Big Detour For The Tise

Much of the fun of attending University of Louisville women’s basketball games the last two seasons has been watching Chauntise Wright have her way in the middle. With her 6-foot-3 wide body, she is an intimidating force for opposing centers, doing the pushing instead of the relenting, a force with which to be reckoned Unfortunately for Tise and her many fans, Chauntise went down hard Friday, suffering a season-ending torn ligament, a major blow in the gut to the Lady Cards.

By Sonja Sykes

Things that stand out about Chauntise “Tise”  Wright: Off the court are her big smile and playful nature. On the court she is calm and businesslike, a warrior dominating the paint on both ends of the court. Tise will need all of those qualities the next few months as she goes through surgery and rehabilitation … not only to keep mind and demeanor in tact, but for the sake of her teammates who begin the season without her in six days.

For Tise, it’s just one more delay in her journey at the University of Louisville and hopefully not her final destination.  Tom Collen recruited the Forestville, Maryland high schooler to Louisville with hopes of turning her into the type of dominating center that top teams in women’s college basketball usually have on their rosters. Collen already had a pretty decent pivot player already in Jazz Covington but he envisioned a future battleship in the middle.

The first season was delayed, Tise becoming eligible only after the fall semester. There were things for her to work on — a tuneup, if you will, before she got on the road. Weight to be lost, conditioning to work on, defensive skills to be  improved. There were the shining moments, 23 points and  9 rebounds in one game, but she couldn’t keep pace in games against powerhouse schools.

Tise she continued to work on her game along with Angel McCoughtry, another Maryland freshman, seemingly too skinny to have much of an impact. Angel and Tise began together, and they would be counted on as the journey continued.

During her sophomore year, Tise backed up Jazz Covington. Her rebounding, shot blocking and underneath the basket skills were improving, and she was quickly becoming a fan favorite. Her court expressions remained calm and unflustered. By season’s end, she had established herself as one of the key building blocks for the Lady Cards.

Then, came the coaching change before her junior year. Jeff Walz researched and surveyed his players, recognizing that Tise could be a force on both ends of the court. He was rewarded for his insight, with Wright scoring in double figures and leading the Big East in shooting percentage last season

A confident and motivated Tise was one of the key parts in a Lady Cards team that reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. While her classmate Angel soared, Tise provided the rock solid dependability of a force in the middle, and someone that caused opposing coaches to scratch their heads in despair.

With Wright and back-up Keisha Hines returning for the 2008-09 season, Walz had the luxury of two talented post players that opposing teams couldn’t ignore or count out of any defensive strategies. The Cards will miss the tangible aspects of her game — the rebounding, defense, inside shot ability, shot blocking. That isn’t anything that can be helped right now. The  group of Lady Cards left on the floor will adapt, reconfigure and adjust. But Tise will be around to encourage them to grasp the intangibles — with her positive attitude, the willingness to listen, learn, improve and encourage.

Tise says it will be difficult for her not being able to play her senior season with Angel.  What it may just lead to, though, is one tested, tough and talented team leader after Angel graduates.  Rest assured, however, Tise will complete the journey, smiling when she reaches her destination.

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