ISU Bengal

Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Nee Alistair D. National player of the year candidate, Natalie Doma, # 35, receives the game ball from coach Jon Newlee. Doma holds the title for most career points and rebounds in the Big Sky conference.

Senior Natalie Doma has spent four years honing her talents, knuckling down and disciplining herself into the all around player that she is today. She deserves the accolades for her achievements. Coach Jon Newlee has done much to help develop her. He should also take a bow.

Memories of driving home from games a few years ago while listening to the recap on the radio come to mind. KISU's Jerry Miller and Newlee would be talking over the highlights. And, while Newlee would acknowledge Doma's achievements and stats, he was also willing to point out the weaknesses, whether poor shot selection, sloppy defense or missed free throws, things that most fans would not have noticed if they had not been pointed out. I remember thinking at the time that his willingness to correct, even when winning, might pay dividends later in Doma's career.

Natalie Doma's record- breaking career scoring night comes one game after securing the Big Sky career record for rebounds. When Jon Newlee gave Natalie the game ball last Thursday night in front of Idaho State's fans in Reed Gym, it may as well have been for both of them.

Their tough love training has developed Doma into a star rather than just a good player. Now the sloppy games and poor performances are blips in between a solid style of play that comes most game nights. If anyone was tempted to think Newlee was too hard on Doma before (as I did on occasion), they may have missed that the training was for a mental toughness that could help one in life not just on the basketball court. Coming to Idaho State, Doma already knew she was good and so did Newlee. But sometimes life is not just about settling for being good, but rather doing your best and becoming all that you can be. Newlee expertly tempered the praise from the press and fans with little doses of reality to keep Doma working to be better, rather than settling for the momentary high.

With the season nearly over, Doma can now put aside much of the hoopla of records and focus on winning (not that she ever had much else on her mind), as all the major categories of individual records are behind her. Doma's star has risen. And yet, one thing might sweeten the pot of individual achievements -- another Big Sky tournament championship for the team and an invitation to the NCAA tournament. Go Doma... Go Newlee... Go Bengals.

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