Romero Doing Heavy Lifting in First Seaso

 Head Coach Sherri Coale (OKLAHOMA)

 On the play of freshman Leti Romero…
“She is a talented freshman. She is a really good freshman. She ducks her head and goes to the rim and it is a free throw.”

 Romero Doing Heavy Lifting in First Season
Freshman guard Leticia Romero has taken on a large dose of the offense, while also adjusting to a new culture and language in her first season in Manhattan. Through 20 games, Romero has been responsible for 43.1 percent of K-State’s made field goals this season, as she has scored or assisted on 194 of K-State’s 424 made field goals. In Big 12 action, Romero has been responsible for 43.6 percent of K-State’s 195 made field goals. She has eight games of 50 percent or better in field goals responsible for.

In comparison, three-time All-Big 12 First Team and 2013 Associated Press All-America honorable mention selection Brittany Chambers was responsible for 49.0 percent of K-State’s made field goals last season with either a made field goal or assist on 395 of K-State’s 806 field goals. In her freshman season in 2009-10, Chambers was responsible for just 30.0 percent of K-State’s made field goals.

Additionally, Romero could lean to the bench for advice on offensive responsibility as Shalee Lehning was responsible for 31.1 percent of K-State’s made field goals at the end of her freshman year in 2005-06. At the conclusion of her senior year in 2008-09, Lehning was responsible for 44.7 percent of K-State’s made field goals.

Wildcats Rally for Win over Sooners

Win ends a 13-game skid to the Sooners
Jan. 29, 2014
Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes |  Photo Gallery

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A near triple-double from Leticia Romero and three other Wildcats in double figures provided Kansas State a second-half boost, as the Wildcats erased a five-point halftime deficit to defeat Oklahoma, 86-78, Wednesday night at Bramlage Coliseum.

The win for K-State (9-11, 3-6 Big 12) was the first over the Sooners since Jan. 31, 2004, halting a 13-game skid. The Wildcats are now 13-13 all-time against Oklahoma in games played in Manhattan.

Romero finished with a game-high 23 points on 6-of-12 shooting, while adding also leading the contest with 10 rebounds and nine assists. This marks Romero’s 15th double figure scoring game and her third double-double this season.

Leick earned her fourth career double digit scoring game for the Wildcats, as she turned in a 22-point effort. The senior from Grey Cloud Township, Minn., made a career-high five 3-pointers.

After trailing for a majority of the game, K-State tied the game at 51 after Kindred Wesemann completed a three-point play on an acrobatic layup and free throw. Romero followed Wesemann’s play with a three-pointer of her own, to give K-State its first lead, 54-51, since the 12:07 mark of the first half.

A quick 6-0 run by the Sooners (13-8, 4-4 Big 12) gave the visitors a slight three-point advantage, 57-54, with 7:52 remaining. Trailing 59-56 with just over seven minutes remaining, Ashia Woods drove to the rim for a lay-up and was fouled. Woods completed the three-point play with the made free throw to tie the game at 59 apiece with 7:08 to play. Woods would finish with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting.

Romero then took over for K-State, scoring 12 points in the final seven minutes of the game and giving the Wildcats the lead for good. OU would come close to tying the game on several occasions, but K-State’s defense never allowed it to happen.

The Sooners controlled the tempo of the game for most of the first half. A jumper by Kaylon Williams gave OU an 11-8 advantage after four minutes of action. Breanna Lewis hit a running layup to give the Wildcats their first lead of the game at 16-15. Two free throws from Wesemann extended that lead to 18-15 with just over 12 minutes left in the opening half.

Six straight free-throws from OU’s Sharane Campbell gave the Sooners the lead back for the rest of the half. The Sooners would stretch their lead to as many as eight points, but Leick kept the game close with her precise three-point shooting. Two free-throws from OU in the closing seconds gave the visitors a 40-35 lead at the break. This was K-State’s first win this season when trailing at halftime (1-10).

Nicole Griffin led four Sooners in double-digit scoring with 23. Morgan Hook finished with 21 points and six assists.

Bench scoring was a difference maker in the game, as the Wildcats’ reserves outscored their counterparts, 16-4, with Wesemann finishing with a career-high 14 points.

K-State will begin a two-game road trip with a Saturday night tilt against No. 23/21 Iowa State at 8 p.m., before traveling to Morgantown, W.V., to face the Mountaineers on Saturday, Feb. 8. The Wildcats return to the friendly confines of Bramlage Coliseum on Feb. 12, when the Texas Longhorns come to town. To purchase tickets, contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office by calling 1-800-221-CATS or online at kstatesports.com.

