson and guard Dee Montgomery — so, it makes sense that Dawley’s latest recruiting class would assess positional holes created by their departure.
“It basically came down to two schools — Eastern Michigan and UMass,” she said. “When I went out for my visit, UMass just seemed right. I liked it a lot and it’s a place where I can be happy.
“It’s a long way from home, but I feel like it’s a place where I’ll have a chance to improve and get a great education.’’
Here is a highlight video of Tarver posted by ACE Basketball from April 2012:
