C Jantel Lavender - 4-time Big Ten Player of the Year (LA Sparks)

[Buckskin86]

US wins again in women's World Games

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) ? Oklahoma's Danielle Robinson scored five points and had four rebounds as the U.S. improved to 2-0 by beating Great Britain in the 2009 World University Games in Serbia.

Robinson added two assists and two steals as the U.S. rolled to a 93-59 win Thursday.

Jantel Lavender of Ohio State led the Americans with 17 points and eight rebounds.

The U.S. will play host Serbia on Friday as pool play continues.

US wins again in women's World Games - USATODAY.com

 

[Buckskin86]

USA Women Crush Czech Republic 115-78, Advance To Medal Semifinals As Undefeated No. 1 Seed Save Email Print
Jul 7, 2009

BELGRADE, Serbia (July 7, 2009) - Led by 20 points from Tina Charles (Connecticut / Jamaica, N.Y.), the 2009 USA Women's World University Games Team (5-0) featured five players in double figures as it crushed Czech Republic (4-1) 115-78 on Tuesday afternoon in Belgrade, Serbia.

The USA advances to the medal semifinals as Group E's No. 1 seed, and will play No. 2 seeded Australia (4-1) at 5:30 p.m. local time (11:30 a.m. EDT) on Thursday, July 9. Also today, Russia (5-0) beat Australia (4-1) to secure Group F's No. 1 seed and will play Czech Republic at 8:00 p.m. on July 9th. The two semifinal winners will meet in the July 11th gold medal game at 3:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m. EDT), while the semifinal losers will battle for the bronze medal at 12:30 p.m. on the 11th.

"This was much better; it was a big improvement over Poland," said USA and Arizona State University head coach Charli Turner Thorne. "Anytime you can outrebound a team by 30, you're going to be happy. I thought we controlled the boards and we controlled the game. They responded well after the Poland game. They really came back with a greater sense of urgency, better focus, better energy. I think that if we can carry this into the medal round, we're going to be in great shape."

In addition to Charles, who reached her game high 20 points in 18 minutes, Tiffany Hayes (Connecticut / Lakeland, Fla.) was 4-of-6 from 3-point to tally 16 points, Danielle McCray (Kansas / Olathe, Kan.) added 15 points and seven rebounds, Ashley Houts (Georgia / Trenton, Ga.) contributed 13 points and Jantel Lavender (Ohio State / Cleveland, Ohio) scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out a game-high four assists.

USA Women Crush Czech Republic 115-78, Advance To Medal Semifinals As Undefeated No. 1 Seed

 

[Buckskin86]

WBK: USA Women Advance To World University Games Gold Medal Game
Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
Release: 07/09/2009

Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
The Ohio State Buckeyes Official Athletics Site - OhioStateBuckeyes.com
Jantel Lavender grabbed six rebounds to go with her five points.

BELGRADE, Serbia - Down 13-9 with 4:53 remaining in the first quarter, the 2009 USA Women's World University Games Team (6-0) launched a 25-0 run that established an insurmountable U.S. lead and helped propel the USA past Australia (4-2) 81-66 on Thursday evening in Belgrade, Serbia.
The USA advances undefeated to the 2009 World University Games gold medal game, where it will meet the winner of also unbeaten Russia (6-0) and Czech Republic (4-2) at 3:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m. EDT) on Saturday, July 11 at Belgrade Arena. The loser of the Russia versus Czech Republic game will face Australia in the bronze medal contest at 12:30 p.m. (6:30 a.m. EDT).

"I think we came out, got a little run and then we let up," said USA and Arizona State University head coach Charli Turner Thorne. "As a coach I don't understand that. We always want everybody to go out and work hard every possession. You have to credit Australia. They're a tough, physical team. They play hard every possession. Our team can learn from that. We take possessions off and every time we took a possession off in the second half, they capitalized."

