The RoundHouse | 9/19/2024 4:19:00 PM
By Paul Suellentrop
Guard
Taylor Jameson offers perhaps the most positive view possible of 6 a.m. sprints, weights and basketball drills.
"I think of it as more a daily vitamin than a chore," Jameson said. "I love boot camp. It's a good opportunity for us to push past our limits mentally, physically and emotionally."
Wichita State women's basketball team finishes up a week of conditioning on Friday with basketball drills such as defensive slides and passing a medicine ball. Earlier, they ran sprints, ran on the University Stadium track and a weight-room circuit. Full practices start on Monday.
"Boot camp – it creates some cohesion," coach
Terry Nooner said. "It helps with conditioning, creates some mental toughness."
The cardio and strength work are important, no doubt. Coaches and athletes often point to the team-building aspect of the week as more beneficial. Teammates encourage each other to sprint through the finish line and beat the necessary time. They slap hands and cheer when a teammate pushes through fatigue. On Wednesday, Nooner designated a set of sprints for conference and NCAA tournament play near the end of the 40-minute session.
"It helps us stay together and understand the importance of being able to push through in adverse times," Jameson said.
Forward
Ornella Niankan admits she isn't a morning person and doesn't love boot camp. She sees the value, regardless.
"I know that we need it," she said. "Waking up that early, it pushes us to start our day. That's practicing good habits."
Nooner plans on playing fast this season by using a deep roster to pressure on defense. Boot camp signals that style of play.
"Doing this will help us to play the style of basketball he wants us to play," Niankan said. "Fast. Chasing after the basketball all the time."
Nooner said he is seeing his team's depth in practice. Last week, he said the Shockers played so well and so hard against the men's practice opponents that they asked for a timeout.
"They were tired, and we just kept it on them," he said. "If we can be high energy the whole time, I think we'll do a good job wearing (opponents) a little bit."
Boot camp is the signal that games are near, and the toughest teams earn an advantage. The Shockers hoped they built that toughness over the summer and highlighted it in boot camp.
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
