Jan. 24, 2008

By Steven Zerdelian

Special to CSTV.com

After falling one step shy of the NCAA Division II women's Elite Eight last year, the Indiana (Pa.) Crimson Hawks are on the fast track to reach that stage this March. Cindy Martin's squad is packed with motivated, talented players led by sensational junior Jahzinga Tracey. But as well as the team is faring on the floor, Martin has them involved just as much in the community. It is part of her overall mission for creating a program in which the players and fans are equally valuable to each other and it's working with precision at both ends.

Off the playing floor, Martin has built a local strong base which is epitomized by her "3 C's", classroom, community and court. It's not by coincidence that it's in that order. "We want to work with the community hand-in-hand", said Martin, who is in her third season at the helm of IUP. "Too many coaches think just in terms of wins and losses but we really feel like it's vital to get into the community and make a difference."

Among other things, the IUP program is involved in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation "Shoot for the Cure" initiative. They have also raised money for Hurricane Katrina victims and as a result were honored by the Indiana County Human Services Council as the "Volunteer Organization of the Year" for the 2005-'06 season. Martin notes that the work the team does in the community helps everyone.

"Half of the town is made of students or alumni, so the visibility created is substantial," she said. "The responses we have had from alumni have been incredible. They [the alumni] are more involved, get better jobs and can help the area almost immediately upon graduation. We're like the pro team in town and are always recognized, but in a good way. It shows everyone cares about each other."

IUP has constructed a 17-1 record on the floor to this point in the season and are ranked No. 5 in the latest national poll, so all signs on the court are positive. The 6-foot-1 Tracey, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, leads the team in a variety of categories, including scoring (19 ppg), rebounding (9.2 rpg), blocked shots, field goal percentage (54 percent) and steals (almost four per game). Tracey's versatility and length create major issues for any opponent at either end of the floor.

"The best word I can use for Jahzinga is smooth. She's a 6-foot-1 lefty who does it all. I really thought she should have been an All-American last year but I understand it's not always going to happen for a sophomore," conceded Martin. "She's got a great mid-range game, can make things happen at both ends and is just a special player."

Tracey isn't quite as sold on her own game as much as her coach but does concede she does a few things well. "I'd say that my strengths are that I drive well and can take players off the dribble to the basket. But I still think I need to work on my free throw shooting and three-point shooting."

Tracey has been the main producer for IUP almost since her arrival at the Western Pennsylvania institution. As a freshman, she led the team in scoring (9.8 ppg) and rebounding (6.8 rpg) and followed it up last season with increased numbers, 18.5 points and 9.3 boards an outing. She's already on the heels of some significant IUP career records, sitting No. 9 in points (1,234) and No. 7 in rebounds (677), with the likelihood of establishing almost unreachable marks.

Martin's team is threatening to put up numbers heretofore unseen at IUP. The program, started prior to the 1971-72 season, has recorded three 20-plus win seasons with a high of 26 victories in the 1998-99 campaign. That season the team advanced to the Elite Eight for the only time in program history. In fact, IUP has only been to the NCAA Tournament four times, including last year. Martin has created a new culture, however, and the wins have flooded in.

"We're happy to be where we are now but want to take that next step, getting to the Elite Eight. It's not easy, of course, and there are a lot of strong teams in the way but hopefully we'll be able to get it done," offered Martin, who played her college ball at Florida. "The big difference is that we have a target on our backs this year and we need to deal with that. It creates a different mental approach, but we have a good group of ladies here that play like a true team, so we'll take our chances."

Last year, in her second season at the helm, Martin guided the Crimson Hawks to a 24-9 record, tied for the second most wins in a season in school history, along the way winning the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West championship. That was after a rookie year in which IUP went 19-9, an astounding improvement of 9.5 games over the 2004-'05 campaign. IUP lost to Glenville State in the regional final last March, fueling their fire this season.

"We want to cut down the nets again. Even though we have no seniors on this team, there's a lot of maturity and great leadership," said Martin. "Glenville State's postseason experience helped them last year, and so did the fact they hosted the regional. It was a tough test on the road but it really was a great test for our ladies and they want to get back there."

Thus far this winter, the only setback IUP has had came against No. 15 Fairmont State, as it dropped a 65-60 decision on Dec. 17.

There are lots of hurdles to negotiate in PSAC play first, though. "I think there are all sorts of good teams in the league, like California, Edinboro and Shippensburg. It's a hard league," admitted Martin. "They're always great battles when we play PSAC games."

Along with the skilled Tracey, Martin likes the look of her team, so all challengers are welcomed.

"Staci Heberling and Kylie Miller have been tremendous for us this year. Staci is playing center for us at 5-foot-11. She's such a strong, athletic player who does so much more than her numbers show (8.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg) while Kylie is a feisty lady. She's our best perimeter defender and has been scoring a lot more (10.4 ppg) this year," said Martin.

"I really like how we play together as a team," added Tracey, who never played anything else as a youngster in Des Moines, just basketball. "We play hard and we have great chemistry."

That sort of bond is showing off the floor in a variety of ways, and not just in community service. Martin's desire to create a level of accountability is paying dividends beyond expectations.

"I've had the good fortune to be able to play and coach under some great people [including Carol Ross at Florida] and have tried to adapt that into this job [her first as a college head coach]. The one thing that I always knew needed to be done was to foster an environment where the players are held accountable for their actions," Martin mentioned. "Going from an assistant/recruiter, where I was the `good cop' to head coach where I have to be `bad cop' sometimes means I have to make sure the players know discipline is necessary. This year, for the first time, the players have picked it up of their own choice. They discipline themselves, which is more than you can ask as a coach. It makes them a treat to work with."

While they may be a treat to coach, they are a nightmare to play. With a talented difference-maker like Jahzinga Tracey, chemistry galore, motivation and the entire community behind them, the IUP Crimson Hawks may well be on the fast track to Kearney, Neb., and the Elite Eight. If so, it'll be a triumph to be celebrated by all, not just the players and coaches, exactly how Martin envisioned.