Women?s Basketball Attends SEC Media Day
10/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ?? Thursday morning marked the Alabama women’s basketball team’s turn at the annual Southeastern Conference Media Day. Head coach Stephany Smith and players Dedrea Magee and Courtney Strauthers represented the Tide at the event.
Coach Smith enters her third season at the helm of the Crimson Tide. Smith has five postseason appearances including three to the NCAA Tournament to her credit. Smith has 10 underclassmen at her disposal for the upcoming season, including five that saw significant time as true freshmen.
Coach Smith’s Quotes:
"It's great to be in year three. We're above ground level with a revived dedication, focus and commitment. Things have been going great so far. We're on our way and going in a good direction."
"We have not been effective defensively at this point. We haven't been skilled and not enough depth, but we're going to be pressing, more double-teams and making the transition to full court."
"The first couple years were indescribably hard. It got to the point where you were asking yourself 'Is it ever going to come to an end.' But we have what works now, more depth and heading in the right direction. We aren't ready to mount all odds, but we're above ground."
Sophomore guard Dedrea Magee enters her second season at the Capstone. Magee scored in double figures three times and shot 50 percent from the floor while appearing in 22 games as a true freshman.
Dedrea Magee Quotes:
"It is always up or down no matter what. We work hard and compete everyday in practice, and hopefully we will get a positive impact from that."
"We have been working harder in practice because we know what to expect in the SEC. We are trying to lead the freshman and encourage them to follow us. We want to win and they want to do the same."
"We have high expectations. We've been working hard and want to win games and play hard."
Sophomore forward Courtney Strauthers also enters her second season for the Tide. Strauthers led Alabama in shooting percentage and played in 29 games as a true freshman.
Courtney Strauthers Quotes:
"Our expectations are high. We have been working hard in the weight room and on the court. You learn from your mistakes. We will bounce back and it will make us stronger this year."
"We are working hard to be more competitive at practice and it shows this year. Hopefully, we'll upset a lot of people and show that we have learned from last year and turn it around."
Alabama will open its exhibition slate against the University of West Alabama on Wednesday, 31. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum.
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