Less than a month from retirement, Mike Hedgecock couldn’t wait for Missouri Southern’s women’s basketball season to start.
“He told me ‘Michelle, I’m coming to every game,’ ” Lions center Michelle Hedgecock said. “They would make the games that were close to here, but the games like at Truman, they weren’t able to make.
“I told him you don’t have to come to every game when you can watch it at home on the couch on the computer. But he said ‘No, I’m coming to every game.’ ”
On Aug. 3 Mike Hedgecock died of a brain aneurysm.
“He was at home (in North Little Rock, Ark.) having coffee with my mom,’’ Michelle said. “He was complaining of a headache for a little bit, but he didn’t think it was that. He bent over to kiss Mom on the forehead, and we think that was when it burst. He died within 30 minutes.
“He actually was going to retire around his birthday (Aug. 29) when he would be 62. Growing up I was active, played all the sports ... and if I had a game, he was going to make sure he could come to it. He was a big supporter of us. He was a great dad.”
Her father’s unexpected death has given Michelle additional motivation for this season.
“I know he was proud of me anyway, but I’m dedicating this season to him,’’ she said. “It’s one of my main reasons to play.”
Hedgecock is off to a good start, averaging 10.2 points and 6.6 rebounds through five games. She scored 27 points — a career high — and grabbed 13 rebounds — one below her career best — eight days ago, and she collected month against Avila, and she totaled 14 points, eight rebounds, three blocked shots and four steals in Wednesday night’s 71-58 loss at Truman State.
“Michelle is our toughest competitor,” Lions head coach Maryann Mitts said. “She’s playing inspired basketball for her dad. There’s nothing he enjoyed more than coming to Joplin and watching her play.
“She’s a player on a mission. I always tell players to find their ‘why.’ When you find your why, you’ll do all the things that are difficult that need to be done to be successful. Michelle has her built-in why.”
Rebounding was Hedgecock’s primary role during her first two seasons with the Lions, but she’s providing more offense this season.
“She’s wanted that role earlier than probably I wanted to give it to her,’’ Mitts said. “She believes she’s a go-to offensively. She’s always been a tremendous role player for us, and she has expanded her offensive game. She has been playing with more confidence, been more aggressive, and she doesn’t hesitate. She knows we need more scoring, and as I’m trying to get other players ready, she’s emerged on her own out of necessity.’’
“I see myself being more of a scorer, more of a leader,” Hedgecock said. “I wasn’t much of a leader because we had Randi (Henderson) and others. Now I see myself being more of a leader and just more of a go-to player. I want to do whatever it takes to make us win games. If I have to be a go-to player, that’s fine. They want me sitting on the bench ... I’ll do whatever I have to do to win games.”
The Lions (2-3, 0-1 MIAA) are looking to bounce back from Wednesday’s loss when they entertain Central Missouri (4-2, 1-0) at 1 p.m. today.
“It was embarrassing to be honest,’’ Hedgecock said. “It was very disappointing. It’s like we’re all on different pages right now. It’s not the coaches’ fault. The coaches get us prepared, tell us every little thing the opponent is going to do. They give us the plays, but we have to be the playmakers. We have to make the plays, and we’re not doing it. We have to want to win. Truman wanted to win, and it was evident we didn’t want to win as bad.’’
The Jennies overcame a seven-point deficit in the last five minutes to post a 63-61 road victory over Southwest Baptist on Tuesday night. Junior Nicole Caddell led Central Missouri with 20 points and sank two free throws with 1.2 seconds left to break a 61-61 deadlock.
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Missouri Southern's Michelle Hedgecock has dedicated this season to her late father.
Discussion
December 4, 2010
MSSU's Hedgecock finding her ‘why’
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
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