March 2, 2010

RedStorm hoops top free throw shooting team in NAIA

Rio Grande --- It has been struggle this season for the University of Rio Grande RedStorm men's basketball team - a season spent learning tough lessons as they have made the jump back to the NAIA Division I level and playing in one of the toughest leagues in the country. Through all of the adversity, Rio Grande has done something better than any other team in the NAIA and that's make free throws. 

Rio Grande comes into the Mid-South Conference Tournament shooting 77.5 percent as a team from the free throw line. The RedStorm also possess the best free throw shooter in the country at all levels except one in P.J. Rase. Donald Sims from Appalachian State is only one at any level who has a higher percentage than Rase at 94.9 percent. 

Rase, a 6'2" senior from Wheelersburg, OH, has missed only six free throws all season long. His percentage currently stands at 94.5 percent (103-of-109). 

"P.J. has been outstanding from not only the free-throw line shooting the ball this season but from the three point line as well.  It is amazing how well he has shot the ball with how much we rely on him to take not only bad shots but the physical punishment from playing in our league," said Rio Grande head coach Ken French. "His focus on shooting the ball is unmatched.  His mechanics and approach to shooting could be used in a how-to video, they are perfect. "

In addition to his prowess at the charity stripe, Rase has made 92 three-pointers on the season and is shooting 43.4 percent from long range while leading the RedStorm in scoring at 16.6 points per game. He set the school record with 10 three-pointers in a single game, November 27 versus Virginia Intermont at the Mid-South Challenge. 

"I have never been around anyone who has the ability to shoot it the way he can.  What he has accomplished is a tribute to his mental toughness and skill," French said. "Shooting is not an equal opportunity position.  All coaches want their best shooters to take the most shots and when you have someone like P.J. it is easy for everyone to understand his role."

French said that the team spends a great deal of time practicing free throws. "We have been outstanding at the free-throw line all year as a team.  It is one area we have shown a tremendous amount of confidence and repeated success.  We invest time during every practice to shoot free throws under pressure situations or while fatigued," French said. "Obviously it helps having the nation's best individual free-throw shooter on your team.  But it's not just P.J. Rase who makes us good at the line, it is everyone.  It takes a mental and physical routine to be successful shooting free throws.  For the most part all of our guys have displayed the ability to repeat a routine that works."

"We have said all year long that the one thing we can do is shoot the basketball."

Rio could very well be in line to do something that no other school has ever done, having a player lead the nation in free throw percentage in both men's and women's basketball. Rase leads the men while Leah Kendro is sitting at the top of the free throw percentage chart for NAIA Division I women's basketball. "I think it is an outstanding accomplishment from both P.J. and Leah to be leading the country in free-throw shooting with both being from the same school," French said. "I'm not sure if that has ever happened before but it just proves that when it comes to shooting free throws the University of Rio Grande is undeniably the best with the success those two have had this season. "

"I personally feel that that is a great accomplishment by both individuals in each program.  I am proud of both with the percentage they were able to shoot in regards to the physical punishment that came with it, very impressive."

For Rase, it has been a banner season in which he has forever etched a place in the history of Rio Grande basketball. 

Rase and his teammates will tangle with MSC regular season champion Campbellsville in the quarterfinal round of the MSC Tournament on Friday morning at 10 a.m. Stretch Internet will have play-by-play coverage beginning at 9:45 a.m.