Publicado en:  http://www.kstatesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/012914aab.html

K-State Rally Falls Short in Sunflower Showdown

Romero and Leick reach double figures in defeat
Jan. 25, 2014
Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes |  Photo Gallery  | K-StateHD.TV Highlights

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Double figures from Leticia Romero and Katya Leick were not enough for Kansas State, as the Wildcats dropped a close decision to in-state rival Kansas, 71-64, in the 107th meeting in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown Saturday afternoon at Bramlage Coliseum.

Romero reached double figures for the 14th time this season with 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting. She tallied 14 of her 17 points in the second half. The freshman from Las Palmas, Spain, also dished out eight assists and hauled in five rebounds.

Leick carded her third game in double figures as a Wildcat with 12 points. She also pulled in a team-high nine rebounds.

The first half featured a back-and-forth game, with neither team able to build a lead bigger than seven points. After falling behind 7-6, freshman Kindred Wesemann knocked down a three-pointer from the corner to give the Wildcats (8-11, 2-6 Big 12) a 9-7 lead over the Jayhawks (10-10, 3-5 Big 12) with 14:28 left in the opening period.

That would be the last time the Wildcats would lead, as the Jayhawks took control of the game. A jumper by Chelsea Gardner would spark KU to an 8-0 run and help the visitors lead for the remaining 13 minutes of the half and hold a 32-26 halftime edge.

The Wildcats shot 10-of-26 (38.5%) from the field in the half, including 3-of-7 from three-point range. Senior Ashlynn Knoll led K-State’s bench with five of her seven points at the half, with eight total Wildcats scoring at least two points.

K-State was able to narrow the halftime deficit to three, 32-29, in the first two minutes of the second half. The Wildcats had four opportunities to close the gap even closer or to take the lead, but KU was able to fend off the Wildcats’ attempts. The Jayhawks stretched their lead to as many as 14 points, with 7:28 to play.

K-State made things interesting in the final three minutes, cutting the lead to six points, before the visitors put the game away for good. Gardner led the way for KU with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Four other Jayhawks scored in double figures.

Turnovers proved to be the difference maker in the game, as the Jayhawks were able to score 19 points on 13 Wildcat mistakes. K-State was only able to convert 16 KU turnovers into five points.

K-State will look to get back on track on Wednesday night, as the Wildcats host Oklahoma at 7 p.m. The game can be seen live on Fox Sports Kansas City and heard on the K-State Sports Network. Wednesday night’s game promotion will be National Girls and Women in Sports Day. To purchase tickets, contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office by calling 1-800-221-CATS or online at kstatesports.com.

Publicado en:  http://www.kstatesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/012514aab.html

Freshman Force Leading the Cats

By K-State Athletics on January 25, 2014 7:00 AM

 

January 25, 2013

By Kelly McHugh

Leti Romero is settling into her role on the K-State women's basketball team perhaps better than anyone expected.

The freshman from Las Palmas, Spain, earned her second Big 12 Freshman of the Week recognition of the season last week for her stellar performance in K-State's 80-74 win over the No. 13/11 Iowa State on Jan 18.

"I'm just ecstatic about her progress thinking about the fact that she's so young in the American game right now," head coach Deb Patterson said. "Her upside continues to be tremendous. As we continue to recruit great players around her and watch her teammates step up and step on the floor and make the shots they're capable of making, we've become better instantly."

While the recognition is nice, Romero says the win meant more than the award.

"For me it's not a big, big deal because I would always rather just get a win," she explained. "Being freshman of the week is something that came, and it makes you happy, but as long as I know I'm helping the team and my play is helping my team to win, that's all I want."

Romero has been turning heads on the court as she is averaging 14.6 points per game and has led her team in scoring in 10 of K-State's 18 games this season, including a career-high 27 points against Iowa State in the Wildcats' upset win last weekend. 

 

She's been making tricky shots and has become the player opposing teams zone in on to defend when playing K-State. Despite being a new player in the league, though, Romero has been playing with high confidence.

"It was a little bit of a struggle at first, and I had to figure things out," Romero said. "I had to learn the speed, how to play tough. It was something I really had to learn when I came, so I think I'm improving that and I'm seeing it. (Playing) well has really grown my confidence."

Along with her tremendous scoring effort, Romero leads her team in both rebounding, with 5.9 rebounds per game, and in steals, with 32 so far this season.

"She is extremely talented and I think that one thing that we do forget because she is so talented is that she's a freshman," senior forward Katya Leick said. "To put up the numbers she does, and to have the composure to play that well just shows her maturity level and shows how much she's been able to grow from her first preseason game until now."

Not only has Romero learned new things and worked hard on the court to get accustomed to a new style of basketball, but off the court, as a freshman, she has had to figure out the college lifestyle while also adapting to a new culture.

