Leedham Sisters Will Be Key

— Jennifer (left) and Johannah Leedham, Raymond Starin • MSU Reporter —

SAN ANTONIO — For the Mavericks to complete their run at a national championship, they'll need to stop sisters Johannah and Jennifer Leedham tonight at Bill Greehey Arena on the campus of St. Mary's University.

And just like the Mavs, the sisters have come a long way to San Antonio, especially if you're considering their hometown is Ellesmere Port, England. Both Leedham's were considered solid prospects, but Johannah was thought to play nothing but Division I basketball. But when they payed a visit to Franklin Pierce's campus when Jennifer was a senior, the British National Under 18 Team was making a campus visit, something they do every year. It seemed like a homecoming for the girls, especially since Jennifer's best friend was apart of the Under 18 Team, who she hadn't seen for about two years.

So when Jennifer decided to attend Franklin Pierce, head coach Mark Swasey had to push hard to get Johannah to make the choice the following season.

"I couldn't believe that Jo was going to be coming into Division II at the time, I was really shocked," Swasey said. "When it turned out she was going to look at our conference pretty hard, we were very excited. Obviously Jen played a huge role in that but Jo had some tough decisions to make, and I hope she's happy with the decision she made."

Jennifer, a senior, and Johannah, a junior, lead the Ravens in minutes per game and points per game. The sisters average about eight more minutes per game than the rest of the team, and Johannah was a Second Team All-American this season.

Johannah -- a 5-foot-11 guard/forward -- leads the Ravens with 23.4 points per game and her six rebounds per game is second on the team. She's also first in blocks (44), steals (101) and second in assists (107). Johannah shoots 50 percent from the field, 38 percent from the 3-point line and even 86 percent from the free-throw line.

Johannah, along with her sister Jennifer -- a 5-7 guard who averages 11.8 points per game and leads the team with 177 assists -- both like to run the fast break, which is similar to the style the Mavericks have used to create their success this season. It could turn into a fast-paced game.

"We are all kind of beat up from the Alaska-Anchorage game and a little tired from all that running, but once we get on the court I don't think anything will matter and we won't feel our legs," said MSU guard Joanne Noreen. "It will be a track meet out there."

Tipoff is slated for for 7 p.m. tonight on ESPN2.