Feb. 21, 2007

ATHENS, Ohio - It was in the sixth grade that Ohio guard Whitney Davis met current assistant coach Brian Townsend. Their relationship continued to grow and they are both now members of the men's basketball team.

"He was a student teacher at my middle school and I had a good relationship with him. When I went to high school he was a teacher there and the basketball coach and ever since that time we have been really close," Davis said.

Davis, now in his senior season, is averaging 11.5 points per game as the starting shooting guard. Davis had to wait his turn though, as he found himself in a reserve role his first thee years on the team.

"It feels good to be getting a lot of minutes my senior year. It was tough coming from high school and being one of the best players on the team and then not getting as much playing time as you wanted. What I always did was come to practice and try to get better and eventually they will see the attributes I bring to the table. It is paying off now."

Davis went from averaging 23.9 minutes per game as Ohio's first man off the bench last season, to leading the team in minutes with more than 35 per game this season. As the season begins to come to a close, Davis said he is looking forward to the time off.

"After we are done I am going to take some time and enjoy being a regular college student for a quarter and have fun and finish up my degree."

As for the future, Davis, who is an organizational communications major, is weighing his options between basketball and careers.

"I want to take some time to think about what I want to do; if I want to continue playing or look for a job. I need to think for myself about what it is I really want to do."

Finishing his senior season means also leaving Ohio University and his Bobcat teammates, something Davis said he will miss.

"Ever since I got here it has been a fun time. All my teammates from when I was a freshman until now have all been funny guys. We have a great team and it is fun to be around all the guys. School has not always been the most fun part, but I have learned a lot. I am going to miss the whole package."

Davis and the Bobcats will face Bowling Green tonight in the Falcons' Anderson Arena.

Davis' feature was written by Brice Wiley, a journalism/public relations major at Ohio University.