Along with getting used to a new culture comes with getting used to its weather. This week in Las Palmas, Spain, it was a sunny 65 degrees - a little different than the below freezing temperatures recently in Manhattan, Kan.  

"Well, the weather here was something that I was scared of because I'm not used to it," Romero laughed after just entering the K-State Basketball Training Facility for practice and was bundled up head-to-toe. "But it's been good. You get used to it."

And got used to it she has. 

While the weather might be cold outside, inside, Romero continues to heat things up on the court. 

She and her team return to Bramlage Coliseum to face the Kansas Jayhawks this afternoon at 1 p.m., for the Dillons Sunflower Showdown. Both teams will look to redeem themselves as K-State (8-10, 2-5 Big 12) is coming off of a 71-48 loss to Baylor while Kansas (9-10, 2-5 Big 12) is coming off of a 64-56 loss to Oklahoma State.

"There's always a real high level of anticipation prior to this KU game just because it's a school to school rivalry," Patterson said. "It transcends all the sports here at Kansas State and at KU. It's fun for the fans, the student body, the players and the coaches. You know these are great games; they take on just a little bit of a different personality.

"Generally speaking, you can just throw everything out the window because rivalry games are going to be radical, different, they're going to somehow take a swing or turn that's different than a traditional game you play."

For more information on this afternoon's Sunflower Showdown, click here.

We hope you enjoy K-State Sports Extra. We would like to hear your comments and any story ideas for future emails, so fire them our way. Contact Kelly McHugh, Mark Janssen or K-State Assistant AD for Communications Kenny Lannou.

Piublicado en:  http://www.kstatesports.com/blog/2014/01/freshman-force-leading-the-cats.html

Romero Named Big 12 Freshman of the Week

Romero is fourth Wildcat to earn two Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors

Jan. 20, 2014

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State’s Leticia Romero was rewarded with her second Phillips 66 Big 12 Freshman of the Week honor on Monday afternoon, as she helped K-State register its first two wins in Big 12 play last week, including its first win over a ranked opponent this season.

Romero is the fourth Wildcat and the first since the 2002 season to earn two Phillips 66 Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors.

For the week, Romero averaged 24.0 points which included a pair of games with 20 or more points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.0 steals. She also registered a 2.3 assist to turnover ratio in 33.0 minutes per game.

Romero, the league’s top freshman scorer and passer, registered 21 points, four assists, two rebounds and a steal at Texas Tech on Jan. 14. The win by the Wildcats ended a 10-game road losing streak and a four-game conference losing skid.

The product of Las Palmas, Spain followed her 21-point performance against the Lady Raiders with a career-high 27 points in a career-best 39 minutes of action to help K-State to an 80-74 win over No. 13/11 Iowa State. Romero added six rebounds, five assists and a steal to her final stat line.

Her two 20-point games last week were her third and fourth of the season and her 12th and 13th games in double figures. She is the first Wildcat to register consecutive 20-point games since Brittany Chambers set the school record last season with nine straight 20-point games.

For the season, Romero leads K-State in scoring (14.6 ppg), rebounds (5.9 rpg), assists (4.6 apg) and steals (1.9 spg). Romero is the only freshman in the Big 12 to average 10 or more points, 5.5 or more rebounds, 4.5 or more assists and 1.5 or more steals.

The Wildcats travel to Waco, Texas on Wednesday for a matchup with No. 12/7 Baylor before returning for a two-game home stand starting with Kansas next Saturday. The game against Kansas can be seen live by a national audience on FSN and is set for a 1 p.m., tipoff. For ticket information, call the K-State Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 221-CATS or visit www.kstatesports.com/tickets.

Publicado en:  http://www.kstatesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/012014aaa.html

Wildcats Upset No. 13/11 Iowa State

K-State wins 850th game in program history; 8th straight season with win over ranked foe
 
Jan. 18, 2014
Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes |  Photo Gallery 

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A combined 50 points from freshman Leticia Romero and senior Katya Leick paced Kansas State on Saturday night, as the Wildcats withstood a late rally from No. 13/11 Iowa State to grab an 80-74 upset victory Saturday night.

K-State (8-9, 2-4 Big 12) picked up its second straight Big 12 victory and have now defeated a ranked opponent in eight straight seasons. The win was also the 850th in program history, which came in front of a season-high crowd of 8,221.

Romero finished with a career-high 27 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 8-of-10 from the foul line. She is the first Wildcat to register consecutive 20-point games since Brittany Chambers set the school record last season with nine straight. Romero also tallied six rebounds and five assists.

