Twin towers reach for the top
One word can be used to describe Joni Daniels and Shelly Woods - big.
Daniels and Woods are both big in size, big in ability and big in heart.
The 6-foot-5 Daniels and 6-foot-3 Woods form the twin towers in the CMU women's basketball frontcourt that leaves teams wondering how to match up.
"Both have been really good and stepped their games up. They are becoming the consistent players you need to have," CMU head coach Fran Voll said.
Daniels, who is a sophomore, has been the team's most consistent scorer of the year leading the team with 14.4 points per game and leading the team in scoring 11 times this season.
"Game in and game out she has put up good numbers and they (Daniels and Woods) have that job to do and have to get it done whether they feel good or not," Voll said.
Woods, who led the team with 11.3 points per game last season, is again having a successful season averaging 10.0 points per game (12.2 in Mid-American Conference play).
Together the two combine for a tough tandem, but often find themselves competing against each other in practice.
"We got to know each a lot better last year when we competed. We beat each other up a lot, but I like playing with her," Daniels said.
They also look to each other for accountability in making themselves the best they can be.
"I love her to death. We get along well. We complement each other on the court and we're also hard on each other because we know we want to make each other better," Woods, a junior said.
The roads the two took to this point in their playing careers, however, are not so similar.
At 6-5, Daniels is the tallest player in CMU women's basketball history.
In the eighth grade, Daniels reached the six foot mark.
During the high school years Daniels grew physically, reaching 6-5 by her sophomore year, while her love for the game also grew.
"I've always liked the game. But it grew a lot more in high school," Daniels said.
At Lakewood High School in Lake Odessa, Daniels reached All-State recognition and scored a school record 40 points, which made her a top recruit for Voll and CMU.
Daniels is pleased with her decision to come to Mount Pleasant.
"I've enjoyed it. I like it here at Central and I'd still go to school here (even without basketball). I made the right choice," Daniels said.
Daniels lists her top achievements on the court thus far as making the All-Freshman Team last season and reaching the 500 point mark.
Despite these achievements, Voll thinks Daniels is just getting started.
"Joni is just scratching the surface of her game. She is a young player and there's a lot more that she can add," Voll said.
Daniels lists in the media guide her desire to win and hard work as what makes her a good player.
Voll agrees and sees that desire as a strong attribute for both Daniels and Woods and that is why he is still looking for better performances out of both athletes.
"Neither player is where they're going to be. They are still learning what can enhance their games," Voll said.
Unlike Daniels, Woods' desire to play basketball decreased in the high school days.
Woods, who attended Midland Dow, was named all-area as a junior and senior but had lost some of her passion for the game.
"In high school, I didn't really enjoy it. I didn't expect to play (in college)," Woods said.
Woods was recruited under former CMU Head Coach Donita Davenport, but was redshirted her first season before getting the chance to play in the 1996-97 campaign under the direction of Fran Voll.
As her college career went on, Woods went on to further her enjoyment of the game, which her father raised her on.
"My dad's always been a big basketball player and fan. I've been playing since I was four or five. I was raised with basketball," Woods said.
When Woods reflected on her career at CMU, she was very grateful for her blessings to be able to play.
"Sometimes I wonder why I'm here, but I'm so grateful that I'm so close to home. I've got great teammates and a great atmosphere. I totally thank God for it," she said.
Woods spent the summer with teammate Sally Sedlar touring Europe with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes team, where she learned some valuable lessons.
"As long as I try my hardest, I'm happy with it. Practice how you play. Never take for granted the practice time. This summer I learned to never take for granted the abilities that God's given you," she said.
That reflection has given her a sense of gratitude for the game of basketball and God.
"I'd be a really different person if it weren't for basketball and God and how he worked. He always knows what he's doing," Woods said.
Both Woods and Daniels are integral parts of the Chippewa women's basketball team and both are thankful for their family and friends who supported them through the ups and downs.
"There are a lot of struggles but you have to overcome them and live through them," Daniels said.
The heart, ability and size of Daniels and Woods make up who they are and Voll said he is glad to have them on the CMU team.
"Both are good students and good citizens. Like all kids, they have to balance a lot to be where they are. They have academics, athletics and social aspects. They do well with all of that," Voll said.