The red, white and blue was led by Danielle McCray (Kansas / Olathe, Kan.) with 15 points and five rebounds; Tina Charles (Connecticut / Jamaica, N.Y.) tallied a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double; and Danielle Robinson (Oklahoma / San Jose, Calif.), who dished out a game-high four assists, and Alexis Gray-Lawson (California / Oakland, Calif.), who shot 4-of-5 from the field and grabbed five rebounds, each contributed 10 points.

WBK: USA Women Advance To World University Games Gold Medal Game - The Ohio State Buckeyes Official Athletics Site - OhioStateBuckeyes.com

 

[Buckskin86]

WBK: Lavender's 14 Points Helps USA WUG Team to Gold Medal
Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
Release: 07/11/2009

A monster 28-point, 18-rebound performance from Tina Charles (Connecticut / Jamaica, N.Y.) helped propel the 2009 USA Women's World University Games Team (7-0) past a determined Russia (6-1) 83-64 and on to an undefeated gold medal at the 2009 World University Games on Saturday afternoon in Belgrade, Serbia.

"I'm really proud of this team," said USA and Arizona State University head coach Charli Turner Thorne. "They stayed tough, kept working hard. These are some of the best college players in the country, and they showed it tonight. That Russian team has been playing together for years. I coached against them two years ago (at the 2007 FIBA U21 World Championship). For these young ladies to come together in a couple of weeks, be so responsive to what we asked them to do as coaches, to give everything they have for their country, that was awesome."

Also today, Australia (5-2) defeated Czech Republic (4-3) 88-77 to take home the bronze medal.

The USA dominated the glass, outrebounding Russia 52-32 and scoring 22 second-chance points to Russia's four. Jantel Lavender (Ohio State / Cleveland, Ohio) added 14 points, and Kayla Pedersen (Stanford / Fountain Hills, Ariz.) contributed 11 points and nine rebounds.

WBK: Lavender's 14 Points Helps USA WUG Team to Gold Medal - The Ohio State Buckeyes Official Athletics Site - OhioStateBuckeyes.com

 

[Buckskin86]

OSU women's basketball: Lavender returns with gold medal, new perspectives as player, American
Thursday, July 23, 2009
By Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Basketball as played beyond the borders of the United States provided Jantel Lavender with life lessons about patience, teamwork and coaching styles while giving her an overall appreciation for what she has at home and at Ohio State.

Lavender played a key role on the USA women's team that won the gold medal at the World University Games this month in Belgrade, Serbia. It was her third experience in international basketball for the U.S.

"It's a humbling experience," said Lavender, a two-time Big Ten player of the year and All-American center for the Buckeyes. "Everybody on the team is good, and you might not get as many minutes as you get (in college). I just wanted to come out and do whatever I could for my team."

Lavender started the first four games and came off the bench in the final three, which was a new experience. She scored 14 points in an 83-64 win over Russia in the gold-medal game and averaged 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds.

She enjoyed being around the other American teams competing at the Games.

"We had so much more support than we usually do," she said. "It was great meeting with all the other teams. We were all in this one little village. You couldn't help but to get close with the other teams. It made for a better experience. We made friends with a lot of different teams."

The physical style of play tested her.

"Some of the fouls they were committing would have been technical fouls in the U.S.," Lavender said. "The game against Serbia was like a war. We got punched. Some of our teammates were getting slammed. It is a lot more physical."

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU women's basketball: Lavender returns with gold medal, new perspectives as player, American

 

[BB73]

Video of Jantel talking about her time in Serbia, winning the gold medal at the World University Games.

Ozone

 

[Buckskin86]

Women's basketball: Ohio State's Lavender named to AP All-America team
Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Ohio State junior center Jantel Lavender added a second preseason honor to her resume yesterday by being voted to the Associated Press All-America team.

Last week, Big Ten media and coaches chose Lavender as the preseason conference player of the year.

"When you're an All-America as a sophomore, and seniors graduate, it's probably expected," OSU coach Jim Foster said. "But I think that really competitive kids that are results-oriented are more focused in what comes at the end of the year."

