Texas Tech University Athletics
Starting Five Spreading It Around for Lady Raiders
January 23, 2005 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 23, 2005
By Jenna Sampson, Texas Tech Media Relations - Basketball teams generally have just one or two players who dominate the score column, but the Texas Tech Lady Raiders have far exceeded the norm this season. All five starters have averaged in the double figures at some point during the season. Cisti Greenwalt, LaToya Davis, Alesha Robertson and Chesley Dabbs are currently in the double figures, leaving opposing teams scrambling for a decisive game plan. Davis also adds an impressive conference leading 63.7 percent average from the field. Tech recently cracked the Top 10 ranks for the first time this season, highlighted with a 79-62 win over Texas, and currently holds a 5-1 record in conference play.
"I think that's been a big positive for us this year. We've never had that before. In the years I've been here we always had one dominant player. I think that will really help us out in the end in case one gets in foul trouble, we have three other scorers out on the floor that can average in double figures. I think that will be a big help for us in the Big 12 and the NCAA," said Greenwalt.
It doesn't hurt that Greenwalt is also an imposing force on defense. The lone senior on the squad leads in rebounds with 9.5 boards per contest and is also the Big 12's all-time leading shot blocker and had 64 on the season to date.
The five starters routinely take turns marking highs in various categories each game. All-America and All-Big 12 buzz for the squad has already begun.
"It shows that we're a balanced team. I think that's what we've said all along, that we don't have any go-to players and if they're going to try to stop one of us, another player is going to step up," Dabbs added.
"I think we played almost two years together now, so it's clicking and in the summer we played a lot of pick-up games. I think it's just being together so much that now it's natural for us," stated Dabbs.
The group easily anticipates each other's moves on the court and understands that they each play an important role in each win. Dabbs is known for her excellent defensive skills, as well as her reliable jump shot from the wing. Greenwalt provides a big defensive presence in the middle and denies the lane, while Davis controls the boards and enforces at the post. Robertson continues to thrive from the three-point line, and Grant provides consistent leadership from the top of the key. The junior has established herself as one of the top point guards in the country and currently averages a remarkable 6.6 assists per game.
"Erin's awesome. She'll see you at any point on the floor. As long as you get a hand up or you're looking at her, she'll get you a pass. That's a big part of a program is having a point guard that can lead the team," Greenwalt added.
Those assists are all seeing dividends. Robertson leads the scoring drive with an average of 15.4 points per game. The sophomore is shooting 40 percent from the three-point range and 86.9 percent from the charity stripe.
"I think I have to step up because they're going to put so much pressure on Alesha because of how she played last year and how she played in the beginning of the year. Someone's going to have to take the defense off her shoulders, so whenever they double team her or take away her shot I'm open on the other wing," said Dabbs.
And she's not just open, she'll score too. Dabbs is close behind Robertson with 14.3 points per game and added a career-high 22 points against Colorado.
"I think we all know what each other's strengths are and we try to work on Erin giving me the ball at the free throw jumper instead of a three-point shot, things like that. We know each other pretty well," Dabbs said.
"We kind of anticipate and know what everyone's going to do. We know what Alesha's going to do, we know how Chesley can drive to the hole or how she's going to defend people. We have total faith in everybody on the team," summed up Greenwalt.
"A major goal we've reached is our defense. I think we're playing really good on defense. Another goal we've had is scoring in double figures every night and I think we've come close to doing that in the Big 12," said Dabbs.
The team's biggest goals, however, are still up ahead. The Lady Raiders won't be satisfied until they've captured the conference title. Then it's on to the NCAA Tournament.
The Lady Raiders are off to a good start. Despite losing to Kansas State 55-53 on Saturday in the final seconds of the game, Tech looks to bounce back as they host Missouri Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. in the United Spirit Arena.