Leick notched a career-high 23 points on 6-of-11 from the field and a career-best 4-of-8 from the 3-point line. She also hauled in five rebounds for the ninth time this season.

The Wildcats raced out to a quick 15-5 lead after three-pointers from Romero and Leick in the first six minutes of the game. K-State would hold a lead for most of the first half, and lead by as many as 13 points.

The Wildcats had a great shooting half, going 12-of-27 (44.4%) from the field, including 6-of-14 (42.9%) from three-point range. K-State’s defense smothered the Cyclones (14-3, 3-3 Big 12), holding the visitors to a paltry 6-of-31 (19.4%) shooting from the field in the opening stanza. The Wildcats went into the break with a 30-22 advantage.

Romero led K-State with 11 points and five rebounds at halftime.

The second half provided a more offensive game, with both teams pouring in at least 50 points. A free throw from Leick gave the Wildcats their biggest lead of the game at 65-49 with 4:15 remaining in the game.

Both teams traded baskets until Iowa State mounted a late comeback, as the Cyclones made five three-pointers in the final three minutes of the game to cut the lead to 77-74 in favor of the Wildcats. K-State however was able to make 16-of-22 from the free-throw line in the last five minutes to keep the Cyclones at bay.

It was a back and forth half, with both teams shooting at least 50 percent from the field in the final period. K-State finished the night shooting 25-of-51 (49%) from the field, which included a 30-12 advantage in points in the paint. The Wildcats also went 21-of-30 from the free-throw line, all in the second-half.

ISU had four players finish in double figures, with Brynn Williams leading the way with 17 points.

The Wildcats travel to Waco, Texas on Wednesday for a matchup with No. 7/7 Baylor before returning for a two-game home stand starting with Kansas next Saturday. The game against Kansas can be seen live to a national audience on FSN and is set for a 1 p.m., tipoff. For ticket information, call the K-State Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 221-CATS or visit www.kstatesports.com/tickets.

Publicado en:  http://www.kstatesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/011814aab.html

K-State Ends Pair of Streaks with Win

Wildcats snap 10-game road losing streak
Jan. 14, 2014
Box Score

LUBBOCK, Texas – Kansas State used a 15-3 run to end the first half to end a pair of losing streaks on Tuesday night with a 72-65 win at Texas Tech. The win snaps a four-game skid to open Big 12 play and a 10-game road losing streak.

The Wildcats (7-9, 1-4 Big 12) were paced again by the duo of Leticia Romero and Ashia Woods. The tandem combined for 35 points, as Romero notched 21 points and Woods carded 14. Romero has scored 20 or more points a team-high three times this season. This was Woods’ seventh game in double figures this season.

As a team, K-State shot .500 from the field for the night and cashed in 15-of-18 (.833) from the charity stripe. The Wildcats also held a 36-26 advantage on the boards, with 13 coming on the offensive end resulting in 19 second chance points.

K-State saw its early shooting struggles continue, as Texas Tech (6-10, 0-5 Big 12) built a six-point lead, 18-12, with 8:11 to play in the first half on an Amber Battle jump shot. The Wildcats were just 5-of-15 from the field, including 0-of-3 from beyond the arc.

Kansas State regrouped and closed out the opening stanza on a 15-3 run. Bri Craig started the rally with a steal and fast break layup. Haley Texada followed with a layup of her own. Craig answered Texada’s layup with a jump shot in the paint, while Texada answered with a three-point field goal in front of the Texas Tech bench to give K-State its first lead of the half at 21-18 with 5:02 to play.

The run continued, as Ashia Woods registered four straight points on a layup and a rebound and put back. Breanna Lewis capped the run with a rebound and put back of her own with 40 seconds to play in the half to give K-State a 27-21 lead at the break. During the run, K-State was 7-of-13 (.538) from the field to help K-State shoot .429 for the half.

The Wildcats continued its hot shooting into the early stages of the second half, as the Wildcats were 5-of-7 from the floor to build a 39-29 lead with 15:35 to play. Romero tallied eight of K-State’s 12 points in the first five minutes of the second half.

The Lady Raiders narrowed the game to three, 42-39, with 12:21 remaining as Minta Spears connected on a three. K-State quickly answered as Romero found Ashlynn Knoll cutting to the basket for a layup to push K-State into a 44-39 lead with 11:45 to play.

K-State pieced together an 8-2 run to push themselves into a 57-49 lead with 7:02 remaining. Breanna Lewis was the catalyst of the run, as she tallied the first four points.

The Wildcats appeared to seal the game, as Romero found Woods on a backdoor cut for a layup with 2:26 to play to give K-State a 64-56 lead. After a pair of Romero free throws to give K-State a 66-56 lead, Texas Tech score four straight points to claw to within six, 66-60, with 52 seconds to play.

