The Ring's the Thing for Ags
COLLEGE STATION, TX -- Texas A&M women's basketball enjoyed a lot of success in 2007 - 2008. The Aggies won the Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship; and, for the first time in the program's history, advanced to the Elite Eight (Regional Final) of the 2008 NCAA Women's Championship Tournament. Despite losing to the eventual NCAA champs, Tennessee, in the Regional Final, the Ags hope to build on last season's success and remember the positives and the negatives from the fact they were mere minutes from advancing to the Women's Final Four for the first time.
As a sign of last season's successes, the Aggies players are wearing a championship ring representing the Big 12 Conference Tourney title and the trip to the Elite Eight. The ring is a reminder of the success the team enjoyed; but, also a reminder of work still needed in order to accomplish the ultimate prize -- an NCAA Championship.
"The ring feels heavy," described Aggies senior guard Takia Starks. "It's pretty heavy. It's kind of weird. I'm not used to wearing rings. Our last ring was our Big 12 Championship ring and it was kind of small; but, this ring is definitely a symbol of our success and how far we can go."
The ring was designed by last season's senior group of guard A'Quonesia Franklin; wing Morenike Atunrase; and forward Patrice Reado.
"They all came up with the design," added Starks. "The ring was dedicated to the seniors; so, they got to pick the design."
Senior center LaToya Micheaux added, "Our seniors made this ring and I'm very proud of it. It shows how much hard work we put into earning it last season.
"We started 0 and 4 in the Big 12; and, a lot of people didn't believe in us anymore. What we did was go to Bible Study -- a lot of people don't that about us -- and once we started getting back to the Lord and staying with Bible Study, the winning kept coming.
"We wanted this ring. I didn't wear the other ring (Big 12 Regular season Champs) because it's too small. If we wanted this big one, we had to go out there and get it done. When we got to the (Big 12) Conference Tournament, we said, 'If this is what we want, we have to go out and get it.'
"We have the 'Elite Eight' on this ring; and, that's something we'll always cherish. We had the lead (versus Tennessee) -- we were up five points with three minutes left in the game. This ring means a lot. We're happy to have this ring; but, it also reminds us how hard we have to work this season."
Micheaux admitted she still thinks about the Regional Final loss to Tennessee (53 to 45).
"I do. A lot of people didn't believe we belonged there. People thought we weren't a top 10 team. That game showed we can compete with the best of the best. Now, we're trying to be a top 10 program and maintain it. That game meant more than just winning or losing. It was a test to see how good we are."
In order to reach the Final Four, Micheaux believes the Aggies need to play smarter.
"We lost that game (versus Tennessee) because we didn't play smart. We just let possessions go by with no points. Everyone knows we're going to play hard and play good defense. But, down the stretch the game comes down to who can execute better; who can use the shot clock effectively; and who can get a good possession. That's what we take from that game; and, hopefully, we can get back to the Oklahoma (site of one of four Regional sites) and then to St. Louis (site of the 2009 Women's Final Four)."
As a sign of last season's successes, the Aggies players are wearing a championship ring representing the Big 12 Conference Tourney title and the trip to the Elite Eight. The ring is a reminder of the success the team enjoyed; but, also a reminder of work still needed in order to accomplish the ultimate prize -- an NCAA Championship.
"The ring feels heavy," described Aggies senior guard Takia Starks. "It's pretty heavy. It's kind of weird. I'm not used to wearing rings. Our last ring was our Big 12 Championship ring and it was kind of small; but, this ring is definitely a symbol of our success and how far we can go."
The ring was designed by last season's senior group of guard A'Quonesia Franklin; wing Morenike Atunrase; and forward Patrice Reado.
"They all came up with the design," added Starks. "The ring was dedicated to the seniors; so, they got to pick the design."
Senior center LaToya Micheaux added, "Our seniors made this ring and I'm very proud of it. It shows how much hard work we put into earning it last season.
"We started 0 and 4 in the Big 12; and, a lot of people didn't believe in us anymore. What we did was go to Bible Study -- a lot of people don't that about us -- and once we started getting back to the Lord and staying with Bible Study, the winning kept coming.
"We wanted this ring. I didn't wear the other ring (Big 12 Regular season Champs) because it's too small. If we wanted this big one, we had to go out there and get it done. When we got to the (Big 12) Conference Tournament, we said, 'If this is what we want, we have to go out and get it.'
"We have the 'Elite Eight' on this ring; and, that's something we'll always cherish. We had the lead (versus Tennessee) -- we were up five points with three minutes left in the game. This ring means a lot. We're happy to have this ring; but, it also reminds us how hard we have to work this season."
Micheaux admitted she still thinks about the Regional Final loss to Tennessee (53 to 45).
"I do. A lot of people didn't believe we belonged there. People thought we weren't a top 10 team. That game showed we can compete with the best of the best. Now, we're trying to be a top 10 program and maintain it. That game meant more than just winning or losing. It was a test to see how good we are."
In order to reach the Final Four, Micheaux believes the Aggies need to play smarter.
"We lost that game (versus Tennessee) because we didn't play smart. We just let possessions go by with no points. Everyone knows we're going to play hard and play good defense. But, down the stretch the game comes down to who can execute better; who can use the shot clock effectively; and who can get a good possession. That's what we take from that game; and, hopefully, we can get back to the Oklahoma (site of one of four Regional sites) and then to St. Louis (site of the 2009 Women's Final Four)."
posted by Kris G @ 3:27 PM
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