Kenney questionable for Thursday night’s game against Tennessee
Junior guard Jeanne Kenney did not practice Tuesday and is questionable to play against Tennessee on Thursday. Freshman guard Danielle Ballard said the team already misses the leader who is usually vocally active during practice and games.
“It’s just a lot of silence on the court,” Ballard said. “…She’ll be telling us what to do … huddling us up, clapping us on, just being a good leader on the court.”
If Kenney is out on Thursday, LSU coach Nikki Caldwell said she has a lot of options to contain Lady Vols junior guard Meighan Simmons with the help of Ballard, senior guard Adrienne Webb and freshman guard Kuaneshia Baker.
“We’re going to have to throw different looks at it because she is an explosive guard,” Caldwell said. “But she’s also someone that we feel if we commit to scouting report defense we can contain.”
Tennessee native had no interest in playing for the Lady Vols
Ballard, who prepped in Memphis Central High School in Memphis, Tenn., had no interest in playing basketball at for the Lady Vols despite the program’s history of championships and success.
“I didn’t care how cold they were,” Ballard said. “Pat Summitt looked so mean. I didn’t want to play for her.”
But Ballard said she always wanted to play against Tennessee, and looks forward to continue to compete with Lady Vols freshman Bashaara Graves of Clarksville, Tenn., for the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year award. Ballard said despite Tennessee’s history as a women’s basketball powerhouse, she looks at UT as “just another team.”
“We either win, lose or draw, it doesn’t matter about the history,” Ballard said.
Ballard inspired by Chicago Bulls star
Ballard said she models her game after fellow guard Derrick Rose, appreciating his speed, ability to steal the ball and his court presence. Ballard said she admires Rose’s heart and wants to find the success he has found by working like he did.
“Everything he does, I’m trying to do it,” Ballard said. “I’m trying to build my game up to where his is at.”
Rose, who played at the University of Memphis for his freshman season in 2007-08, tore his ACL during the NBA playoffs last season. Ballard eagerly anticipates his return.
“He’s gonna be killing,” Ballard said. “I just can’t wait until he gets back on the court. Give him a couple more months, he’s going to be right.”