Kansas State stepped to the foul in and converted 10-of-11 free throws in the final five minutes of the game to send the Wildcats to its first Big 12 win.

Texas Tech was led by Battle with a game-high 32 points. Joining Battle in double figures was Spears with 12.

Kansas State returns to Bramlage Coliseum on Saturday night as the Wildcats host No. 13/11 Iowa State at 7 p.m. Saturday night’s game will be K-State’s annual “Pack the House” game, as all tickets and select concession items will be available for a $1. Also, fans will be entertained at halftime by The Magic of JP Wilson. For purchase tickets, contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 221-CATS or visit www.kstatesports.com/tickets.

Publicado en:  http://kstatesports.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/011414aaa.html

Slow Start to Second Half Costs Wildcats

Romero and Woods combine for 29 points
Jan. 11, 2014
Box Score

NORMAN, Okla. – Trailing by just five at the half, Kansas State was unable to overcome a 16-6 run by Oklahoma to begin the second half as K-State fell for the fourth straight game on Saturday night, 61-50.

The Wildcats (6-9, 0-4 Big 12) was paced by the tandem of Leticia Romero and Ashia Woods. The duo entered Saturday night’s game responsible for 55.7 percent of K-State’s scoring in Big 12 play and combined for 29 of K-State’s 50 points.

Romero registered her second career double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. She also dished out four assists and pocketed three steals. The freshman guard from Las Palmas, Spain has scored in double figures in 11 games this season, including three of four league games.

Woods joined Romero in double figures with 10 points. She also added three rebounds, three steals and two assists to her final stat line. The junior guard from Wichita has scored in double figures 11 times in her career, including six this season.

K-State tallied its second slow start from the field in a Big 12 road game, as the Wildcats opened 3-of-18 from the field. Despite the cold shooting, K-State trailed Oklahoma (11-6, 2-2 Big 12) by just six, 12-6, with 7:51 to play in the first half.

The Wildcats remained in the game in the first half, cutting the Sooners’ lead to three, 19-16, with 1:36 to play on a Romero layup in transition and a pair of Katya Leick free throws. Nicole Griffin tallied four points at the end of the half to give the Sooners a 23-18 lead at the half.

K-State shot .207 from the field (6-of-29) in the first stanza, but forced Oklahoma into nine turnovers and held the Sooners to a .320 field goal percentage (8-of-25).

Oklahoma used a 16-6 run in the first eight minutes of the second half to hold a 39-24 lead with 12:18 to play. Aaryn Ellenberg scored 14 of the 16 points during the run, including a pair of three-point field goals and six free throws.

After Ellenberg went on her individual run, Oklahoma was paced by Sharane Campbell. Campbell notched eight straight points for the Sooners to build the OU lead back to 47-30 with 9:12 to play.

K-State clawed back to within eight, 49-41, with 6:29 to play. Romero notched a three, while Heidi Brown sank a pair of free throws. Brown finished with five points off the bench, as K-State held a 14-8 edge in bench points.

The Wildcats defense held the Sooners’ offense in check late in the game, but a scramble for a loose ball following a K-State miss with Oklahoma holding a 58-48 lead with 2:12 remaining, resulted in a transition three-point field goal for Ellenberg with two minutes to play and make the score 61-48.

Oklahoma was led on Saturday night by Ellenberg with a game-high 23 points. Griffin finished with 14 points, including a 10-of-13 effort from the foul line.

For the game, K-State shot .295 from the field and held a 23-18 edge in points in the paint. Oklahoma shot .408 from the field and were 17-of-22 from the foul line while K-State was 8-of-11 from the charity stripe.

K-State will close out its two-game road trip on Tuesday night, as the Wildcats will face Texas Tech at 7 p.m., in Lubbock. The game will be available on the K-State Sports Network and at kstatesports.com/allaccess.

Publicado en:  http://kstatesports.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/011114aaa.html

Blog Leticia Romero: “Feliz año a todos!”

 

Feliz año a todos!! Definitivamente ha pasado bastante tiempo desde la última vez que escribí. En este tiempo ausente en el blog mi vida básicamente ha dado un giro de 190 grados.

De repente, me encuentro en el otro lado del charco, buscándome un sitio entre una multitud de talentos que crecen cada día por estos lugares. Sin embargo, solo soy una más entre otras tantas de mi generación que hemos decidido emigrar a las Américas convirtiéndonos en españoles aventureros como dirían algunos.

