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Posted Feb 4/11 - Adesuwa Ebomwonyi Feature: Versatility, thy name is Ebomwonyi: Senior steps up to push Pflugerville toward playoffs
Note: This feature on Panther senior forward appeared in the Feb. 4th edition of the Austin American-Statesman and in its online version. The feature, written by sports reporter Danny Davis, can be found online here with a photo gallery.  (Click on photo to left to see full photo size, feature article).

PFLUGERVILLE — On or off the basketball court, Adesuwa Ebomwonyi adds up to a triple-threat.

The sometimes soccer player says she can sing, labels her dance skills as "awesome" and prides herself in her ability to eat more than what her slender 5-foot-9-inch frame appears able to handle .

On the court, she's just as versatile.

This season, Ebomwonyi has played four positions for Pflugerville, everything but point guard . She's served as a perfect complement to senior post Nneka Enemkpali, and she also has stepped up while Enemkpali battled knee injuries during the past two seasons.

Ebomwonyi's output this season — 9.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game — has helped Pflugerville to a 25-5 record and a 10th-place ranking in the Class 5A state poll compiled by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. The Lady Panthers will play second-ranked Georgetown tonight in a game that could decide playoff seedings and the District 16-5A champion.

"Not only is she versatile, but she has never complained about it. I think she likes the challenge," Pflugerville coach Nancy Walling said of Ebomwonyi, a senior captain. "My job would be easy if everyone could do something like that."

Pflugerville is trying to get back to the state tournament for the first time since 2009, when Ebomwonyi was a sophomore starter.

In her first year on the varsity, Ebomwonyi averaged 6.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Pflugerville reached the state tournament, but in its Class 5A semifinal against Aldine Nimitz, the team received a crippling blow when Enemkpali, an All-Central Texas selection, injured her right knee on the Panthers' first possession of the second half.

Pflugerville, which trailed 38-28 at halftime, went on to lose 74-47.

"I think about it every day," Ebomwonyi said. "I want it so bad. The feeling we had when we went to state, knowing we could have won. It hurts so bad."

Enemkpali, a University of Texas signee, missed 29 of Pflugerville's 36 games last season, but in her absence, Ebomwonyi blossomed.

She averaged 11.8 points and 10.5 rebounds while leading the Lady Panthers to a 29-7 record and an appearance in the 5A regional quarterfinals. She shared the district MVP award and also was named to the American-Statesman's All-Central Texas team. In November, she signed with Tulane.

"Basically, she led the team in everything," Ebomwonyi said of Enemkpali. "I had to take her place. I couldn't fill it up, but I had to take her place. Now that she's back, it makes a greater impact. She's good."

Enemkpali and Ebomwonyi are two of 10 returnees for Pflugerville, which set its sights on a return trip to the Erwin Center after a season-ending loss to San Antonio Wagner last February. Enemkpali, who missed six games earlier this season after she re-injured her knee, is averaging 11.0 points while Itiana Taylor is contributing 8.9 per contest.

The Panthers' toughest test of the season to date will come tonight against a Georgetown team that beat Pflugerville 58-50 earlier this season.

Georgetown (24-3) is led by senior center Krystal Forthan, a Louisiana State signee who has averaged 16.3 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Brianna Bogard, the reigning All-Central Texas player of the year, has contributed 9.9 points and 3.4 assists per game while Emily Johnson is scoring 11.3 points on average.

"Truthfully, I wish we can play a team like that a lot more," Ebomwonyi said of Georgetown. "It helps you get ready for playoffs because in the playoffs, every game is going to be tough."

danieldavis@statesman.com; 445-3952







 


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