Monday, January 29, 2007 , Updated
Inside hoops with UNT’s Brittney James
The transition from high school basketball to college is a challenge. The players are faster, smarter and more physical, so is the game. It didn't take UNT's freshman guard, Brittney James, long to realize the physicality of the game.
Standing at 5-foot-8, James used to be the tallest player on the court for West Orange-Stark High School. Her stature no longer dominates the court at the collegiate level. James is the smallest on her team.
"I know if I'm the smallest on my team, I have to be one of the smallest in the conference," James said. "I'm not used to being the little one."
No one wants to be the little one, especially when you're known as a scoring threat. James averaged 26 points and nine boards per game in high school. She was the district MVP two years in a row, hit 12 3-pointers, while scoring 57 points, in a game against Hamshire-Fannett last year.
Impressive, but impressive scoring isn't on the mind of Brittney James now. She knows she's in a scoring slump. Shooting 22 percent from beyond the arc isn't going to cut it. Now, she's elevating her game in new areas. James is second on the team in steals, 25, while only averaging 13.7 minutes a game. Plus, she's focusing on getting her teammates the ball.
The Mean Green (5-14, 2-7) are struggling to find something resembling consistency.
"At the beginning of the season a different people played well," James said. "Everyone needs to come together in one game. We can’t have everyone play well in one game and no one in another."
This season, James is learning how to play college ball. Fouls that were fouls in high school aren't fouls in college. The college game is a learning process. One that James feels her performance is increasing with every game.
The Eagles play Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Troy in the Super Pit.
FUN FACTS
Major: Criminal Justice
Favorite Food: Mexican
Song you can't stop listening to: "This is Why I'm Hot" by Mims
Desired superpower: "To read people's minds."
If you were on a deserted island.... "I would have to bring my mom, Sheila."
Email
|
Print
|
Comment
|
Tell us your story
|
- »The Guest List with Denton singer Glen Farris
- »Upcoming Denton concerts -- November 27-28
- »Denton Christian Preschool educates at-risk children
- »University of North Texas students auction 26 pieces of art to benefit United Way
- »Something Awesome to benefit Habitat for Humanity, rock Denton's face in process
-
»UNT to hold stadium ground-breaking ceremony on Saturday
-
»North Texas students save money and escape paperback extinction with textbook renting
-
»University of North Texas students auction 26 pieces of art to benefit United Way
-
»UNT Dance and Theatre brings Van Gogh to life with Vincent in Brixton
-
»Texas Higher Education Board approves new UNT football stadium plan
|
an event
|
a restaurant
|
|
a garage sale
|
a drink special
|
|
a movie showtime
|
local music
|
a job
|
a house
|
|
a deal
|
a pet
|
