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Canes have strength in reserve

Heritage’s Indy Hauser and Erica McKeithan thrive in new roles off the bench after starting for Menchville.

By Jason Jordan | jjordan@dailypress.com | 247-4648

NEWPORT NEWS — Indy Hauser leans back on a wall in the Heritage High gym during practice Wednesday. She smiles.

She begins to reminisce about a game during her sophomore year at Menchville when she knocked down seven 3-pointers and finished with 34 points against Kecoughtan.

Erica McKeithan, who also played at Menchville as a sophomore, recalls a similar scenario that year against Gloucester. She scored 12 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots in a win that sent the Monarchs to the Peninsula District tournament.

“I remember those days,” McKeithan said. “It was fun. We were the go-to players. But nothing beats playing at Heritage. It’s a lot more fun.”

Added Hauser: “I don’t even have to think about it. This was the best situation I could’ve ever been in.”

After transferring to Heritage before their junior years to enroll in the school’s University Magnet program, a college prep curriculum, Hauser and McKeithan, both seniors, have relished in their new reserve roles.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, they hope to continue their support off of the bench when the Hurricanes (27-2) face W.T. Woodson (20-7) in a Group AAA state quarterfinal at Churchland High in Portsmouth.

“I like coming off of the bench better,” Hauser said. “I think I play better that way. It’s fun.”

Heritage coach Michael Gardner said that the biggest learning curve for Hauser, a guard, and McKeithan, a center, was “adjusting to the daily preparation of getting better.”

“I don’t think they knew what to expect,” he said. “They said it was a lot more work then they were used to. It was harder for them, but they persevered. I see the progress. They have adjusted well.”

Hauser, who is 5-foot-9, and McKeithan, 6-1, combine to average 12 points per game.

In the Eastern Region championship win over Princess Anne, which came into the game ranked No. 1 in the state and undefeated, Hauser and McKeithan combined for 10 points and seven rebounds.

“That was big for us,” Canes point guard Evany Dickerson said. “Being around more talent, you’ve got to work harder, and they’ve come a long way. It’s been a joy to have them on our team.”

Gardner calls Hauser “Ms. Clutch” because when defenses pack it in with a zone to stop forwards Sonia Johnson and Bonae Holston, Hauser hits big 3s to loosen the pressure.

“I love when teams run a zone,” Hauser said. “I’m just on the bench studying the weak parts of the zone, so I’ll know where to go when I’m called. That’s something I wouldn’t have learned. Coming to Heritage has elevated my game.”

McKeithan, a Fairleigh Dickinson signee, shared those sentiments, but also said that her development has transcended the court.

“I’m so much more open now,” she said. “I think if I hadn’t come here, I would still be quiet and to myself. Coming to Heritage has helped my skills and my social life.”

Added Holston: “(McKeithan) was kind of in a shell at first, but now she’s a whole different person. She jokes and laughs and everything now.”

But come Saturday, it will be no laughing matter.

Having made it to the state semifinals last season, Hauser and McKeithan know what it takes to get back.

“We’ve all got to play our roles really well,” Hauser said. “We know what to expect and how to handle ourselves in situations. We’ll do that because we want to win the state title.”

[SIGMASAM757]

Very well stated. Play hard and win one your your team on Saturday.

[HCS0725]

Anyone know where Indy is going?

[Number20]

I'm rooting for the 'Canes - they are representing the PD very well, and I hope they win the State Championship. But, I'm having some trouble believing that we've got the full story on these transfers. When 2 "go-to players" transfer from a school whose program is struggling (despite Menchville's rebound this year, they were not doing so well around the time of these transfers) to a team that's reached at least the regionals 3 of the 4 years prior to the transfer, it raises some questions in my mind. Now, granted, transferring to a school for an academic program that is not available in one's current school is within the rules. Are we to believe that playing on a competitive, consistently successful team, was just a nice bonus? Sorry, I don't believe that. In fact, I believe that basketball was the primary reason for the transfer, and the academic program provides the avenue for it to occur within the rules. Just my opinion......

[PDBBALLFAN]

Originally Posted by Number20

I'm rooting for the 'Canes - they are representing the PD very well, and I hope they win the State Championship. But, I'm having some trouble believing that we've got the full story on these transfers. When 2 "go-to players" transfer from a school whose program is struggling (despite Menchville's rebound this year, they were not doing so well around the time of these transfers) to a team that's reached at least the regionals 3 of the 4 years prior to the transfer, it raises some questions in my mind. Now, granted, transferring to a school for an academic program that is not available in one's current school is within the rules. Are we to believe that playing on a competitive, consistently successful team, was just a nice bonus? Sorry, I don't believe that. In fact, I believe that basketball was the primary reason for the transfer, and the academic program provides the avenue for it to occur within the rules. Just my opinion......

I agree with you Number 20 on what you percieve as the real reason these girls left the MHS program to transfer to HHS. Menchville has a very solid Honors and AP program. Maybe not a magnet school program but very solid College Preparatory and Honors programs no less. Just a thought. Warwick has a pretty nice IB program that both could have applied for, and might have been just a little closer to home if they didn't want to drive so far down Jefferson. Guess you gotta do what you gotta do.

Good luck to these young ladies as they continue on in a quest for a state title.

[bball fan]

Number20,
Before you share your opinion and put negative ideas in people's heads, get your facts straight. Basketball isn't everything!

[RSpen]

Originally Posted by Number20

I'm rooting for the 'Canes - they are representing the PD very well, and I hope they win the State Championship. But, I'm having some trouble believing that we've got the full story on these transfers. When 2 "go-to players" transfer from a school whose program is struggling (despite Menchville's rebound this year, they were not doing so well around the time of these transfers) to a team that's reached at least the regionals 3 of the 4 years prior to the transfer, it raises some questions in my mind. Now, granted, transferring to a school for an academic program that is not available in one's current school is within the rules. Are we to believe that playing on a competitive, consistently successful team, was just a nice bonus? Sorry, I don't believe that. In fact, I believe that basketball was the primary reason for the transfer, and the academic program provides the avenue for it to occur within the rules. Just my opinion......

Number 20 I'm with you all the way, it was all about Basketball and nothing else, Hampton does it too all the time, these two programs have robbed other schools since I've been here and don't be suprised if you see some girls that played elsewhere mysteriously arriving next year.