Experience, Leadership, Depth & Chemistry

I wasn’t sure where to include this post.  It could go with Experience and Leadership because she’s a senior and a very vocal member of the team.  It could go with Depth (Balance) and Chemistry because she provides such a spark off the bench and looks like a great teammate.  It’s hard to put her into a category because she makes so many things happen for the North Carolina Women’s Basketball team.  Presenting Senior Danielle Butts. (photo from www.goheels.com)

 

I think the first thing I noticed when Danielle arrived her freshman year was what most people notice.  I’ve said it before.  Crazy vertical leap.  I thought my goodness, she’s a track star on the side. From that first year, she made significant contributions to the team, especially on the defensive end.  It’s difficult to put it into one word; but, if I had to choose one it would be “intense”.  When you see her play, you know she likely grew up with the mentality “Go Hard or Go Home!” (photo from www.dailytarheel.com)

 

At 5”10 she can play inside or outside and I know the coaches love her because she goes after every rebound, sometimes gathering it in when it wasn’t really within her reach.  She can guard the other team’s perimeter players or go inside and post up if needed.  She is also a bit of a shot blocker.  I know I keep saying it.  Crazy vertical leap.  (photo from www.goheels.com)

She’s probably one of the most aggressive defenders I’ve seen.  Yes sometimes a little foul prone.  She’s great at keeping her feet moving.  Just sometimes going for the steal a hand gets in there and draws a whistle.  Honestly I think sometimes our friends in the black and white shirts just figure she must have done something.  But I continue to be amazed at her rebounding ability. (photo from www.goheels.com)

 

She’s worked hard over the years to add range to her shot and I can see it paying off for her.  I know most Tar Heel fans remember this play.  She said it was the first time she’s ever scored the winning basket. (video from www.theacc.com)

 

My daughter and I have called her many things.  Energizer Bunny, UNC’s spark plug, and I even thought of calling her Danielle “Make it Happen” Butts.  I know she is going to get out there at do her best to make an impact.  During last year’s ACC tournament she entered the game.  A fellow fan near me said, “Okay, something good is about to happen.  I don’t know what it will be, but I know something good is about to happen.”  And that is how I feel every time she enters the game.  The energy among Tar Heel fans always feels like it goes up several notches as soon as she grabs the substitution towel and heads to the scorer’s table. (photo from www.accwbbdigest.com)

 

Just last night, North Carolina was in a tight game against the 21^st ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls.  She had 10 points and 6 rebounds in ten minutes of action.  That included a very timely 3-point basket as the shot clock headed towards zero.  That isn’t a shot she takes much at all so I admire her courage to put it up and drain it.  The zone Oklahoma State was employing on defense was giving UNC a bit of a fit. A well-timed 3-point basket is a good weapon to have.  Would have loved to see what she could have done with more time; but, our friends in the black and white shirts thought she was a little too aggressive. 

 We love her though just the way she is.  Folks should come out to watch her and the other seniors try to make the most of their final season.