The Daily Orange

Media Credit: Max Nepstad

Quentin Hillsman called a timeout, a furious stare focused on the player he calls "J."

The player, JUCO transfer Juanita Ward, hadn't started her Syracuse women's basketball career as most had expected. The 6-foot-2 forward looked lost in the first half of the Orange's season opener against Siena Nov. 14.

Ward finished the half 2-for-6 from the field with two rebounds - hardly the performance expected from a former McDonald's All-American. After a defensive blunder by Ward in the second half, Hillsman had seen enough.

When they met, it began. Hillsman and Ward, lined up toe-to-toe. "What are you doing?" Hillsman screamed. He walked away for a brief second, but quickly got back in her face, letting Ward know how she was doing things she couldn't do to be successful at the Division I level.

No other player on Syracuse received the same tirade Ward did. Hillsman's reasoning was simple. He had too high expectations to watch Ward struggle like she did against the Saints. He expects more from Ward, the versatile offensive threat he has coveted for three years. He made that clear at Syracuse's basketball media day.

"When you look at Juanita Ward, I'm not afraid to say this," Hillsman said then. "She is the best player I've ever coached, the most talented player I've ever coached."

***

She speaks quietly, answering each question politely. Following Syracuse's eventual victory against Siena, Ward fields questions, but wont discuss one topic - her performance.

Her day? It's not about her. It's about the team contributing and getting the win.

What did she learn? Was it tough to gel as a team? The questions could go on, but the answers would be about the team.

But don't be fooled. She wants the ball with the game on the line like the stars do. She's had plenty of big-game experience, teaming with current SU guard Chandrea Jones to win a JUCO national championship in 2006-07 with Odessa College (Texas).

"I would say she was the go-to-player, at least that was how she was at Odessa," said Colorado senior forward Dina Piterniece, a teammate of Ward's at Odessa. "She really liked to have the ball and got to basket and make plays. She was just really confident and a strong player."

Nate Altenhofen had a glimpse into that talent. As a coach for the Adidas All-American game, Altenhofen coached Ward and knew she was oozing with talent.

Continued...

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