Three Bearkat seniors ready for last SLC run
1/7/2010 3:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
With the start of the Southland Conference season just around the corner, it promises to be a special run for a trio of Sam Houston State seniors on the women's basketball team. Seniors Whitney Smith, Brittany Brooks, and Ray Alexander have been a big part of the program over the last four years, and will soon be traveling on different paths in life.
But before they start thinking about life after basketball, the focus this year is to get the Kats into the postseason tournament for the first time under head coach Brenda Nichols who took over four years ago. If they do make the postseason, it will be the fitting end to three careers that helped turn around a program that was 1-28 just two seasons ago.
"When we came in as coaches, the girls had already been here for about two weeks," Nichols said. "Whitney, Brittany and Ray needed a lot of work. Whitney couldn't shoot free throws very well, Brittany needed to work on her defense and Ray was on academic probation. However, each year they got better. They have been in the trenches emotionally, physically, and mentally. They have been beaten by a lot of big schools and yet they keep their heads up."
Alexander is a fifth-year senior guard who has appeared in 72 games as a Bearkat and started 38 times. Her career totals include 14 double figure scoring performances. She is one of the strongest players on the team with the determination to succeed.
"My transition from high school was not very hard," Alexander said. "It was discouraging to play on a team used to winning streaks and then move onto a college team that was losing a lot. I was not used to losing. When I got here I realized that I really needed to work on my shooting so I would go to the gym and work on it."
Alexander became a medical redshirt in 2008 after an injury to the knee. Since then she has recovered and made a big impact on her team's overall success. Nichols has helped her stay positive through the years.
"When I came in as a coach Ray was academically ineligible to play," said Nichols. "We had to fight for her and she fought us, but we finally won. She has made her way the top athletically and academically."
When it comes to her success in college Alexander has learned that it is important to give effort on and off the court. After she completes her master's degree she wants to coach either high school basketball or track and move her way up to college coaching. Her alternative career goal would be doing something in the health field.
"I want be a basketball coach because I want to give back to others what I have learned through my experience as a basketball player," Alexander said. "Coach Nichols has been a real role model to me, she has taught me how to play to the best of my ability, and that it is what I want to do for others. My teammates have also been a big influence on my life, they have my back at all times. I consider them my family."
Brooks is a senior guard for the Bearkats. She is a three-time letter winner and is ranked No. 21 in Bearkat career scoring and she stands No. 7 in SHSU career assists. She has a 3.20 GPA as a general business major.
"I have learned that you have to be responsible and take care of your business in college," Brooks said. "College basketball is tougher than high school basketball. Everything on the court is much faster and people are just as good as you when it comes to playing the game. When I got here I realized that I was going to have to speak up and work on my teamwork. I know where I want to go on the court, but it takes communication to play the game as a team."
Brooks has enjoyed traveling and having the opportunity to play with other teams. When she finishes her college education she wants to explore her other talents in life. She also wants to take care of her family. Brooks feels that Nichols and her teammates have had a big influence on her life. They have taught her to stay positive and make good situations out of anything that happens, no matter how bad hard they are.
"Brittany has really improved over the years and now and she succeeds in whatever position she plays on the court," said Nichols.
Smith is a three-year starter who began her senior season ranked No. 11 in Bearkat career scoring and is just 12 points shy of becoming the 10th Bearkat to score 1,000 career points. She stands No. 8 in SHSU career rebounds. She played in all 86 Sam Houston games over the last three seasons and was a Southland Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll member in 2008 with a 3.14 GPA.
"Socially, my transition to college was easy because I came here with people that were my age," said Smith. "The biggest difference was learning how to adapt to the lifestyle of a college student. Things were also different on the court, in high school, anyone could play basketball. College was a wake up call. The competition is fierce and you have to practice and work hard to succeed."
Smith worked hard over the years to do well on and off the court. She worked on her shooting, and her game techniques. Coach Nichols has encouraged her with the story of David and Goliath; even though they may be the underdogs compared to most of the teams they play, they can still have a big impact on the game.
"Coach Nichols has taught me that you have to put forth effort to get something in return," Smith said. "Things are not always going to go your way, you have to go out and play hard. It has been rough, but I kept my faith in God through it all. I always try to do well in everything that I do and I am not complacent with anything but the best. Every obstacle is an opportunity."
After college Smith wants to pursue other careers paths beyond basketball. She plans on going to nursing school.
"Whitney has grown a great deal in her maturity," Nichols said. "When she is not scoring, she is giving some kind of effort somewhere else."