BuckeyeXtra - Women's basketball: Ohio State's Lavender named to AP All-America team

 

[Buckskin86]

OSU women's basketball: Lavender slows tempo of her game
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
By Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

On one hand, Ohio State center Jantel Lavender appears to be playing basketball for the third-ranked Buckeyes (2-0) through the first two games of the season the way that she always has.

She leads the team in scoring (23.5) and rebounding (13.5) and remains a formidable presence on the block and in transition. But a subtle change has occurred for Lavender.

While the Buckeyes have picked up the pace at which they play, the junior All-American is working on slowing down portions of her own game. She has three turnovers in two games and two of those were offensive fouls.

"Last year, I caught myself rushing a lot," said Lavender, who committed 119 turnovers as a sophomore. "This year, I'm taking my time more and trying to focus on where I'm throwing the ball. A lot of times on rebounds when I have to take dribbles, I do instead of trying to find the guard. That's making my turnovers go down."

OSU women's basketball: Lavender slows tempo of her game | BuckeyeXtra

 

[Ttown]

Junior center http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87815&SPID=10422&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1180750http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87815&SPID=10422&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1180750Jantel Lavender has scored in double-figures in all 69 career games, the longest streak in Division I among active players according to STATS, Inc.
http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87815&SPID=10422&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1180750http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87815&SPID=10422&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1180750Jantel Lavender's 39 career double-doubles is the most among active Big Ten players. Lavender had a Big Ten-best 24 in 2008-09 and two so far this year. The Buckeyes are 33-6 overall in her career when she records a double-double.
Link

 

[gbasketball]

Way to goooo!!!

Jantel really picked it up in the second half of that game and it was truly needed. Her and Sammy put on a really nice show. Some of those passes by Sammy was unbeliveable I was at the game and I also taped the show so I could watch it when I got home and it was a treat.........

Good job ladies:)!!!

Now get ready for the road trip to Duke!!!!
!!!

Go Bucks!!!

 

[Buckskin86]

Lavender Named Big Ten Player Of The Week
Tuesday, December 29, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio ? Jantel Lavender, a center on the No. 6 Ohio State women's basketball team, on Tuesday was named the Big Ten Player of the Week.

Lavender, a junior from Cleveland, has led Ohio State to victories, including a 76-47 win over Illinois on Monday.

Lavender averages 25.5 points and eight rebounds per game. She leads the Big Ten with 22.9 points per game.

Lavender Named Big Ten Player Of The Week | WBNS-10TV, Central Ohio News

 

[gbasketball]

:(Early in the second half yesterday afternoon, Samantha Prahalis watched All-America center Jantel Lavender disappear from the Ohio State bench with a limp and a trainer in tow and had the same thought that any self-respecting point guard would have.
The thought sounded an awful lot like, "Uh-oh."
"When she went down, I was kind of like, 'Oh man,' " Prahalis said. "It was a little scary. But she got back up, so I was happy about that."

When Lavender returned to the Value City Arena court a few minutes later, she had a new tape job on her left ankle and the Buckeyes had the spark they needed to pull out an 81-64 win over tough-as-nails Indiana.
"There was a lot of relief," Prahalis said. "Jantel is definitely someone that I would like to (pass) to a lot down in the post because I know that she can score every time. She's just a really good force."

 

[gbasketball]

Lavender earns Big Ten Player of the Year honors by the conference coaches and media this year, after being recognized by both groups last year and by the coaches in 2008. She becomes just the second player in Big Ten women's basketball history to earn the award in three straight years, joining former Buckeye Jessica Davenport (2005-06-07). The junior finished the 2009-10 regular season leading the Big Ten in scoring in all games (20.9 ppg) and conference games only (19.9 ppg). During the season, she eclipsed both the 1,500 career points and 1,000 career rebounds milestones, becoming just the third Buckeye with over 1,000 career boards. Lavender was named Big Ten Player of the Week four times this season, bringing her career total to 13, which is third in conference history.

