DRC..Blanton steps into new role

OldTimer · December 11, 2002

NT?s Blanton steps into new role

12/11/2002

By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer

It still seems strange for Kim Blanton to scan the statistics for the North Texas women?s basketball team and see herself as the leading scorer.

Blanton, a 6-1 junior forward, has gone from being a bit player the last two seasons to becoming UNT?s top offensive threat.

Blanton is averaging 13.3 points per game and has scored in double figures in all six games this season ? or two more times than she had previously in her college career ? leading the Lady Eagles to a 4-2 record entering Wednesday night?s 7 p.m. game against Indiana at the Super Pit.

"I didn?t expect it," said Blanton, whose career-best scoring night entering the season was 13 points. "I?m not going to say I did. But I?m getting used to it."

The Lady Eagles lost its top four point producers from last season, including the program?s all-time leading scorer in Jalie Mitchell. That left coach Tina Slinker wondering how her team would put points on the board.

But Slinker felt a little better when she saw the improvements Blanton had made in her game over the summer. Then the coach was overwhelmed after watching Blanton break out with a 21-point, 11-rebound performance in the season-opening win over UT-San Antonio.

Blanton, who had always been the best raw athlete on the team, worked on becoming better at catching the ball and finishing in traffic, focusing on going up strong but shooting with a soft touch. She also developed a handful of post moves and improved her shooting range.

"Coming in here, she didn?t have those offensive skills," Slinker said. "She?s worked tremendously hard. But I think the biggest difference is her confidence."

In the past two seasons, Blanton became accustomed to being the fourth or fifth offensive option when she was on the floor. She accepted the role, concentrating on rebounding and playing defense.

Suddenly, however, Blanton has become much more assertive. She now demands the ball in the post, though she has a sheepish smile on her face when she?s asked about her newfound aggressiveness.

Blanton said she is just responding to her coaches? requests to take on a larger role.

"They?ve been telling me, ?We?re going to need you,?" Blanton said. "You have to welcome that kind of pressure. You have to embrace it."

TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-381-9572.