Texas Tech University Athletics
Young Squad Shows Promise for Bright Future
April 06, 2010 | Women's Basketball
April 6, 2010
By Meg Myers, Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations
The Lady Raiders may be losing three players from this year's team, but young stars like Monique Smalls, Christine Hyde, Chynna Brown and Jordan Barncastle, just to name a few, showcased what the Lady Raider Nation has to look forward to next season.
After a hard fought season, Kristy Curry had something to be very proud of - her team recorded its best season since she took over the reins in 2006, including a 10-game win streak. The squad recorded wins over powerhouses UCLA, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and made it to the second round of the 2010 Postseason Women's National Invitational Tournament. They battled toe-to-toe with schools in the Big 12, showing they can contend in one of the best conferences in women's college basketball.
Seniors Ashlee Roberson, Jordan Murphree and Timila Martin may be leaving the Hub City but their contributions will be remembered. In four years, Murphree recorded 451 rebounds, 310 assists and 194 steals. Her 1,270 career points also ranks 15th all-time. This season Murphree averaged 11.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. After three years, Roberson scored 716 points, 608 rebounds, 85 assists and 112 steals. This season, she averaged 12.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Only a Lady Raider for two years after transferring from Blinn College, Martin tallied 346 points, 80 rebounds, 65 assists and 37 steals, while averaging 5.9 points and 1.4 rebounds per game this year.
This season, Roberson and Murphree were named to the honorable mention All-Big 12 team. Murphree was also named to the first team Academic All-District, while she and Barncastle were both selected first team Academic All-Big 12.
Following Roberson and Murphree, sophomore Mallard led the underclassmen averaging 11.4 points and 7.1 rebounds a contest and had five double-doubles for the year. She was also named the MVP of the Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Tourney.
Smalls had stand-out season offensively and defensively as she started all 33 games. The freshman had 66 steals and averaged 5.8 points and four rebounds per game. She led the team with 135 assists, which ranks second on Tech's freshman single-season list.
Sophomore Barncastle battled with the best and showed an improvement from her freshman year, as she averaged 5.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
Another freshman who saw a lot of action was Christine Hyde. She played 31 games including 10 starts. Hyde finished the year averaging 5.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.
Freshmen Chynna Brown, Marissa Ashton, Mary Bokenkamp and Lindie Kimbro all played a major roll and contributed to the success of the team as well.
Next season looks even more promising with the addition of two transfers and four freshmen. The team welcomes Teena Wickett and Casey Morris to the court after both sat out last season due to NCAA rules and four fresh faces will be joining the Lady Raider squad as well. Kelsi Baker, Antiesha Brown, Haley Schneider and Ebony Walker hope to make an impact for the team early in their career as Lady Raiders.
With new faces and young stars, the Lady Raider team could be cutting down some nets very soon.
