Bucks are savoring win over Warriors
But team remains focused on big picture
LOS ANGELES - There’s no denying that beating the Golden State Warriors is a notable accomplishment for any NBA team. To do so in Oakland and by 23 points like the Milwaukee Bucks did Thursday night with an emphatic 134-111 throttling is certainly an accomplishment worthy of celebrating.
Proud as the Bucks were, the mood of the locker room after the game wasn’t a celebratory one. More than anything, Milwaukee’s players kept reiterating one thing – that they were happy with how they rebounded from their 15-point loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
“We played well and we just wanted to get back on track,” said Giannis
“I felt like it was home to me,” Williams said. “I felt like they were going to take care of me. I just feel like it was the best fit for me for the next four years and to show off what I can do.
“Especially knowing I could become the starting point guard for Marquette University.”
The Golden Eagles will lose six seniors after this season and Williams gives MU women’s coach Carolyn Kieger a big piece to build around.
Williams said she decided Sunday and that, after hearing the news, Kieger and her coaching staff were ecstatic.
“They cried,” Williams said. “They were very excited because they know what we can become for the next four years.”
Those were no doubt tears of joy because MU is getting a scoring machine.
Williams led the nation at 39.9 points per game as a junior. With 2,341 points, she is 889 away from passing former South Shore standout Megan Gustafson for the top spot in state history. Williams scored 1,038 points last season.
The 5-foot-9 Williams should be a natural fit for Kieger’s up-tempo system with the guard’s deep shooting range, passing vision and deft ballhandling.
“I believe, honestly, that she will be a better overall player (in college) than just a 40-point scorer,” said Milwaukee Academy of Science coach Giovanni Riley said. “Here at MAS, she was kind of forced to score the ball as much as she was.
“But she’s an unbelievable passer. With her averaging 40, she still led the state in assists. She’s super unselfish.”
Staying close to home was important for Williams.
“I just felt like I would love for my mom and my family to watch me play for the next four years,” she said. “Instead of her having to fly anywhere else and cost her a lot of money. I just felt like it is family and (MU) will treat me like family there.”
That sounds good to her mother, Taneisha.
“I can go to every game now because I am afraid of flying,” Taneisha said with a laugh. “So I am very excited because each and everyone can come out and watch her.”
Williams becomes the latest homegrown player for MU, following in the footsteps of Golden Eagles seniors Allazia Blockton and Amani Wilborn.
“It’s big,” Riley said. “I think for a girl being on the national level, with her being ranked in the top 50 in the country, she could have went anywhere in the country.
“For her to stay home, it’s a big deal. But I know she wanted the support to have family close.”
The early signing period for basketball is Nov. 14-21. Kieger can’t comment on Williams until the guard signs her national letter of intent.
With her decision made, Williams can now concentrate on the goals for her senior season.
“Winning state, that’s all,” she said. “And growing as a leader on and off the court.”