Addi O'Grady 'likely' to start the season opener, freshman Ava Heiden to come off the bench
The Hawkeyes have an ongoing battle at the post position that will continue into the season, but for the time being, head coach Jan Jensen seems to have landed on a starter. Jensen said that senior Addi O'Grady is 'likely' to get the start in Wednesday's season opener, while true freshman Ava Heiden will come off the bench.
"It likely will be Addi, but they're battling it out in a really great way," said Jensen during Monday's press conference. "I think any coach would tell you that's the way you want to battle it out. When someone has a nice lay, they're the first one to jump and high-five or fist bump."
"Our goal is to just keep them both confident and playing freer...It's always fun to start, but I want them to really understand that you might play even more minutes if you're coming off the bench, depending on the flow (of the game)."
Heiden, a four-star center out of Sherwood, Oregon, earned the start in the Hawkeyes 'secret scrimmage' against St Thomas, but came off the bench in Iowa's exhibition against Missouri Western. Jensen mentioned that Ava had been feeling 'under the weather' and Addi O'Grady had put together a great week of practice to earn the start.
In the Hawkeyes exhibition win over the Griffons, O'Grady played 14:59, finishing with eight points and two rebounds. Heiden played 12:43 off the bench, totaling ten points and four rebounds. In terms of college experience, O'Grady has played in 102 career games, which certainly played a factor in the decision to putting her in the starting lineup.
"They both give us a really good look in a different way," said Jensen. "Addi's got a little height. She's really got pretty good timing and an enforcer on defense. Ava's really mobile. She can get down the floor and when she puts it all together, she can be a different type of matchup."
The Hawkeyes have had a long line of success at the center position, including Bethany Doolittle, Megan Gustafson, Monika Czinano and even Hannah Stuelke who played the position last season. Jan Jensen, the longtime post coach, spoke about what Ava Heiden brings to the table to put herself in the conversation for a large role as a freshman.
"She just naturally has an athleticism about her. She runs, she's got really good hops, she can get up and hit the rim. She's got a really nice, natural jumper, but it's just learning the system. Getting her timing of when to circle out and put herself in position (for a jump shot)."
"We're just working on the timing and then releasing her greatness, if you will, and getting her to be a lot more aggressive...I think when she learns that she's going to be a really tough matchup."
