Texas Tech University Athletics
Morris Ready To Take Leadership Role
October 13, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Casey Morris returns with 11 other players this season. Oct. 13, 2011
by Travis Cram
Texas Tech Athletics Communications
Casey Morris expects a lot of herself.
So it's no surprise that she expects the same type of results from her teammates as well.
It took a year of waiting for Morris to make an impact at Texas Tech after transferring from California-Berkley following the 2008-09 season. As Tech took the floor for team practices last week for the first time this season, Morris said she is ready to improve even more as a player and as a leader after just one season in Lubbock.
 | "Casey's always loved the offensive end of the floor, but now she's really buying more into the defensive end and I'm really proud of her for that." - Kristy Curry |
The California native started all 33 games last season and earned All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention Team honors while helping the Lady Raiders make their first NCAA Tournament berth in six years. She averaged 9.79 points per game (second on team) and scored in double figures 20 times with a high of 23 against Texas A&M on Feb. 5.
She also helped rejuvenate Tech's defense last season and finished third on the team in steals with 52.
Tech head coach Kristy Curryemphasized the importance of being effective at both ends of the floor to Morris.
"She's really grown and started to understand everything better," Curry said. "Casey's always loved the offensive end of the floor, but now she's really buying more into the defensive end and I'm really proud of her for that."
But Morris, like most players, knows even after earning an NCAA Tournament berth last season that there are still improvements to be made as a team and as an individual.
"I think as a team we are focusing on ending every game strong," Morris said. "Some games last year we maybe slipped up a little bit at the end. I think this year we have a little more experience because we've been together for a long time so hopefully we can bring all that chemistry on the court."
Tech brings back 12 players from last year's team losing only one player in starting forward Teena Wickett. Wickett averaged 9.6 points and 5.79 rebounds per game last season, but Morris said there is a deep bench this year to help fill the starting spot vacated by Wickett, which can pick up any slack throughout the game.
"Teena was a big asset to the team but knowing that we are all still together, I think we grew a lot together as a family," she said. "We went through a lot of obstacles, and this year I think we are all just looking forward to being on the court again together. We have a lot of talent. We can go down the bench and every single one of us can come in and play at the same level."
But Tech is not looking to play at just the same level this season. The Lady Raiders want to win their first NCAA Tournament game since 2005 and get back to the regular appearances in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in hopes of winning their second national title one day - possibly even with part of this group. But getting to that next level as a team also means Morris will have to get to the next level individually as a leader on the court along with some of her other junior teammates.
"We need her to be more vocal - bottom line," Curry said. "We need that whole backcourt to be more vocal - Monique (Smalls) and Chynna (Brown) as well. But it's exciting to watch them because they do a great job of listening and trying to improve each and every day and they have become more vocal."
Tech opens the season on Nov. 11 against New Mexico at United Spirit Arena.