Dejando la filosofía a un lado, tampoco me voy a poner a hablar sobre la pésima situación que tenemos en España que hace que muchos deportistas (y trabajadores de todo tipo) tengan que buscar mejor destino en el extranjero, porque ese tema ya está bastante tocado.

Dicho esto, me sitúo; me encuentro en el medio del medio de Estados Unidos. Donde un día nieva y al día siguiente nos morimos de calor y al otro caen relámpagos. Así de bipolar es el tiempo en Manhattan, Kansas -también conocido como Manhappiness- que no es precisamente lo que más me apasiona sobre este lugar (y más viniendo de donde yo vengo). Lo que sí puedo decir es que a falta de buen tiempo, bueno es el café que por un lado te despierta para ir a clase y mantenerte centrada en comprender el inglés americano con sus variaciones y sus acentos, y por otro, te calienta el cuerpo cuando vas a salir de tu casa y notas los -15 gradotes que te dan los buenos días. Pues eso, que ya me he adictado al café.

Bueno, centrándonos en lo importante, el estar aquí me permite compaginar estudios y baloncesto. Por lo académico, mi objetivo es terminar la carrera de International Business. En cuanto al baloncesto, tengo la suerte de tener una segunda familia que me ha acogido increíblemente bien. Por supuesto, la transición no ha sido fácil. No sé ni cuantas veces me he quedado en ridículo por no entender algo o contestar diferente a lo que me preguntaban. Pero gracias a todo esto mi inglés va mejorando poco a poco, pero muy poco a poco. Como dicen aquí… The struggle is real. Sobre todo cuando se trata de hablar en los partidos. Estoy segura de que mi primer mes aquí lideré el ranking de ‘base menos comunicativa en la cancha’.

A pesar de tanto cambio y tanta diferencia, en este momento no me arrepiento de haber tomado la decisión que me hizo venir aquí. En primer lugar porque como ya he dicho, me he encontrado con un grupo de personas que me han ayudado muchísimo a que me adaptara más fácilmente, a entender todo y a formar parte de la “K-State Family”. Y es que, a pesar de que no estamos teniendo el comienzo de liga deseado y realmente cada partido está siendo una batalla que de momento se nos pone difícil. Y sí, la Big12 va a ser todo un desafío para nuestro equipo. Sin embargo, sé que las cosas van a llegar, porque tenemos unas entrenadoras de 10. Desde la ‘head coach’ hasta ‘Coach E’, toda una playmaker en su momento y considerada la mejor base del mundo de su época. Porque también esta Shalee (entrenadora ayudante) que tiene la experiencia WNBA y que personalmente me está ayudando en todo, y de la que puedo aprender muchísimo. Y de experiencia WNBA que no sea, Claire Coggins (Chicago Sky), quien nos hace la vida imposible cada vez que tenemos que defenderla en los entrenos. Porque en el equipo hay un trío español (Dos canarios y un catalán-la combinación perfecta), Xavi López y Pablo Guimerá, dos grandes. Porque somos las Wildcats lo cual significa (gato salvaje o montes). Porque tengo las mejores compañeras de equipo que hubiese podido imaginar. Tengo que decir que les mola mi acento canario en mis intentos de hablar inglés. Les gusta imitarme y reírse de lo gracioso que es. También me he propuesto inculcar el español pero me está siendo misión imposible. De momento ya tenemos una jugada a la que hemos llamado ‘Spain’ y otra ‘fiesta’, la próxima será ‘Agüimes’ jajaja. Por cierto, atentos a mis nuevos nombres… La-T-shaaa, Leri o Let’s. Aquí nadie me llama Leti/Leticia, principalmente porque no lo saben pronunciar! En definitiva, estos cuatro meses han sido intensos, productivos y de los cuales he disfrutado tremendamente. Aún así, se echa de menos la familia, la comida, los amigos, EL ESPAÑOL. Porque es cierto eso de que “uno puede irse, pero no hacerse”. En eso estará de acuerdo conmigo toda la armada española repartida por USA. Y es que en España somos diferentes, es otra cultura, nos lo tomamos todo más con calma. Algo de lo que el equipo ya se ha dado cuenta, teniendo tres españoles que van a otro ritmo jajaja. A un lado las bromas, la experiencia americana es inolvidable y recomendable para todo aquel que lo abarque con ganas e ilusión.

En cierto modo y más allá del baloncesto, el corto tiempo que he estado aquí me ha servido para aprender unas cuantas cosas y seguiré aprendiendo en estos cuatro años en los que K-State será mi hogar. Y por si alguno se sigue preguntando si me arrepiento de haber venido, no solo no me arrepiento sino que se que no estaría mejor en ningún sitio como en éste. PERIOD.

