Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Sissom's leadership evident for Lady Raiders
1/10/2018 4:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Senior guard a fan favorite
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – An injury to the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year, playing one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country, injuries to a sophomore and freshman who both were expected to be significant contributors and offensive inconsistencies – needless to say, this season has presented plenty of challenges and frustrations for the Middle Tennessee Lady Raiders.
Despite all of the irritations and the negatives, this season has also presented Blue Raider fans an opportunity to see one of their local favorites blossom into a complete leader on and off the court.
Abbey Sissom has, almost out of necessity, taken her game to another level this season.
The sharpshooter has upped her scoring by more than five points over last year, currently at a team-high 14 points per game, all while continuing to draw defensive assignments against the opposition's best guards.
Her uptick in scoring and dominant on-ball defense has been essential to keeping MT afloat, at 8-7, without C-USA Preseason Player of the Year Alex Johnson. Sissom recently led the charge as the Lady Raiders took down Kentucky to end their non-conference slate, scoring a game-high 22 points in her third straight game of eclipsing the 20-point mark.
But, there's more to her improved game this year than just scoring. Some of it won't show up on a stat sheet, but the impact is felt nonetheless.
Continued crowd favorite
Sissom was a crowd favorite at Middle Tennessee before she even stepped foot on the Murphy Center floor wearing the blue and white.
She grew up in nearby Woodbury, the same hometown as her head coach, Rick Insell, just under 20 miles from MT's campus.
There, Sissom made a name for herself as one of the best high school players in the state, three times leading Cannon County High School to the TSSAA state tournament and once to the Final Four in 2011. She started every game of her high school career and ended as the 2014 Tennessee Class AA Miss Basketball, an award she was a finalist for three times, and as Cannon County's second all-time leading scorer (2,606 points).
After having her jersey retired at both Cannon County and Woodland Elementary School, also in Woodbury, Sissom chose to stay close to home and play for the Lady Raiders.
Her fans from Woodbury have followed her from the Cannon County gymnasium to the Murphy Center, too, and it doesn't seem to matter that MT has had its frustrations this year. The Woodbury faithful still love their Lady Raiders, and they love to show up and cheer on No. 5.
Before Sissom was a Raider, season ticket sales in Cannon County totaled 47. This year, that number is at 210.
"I can't even describe how special it is to have so many people here supporting me," she said. "I feel like I'm letting them down sometimes … and that's been hard on me this season. But, that makes it even more special that they're all still here rooting for me and the Lady Raiders.
"I think some of them will be Lady Raider fans for life."
Interacting with fans has always come easy for Sissom, but this year has presented challenges with the team's inconsistent play. She's handled those challenges with flying colors, though, and her team has taken notice.
After a recent game, as Sissom exited the locker room and started walking toward the media room to meet with reporters, she was stopped by some of her youngest fans.
As a few children lifted up things for her to sign, Sissom took a moment to acknowledge all of them, the same glowing smile on her face that those from Woodbury have seen all her life.
You would never have guessed she'd just played all 40 minutes in a basketball game, leaving all of her energy on the court. You also wouldn't guess that her team is 8-7 on the season and 0-2 in league play for the first time in 14 years.
It was just another moment that made Insell realize how lucky he is to have Sissom.
"It's Abbey Sissom," he recently said in an interview with Daily News Journal beat writer Erik Bacharach. "Can't put a price on that. She's all about Lady Raider basketball, about what can I do to improve this program.
"Her family is waiting on her there, but what is she doing? Still giving. Ain't many people in the world like that anymore."
Big heart, bigger competitive streak
Stories like that symbolize Sissom's giving, caring nature. But, don't let it fool you – underneath that kindness beats the heart of a competitor who's become fierce on the court.
Sissom has had to change from a deadly 3-point sniper to an all-around scorer this season with Johnson, a 20-points-per-game performer last year, sidelined.
While defenses have altered against Sissom, pushing up on her to try and take away her incredible 3-point shooting ability, she's had to adjust. That means getting to the rim, something she hadn't really done since she was in high school.
Going into this season, Sissom hadn't attempted more than 53 free throws in a single season as a Blue Raider. This year, she's already gotten to the line 47 times in 12 games, making 37 of those for a .787 shooting percentage.
"A lot of people are trying to close down on me, because I'm a shooter," Sissom said. "I've really been trying to take advantage of driving lanes, and that's something I really worked on in the offseason. That comes from the weight room – it takes strength to get in there and draw fouls. That's really helped me."
Injury may have brought out the offensive beast
Sissom hasn't escaped the injury bug that has riddled the Lady Raiders. She missed games against Georgia Tech, Coppin State and Louisville while in concussion protocol.
The injury hasn't slowed her down. In fact, it may be bringing out the best in her.
Since returning to the lineup, Sissom has been on a mission offensively, averaging 17 points in the last seven games.
"Especially here lately, I've had to be more of a scorer," she said. "Alex has been our main scorer since she's been here, and with her out we've struggled to score. I've tried to take on some of that role."
The injury bug may have finally released its grip on Middle Tennessee, a welcomed sight for Sissom and the Lady Raiders.
Johnson and freshman Kara Meadows could return to the lineup soon, providing a much-needed boost down low. Sophomore Kyla Allison could also return this season to help the guard play.
