Many K-State athletes put on great performances this past sports season. Here is a look at two of the most impressive who stuck out to members of the sports staff.
Mark Kern: sports editor
Any time you set a school record, that is a major accomplishment. That is just what senior guard Brittany Chambers did when she poured in 42 points in the first round of the WNIT against Texas Southern. For a team that was under-manned and always the smaller team, the grit and determination that Chambers showed in guiding her team was truly incredible.
Chambers led the team with 21 points and 7.6 rebounds. In most games, the opposing coaches’ number one emphasis was not allowing Chambers to score. Not only did Chambers score a lot of points, she did it on a very consistent basis, shooting 43 percent from the field, including 38 percent from the 3-point line.
Chambers was terrific all season as she helped guide the Wildcats to the Final Four of the WNIT and 19 wins on the season. However, on that March 21 night in Bramlage, she put on the greatest performance in Wildcat women’s basketball history.
John Zetmeir: staff writer
In a year in which both the football and men’s basketball teams won Big 12 championships, there are going to be a number of games where an individual stands out.
On Jan. 5, the Wildcat men’s basketball team opened up their Big 12 season against the No. 22 Oklahoma State Cowboys, who looked like a prime contender for the Big 12 title during their non-conference schedule. The game was during winter break and was also two days after the football team played in the Fiesta Bowl. Why is that relevant? Because this had an effect on the crowd at Bramlage Coliseum. For a game of this magnitude, the Wildcats opened their Big 12 season in front of a merely average crowd.
To start the game, senior guard Rodney McGruder’s only points came off of a dunk mid way through the first half. With the Wildcats trailing the Cowboys 32-30 at halftime, McGruder was 1-6 from the field, McGruder knew he had to come out in the second half looking to be more aggressive. He did just that. What happened next was one of the best performances of his impressive career at as Wildcat.
McGruder shot 10-13 from the field in the second half, finishing the game with 28 points, 26 of which came in that second half. McGruder went a perfect five for five from behind the arc, which included tough shots off of the dribble and routine jump shots. McGruder simply could not be stopped. With a final stat line that read 28 points, five rebounds, and a pair of assists and steals, McGruder willed the Wildcats to a tough win. This win not only put McGruder’s name among some of the top players in the country, but also showed the Big 12 that the Wildcats were a top team in the conference.