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Aye Chihuahuas! ODU point guards relish nicknames

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Dec. 13, 2012

Aye Chihuahuas! ODU point guards relish nicknamesBy Sean Morrison
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 12, 2012

Galaisha Goodhope had to show her bite was worse than her bark. Justin Bushride got a lump on his eye to prove it.

Old Dominion coach Karen Barefoot uses male players on her scout team during women's basketball practice, including Bushride, an explosive and strong point guard with a competitive streak. Goodhope, a freshman point from Princess Anne High, gave herself one challenge: Don't get beat by Bushride.

When he tried, his face met Goodhope's elbow.

"She just played really good defense and she wouldn't let him get in the lane, and all of a sudden you just saw this knot" develop in a matter of seconds, Barefoot said. "That's when I knew. When she didn't let him get in the lane, and she took that as a personal challenge, I was like, 'Whoa. Our defense is pretty good.'"

It's that defense - a full-court press with Goodhope and fellow point guard Ashley Betz-White at the reins - that is largely behind the 6-1 Lady Monarchs having their best start in 13 years.

Barefoot calls her tenacious floor generals the Chihuahuas. The nickname fits.

Read the full story by Morrison here.