Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Add Depth
October 31, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 31, 2004
By Jenna Sampson, Texas Tech Media Relations - The Texas Tech Women's Basketball Team is ready to turn up the volume and get the season started. Women's Basketball News Service ranks the Lady Raiders fifth in preseason polling, while Street & Smith's lists the team as ninth. The season tips-off with two exhibition games, the first taking place Nov. 7 against the West Coast All-Stars. Non-conference play begins on Nov. 22 when Texas Tech hosts Rice at 7 p.m.
The squad of 12 has been hard at work during the preseason, breaking in the four newest additions to the team. For the first time in Lady Raider history, the team features an international player as well as two California hoopsters.
"We have a great television package in the Big 12. When you think about the West Coast, those players watched us play on TV as much as they did anywhere in the country, as much as Texas kids watch us play really. So I think certainly that has an effect on what you are trying to do. There is no question that we tried to go in a little bit different direction in recruiting," said head coach Marsha Sharp.
"Foreign players understand the opportunities that are available in this country better than they ever have before," she added.
Patrice Edwards calls Trinidad home, but has already gained a reputation in the Lone Star state. The Big 12 Preseason Co-Newcomer of the Year played a season at Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas, before sitting out a year with an injury. The 6'6 center had well-rounded stats in junior college, averaging 12.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.9 steals, and two blocks per game her freshman year. She could also teach Shaq a thing or two at the free throw line with her 70 percent average.
Despite being in Texas for the last two years, Edwards is still trying to get used to the differences between the West Indies and West Texas.
"It's really different here. My country is about the size of Delaware, and Texas is a lot bigger than my country, so it's a big adjustment," she said with a really cool accent. Edwards also misses the food, especially "pelau," which is a combination of rice, meat, and peas cooked with a bit of island flavor.
The sophomore isn't the only one making the adjustment to a new school. Freshmen Judith Smith and Erin Myrick are easing in to life away from the beach. The pair played together on the AAU West Coast All-Star Team for the past few years, logging a national championship and snagging first place at the Nike Tournament of Champions in the elite division. Smith sports Harlem Globetrotter-style ball handling skills, while the 6'3 Myrick adds athleticism and strength at center.
Myrick is still adjusting to the lack of freeway traffic and no beach signs, and Smith is enjoying the cultural differences.
"Lubbock is a lot more of a community. Everybody knows each other. In Long Beach, you're lucky to know just a few people. Lubbock is a lot more of a caring place," she added.
West Texas is home for the final newcomer on the roster. Freshman Darrice Griffin hails from Seagraves, and the 6'1 forward is no stranger to the program. Her mother, Tami Wilson, is a former Lady Raider ('90-'92) and currently coordinates video production for the Lady Raiders. She was also Griffin's high school coach.
"I think I've really been blessed to have my mom always be around me. She's given me the knowledge I need to get through my freshman year of college, dealing with basketball and my academics as well," added Griffin.
The newcomers are eager to make an impact and add a little something extra to the already successful squad.
"Offensively we bring a lot of depth on the court. Instead of having one `five' on the court, coach Sharp will be able to make more changes," said Edwards. Myrick added that coach Sharp will be able to go to the bench more without having a drop in the pace of the game.
"Another dimension we didn't have last year is that each player has a different thing they can add, which will help us in the long run," Smith concluded.
The four players have been working hard to adjust to the rigors of a top Division I basketball program, learning offensive schemes and surviving conditioning drills.
"It's a lot to learn in a short amount of time. You have to be attentive, you have to remember things so it's been hard, but I'm getting the hang of it," said Myrick.
"Just learning to adjust. Coming from high school where I was the main focus of my team, we didn't really run plays. It was just get the ball to me and score. Now I have to be in a structured offense and learn different moves and how to adjust to how defenses play me," Smith added.
Griffin's challenge has been a little different.
"Time management has been my whole deal. Whenever you're not in the gym, you've got to be studying, so it's a matter of balancing your time and taking care of your priorities," she said.
One thing all of the newcomers agree upon is the challenging workout they get on a daily basis. Simply listening to them describe their least favorite drills was tiring.
"I'd have to say the five minute drill. For five minutes you just run up and back. Posts go and have 10 seconds to get back down here, then guards go, then posts go, and you do that straight. We do a set of four a day. It's hard, but you do it because you know it will help you in the long run. All of it's been hard, but that's been my least favorite," said Griffin.
Myrick claims "mountains" are the worst. The players run up and down the court in sets of one, three, five, seven, nine, and back down to one again. Climbing an actual mountain might be less challenging.
Smith has laid claim to the dreaded 333's as well as running the concourse during the preseason.
"You have to run from baseline to baseline in 33 seconds three times, and we do 10 of them," she said. The high level of conditioning will pay off in the long run, especially with the clock running down at the end of the second half.
Coach Sharp's recruiting efforts are sure to see dividends this season and team veterans will be glad to have the added depth.
"They have done a great job of adapting to what we are trying to do, and I think they are going to be a big part of our program as soon as we start playing games," said Sharp.
The Lady Raiders host the West Coast All-Stars on Sun., Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in the United Spirit Arena. For tickets to Texas Tech women's basketball please contact (888) GO-BIG-12 or (806) 742-TECH or stop by the Texas Tech Athletic Ticket Office in the north end of Jones SBC Stadium. Tickets also can be purchased through the Texas Tech athletic website at www.texastech.com and at area United Supermarkets and Select-a-Seat locations.