Publicado en:  http://www.zonadostres.com/blog-leticia-romero/

KANSAS STATE - BAYLOR

Lluis Tunez comentó en facebook:

Los Reyes Magos se han portado bien y os han traído el Baylor - Kansas State que se jugó el jueves.

Para mí la mejor base del mundo nacida en 1992 (40 puntos) contra la mejor base del mundo nacida en 1995 (20 puntos). Que lo disfrutéis !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdbY1w-3srA

Stats: http://www.baylorbears.com/sports/w-baskbl/stats/2013-2014/12-ksu.html

NCAA-w Kansas State - Baylor 02.01.2014

Stats: http://www.baylorbears.com/sports/w-baskbl/stats/2013-2014/12-ksu.html

Españolas en USA. Leticia Romero, por encima de Kansas State

El gran primer año de Romero y su gran juego no evitan las tres derrotas a un errático Kansas State. En general, las españolas en la NCAA han empezado el año perdiendo con sus equipos pero individualmente están en forma. Como en el caso de Inma Zanoguera que pese liderar los Toledo Rockets tampoco consiguió ganar.
 

Leticia Romero sigue a gran nivel | Foto: kstatesports.com

Leticia Romero (Kansas State Wildcats)

Leticia Romero sigue sorprendiendo en su primer año en la NCAA y lideró a Kansas State con 15 puntos, 7 asistencias y 4 rebotes. El buen juego de la canaria no fue suficiente para vencer a North Carolina (60-77). Romero no dejó lugar a dudas, y en su último partido del año fue la clave en el triunfo de su equipo ante Riverside por 42-74. Sus 16 puntos, 10 asistencias y 5 rebotes dieron una enorme superioridad a Kansas State en el interior de la zona. Romero completó su trabajo a la perfección. La española ha anotado en todos los partidos que ha jugado. Por el contrario el año empezó mal para su equipo que perdió los dos partidos disputados este 2014. Las Wildcats no tuvieron suficiente con los 20 puntos que sumó Romero, y perdieron frente Baylor (92-63). En el siguiente partido anotó 15 puntos y 6 rebotes pero no evitaron la derrota.

Yaiza Rodriguez (Boise State Broncos)

Yaiza Rodriguez y Boise State Broncos rompieron la racha de tres derrotas consecutivas y vencieron a Cal State Fullerton por 66-64. En una victoria muy ajustada, Rodriguez fue clave para su equipo aportando 12 puntos y 5 rebotes en 35 minutos.

Elena de Alfredo e Inma Zanoguera (Toledo Rockets)

Inma Zanoguera volvió a hacer un gran partido, jugó uno de los mejores enfrentamientos de su carrera, pero se quedó sin premio. Zanoguera (19 puntos, 3 asistencias y 10 rebotes) y Elena de Alfredo (2 puntos en nueve minutos) no ganaron los dos partidos que han jugado esta semana y acumulan tres derrotas consecutivas para Toledo Rockets. Individualmente, el primer partido del año fue bueno para las españolas que anotaron 21 puntos 5 asistencias y 9 rebotes Inma, y Elena 6 puntos y dos rebotes.

Ariadna Pujol (USF Bulls)

Empieza fuerte el año. El USF de Ariadna Pujol se sobrepuso a sus dificultades para mover el balón en ataque y ganó. En ese aspecto, se supone que la actuación de sus jugadoras debía ser capital. Y lo fue, pero más que por sus pases, brillaron por su agresividad ofensiva. Pujol atacó el aro del Houston con mucha decisión y acierto, y anotó 14 puntos, 6 rebotes y 4 asistencias. El siguiente partido de la semana su equipo lo volvió a ganar con su ayuda. Puyol anotó 8 puntos, 4 rebotes y 1 asistencia y consiguió mantener una gran ventaja en el marcador ya en el primer cuarto 33-27.

Clara Solé (Siena Saints)

Clara Solé y su equipo los Siena Saints perdieron dos de los tres partidos de la semana. El primero, frente Iona College. Fue un encuentro ajustado en el que Clara Solé intentó reducir distancias con 8 puntos y 3 rebotes. Pese el esfuerzo de Solé en el segundo partido ante Rider, los Siena Saints sumaron una nueva derrota. La española aportó 8 puntos, 9 rebotes y 2 asistencias. Todo esfuerzo tiene su recompensa y Clara Solé vio cómo sus 13 puntos y 9 rebotes ayudaron, al fin, a ganar frente Manhattan por 82-58.

