Editors note: Charlie Creme, Graham Hays and Mechelle Voepel each vote to determine espnWs national player of the week, which is awarded every week of the womens college basketball season.If recent history is any indication, the team that wins the national championship this season is going to score somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,000 points.Watching Notre Dames Arike Ogunbowale during the Preseason WNIT, one might think there is extra credit awarded if you get there by Valentines Day. Whether or not her thirst for points can help the Fighting Irish end up No. 1 in April, they sure helped keep the team there for now.Named the Preseason WNIT Most Valuable Player after she averaged 19.5 points in No. 1 Notre Dames four wins, including a team-high 17 points in Sundays 71-60 victory against No. 17 Washington, Ogunbowale is also espnWs first national player of the week for the 2016-17 season. (That distinction in this case encompasses both the past seven days and the seasons opening weekend.)By any measure, Ogunbowale excelled at putting points on the board over the past 10 days.For sheer artistry, she opened the season with a career-best 30 points against Central Michigan, a performance that required just 13 field goal attempts and 23 minutes.If scoring in blowouts doesnt do it for you, she also scored a team-best 18 points in a 71-67 semifinal win against Green Bay, each of those points needed against a team that nearly completed a comeback that would have added the Fighting Irish to a long list of giants slayed.And pitted against one of the nations proven scoring maestros in Washingtons Kelsey Plum in the final, Ogunbowale outscored the All-American 9-3 in the first quarter as Notre Dame jumped to a 25-8 lead and never looked back.The first time she touched the ball, Ogunbowale hit a 3-pointer from a step behind the line. The second time she touched it, she waited two whole dribbles before taking and making an elbow jumper. The third time she touched it, she missed a 3-pointer. Undaunted, she cut down the lane, took a pass from the teammate who got the offensive rebound and hit a layup. You get the picture.It was at about this time a year ago that Ogunbowale left little doubt about her intentions. In a game against UCLA in the Bahamas, she suffered through a 1-for-7 shooting performance. Four days later, in her first game against a ranked opponent, she missed all six shots she took in the first half against Ohio State. Then she missed the first shot she took in the second half. She didnt make a shot until the fourth quarter (when they still very much mattered). She finished 2-for-14 from the floor.Most freshmen would be cowed. Most at some point would stop shooting.Ogunbowale just kept right on chucking. To her everlasting credit.With Brianna Turner now the object of every opponents defensive focus and still rounding into form after offseason shoulder surgery, Notre Dame needs others on a young roster to score. It needs an alpha presence on the court, someone to give the crowd a respite from quietly appreciating Lindsay Allen. Someone to bring them to their feet.Ogunbowale knows perfectly well that the best way to do that is to put the ball in the basket.Also considered:? Crystal Dangerfield, UConn; Asia Durr, Louisville; Jessica January, DePaul; Teniya Page, Penn StateJustice Hill Womens Jersey . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. Joe Flacco Youth Jersey . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. http://www.ravensrookiestore.com/Ravens-Trace-Mcsorley-Jersey/ .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Iman Marshall Ravens Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Justice Hill Youth Jersey . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Canyon Barry was admittedly a little nervous for his Florida debut.It showed at the free-throw line.The youngest son of Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Barry missed three of his first four from the stripe, eliciting some choice words for himself as he headed to the bench. He eventually settled down and ended up with a solid first game with the Gators.Barry, a graduate transfer from College of Charleston, had 13 points and six rebounds off the bench, and Florida opened the season with an 80-59 victory against Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night.Was not happy with the free throws early, said Barry, who shoots free throws underhand. It happens. I think a little bit of nerves, first game as a Gator, and I kind of rushed them. But Im not worried about it. I have all the confidence in the world in my free throws.The Gators are equally confident in their pressing defense, which paid dividends in the second half. Florida used a 15-0 run midway through the second half to erase a five-point deficit and take the lead for good. It was a solid start to coach Mike Whites second season, which is expected to include a trip to the NCAA Tournament.Devin Robinson led the Gators with 14 points. John Egbunu added 13 points and eight boards. Kasey Hill finished with 11 points, four assists and no turnovers. And Kevarrius Hayes chipped in nine points, five rebounds and five blocks.Brandon Goodwin led Florida Gulf Coast with 14 points. The Eagles kept it close until hitting just two baskets during a 14-minute stretch in the second half. They made 8 of 20 shots from 3-point range, but committed 19 turnovers. It didnt help that FGCU played without its leading returning scorer, forward Marc-Eddy Norelia. The fifth-year senior missed the game with a broken left (shooting) hand.When you turn it over 19 times and get nine shots blockss, that might be a pretty good barometer that we need to take better shots and take care of the ball, FGCU coach Joe Dooley said.ddddddddddddIG PICTUREFlorida Gulf Coast: The Eagles are expected to win the Atlantic Sun Conference. And even without Norelia, they look capable of making a third trip to the NCAA Tournament in the last five years.Florida: With added depth and more experience, the Gators might be able to meet the high expectations attached to Whites second season in Gainesville.FREE-THROW SUCCESSEven with Barrys three early misses, the Gators hit 20 of 26 from the free-throw line. It was arguably the best news for the Gators, who ranked 323rd (out of 346 teams) in the NCAA from the stripe last season.Every night well take it, White said. I was proud, of course, by the way we stepped up at the foul line. And Canyons a guy that will shoot it better than that for sure.ROAD WARRIORSThis was the first of 11 consecutive games outside Gainesville for Florida. With a $64.5 million renovation to the OConnell Center nearing completion, the Gators play a challenging nonconference schedule that includes neutral-site matchups against Seton Hall, Duke, Florida State and maybe Gonzaga. It could benefit the Gators when it comes time for the NCAA Tournament.Asked whether opening with two games in Jacksonville felt like an NCAA Tournament setup, White deadpanned I wouldnt know. He has yet to make the NCAA field during his coaching tenure.UP NEXTFlorida Gulf Coast hosts UT Arlington on Wednesday, the longest break between games for the Eagles this month.Florida remains in Jacksonville for the next two days before facing Mercer on Sunday night.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '