New-look Hoosiers debut at Midnight Madness

Whether it was being introduced in front of a vivacious crowd, competing in one of the various events or judging the men's slam dunk contest, the women's basketball team was rewarded at Midnight Madness Saturday morning for all of the hard work they have put in during individual workouts the past month.\n"To see all the people, it's amazing," coach Kathi Bennett said. \nThe players were looking to feed off the energy the crowd provided and their goal was to have the best time they could. Junior Jamie Gathing said she wasn't nervous about the crowd. Instead, she said she was excited just to be a part of the event.\n"Last year ended on a really good note so I'm excited to come back and let people know we're here," Gathing said. "My freshman year we weren't included. Midnight Madness is so much better than it used to be years ago."\nBefore Midnight Madness, senior Jill Hartman said a woman player needed to win the three-point shootout this year. Freshman Cyndi Valentin delivered. She won the shootout by knocking down 12 three-pointers in 45 seconds. It was a basket at the buzzer that clenched her win over sophomore Ryan Tapak.\nValentin forced a playoff in the finals after she connected on her last four shots. The women's bench cheered louder after each Valentin three went through the net, as she defeated the defending three-point champion.\n"I didn't expect to win any of the competitions," Valentin said. "It was awesome. Last year the guys beat the girls, so this is nice. I didn't even know how many baskets I had, I just kept shooting. It was a real rush."\nBennett said she was excited, but not surprised that Valentin did such a phenomenal job.\n"She's from Bloomington, and a freshman stepping up under pressure," Bennett said. "She's got such a quick release on her shot. She's just had so much fun and that's the best part."\nJunior A.J. Moye and senior Allison Skapin each recorded 27 shots in the hot-shot competition, but the slam dunk contest proved to be the most fun for the women's and the men's team. Hartman, Valentin, seniors Kristen Bodine and Khisha Asubuhi and freshman Brigett Branson judged the event. Sitting in the center of the court, they laughed and cheered as much as the fans did. Their scores ranged from 10s to zeroes while Sean Kline, Jeff Newton, Roderick Wilmont and Bracey Wright tried their best to impress before Kline took the title. Immediately following, the women's basketball team practiced at 1:30 a.m.\nBennett said Midnight Madness showed that basketball fans are taking notice of the women's team and couldn't be more excited.\n"I don't think there are any fans that are any better," Bennett said. "Indiana basketball fans, there's nothing like them"