Kornacki: Flaherty, Thome Giving Their Best to be the Best
10/19/2017 10:20:00 AM | Women's Basketball, Features
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Katelynn Flaherty and Hallie Thome both received invites to the USA Basketball Women's U23 National Team Training Camp this summer.
That was significant for the University of Michigan because only three college programs had more than two invitees, and just four other Big Ten players were on the list.
"We have two of the best players in the country," said head coach Kim Barnes Arico. "They are two players who were invited in the offseason to USA Basketball trials for college players, two of 35 players in the country invited. Katelynn had a little offseason injury; she did not attend. Hallie Thome went to the trials and had just a tremendous experience.
"So, those two coming back really adds stability and confidence -- two really great, tremendous basketball players."
Flaherty, a senior guard, and Thome, a junior center who didn't make the national team final cut, are clearly on a mission.
Both were All-Big Ten first team selections last season by coaches, but they want more.
The duo is excited about watching the first banner in program history go up at Crisler Center before the Nov. 10 season opener with George Mason. But they want more than the NIT championship.
The formidable one-two punch of the Wolverines hungers for a berth in the NCAA Tournament, which has eluded the program for six seasons, and want badly to make an even greater impact on their team.
Saying you want something is one thing.
Doing something about it is another matter.
That's where Flaherty (20.2 points, 3.0 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game) and Thome (16.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.0 blocks) have excelled since combining for 52 points in winning a triple-overtime thriller against Georgia Tech for the NIT crown on April 1.
"It's incredible," said Barnes Arico. "We have different people come to practice … and every time they leave, they say, 'Oh, my goodness, the improvement and the strides that your players have made, and specifically those two, is incredible.'
"Both of them have also taken on more of a leadership role, and that's something that we've challenged them to do."
The inside-outside combo showed just how dominant it can be in consecutive games last season.
Thome, 6-foot-5, scored a career-high 37 points with 14 rebounds on Jan. 1 at Wisconsin.
Flaherty, 5-foot-7, scored a career-best 38 points with a school-record eight three-pointers on Jan. 7 at Ohio State.
Hallie Thome worked with her father, her former AAU coach, and her brother, a former college basketball player, and hit the weight room to prepare for the upcoming season.
Still, they want more, and are taking steps to do more.
"The sacrifices that Katelynn makes and the training that she does is incredible," said Barnes Arico. "She has probably taken five days off her entire life."
Her father, Tom Flaherty, worked diligently with Katelynn in the summer on being able to play point guard in addition to shooting guard. He scored 895 points with an 11.3 average for Seton Hall, 1972-76, and coached a high school state championship boys team in New Jersey as well as volunteering to work with her high school team.
"She went home for a period of time," said Barnes Arico, "and she has come back and she can do it. She sees the floor and is probably our best post passer right now."
Barnes Arico marvels at the complete player Flaherty has become.
"I used to say, 'Oh, my goodness, is Katelynn ever going to learn to defend? Is Katelynn ever going to get a rebound? Will she ever dive on the floor?' I mean, she scores 25, there are things I can live with. But you always wanted her to do so much more, and this year she's doing everything.
"It's incredible to watch her vision because she's going to have to play a little bit of the point guard position. She leads our team every day in assists. So, I think the game has slowed down for her, and she sees things that the other players in our program are not seeing right now. She's an incredible scorer. But this year, we will see more of the total package from her."
Barnes Arico wants her to play both guard positions to allow talented freshman Deja Church, who figures to eventually hold down the point guard position, to make a smooth transition to the college game. That way, Church, who can play both guard positions, can assume the majority of minutes at the point when she's ready.
Flaherty said: "It's definitely different now, trying to facilitate to get the ball to other people in good positions while also looking to maintain scoring. I'm working on my ball-handling and knowing my teammates more. The game has slowed down a lot for me. I can see two or three plays ahead, which has really helped me making better decisions overall."
She's scored 2,019 points, and is closing in on the Michigan career record current Big Ten associate commissioner Diane Dietz has held since 1982, when she finished with 2,076.
"That's definitely the product of a lot of hard work," said Flaherty. "I'm super happy my hard work has paid off, but this year it's going to mean a lot to me if we can do well and get to the NCAA Tournament and win a Big Ten championship."
Thome went home to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, to work out with her former AAU coach and her father, John, and brother, Jack -- who played basketball at Marietta College -- in early-morning family conditioning that lasted 90 minutes most days.
She hit the weight room big-time, and can now hit back underneath the basket. She's considerably stronger with wider shoulders.
"My squat last year was 135 pounds," said Thome. "I maxed (in early August) at 300 pounds. It's definitely exciting to see the progress I've made in the weight room. So, obviously, I can see it translate onto the court.
"Instead of being the one getting knocked around, I can knock people around a little more. I went from being the bowling pin to being more like a bowling ball. So, that makes me a little happier. I still get all the bruises, but I make it work."
Barnes Arico credited assistant coach Melanie Moore with mentoring Thome.
"Coach Mel has really taken Hallie under her wing," said Barnes Arico. "But the transformation that she has made … Every time somebody comes to the gym, they say, 'Holy cow. She looks incredible. That looks like a professional basketball player.'
"She's worked incredibly hard on her movement, and moves up and down (court) great. And she has great hands, but now she's a better defender. She's moving incredibly quick."
Thome was concerned about losing weight recently, and Barnes Arico connected her to the team nutritionist and had her tested for body fat.
Barnes Arico noted the conclusion delivered by Thome: "You know what coach? I'm losing weight, but I'm gaining muscle."
Flaherty sees improvement in Thome's all-around game.
"She's a lot faster and stronger," said Flaherty. "And her endurance is up. She's passing real well out of the post and she's talking more and being more of a leader. And she's actually extending her shot (range), which is going to force people to play up on her more. That will be a big addition to our game."
Thome said of Flaherty's improvements: "Now, the passes she's able to make, whether in the post or in transition, are just incredible. Katelynn Flaherty, basically, can do anything and that's crazy.
"She's done a really good job at communicating and becoming a leader. I wasn't here for her freshman year, but people said she didn't talk for two weeks. When we're doing drills now, she's telling people what to do. So, to see her step out of her comfort zone. You can really see her putting the team first so her last year can be her best year yet."
They're two of the best college players, and have taken steps to assure the best is yet to come.
