Hoya Paranoia | The Hoya's Sports Blog

Hey all! My name is Meredith Cox and I am currently a junior in the college. I am also a member of the women’s basketball team here at Georgetown. I will be starting something new here on The Hoya Paranoia blog.  I want all the students at Georgetown to get a new grasp, a different outlook at the world in which we student athletes live.  So, I will be blogging weekly on ‘the student athlete experience.’ This will include previews of my games, what the soccer team does while traveling, which recruits are being looked at, what Jessie Sapp does on an off day, what it feels like being a freshman on any sports team, and what some former Hoyas are doing today.

My blog posts will be slightly different from others because you will get the scoop from the inner loop — from an athlete. Feel free to comment on anything I write about, or even post questions as to what more you want to know.

My first piece will be on something very close to me: my team!

This year is very exciting for us. We have seven brand new members; seven babies, seven newcomers, seven freshman. Along with these seven freshmen, we have eight players returning. So, basically we are combining two teams into one and having a full roster of 15 girls.  Just with that much estrogen alone, it makes for a very interesting year.  Our seven newcomers, however, were ranked as one of the very best recruiting classes in the nation.  Being here this summer with them and eight weeks so far this semester, our team has already started to come together.  Their eagerness to work, athleticism, willingness to learn, and audacity to bring the women’s program to a higher level has already been felt, even in this short amount of time.  Therefore, without further adieu, I would like to introduce to you our new freshman class.

Ruby Lee Wright (No. 3) — Ruby Lee, also known as Lee Lee, is from Latta, S.C. She is a point guard who averaged over 20 points her senior year in high school. At a height of only 5-foot-3, she might not seem like the typical basketball type, but don’t let her lack of height fool you. On the court, she is seen quickly crossing up her defenders, leaving them behind her or even on the floor (I know from personal experience).  She shoots deep threes to conclude the game of pickup, or drops thread–the-needle passes to get others involved.  She tells me, “I miss spending time with family and friends. I miss the slow pace life and I miss just being at home. I love my teammates. That is the best part of being here; sharing it with the greatest team in the world.”

Latia Magee (No. 2) — Coming out of high school in Oklahoma, Tia was ranked as the 24th best forward in the nation. Here, at Georgetown, our coaches are using her size to our advantage and moving her out to the perimeter to be a guard. Her strength and ability to finish around the basket, due to her experience as a forward, allows her to get by her defender and create huge match-up problems. Tia, at 6-foot-2’ is able to dominate down low if a smaller guard is on her, but is also able to get by slower posts. Her size, strength, and quickness allow her to be a great asset to our new team.

“I miss my friends and family,” she told me. “I miss having free time, being popular, and knowing my way around. I miss not having to be responsible for everything. I miss how everybody knew everybody. I like Georgetown because of my team. They have become my family. I like my independence here and how it’s forcing me to grow up.”

Alexa Roche (No. 34) —  A 6-foot lefty guard from Bellmore, N.Y. Her athleticism is very evident as she can easily grab the rim even though she has been recovering from an ACL tear.  Now, though, she is in great condition and ready to help our team as a big guard with a great mid-range game.  She says, “I miss my free time and the people I love. I love the environment at Georgetown and how it’s similar to New York. Most of all I love my teammates because they make me feel comfortable.”

Tia McBride (No. 12) — Tia comes from Cincinnati, Ohio, and was ranked the 34th best forward in the nation. Her strength and ability to rebound and finish allow her to be a great threat down low as a small forward.

“I miss chilling with my friends and seeing my mom; also being able to see my family when I want,” she said. “I love my team. School is just school.”

Adria Crawford (No. 5) — Adria is our freshman closest to home. Being from Alexandria, Va., she knows D.C. better than most of the upperclassmen. On the court she is a relentless rebounder. Even when you think your rebound is secured, Dri flies in from nowhere and uses her stupendous strength to take it away. She works so hard on each play and is willing to do the smallest things to cause a great play even if she doesn’t get the credit for it.

“What I miss most about home is hanging out and laughing with my parents and my three best friends,” she says. “I love the family environment Georgetown provides.”

Morgan Williams (No. 15) — Morgan might be considered the baby of the bunch. From Dickinson, Texas, Morgan is a long way from home. She is a 5-foot-9 point guard and can see the floor very well. She also can cross people up (the match-up between her and Ruby is very entertaining).  Morgan has a great three-point shot that she can knock down consistently, but she also has that point guard mentality of making the extra pass to get an assist or make a teammate better.

Said Morgan: “What I miss most about home is my family. I miss hanging out with them and laughing with them. What I like most about Georgetown is my teammates and friends; they are some of the flyest people I have ever met.”

Amanda Reese (No. 24) — Amanda might be the most outgoing of the freshman. We often kid her about how she will be the oldest fan at Beyonce’s 50th anniversary concert.  She is a New Orleans native and represents her city well. At 6-foot-2, she is an excellent finisher around the basket who controls her body well. She will make a huge impact at the five position for us this year.

“The thing I miss most about home is the cuisine and the music; the laid back lifestyle,” she said. “I like the family lifestyle of Georgetown and the pride that comes with being a Hoya. I miss getting everywhere when I want to, but I do miss my family the most.”

Well, fellow student these are our 7 new babies. As a team, we are very excited to start this season. We have worked so hard in preseason and are in great shape. We are slowly but surely learning the offense and will be looking great in no time.

Now, I do understand that some of you are upset about paying the extra $25 for the men’s tickets this year because you HAD to buy ours as well. I think that you should use some of these tickets and come to some games. We are a whole new team with a great focus and determination this year. Don’t let those tickets go to waste! Come to some games! Our first home matchup is Nov. 22.  Hope to see you there.