Muleskinner

Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Sports

Commentary: Nate Taylor [Click to enlarge]

With the final regular season basketball game scheduled for Saturday, there will be one player I want to watch more than the others; Lindsey Maple.

There are many events happening Saturday that could overshadow Maple, but I will be watching her closely. There is the 2007-2008 Hall of Fame induction ceremony before the game, the Mules will be battling a Washburn team for a top seed in the MIAA tournament and it's also Senior Day for seven seniors, including Maple.

Despite these events, this day will mean the most to Maple. It's her final home game, and it will most likely be an emotional day for her.

Most of the fans know Maple the best out of all the senior basketball players.

Maple is from Knob Noster, Mo., and has played four years at Central Missouri. Heck, even her father, Douglas, played basketball for the Mules.

Saturday, I plan to watch every move of Maple's on the court. I know there is the upcoming MIAA postseason tournament in Kansas City, but there is something special about senior day-to watch how the fans and seniors say a final goodbye.

In my mind, Maple and I will always be connected. If you don't know, let me explain.

In the Jan. 31 issue of the Muleskinner, I called out Maple about not being able to lead the Jennies in the first part of the conference season. She led the team in turnovers at that time and I said she was lackadaisical on defense. I took some heat for that column from fans and other media members, but the Jennies had lost eight of their last nine games at the time, too.

Since then, the Jennies have won seven of their last nine games and Maple has come alive.

She has led the team with energy and has taken the Jennies from last place in the MIAA to having a shot at finishing the season in fifth place.

The best moment came this season when she led the team with 24 points Tuesday in a 74-64 upset win over Southwest Baptist who hadn't lost at home all season.

The athletic department expects to have its largest crowd of the season on Saturday because it's the last home game and is combined with the inductions. With that, the largest crowd should appreciate Maple's final performance.

This will be the lasting and defining moment for Maple in her career at Central Missouri.

If she is able to lead the Jennies to another upset victory over 17th-ranked Washburn, there is no doubt in my mind she will go down as one of the best guards in UCM's history.

This has be the toughest year for her by far.

With all the expectations and injuries she's suffered through, it's only right for the fans to show her support Saturday.

No matter what happens Saturday, I will wait for Maple after the game, ready to show my support.

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