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  • NOC Enid's Krystal Fowler puts up a shot during a game earlier this season. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON)

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February 21, 2012

Lady Jets' Krystal Fowler all about defense

By Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

If defense wins championships, then Watonga sophomore Krystal Fowler has been one of the keys for the NOC Enid Lady Jets having clinched the Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference championship.

Fowler is defense-first and offense-second coming off the bench to give the Lady Jets a defensive stopper clogging up the middle in the NOC Enid zone.

“That’s the best thing she does,’’ said NOC Enid assistant coach Josiah White. “The entire season we have been able to rely on her when we go zone to get stops.’’

Fowler has a simple philosophy to a key to her success.

“Being alert I guess,’’ she said. “You just keep your focus on your girl so you don’t get beat. You have to remember to move your feet, keep your arms straight up and know where your girl is.’’

Defense has always come first to her.

“I’ve never been that much of an offensive player,’’ Fowler said, “but I know I can help the team on defense so I do that.’’

Fowler is well-prepared for games such as Thursday’s homecoming game with Connors by battling starting post Marisha Wallace in practice every day.

“She’s a lot stronger than me physically and is about as quick as I am,’’ Fowler said. “I try whatever I can to stay on her. I know there aren’t as many players as strong physically as Marisha. If I can guard her, it’s easier to guard somebody else.’’

Fowler prefers coming off the bench. She studies the player she’ll be guarding.

“I feel I’m a lot better off the bench,’’ she said. “You get more in the flow of the game.’’

She sees herself as both a physical and a finesse player.

“You have to be a little bit of both,’’ Fowler said. “You have to know when to be strong and when to stay down and move your feet. I just try to be aggressive and play smart.’’

She has played the last few weeks with a sprained shoulder, which has been heavily taped up.

“I just tried to put it out of my mind and ignore the pain,’’ Fowler said. “It’s easier to do that when you’re winning.’’

Monday’s 75-45 win over Western raised the Lady Jets record to 23-3 overall and 14-1 in conference. NOC Enid, ranked fifth nationally, is eyeing another trip to the nationals.

“We have a lot of team chemistry,’’ Fowler said. “We know each other well and we have been able to put all of that together.’’

But the Lady Jets can’t rest on their laurels to return to the Final Four or even better.

“We can work harder,’’ she said. “It’s been real exciting, but we have to keep improving.’’

Fowler doesn’t see herself as one of the team’s vocal leaders.

“I just go out and play hard,’’ she said.

She is keeping her options open about the future. She will wait until the end of the season to concentrate on what four-year school she’ll be at next season.

“I don’t want to pick one school and then have another one offering me,’’ Fowler said.

“I just want to focus on the season and getting back to nationals.’’

Fowler’s mother and uncle come to every game. She has a history with the Mabee Center. Her aunt, Renee Flynn Ross, was a standout guard at Phillips University. Former Jet Wayne Runnels went to Watonga with her.

Her stepfather, Wayne Flynn, was a standout football and basketball player at Watonga. She has several relatives playing for the Eagles now.

“Growing up in that atmosphere made it easier for me,’’ Fowler said.

Fowler enjoys hanging out with friends, listening to music and reading fantasy novels.

“A lot of my friends think it’s weird because I like to read, but it’s a good release for me,’’ Fowler said.

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