Season in Review Part II: Learning to Win
With freshmen comprising almost half the team, the six young players had to grow up fast. They went through their growing pains, but adjusted to college basketball over the course of the season.
"Every freshman goes through some of the same experiences. Adjusting to college and being away from home can be tough. They each face challenges and we really try to help them through it," head coach Brenda Frese said.
"On the court, they're facing the best competition of their lives and they learn that being successful at this level requires an intensity and focus they probably never had to sustain before."
Sequoia Austin, originally a walk-on, found her way onto the team through her hard work in off-season workouts. Always filled with energy, her passion for the team and the sport was contagious.
At the beginning of the spring semester, Frese and the staff surprised Sequoia with a full scholarship for the spring 2011 term.
"Sequoia was such a wonderful surprise and addition to our team. I'm so happy we were able to relieve her and her family of the financial burden with a scholarship. She truly earned it in so many ways," Frese said. "She brings such positive and fun energy to our team. She is so bright and perceptive. She really endeared herself to all of us. I loved it when she got on the court and you could see the joy on her face."
One freshman had to grow in a different way from the rest. No one worked harder than Whitney Bays, who sat out the 2010-11 season to help strengthen her knee.
"Whitney had a unique first year, red-shirting, but I think it's really going to pay off for us. Coming from Huntington, West Virginia, Whitney had an adjustment to make, not to mention the physical and mental challenges of returning from ACL surgery," Frese said. "As the season progressed, she really became a workout warrior with Kyle Tarp our Performance Coach and you could see her confidence growing. She's going to bring some nice things to our team next year."
The Terrapins made a name for themselves as a dominant inside team this season. This was due in large part to the team's length, size and freshman center Alicia DeVaughn.
"Alicia had some really good games for us. Her basketball instincts are terrific. She just has a great feel for where to be at what time," Frese said. "I'm really hoping her offseason is tremendous and she makes a major impact for us next season. She has so much potential. A coach who was in the WNBA for many seasons saw us play and really singled her out as someone he thinks has a chance to be a very good player."
One of the brightest personalities on and off the court was freshman guard Natasha Cloud.
"Natasha started some games for us early in the season and got some valuable experience. There's no doubt she brings energy every time she steps on the floor in games or practice," Frese said.
"Natasha is a terrific team member. Towards the end of the season, she really started to spend time working on her shooting. We didn't get a chance to see it much in games, but she's starting to shoot the ball better and with more confidence. When people watched us practice, many of them commented to us that Natasha has a chance to be very good and I completely agree."
Also recovering from a knee injury, Laurin Mincy worked on both adjusting to a new game, but also adjusting to playing with her recovered knee. Towards the end of the season, she became a valuable offensive threat for the Terps.
"Laurin Mincy - she's only scratched the surface. You started to see it the back half of ACC season, what she can bring to our team. She has the tools to be a primary scoring option for us both as a shooter and someone who can slash," Frese said. "She also has one of the best "feels" for the game on our team. She really makes some wonderful passes. Her defense really grew too as the season went on, which is something we really challenged her on."
Last but not least, freshman forward Alyssa Thomas, the 2011 ACC and ECAC Rookie of the Year, worked to lead the Terps in scoring and steals. A shy personality, Alyssa became a leader for the team in her play.
"Alyssa Thomas has to be one of the top freshmen in the country. If you look at her production as a freshman at Maryland, it's right up there with the best players we've ever had, which bodes well for the future," Frese said.
"The best part is that she is so motivated and so competitive that she will not be complacent. As her coach, I loved finding little things to challenge her with and she always responded. As the year went on, she quickly moved into a leadership role for us, which is a lot to ask of a freshman, but Alyssa handles every challenge we throw at her."
Check back Thursday for the next part of the Season in Review!
