North Carolina State University Athletics
Yow's Revival
2/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
But since Yow came back - healthy, inspiring and ready to finish out her 32nd season as coach - the Wolfpack became winners.
They've won seven of their eight games since Yow's return, including a stunning upset of then-No. 2 North Carolina on a night N.C. State renamed the Reynolds Coliseum court for its beloved coach. They've gone from Atlantic Coast Conference also-ran to a shoo-in for a spot in the NCAA tournament.
And the players say the best explanation for their success is simple.
``Coach Yow and then the team had been through a lot. She's still battling, and she inspires us,'' forward Khadijah Whittington said. ``Just knowing that she's back and that she's still going through what she's going through, the effort that she's giving to our team right now, we see that as a team.
``We just play hard, and when we feel like we're tired, we have (assistant coach Stephanie Glance) telling us, `Look who you have in front of you,''' she added. ``She's tough. She's battling more than any of us. You think you're tired, just think about what Coach Yow's going through. When we feel like we're slipping or a game's about to slip away, we're just motivated.''
Yow, a Hall of Fame coach who led the U.S. women's team to an Olympic gold medal in 1984, began her graceful fight against breast cancer in 1987.
The cancer recurred during the 2004-05 season and Yow left took leave from the team in November to focus on her treatment. She underwent several procedures that her longtime oncologist, Dr. Mark Graham, called ``life-extending'' instead of curative.
``I'm always more fatigued than I would like to be,'' Yow said. ``The main thing is, just keep doing some things, and we'll just see after a few more months where I am.
``Considering everything, I praise the Lord. I think I'm doing pretty good.''
Yow downplays the effect of her return after 16 games, insisting the Wolfpack's recent strong play is the result of several key players finally playing at full speed after injuries.
``That, perhaps combined with an inspiration factor of my persevering and coming back on the bench,'' Yow said. ``I wanted to come back for the team and for the staff. ... I said to (the assistants that) they have the knowledge. You have prepared them. They have it. Then hopefully I'll be the inspiration, and those two combined, we have a chance to really get on track and play well. And, sort of, that has happened for us.''
Not much has slipped away from N.C. State since Yow made her triumphant comeback Jan. 25 against Virginia and promptly led her team to - what else? - a comeback victory.
The Wolfpack then seemingly stamped their legitimacy with a 68-51 win over Florida State - a game N.C. State led by 22 points at halftime. The victory made Yow just one of six Division I women's coaches with 700 wins.
Then came a magical Senior Night against rival North Carolina. The Wolfpack dedicated their home floor to Yow, honored their six senior players and then promptly pounced on the startled Tar Heels, leading by 26 points in the first half and securing a 72-65 victory that caught the nation's attention.
``The thing that I will remember, the first half, when we were just hitting shots left and right,'' senior Sasha Reaves said. ``They were like, 'Who is this team?' They were just stunned, and I loved every minute of it.''
Said Yow: ``We couldn't have written a better script. There's no way to improve on that evening. ... It may never happen again like that.''
Unless, of course, the Wolfpack embark on a miraculous run through the ACC and NCAA tournaments. Because, according to NCAA rules, N.C. State is the host of the first- and second-round tournament site at the RBC Center, the Wolfpack are ensured of playing in their hometown if they make the 64-team field - sweet serendipity for Yow, whose condition makes travel difficult.
``Of all my years, to be able to be here is a real blessing,'' Yow said. ``I know it's going to be really tough because we won't be the high seed in that pool, so it'll be a real challenge.''
