Tim Howard

I actually AM Amy Thompson's uncle (Tim Howard) and I discovered this blog by chance a couple days ago. I have been to a couple Lady Bulls games in person and am excited to see what the next four years will bring for Amy and how she can help the team. The team is cleary very well coached, has an outstanding roster of players, and an incredible winning history over the last 15 years or so. But I don't think anyone should be building Amy up to be the "answer" or the "catalyst" that will propel the team back to the top of the conference. Much more prudent to under-promise and over-deliver. I have seen Amy play since she was a kid and have spent hundreds of hours in the gym with her, her Mom, and her Dad. I know her game as well as anyone. Is she an elite three point shooter with a quick release and a killer step back that can put points up in a hurry? Absolutely! I watched her drop 48, 47, 44, 38 and more this year with the 38 coming with Coach Fernandez looking on. Along with Sammie and Vittoria, the Bulls may have the three best long range shooters in the conference on the same team next season! But Amy is a high school senior playing against high school players right now. She plays in the largest school division in MN so the competition is very good but next year she will be playing with and against players that ALL were the best player on their team, their conference, and maybe their city or state. D1 college ball is a much different animal and Amy will have to work very hard to be in a position to make a contribution to the team next year. The good news is she knows that, she has a tremendous work ethic, and she will put in as many hours as needed to reach her goals and the team's goals. So Pancho, we up here in MN really love your enthusiasm, your appreciation for Amy's talent, and what she has accomplished so far. I do think her skills, especially her three point shooting and extended range, will translate well to the next level. Will she make an impact in her first year? Who knows, we hope so! She certainly will do everything she can to contribute to the success of the team. But let's not set the bar too high and create expections that may or may not be met. Better to be pleasantly surprised. Go Bulls!