Texas Tech University Athletics
Christian Making the Turn
January 30, 2007 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 30, 2007
By Matt Dowdy, Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations
According to Texas Tech head coach Kristy Curry, some freshman "turn the corner" towards success and some don't.
Following Tech's 75-49 home victory over Oklahoma State Jan. 6, Curry said freshman point guard Raquel Christian was "in the curve and needs to keep on turning," after she poured in 13 points on 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc.
Since then, Christian has made SportCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Day for her game-winning shot at Oklahoma State, and then two nights later at Oklahoma logged a career-high 38 minutes in the double-overtime loss to the sixth-ranked Sooners.
So how does Christian feel following this success? Humble.
"I feel like I still have a lot to learn," said the Midland, Texas, native. "I'll always have a lot to learn, but I think I'm stepping up a little bit more."
Since conference play began, Christian is averaging 20.7 minutes per game as opposed to the 8.3 she was playing during non-conference, which according to Christian has been a result in an increase in focus. "I think it's wanting it a little bit more than I did before, but I think it's mostly maturing and understanding my responsibility and my part," she said.
Dubbed as the point guard of the future by Curry, Christian has had to withstand the criticism that comes with playing, what Curry describes as the "toughest position on the floor."
On her side, however, is a learning tool in senior starting point guard Brooke Baughman, who like Christian, had to wait behind Erin Grant before landing the starting role this season. "Brooke has helped tremendously," Christian said. "She has been a great help just watching and learning from her. She is very knowledgeable basketball wise and just watching her and continuing to ask her questions will help a lot."
Unlike Baughman, though, Christian may not have to wait three years to earn the starting spot. She could start at the point guard spot when the Lady Raiders open the 2007-2008 season.
"I think I have big shoes to fill," Christian said. "I have to mature really, really fast, but I think I can do it. I just have to make sure I continue to grow this season and soak everything up and make sure I'm ready next season."
Through the Texas game, Christian is 13-for-37 from three-point range with nine of those made shots coming in conference play.
During her high school playing days at Midland High, Christian set school records for most points in a game (44), most three-pointers in a game (7), most three-pointers in a season (83), and most three-pointers in a career (226).
According to Christian, however, focusing on the three is not the only way to have a good game, especially when opposing teams might try to prevent the shot.
"I most definitely think that (opposing teams) will one time or another hold me on a three and guard me more and cut off the three for me," she said. "I just have to focus on being able to penetrate more and being able to hit the mid-range jump shot more."
What may be the most noticeable attribute of Christian's game, though, is her speed which could provide even more of a threat for opposing teams trying to contain her.
"Offensively, it is a threat, but defensively, I tend to contradict myself," she said. "I tend to think where the person will go and go there before they do. I have to learn how to control everything and contain them."
Even though Christian is "still in the curve" so to speak, she potentially could add to the list of great Lady Raider point guards such as Rene Hanebutt, Melinda Schmucker-Pharies, and Erin Grant, but according to Christian, the team always comes first.
"I feel like I have a ways to go," she said. "I'm really not focused on awards. I'm focused on trying to make sure the team is better and that I can contribute."
