|
Height: 5-9 Weight: 150
Position: Guard
Number 6 for the Sacramento Monarchs
Leading Scorer
Shooting guard, Bolton-Holifield is the leading scorer for the
Sacramento Monarchs. Bolton-Holifield has the distinct honor of
being named as the first WNBA Player of the Week, July 1, 1997.
She posted a 21.5 average in the preceding 4 games and was third
in the league in rebounding.
Bolton-Holifield carries the scoring load for the Monarchs, coach
Murphy says, "She can score every time she touches the ball.
I don't have a problem with her shooting it."
Weight Training
Bolton-Holifield goes beyond the required workouts with the team.
She lifts weights and increases her endurance with the stair master.
Bolton-Holifield says, "I've always been strong but I didn't
have any definition. There's a different level between professional
and college. I need to be quicker. I need to be more in shape.
I do a lot of stuff on my own in the off season. I lift four days
a week for 2 hours each day. I go in there to relax, it eases
my mind. Relaxing and exercise takes a lot of stress off."
"I generally do 3 sets of 10 heavy lifts during the off season.
During the season I use a lighter weight so that I can do 12 reps.
I can usually max out at 185 pounds. If I pushed it, probably
200 pounds. Regularly I bench press 155 pounds, 3 sets of 10."
"I love working out, not because of my job or what I do.
I just love it. It's healthy and I get a lot of enjoyment out
of it."
Leader on the Team
Bolton-Holifield is a leader for the team and helps mentor the
newer players. "I try to tell them that this is a new level
than college They have to work extremely hard. There are some
of the best players in the world. They used to be the best on
their team in college. Now they're on a team with a lot of other
great players and they have to accept the role. That's sometimes
hard for them to do. They used to score 25-30 points a game now
they barely get to play. They have to understand that all of us
have been through the stage where you didn't play that much. You
have to work through this stage and accept the role. In order
for us to be successful, everyone has to fill their role.",
says Bolton-Holifield.
She continues, "It's easier said than done. In the US they
play 8-10 minutes and score 15 points. In Europe, they played
almost the whole game and scored 25-30 points. They have to adjust.
Overseas everything is your role, scoring, defense."
"Everyone wants to play. Some of them wonder why they're
not playing. I try to say stay positive - your time will come
to step up."
Role Playing
The Monarchs have two guards, Bolton-Holifield and Chantel Tremitiere.
Tremitiere is the point guard. When Tremitiere is resting Bolton-Holifield
steps up to be the point guard. "If we had another point
guard that would be good. I love playing the point defensively.",
says Bolton-Holifield.
Bolton-Holifield's normal role is the shooting guard and sometimes
the other players forget she's playing the point. Bolton-Holifield
will pass the ball to a player who should take a shot. The player
will pass the ball back to Bolton-Holifield instead of taking
the shot. You can almost see the thoughts of the player "Let
Ruthie shoot it.". This is the time when the newer players
can step up and expand their role on the team, but they give up
the opportunity by passing the ball back to Bolton-Holifield.
Bolton-Holifield remarks, "When I play point guard, you don't
need a point guard that is the main scorer. A lot people know
that I'm used to shooting--so they tend to pass the ball back
to me and they give up their shots. Hopefully, they'll know that
when I'm playing the point, they've got a good shot and they should
take it. A bad shot is the one you don't take when you should."
Olympian
Bolton-Holifield was the only player on the US Olympic team in
1996 that was not All-American in college. She said her attitude
got her there and that's what continues to make her a stellar
player. She started all 8 games in the Olympics and helped the US
win the Gold Medal. That was a significant event in getting the
WNBA off the ground.
Collegiate Background
Bolton-Holifield played for Auburn from 1986 to 1989, helping
them to a 119-13 record. Auburn advanced to the NCAA tournament
four times and made it to the championship games in 1989 and 1990.
Bolton-Holifield was named to 1988 and 1989 NCAA Mideast Region
All-Tournament teams, the 1988 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament
Team and the 1989 All SEC second team. She earned a degree in
Exercise Physiology.
Professional Experience
Bolton-Holifield played with the Swedish team, Visby from 1989
to 1990 and the Hungarian team, Tungstrum, from 1991 to 1992.
From 1992 to 1995 she played in Italy for Erreti Faenza. She was
also a member of the USA Basketball National Team from 1995-1996.
Personal
Bolton-Holifield comes from a family with 19 other children. Many
of her brothers and sisters play basketball and that's how she
started playing. Tara VanDerveer, the 1996 Olympic Coach, influenced
her play the most by helping her believe that she could be the
great player she wanted to be.
"One of the reasons I knew I would eventually achieve my
goals is my attitude. Attitude will take you further than talent.
I have accomplished things in my life because of PMA - Positive
Mental Attitude."
Other Links
©Copyright 1997 by Jan Meyer.
|