Berna Miranda (St. Thomas Bobcats)

Berna Miranda jugó tres partidos esta semana. El primero frente Olivet Nazarene y ganó por 116 a 108. Miranda tuvo una buena actuación con 3 puntos y 4 asistencias. El segundo encuentro ante Cardinal Stritch los St.Thomas Bobcats perdieron 60-71 y el buen juego de Berna no sirvió para vencer. Miranda empezó el año con buenas sensaciones y optimismo después de ganar su último encuentro y aportar 5 puntos.

Marina Lizarazu (Texas Tech)

Marina Lizarazu no pudo hacer nada para evitar una derrota durísima para su equipo. Los Texas Tech perdieron (68-38) frente Oklahoma. Marina sumó 8 puntos, 3 rebotes y 2 asistencias, pero no consiguió reducir los 30 puntos de desventaja de su equipo.

Ana Faussurier (Arkansas Razorbacks)

El Arkansas de Ana Faussurier brilla y continua invicto esta temporada tras ganar a MVSU por un marcador muy abultado, 100 a 54. Faussurier tuvo la oportunidad de participar en esta gran victoria y ayudó a su equipo con una buena actuación, anotó 10 puntos, 5 rebotes y 1 asistencia.

Irene Garí (UTEP)

En el encuentro frente a los Texas Southen, el equipo de Irene Garí, los UTEP, vencieron por 61-87. Garí irrumpió en la cancha como una centella, anotó 10 puntos, 7 rebotes y dos asistencias en los 19 minutos disputados y sentó las bases de una paliza que dejó vista que empiezan el año fuertes.

Victoria Viñé (Eckerd)

Victoria Viñé completó un buen partido durante los 14 minutos disputados, y aportó 5 puntos para su equipo. Aún así Eckerd perdió ante Nova Southeastern por 69-50.

Agueda Trujillo (Idaho Vandals)

Los Idaho Vandals de Agueda Trujillo acabaron el año perdiendo frente Texas por 78 a 87. Fue un golpe duro para el equipo que empezó bien el encuentro y repartió minutos entre sus jugadoras. Este inicio de año, Idaho resolvió una papeleta muy exigente física y mentalmente. Las dos victorias frente Kansas City (81-64) y Chicago State (92-41), en los que anotó 4 y 8 puntos respectivamente, fueron un golpe de efecto positivo. Se demostró que la lección del partido frente Taxas estaba aprendida.

Wildcats Fall to No. 9/9 Baylor in Big 12 Opener

Woods and Romero combine for 47 points in defeat

 

Jan. 2, 2014 MANHATTAN, Kan. – The duo of Ashia Woods and Leticia Romero combined for 47 points, but it was not enough for Kansas State, as the Wildcats dropped their Big 12 opener to No. 9/9 Baylor, 92-63, Thursday night at Bramlage Coliseum. Woods finished with a career-high 27 points on a career-best 9-of-14 shooting from the field including a 3-of-6 effort from beyond the arc. This was her first career 20-point game. The product of Wichita, Kan., also pocketed a career-high six steals and hauled in five rebounds. Romero tallied her second career 20-point game with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting and pulled in five rebounds. The native of Las Palmas, Spain has now scored in every game this season and has reached double figures in nine games this season. The opening seven minutes saw the Wildcats (6-6, 0-1) and Lady Bears (11-1, 1-0) trade baskets, with K-State hanging tight with Baylor. After Woods knocked down two free-throws to make the score 15-10 in favor of Baylor, the Lady Bears used a 15-5 run to take a commanding 32-15 lead with eight minutes remaining in the half. The Wildcats would cut the lead down to 43-31 after a Woods three-pointer with 3:11 remaining, but four straight points by the Lady Bears to end the half gave them a 47-31 lead going into the locker room. The second half saw Baylor take control of the tempo. The Wildcats would come as close as 13 points after a lay-up from Woods with 15:40 left in the game, but Baylor proved to be too much. The Bears would stretch their lead to as many as 30 points. Odyssey Sims finished the game with an impressive 40 points, to lead Baylor in scoring. Sune Agbuke registered 16 points and 14 rebounds. The Wildcats shot 21-of-58 (.362) from the field for the game, but were 5-of-26 (.192) from beyond the arc. The Lady Bears turned in a 30-of-58 (.517) effort. The Wildcats held the edge in second chance points, 16-12, and fast break points, 9-4, but Baylor controlled the points in the paint, 34-28, and bench scoring, 19-2. The Wildcats will regroup and return to action on Sunday in Austin, Texas, for a match up with the Texas Longhorns. The game is set for a 2 p.m., tipoff and will be broadcast on the Longhorn Network with audio available on the K-State Sports Network and for free at kstatesports.com/allaccess. K-State returns to home action on Wednesday, Jan. 8, in a clash with No. 11/13 Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. 

Publicado en: http://www.kstatesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/010214aaa.html