True Warrior On The Floor
SLIPPERY ROCK — Whatever the obstacle, LeeAnn Gibson battles it.
A high ankle sprain. Going inside against bigger forwards. A frustrating losing streak.
“She's just a warrior. I've never seen anyone work harder on a basketball court,” Slippery Rock University women's coach Bobby McGraw said. “LeeAnn is overmatched physically inside, but she is so strong.
“She just finds a way to get it done. I love watching her play.”
A Karns City graduate, Gibson has posted modest numbers during her junior season as a Rock forward. She missed the first five games of the season with a high ankle sprain suffered in a preseason exhibition game at Kent State.
Gibson is averaging 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for SRU this season, but reached double figures in three of her last four games entering Wednesday night's contest against Clarion.
“My ankle's not 100 percent. It won't be for the rest of this year,” Gibson said. “But I can play on it. I just don't feel as explosive or fast on the court as I normally do.”
At 5-foot-10, Gibson is one of the smaller forwards in the PSAC. But she has scored 376 points and grabbed 279 rebounds in her Rock career, giving her a chance to reach 500 in both categories before she's through at SRU.
Only 15 players in the program's ghiostory have reached the 500-500 club. Morgan Hendersion did it earlier this season and teammate Brooke Hinderliter will be next in line.
Then comes Gibson — if she averages three points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the rest of this regular season and next. She is already in The Rock's top 20 all-time in offensive rebounds.
“I see her having a huge year for us next season, following a strong finish this year,” McGraw said. “LeeAnn's averaged 11 points and five rebounds in these last three games while playing on a bad ankle.
“I can see her averaging 14 and six, 15 and seven next year, if not better.”
Gibson earned 12 varsity letters at Karns City — playing basketball, softball, volleyball and running track — and scored more than 1,300 points in her hoop career. She was a two-time all-state basketball player.
Gibson isn't worried about numbers these days — except wins and losses. SRU entered the Clarion game riding a season-worst four-game losing skid, but still in prime position to reach the PSAC Tournament.
“I still see us doing special things here,” she said. “Each year I've been here, our recruiting classes have gotten better and better.”
Gibson scored nine consecutive points in the first quarter against unbeaten and top-ranked Indiana (Pa.) last weekend.
“That's what she is capable of,” McGraw said. “She never quits on a play and she's strong with the ball.”
Gibson admitted the size differential in Division II college basketball has been something she's had to take into account while adjusting her game.
“In high school, I was usually the biggest girl on the floor and I could take over that way,” she said. “I play inside now and I'm one of the smallest.”
With The Rock trailing by 30 points late against IUP, Gibson watched from the bench as SRU's reserve players continually dove on the floor for loose basketballs.
“That's what I love about our team,” she said. “That's why I believe we'll turn this around. We have a bunch of winnable games on our schedule coming up and everybody on our team plays hard.
“Coach McGraw wouldn't have it any other way. He's about intensity all the time. And that's the way we play.”
