Performance Hopefully Just a Glimpse - West Virginia State University Athletics

West Virginia State University Athletics

    West Virginia State University women's basketball coach Charles Marshall has been waiting all season for some of the young players on this year's team to step up and show at least a glimpse of the potential he believes they have.

    Friday, in a 106-96 loss at Elizabeth City State, one of them did just that.

   Freshman Charity Shears scored a game high 30 points with 24 of those coming on a WVSU program record eight made 3-pointers.

     The 5-foot-8, Ashland, Kentucky, native was averaging just 6.6 points a game with 12 3-pointers in 10 games prior to Friday's outing. 5511

     "We've knew all along she is capable of that," said Coach Marshall. "Now we are going to expect it more."

     Shears hit her first one from beyond the arc just nine seconds after tip-off to stake WVSU to a quick 3-0 lead.

     She would go on to hit eight out of nine long range attempts.

     "I've shot a lot the last few games," Shears said. "I just hadn't been making them."

     So why the sudden change?

      "But I've been working a lot outside of practice," said Shears. "So once I made my first shot I just kept shooting."

      Marshall is happy with what he is seeing.

      "He wants me to shoot every time," Shears said with a little laugh.

        While the Business Management major has had to make the typical adjustment to the speed of the game at the college level Shears has had a little easier time than most.

       "It is faster," she said. "But we played the same kind of offense and defense (at Boyd County) high school."

       Her familiarity with the type of system Coach Marshall likes to employ has helped her adjustment.

       "My (high school) team shot a lot of 3-pointers," Shears said. "We had a team of like five guards."

        One of those was her twin sister Payton who is also playing for WVSU this season.

       So, which one is better?

       "I'm going to say me," a smiling Shears quickly responds. "But we have different strengths."

       She describes herself as more of the outside shooter while her sister prefers driving to the basket more.

        They are enjoying being able to continue their playing careers together.

        "We planned on going to the same school," Shears said. "Our parents really wanted it and now we're only an hour away and I love it here."

        She thinks the young Yellow Jackets are starting to find their way.

         "We're right there, we're getting used to playing with each other," Shears said. "We're going to try and turn it around."

          WVSU takes a 3-8 overall record and 2-5 conference mark into action in a 5:30 p.m. contest at West Liberty. The Hilltoppers are currently 7-5 and 4-2.

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