Danny Boemermann
When coach Kay Yow and N.C. State (23-9) walked onto the court in the Greensboro Coliseum to play their first game of the women’s ACC Tournament against Florida State (22-9) on Friday, March 2, there were no boos or harsh remarks from opposing teams’ fans.
As Yow and the team exited the back hallways of the Coliseum onto the court, all fans regardless of school affiliation rose to their feet to give Yow and the team a standing ovation that brought Yow to tears.
Yow, who has been an inspiration to many this season due to her battle with breast cancer, said the warm welcome by all those in attendance at the tournament was “overwhelming.”
“It was emotional,” Yow said. “I cried for a few minutes after I walked out because I appreciate the support. I wish I had the time to tell you what every team, every coach and many fans from every team have written me. I know a lot of them in the stands have prayed for me fervently.”
The support for Yow and the team didn’t end with the opening game for the Wolfpack though – throughout State’s run to the ACC Tournament championship game, Yow received support from spectators, coaches and others.
After upsetting No. 1 Duke (30-1) 70-65 in the quarterfinals, Yow and Virginia coach Debbie Ryan were awarded the Bob Bradley Spirit & Courage Award – an award honoring a male or female basketball player, coach or team administrator who has overcome significant injury, illness or adversity.
In addition to receiving support from fans at the tournament and the ACC, it was hard to find a coach that didn’t sing the highest praises for what Yow and the Pack accomplished while at the tournament.
North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell, after defeating State in the championship game of the tournament 60-54 on March 4, said if she wasn’t the coach of the Tar Heels, then she would probably be cheering for State herself.
“Kay has really helped me a lot,” Hatchell said. “I said this before, but I probably wouldn’t be at Carolina if it wasn’t for Kay. When you experience the things that we have experienced together and you see someone going through what she is going through, it hurts – it hurts.”
Duke coach Gail Goestenkors, after being defeated for the first time this season by the Pack, praised the effort and emotion with which State played with during their game and every game since Yow returned to the bench from her leave of absence earlier this season.
“Any game that you have seen them play, they play with great emotion and great passion,” Goestenkors said. “This is not the first time that I’ve seen it. I see it every time they go out on the court.”
Also, players on the team attributed their tournament performances to Yow.
Throughout the tournament, ACC All-Tournament first-team honoree junior forward Khadijah Whittington incurred a busted lip, a sprained ankle and countless falls – but she always got back on her feet, and ended the tournament with 36 rebounds, good for fifth best in tournament history.
Whittington said it is hard to complain about being hurt when you have a coach that is battling for her life.
“I don’t have time to be hurt,” Whittington said. “Coach Yow kept coming to me and saying, ‘You got to get through it, you got to get through it.’ I just played through a lot of pain. It is normal.”
Senior center Gillian Goring, who entered the tournament averaging 14.4 points per game in the Pack’s last nine games, scored a career-high 22 points and grabbed a game-high 19 rebounds in the team’s win against the Seminoles.
Goring has stated several times this season that her improved play was part of keeping a promise she made to Yow, and the ACC All-Tournament second-team member reiterated this support after her performance in the game against Florida State.
“After getting the news about coach Yow, it just changed my whole life,” Goring said.
“I committed my whole life to come out and play and be the most dominant player I can be for coach Yow and try to give her my all.”
As for Yow, she battled throughout the tournament herself, often struggling to talk during press conferences due to undergoing a treatment of chemotherapy on the Wednesday before the tournament began.
Yow said it was normal for her voice to be strained on the days following her chemotherapy treatments, but with the tournament-style of play she preached it was no time to worry about her ailments.
“Right now I’m like KD [Khadijah Whittington], we got to keep going,” Yow said. “This is no time to stop.”
Yow added that despite her condition and the outcome of the tournament, she is just thankful that she has had the opportunity to be a part of this season.
“I just praise the Lord that I can be here and be a part of this year,” Yow said. “That I was able to come back. And I’m so grateful for that.”