Amelia Hassett, right, has a "nose for the ball" that coach Kenny Brooks really likes. (Victoria Graff Photo)
There was no drama involved in Kentucky’s 87-45 victory over visiting Queens Tuesday night in Memorial Coliseum which was not a huge surprise since Queens has moved up from Division II this year and UK is a top 20 team.
The Wildcats led 29-9 after one period and got 20 points and four assists from All-American guard Georgia Amoore, 19 points and six rebounds from Amelia Hassett and 16 points and six rebounds from Clara Strack plus another double-double from Teonni Key with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The only drama came in the second half as Hassett, a native Australian, closed in on 1,000 points in her collegiate career that started with two years at Eastern Florida State College.
She reached the 1,000-point mark late in the game and finished by making seven of 17 shots in her 27 minutes of play.
“It was a great feeling hitting that milestone,” the 6-3 junior said. “Props to my teammates for helping me get there. This team can be great. We have to put the work in. And yeah, I felt like it was a great fit and choice (coming to Kentucky). And I just love the coaching staff and coach (Kenny) Brooks.”
Her all-around play has made her a favorite with Brooks, too. She had three assists, one block and one steal Tuesday and also hit three 3-pointers for the third time in a game this season.
“I love Amelia. I asked her after the game how she would assess her performance today and she said she could play better and I agreed with her, but I also made sure she knew that whatever she did that I would trust her,” Brooks said. “In nine games she has developed trust with me that she will always be in the right place and know where to be and what to do.
“There are going to be games where she makes five to six 3’s. When I recruited her, I told her she would be a stretch four and we have changed that position and she is a force. People try to go after her on the perimeter and she moves her feet well and contests the shots.
“I am tickled with her performance and think we can build off it and she will have an even more prominent role for us as the season goes along.”
Last season Hassett led her team in four categories — scoring (19.0 points per game), rebounding (12.7), blocks (2.7) and steals (1.5). Shealso made 54.4 percent of her shots from the field. She is averaging 9.6 points and a team-high 9.9 rebounds per game this season.
“I just enjoy getting that rebound for my team and not letting the opponent get that second chance,” Hassett said about her defensive rebounding .
Brooks said Teonni Key (9.8 rebounds per game) is “one of the most impressive rebounders” he has ever coached and center Clara Strack (9.7 rebounds per game) has also been consistent with her rebounding. That sometimes leaves room for Hassett to do what she does best on the boards.
“Amelia just has a nose for the ball. She runs free and comes up with big rebound after big rebound,” Brooks said. “She not only has a knack for it but has great hands and when she grabs it, secures it. That is a weapon for us .”
Kentucky-Queens WBB
Photos by Vicky Graff
