College basketball 2008-09 / Amanda Cavo has set a target for Canisius women’s team
GOING FOR THE RING
Golden Griffins seniors want to end their careers with a MAAC title
Last spring, after a disappointing basketball season, Amanda Cavo and J. J. Williams brainstormed.
The two seniors wanted to do something to help their Canisius Golden Griffins prepare for 2008-09, to help them focus on exactly what their goals were as individuals and a team.
So they had black rubber bracelets (think Livestrong) made for each woman on the team. They read: 03-08-09 — the date of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament championship game.
“I had individual meetings with all the girls on our team and just talked to them about their personal goals and how they want to impact the team and then I gave them the wristband,” Cavo said. “It’s a constant motivator that when we have tough days and when we’re struggling, it’s a reminder of why we’re doing this, why we’re doing things the right way. Because we have a goal in mind.
“I try not to focus too far ahead, but it’s my last chance. It’s my last chance to get a ring. It’s my last chance to go to the NCAA Tournament and I’m not going to give in when I get tired and sacrifice going to the NCAA Tournament.”
The senior has been a focal point of the Griffs since she arrived on campus.
Cavo was the MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2005-06 and was a third-team conference selection last year. She is four points shy of the 1,000-point club and ranks third in school history with 200 three-pointers.
Last year, she suffered from plantar fasciitis late in the season and for about eight weeks this summer she had to refrain from impact exercise. That meant no basketball. No running. Just lots of upper body strength work and pool exercise.
She’s feeling good now and ready to lead her team.
“It’s been very clear from the beginning that this is her team and they view her that way,” coach Terry Zeh said. “We had 18 votes and it’s very clear that that’s their captain. We’re not playing the whole year for Amanda Cavo but the most important thing to her is the team, and she really wants the opportunity to play for a championship and go to the NCAAs.
“I think that when you’re a senior there’s a sense of urgency if you haven’t done it. There’s a sense of urgency the other kids need to feel on a daily basis. You can’t come in here and waste your days away because she doesn’t have any more days.”
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