Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Hoops Courtside: DeHaan Stands Above Them All
2/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 19, 2010
Allyssa DeHaan stood at center court to a standing ovation, smiling and waving to the crowd as the scoreboard flashed her historical achievement.
It was only fitting in the Great Blocks Chase of 2010 that DeHaan would break the all-time NCAA Division I blocks record on her home floor.
"Maybe it was meant to be this way where she not only breaks the record, but she gets to do it at home, gets a photo op, gets a timeout where everyone cheers for her," said Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant.
In a frantic last few minutes of Michigan State's commanding 64-43 victory over Illinois where everyone - her teammates, her coaches, the fans, and especially DeHaan - knew she only needed one more block for the record, it appeared as if DeHaan would only tie the mark for the second straight week.
Just last Thursday, the 6-9 senior center from Grandville, Mich., needed two blocks at Michigan to sit atop the blocks record list. She got one to tie TCU's Sandora Irvin. Later that evening, junior Louella Tomlinson from St. Mary's (Calif.) passed DeHaan to overtake first place in the blocks department.
Tonight against Illinois, DeHaan entered the game needing three blocks to jump Tomlinson.
DeHaan got her first block before the first media timeout, deflecting a Jenna Smith shot in the paint. Although Smith is 13th in Big Ten history in scoring, DeHaan has blocked more shots against Smith - 11 - than any other player during the record-breaking run.
The second block came a mere 48 seconds into the second half. But the ever-elusive third block still hadn't arrived on the other end of the half with just a minute left in the contest.
As the Spartans were cruising to their third consecutive victory, Merchant kept DeHaan on the floor, waiting for history in the making. The perfect moment came with 45 seconds remaining when 5-9 Illini guard Lydia McCully tried to put up a shot over DeHaan on a drive near the baseline. For the 487th time in her storied career, DeHaan did what she does best, tipping McCully's attempt and in the process, setting the NCAA blocks record.
"I was on help side, and just did what I have to do, which was protect the basket," said DeHaan when describing her record-setting block. "I've got such a long reach and I got a piece of it with my finger."
Due to the angle of the shot, there was suspense in the Breslin Center air as to whether the deflection would officially count as a block. Coach Merchant and the bench raised their arms in jubilation while at the same time looking at the scorer's table to see the verdict.
Undoubtedly throughout DeHaan's career, there have been times where her blocks were not always accurately tallied. The amount of deflections and tips a 6-9 player can cause in women's basketball is nearly immeasurable. This was not one of those nights.
Michigan State quickly called a timeout to properly congratulate the newly crowned record holder, and DeHaan's teammates huddled around her near the bench in celebration before posing for a photo. Although DeHaan is reluctant to be the center of attention, this was clearly her moment as she walked out to stand on the "S" at midcourt before a cheering Spartan faithful.
"Coach just wanted everybody to recognize what happened," DeHaan said. "It was a great moment to celebrate.
"Everybody down the line was telling me, `Al, come on, you need one more block, you can do it, you got it.' They were talking to me the whole time. I was getting so frustrated because it wasn't happening, but they were all there for me, and they celebrated with me."
"I think that's such an honor - it's something she's really earned and worked hard for," said Merchant. "I think it says a lot about her and what she can do for our team and what she's done for the last four years."
Merchant also said "the whole team was behind her (DeHaan)." No one more so than fifth-year senior Aisha Jefferson.
"I'm glad Al broke it here," Jefferson said. "I've been here since she's started, so it's kind of sentimental for me. We love making her feel shy because she's not that type of person. It was good for her to get all of that attention because she deserves it."
The blocks record might have overshadowed the complete team effort by the Spartans in winning the seventh game in their last eight tries. They are playing their best basketball of the season heading into Sunday's showdown at No. 7 Ohio State.
"It was great and exciting," said DeHaan. "We all celebrated and it was a good moment for the fans, but it's done, it's over with, it happened, and now we're just focusing on what we need to do to make a good run in the tournament."
It's not every game that an NCAA record is set. DeHaan, as usual, was shielding the spotlight, even when it shined on her the most.
The all-time blocks record has changed hands three times in one week. It will surely change again. Tonight, however, DeHaan can lay claim as the best shot blocker in the history of NCAA women's basketball.
