Back to basics
Lady cager Calhoun re-emerges as potent force

By DAMIAN DOBROSIELSKI
Collegian Sports Writer

She waited patiently, making the most of her opportunities.

For two years, center Kim Calhoun found herself in a reserve role on the women's basketball team, playing behind more experienced post-players, including Helen Holloway, Tina Henry and Missy Masley.

She took advantage of her time on the bench to learn the intricacies of Coach Rene Portland's system.

In those games that Calhoun did enter, she produced, averaging three points and 2.5 rebounds per game during the 1992-93 season and 2.5 blocks last season.

Entering this season, Calhoun was primed to become the Lady Lions' starting center with the loss of Holloway to graduation.

The 6-foot-3 junior started the first 10 games this season, but she did not produce, and eventually her minutes disappeared.

Then Calhoun suffered a sprain of her left mid-foot on Dec. 29 and was subsequently pulled from the starting lineup. She once again found herself in a reserve role.

"It was a big disappointment," she said. "I wanted to contribute as much as possible, but I knew once I got injured I was going to be slowed down."

Following the injury, Calhoun did slow down. She averaged less than 20 minutes a game over a seven-game span.

Even Portland was unsure as to why her captain wasn't producing.

"We were very disappointed," Portland said. "I think she was disappointed. Kim's a real proud kid and the fact that she was not able to have input really made her go hide in a little cocoon somewhere."

But on Feb. 3 at Indiana, Portland gave Calhoun another opportunity to prove herself as a starter. In only nine minutes against the Hoosiers, the center scored three points, blocked two shots and pulled down two rebounds.

Not overly impressive statistics, but Calhoun said the coaches saw an improvement in her game.

"The coaches said I was quicker to the ball in that game," she added.

She has started ever since.

"She was smart enough to come out of that cocoon and fight real hard to get her spot back," Portland said.

Two weeks ago against Iowa, Calhoun played arguably her best game of the season. In 39 minutes, she scored a career-high 20 points, compiled nine rebounds and made two steals. She also notched four blocks, something she has done well since coming to University Park three years ago.

In her first season as a Lady Lion, Calhoun set the Penn State record for blocks in a season with 77. She has averaged three blocked shots per game this season.

Now, Calhoun is eyeing the No. 8 Lady Lions' postseason. She is looking to make a strong showing in the Big Ten tournament this weekend and the NCAA tournament in two weeks. She knows what is at stake.

"You have to give everything you can," Calhoun said. "If you lose, you're out."