Kara Lawson Became The First African American Head Coach Of The Duke Women's Basketball Program On July 11, 2020
February is Black History Month so today I am writing about someone who made history this past year!
How?
Kara Lawson became Duke’s first African American Head Coach!
When?
On July 11, 2020 when she was hired to replace Joanne P. McCallie who resigned!
Kara Lawson graduated from Tennessee!
When?
2003 where she was a four-time All-SEC selection and two-time All-America choice at Tennessee, Lawson played for the late Pat Summitt and led the Lady Vols to three NCAA Final Four appearances during her collegiate career. Lawson appeared in 143 games, making 137 starts, and helped Tennessee to a 126-17 overall and 54-2 mark in the SEC over her four seasons. Lawson guided the Lady Vols to four straight SEC regular season and tournament crowns, as well as 2000, 2002 and 2003 NCAA Final Four appearances. “according to Kara Lawson’s biography on goduke.com” before going to the WNBA where she played thirteen WNBA seasons where she averaged averaged 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 377 career games with the Sacramento Monarchs, Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics from 2003 to 2015. She surpassed 3,000 points, 800 rebounds and 700 assists in the WNBA. Lawson was the No. 5 overall selection by the Detroit Shock in the 2003 WNBA Draft. In addition to her WNBA career, which included a championship with the Monarchs in 2005 and an All-Star appearance in 2007, Lawson was a member of the Team USA roster that captured the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. “according to Kara Lawson’s biography on goduke.com”
She began her head coaching career at Duke with a 94-64 win over Longwood!
When?
On Wednesday November 25, 2020!
Where?
Durham North Carolina!
Why?
Because Duke was paced by sophomore Jaida Patrick, who collected a career-high 21 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists. Junior Onome Akinbode-James added her third collegiate double-double with career highs of 15 points and 16 rebounds.
Duke got off to a hot start scoring the first 10 points of the contest with Patrick scoring six of those points. The Blue Devils would take as large as a 15-point lead, 21-6, late in the first period. At the end of the first, Duke held a 23-10 lead.
Then Duke started getting in foul trouble in the second quarter with three starters receiving two fouls each and a total of four with multiple fouls. Duke built an 18-point advantage on five different occasions in the second quarter, before heading into the break with a 44-29 advantage. “according to an article on goduke.com
The Duke tandem of Patrick and freshman Vanessa de Jesus paced the Blue Devils over the first 20 minutes, combining for 21 of Duke's 44 points. With 11 points in the opening half of her Duke debut, de Jesus led the Blue Devils, hitting 4-of-6 field the field. according to an article on goduke.com
As a team, Duke hit 56.7 percent from the field in the first half, while holding the Lancers to 26.8 percent shooting.according to an article on goduke.com
Then, Duke recorded their second win of the season on Sunday November 29,2020!
Where?
Durham North Carolina!
Why?
Because they hit thirteen three pointers! “according to an article on goduke.com”
Then they recorded their third win of the season!
Where?
Durham North Carolina where they defeated East Carolina by a score of 72-47!
In their game verses East Carolina Miela Goodchild collected a season-high 24 points and Duke defeated East Carolina.
Duke hit 64.3 percent from the field in the first and drained four treys. Sophomore Jaida Patrick, who hails from West Haverstraw, N.Y., paced the Blue Devils with seven points and four rebounds.
At the 6:12 mark of the first quarter, senior Mikayla Boykin made her 2020-21 debut.
Duke picked up where it left off in the first quarter as the Blue Devils hit 8-of-16 field goals and 5-of-8 treys on their way to taking a 45-17 lead into halftime.
Goodchild, a native of Queensland, Australia, hit four three-pointers and scored 12 points in the second quarter on her way to finishing the first half with a game-high 19 points on 5-of-8 treys.
The Blue Devils hit 9-of-16 treys in the first half and was sizzling from the field with a 56.7 percentage.
Duke struggled a little in the third period, but still outscored the Pirates, 17-12. East Carolina would go on to outscore the Blue Devils 18-10 in the fourth period.
Then they hosted Louisville and suffered a 73-49 loss!
Where?
Durham North Carolina!
Why?
After entering the contest hitting 57.1 percent from the field in the first quarter, the Blue Devils struggled out of the gate. Duke hit only 6-of-21 field goals for 28.6 percent and trailed 21-12 through 10 minutes. Jaida Patrick and Jade Williams paced the Blue Devils with six and four points, respectively, in the quarter. “according to an article on goduke.com”
There game where they hosted Louisville would turnout to be their final game of the season!
Why?
Because of the Coronavirus pandemic that is currently still affecting us in the United States as we begin 2021!
Michael Schoenfeld, Duke's vice president for public affairs and government relations and chief communications officer had this to say about their decision!
The student-athletes on the Duke women's basketball team have made the difficult decision to conclude their current season due to safety concerns,""We support their decision, as we have supported the choices made by all student-athletes at Duke during this unprecedented time. “according to an article on espn.com by ESPN News Services”