February 23, 2007

In Defense of a Practice

By SARA LIPKA

Coaches oppose possible NCAA ban on use of male players to prep women's teams

At a women's basketball practice here at the University of Maryland this month, Ashleigh Newman has the ball. A male defender crowds her from behind and reaches a hand in her face. The 5-foot-10 reserve player pivots and shoots, making the basket even as he slaps her arm. Her teammates explode in cheers: "You go, Ashleigh!"

The defending national champion Terrapins are rotating in and out of a vigorous

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