Iowa's Printy becomes the fifth Hawkeye to be named Freshman of the Year and the first since Megan Skouby in 2006. Printy led all Big Ten freshmen with 15 points per game during the season, increasing her average to 15.8 points per game during conference play. Overall, the Marion, Iowa, native averaged 4.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game as she started all 29 of Iowa's contests this season. She was named Freshman of the Week four times this season and became Iowa's all-time leading freshman scorer, finishing the regular season with 436 total points.


You can read the entire release at: Lavender highlights All-Big Ten teams - Big Ten Network






GO BUCKS!!!

 

[Buckskin86]

Cleveland's Jantel Lavender provides a consistent foundation for OSU women's basketball
By Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer
March 08, 2010

Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer
Ohio State's Jantel Lavender, the pride of Cleveland Central Catholic, is a three-time Big Ten women's player of the year. ?Even on her off nights, she has 17 points and eight rebounds,? said Stephanie White, a Big Ten Network analyst and former Purdue All-American. ?She?s an elite player.?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Her second ankle sprained, her knee aching, her shoulder hurting, Jantel Lavender placed her hands on her knees and felt tears of pain and frustration well in her eyes, right there on the basketball court.

"Am I having a mental breakdown in the game?" Lavender wondered.

What happened that January night? The usual -- 20 points, 11 rebounds, another Ohio State win on the way to another Big Ten title. That's what the best player in the Big Ten does, at her best, or, as she discovered this season, at her worst.

Capable of explosive joy at shared success and searing indignation at anything she finds unjust, always ready for a night of dancing with friends, while always pushed to work harder by the voice in her head wondering if she should do more, the three-time Big Ten Player of the Year is layered, complicated -- and a constant.

Darron Cummings / Associated Press
Jantel Lavender easily shot over Iowa's Jaime Printy during Sunday's Big Ten tournament final against the Hawkeyes. Her two free throws provided the winning margin in a 66-64 victory.

JANTEL LAVENDER
Ohio State junior center
High school: Cleveland Central Catholic.
2009-10 stats: 20.9 ppg. (1st in Big Ten, 10th in nation); 10.4 rpg. (3rd/22nd); 51.8 field goal percentage (1st/36th/).
Career stats: 19.8 ppg., 10.3 rpg., 52.5 field goal percentage.
-- Doug Lesmerises

Monday, Lavender was again named the Big Ten's best player, averaging 17.6 ppg and 9.9 rpg as a freshman; 20.8 and 10.7 as a sophomore; and 20.9 and 10.4 as a junior. Tuesday, the Buckeyes will open the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 1 seed again after winning their sixth straight conference regular-season title. If they reach Sunday's title game, Lavender's streak of 10-plus should reach 100.

Cleveland's Jantel Lavender provides a consistent foundation for OSU women's basketball | cleveland.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Ohio State star known for toughness
Buzz up!
By Karen Price, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Ohio State junior center Jantel Lavender is no stranger to taking some abuse in the paint.

Usually, it's in the form of the pushing, shoving, bumping and general mistreatment that comes with nightly Big Ten battles.

But on Saturday night, she endured some abuse from her dinner.

She had food poisoning, thought to be from some bad turkey sandwiches after practice.

Along with several teammates and staff members, Lavender was sick in the hours leading up to the Buckeyes' Women's NCAA Tournament first-round game against St. Francis (Pa.) at Petersen Events Center. She still was woozy when they tipped off at noon.

For a lot of people, that might have been a problem, but it wasn't for her.

The three-time Big Ten Player of the Year led everyone in scoring with 23 points and in rebounds with 16 in the 93-59 rout.

"I think that's what separates good players from great -- the ability to play when it's not all there," Ohio State coach Jim Foster said Monday. "We come from a very, very physical conference, and she has to put up with a lot. That speaks to her ability to handle any number of situations that would test the patience of most of us in this room."

Lavender is 6-foot-4, but size isn't her only advantage.

She's one of only three players in Division I to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and shoot better 50 percent (she makes 52 percent) from the field. The Cleveland native has scored in double figures in all 101 college games in which she's played -- the longest active streak in Division I.

She became the first man or woman to be named Big Ten Player of the Year as a freshman.

Ohio State star known for toughness - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review