Indiana University Athletics
Hoosier Hysteria a Hit
10/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 15, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.-- The much anticipated 2005-06 men's and women's basketball seasons officially got underway Friday night at the first annual Hoosier Hysteria at Branch McCracken Court at Assembly Hall. Approximately 11,000 members of the Hoosier nation welcomed the men's and women's basketball team as they took the court for one of the most electric and anticipated nights of the season. The night was more than basketball success. Several thousand canned food goods were collected to assist in the hurricane relief efforts and the Hoosier Hills food bank.
With doors opening at 8:15, fans got their first glimpse of the new state-of-the art scoreboard-video board, the much talked about men's team and Indiana women's new head coach, Sharon Versyp.
"It was very exciting," Versyp said. "For me, to be back home in Indiana, and for this great group of women, it was good for all of us to see the excitement of what Indiana basketball is all about and the tradition that this university has. We just came out, had a good time, relaxed, and tried to enjoy all of the festivities and the experience."
The night started off with introductions of the women's team followed by a scrimmage in which the red team, led by fifth-year senior Jenny DeMuth, outscored the white 16-9.
The men then took the court for introductions and their first open matchup of the year. The red team, led by senior Marco Killingsworth and D.J. White, maintained the early lead and never looked back, winning the intersquad match, 21-14.
"It was a lot of fun," Stickland said. "I'm glad the fans came out like they did tonight. They made a lot of noise and made it a good time. We showed off the scoreboard, and I think everyone is excited about that. It's going to be an exciting year and we showed that on the court."
Head Coach Mike Davis shared similar thoughts with Strickland on the season.
"I feel good about this team and I feel good about what we can do," Davis. "We have a chance to do something special."
By 9:45 the action was only getting started. Seniors Marshall Strickland and Cyndi Valentin squared off in the three-point contest in which Valentin prevailed for the third time in her career, netting fourteen threes in the final round. In the spot-shot contest, White paired with DeMuth, but it was the Indianapolis duo of freshman Kimberly Roberson and sophomore Robert Vaden who prevailed.
"Tonight was fun," Valentin said. "It's a great way to start the season. In last year's three-point contest, Ryan Tapak beat me, but I made sure I won it this year. I saw him in the crowd but didn't get to talk to him"
Rounding out the night was the much anticipated dunk contest. Defending champion, Killingsworth, sophomore A.J. Ratliff, junior Roderick Wilmont and freshmen Joey Shaw and Cem Dinc all participated in the jam fest. Indianapolis' Ratliff jumped over sophomore Adam Ahlfeld for the slam in the second round. With the crowd on its feet, Ratliff was just getting warned up. For the win, Ratliff soared over his sophomore teammates, which included 6-9 White and 6-5 Vaden to claim his first Hoosier Hysteria dunk title.
The women's season officially gets under way with an exhibition match at home on Nov. 3 against the Reebok Lady Stars at 7:30. The men will face Saint Joseph's in an exhibition match the following day.