If they can slot into the lineup and start producing alongside Sissom, MT's offense could finally see some depth that it's searched for all year. That will mean Sissom will have to keep improving in different areas offensively, including becoming a better facilitator so the ball gets in the hands of the right people at the right time.
She currently leads the team with 40 assists this season, and her 1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks seventh in C-USA.
"We have to get more players involved in the offense," she said. "We've relied on Alex for so long, and I'm trying to take on some of that load … but as a collective group, everybody has to look to score and be offensive minded."
With reinforcements hopefully coming, Middle Tennessee's offense could get a much-needed boost as it enters the final stretch of the season.
Look for its improved senior leader from Woodbury with the bright smile to be leading the way, both on and off the court.
Despite all of the irritations and the negatives, this season has also presented Blue Raider fans an opportunity to see one of their local favorites blossom into a complete leader on and off the court.
Abbey Sissom has, almost out of necessity, taken her game to another level this season.
The sharpshooter has upped her scoring by more than five points over last year, currently at a team-high 14 points per game, all while continuing to draw defensive assignments against the opposition's best guards.
Her uptick in scoring and dominant on-ball defense has been essential to keeping MT afloat, at 8-7, without C-USA Preseason Player of the Year Alex Johnson. Sissom recently led the charge as the Lady Raiders took down Kentucky to end their non-conference slate, scoring a game-high 22 points in her third straight game of eclipsing the 20-point mark.
But, there's more to her improved game this year than just scoring. Some of it won't show up on a stat sheet, but the impact is felt nonetheless.
Continued crowd favorite
Sissom was a crowd favorite at Middle Tennessee before she even stepped foot on the Murphy Center floor wearing the blue and white.
She grew up in nearby Woodbury, the same hometown as her head coach, Rick Insell, just under 20 miles from MT's campus.
There, Sissom made a name for herself as one of the best high school players in the state, three times leading Cannon County High School to the TSSAA state tournament and once to the Final Four in 2011. She started every game of her high school career and ended as the 2014 Tennessee Class AA Miss Basketball, an award she was a finalist for three times, and as Cannon County's second all-time leading scorer (2,606 points).
After having her jersey retired at both Cannon County and Woodland Elementary School, also in Woodbury, Sissom chose to stay close to home and play for the Lady Raiders.
Her fans from Woodbury have followed her from the Cannon County gymnasium to the Murphy Center, too, and it doesn't seem to matter that MT has had its frustrations this year. The Woodbury faithful still love their Lady Raiders, and they love to show up and cheer on No. 5.
Before Sissom was a Raider, season ticket sales in Cannon County totaled 47. This year, that number is at 210.
"I can't even describe how special it is to have so many people here supporting me," she said. "I feel like I'm letting them down sometimes … and that's been hard on me this season. But, that makes it even more special that they're all still here rooting for me and the Lady Raiders.
"I think some of them will be Lady Raider fans for life."
Interacting with fans has always come easy for Sissom, but this year has presented challenges with the team's inconsistent play. She's handled those challenges with flying colors, though, and her team has taken notice.
After a recent game, as Sissom exited the locker room and started walking toward the media room to meet with reporters, she was stopped by some of her youngest fans.
As a few children lifted up things for her to sign, Sissom took a moment to acknowledge all of them, the same glowing smile on her face that those from Woodbury have seen all her life.
You would never have guessed she'd just played all 40 minutes in a basketball game, leaving all of her energy on the court. You also wouldn't guess that her team is 8-7 on the season and 0-2 in league play for the first time in 14 years.
It was just another moment that made Insell realize how lucky he is to have Sissom.
"It's Abbey Sissom," he recently said in an interview with Daily News Journal beat writer Erik Bacharach. "Can't put a price on that. She's all about Lady Raider basketball, about what can I do to improve this program.
"Her family is waiting on her there, but what is she doing? Still giving. Ain't many people in the world like that anymore."
Big heart, bigger competitive streak
Stories like that symbolize Sissom's giving, caring nature. But, don't let it fool you – underneath that kindness beats the heart of a competitor who's become fierce on the court.
Sissom has had to change from a deadly 3-point sniper to an all-around scorer this season with Johnson, a 20-points-per-game performer last year, sidelined.
While defenses have altered against Sissom, pushing up on her to try and take away her incredible 3-point shooting ability, she's had to adjust. That means getting to the rim, something she hadn't really done since she was in high school.
Going into this season, Sissom hadn't attempted more than 53 free throws in a single season as a Blue Raider. This year, she's already gotten to the line 47 times in 12 games, making 37 of those for a .787 shooting percentage.
"A lot of people are trying to close down on me, because I'm a shooter," Sissom said. "I've really been trying to take advantage of driving lanes, and that's something I really worked on in the offseason. That comes from the weight room – it takes strength to get in there and draw fouls. That's really helped me."
Injury may have brought out the offensive beast
Sissom hasn't escaped the injury bug that has riddled the Lady Raiders. She missed games against Georgia Tech, Coppin State and Louisville while in concussion protocol.
The injury hasn't slowed her down. In fact, it may be bringing out the best in her.
Since returning to the lineup, Sissom has been on a mission offensively, averaging 17 points in the last seven games.
"Especially here lately, I've had to be more of a scorer," she said. "Alex has been our main scorer since she's been here, and with her out we've struggled to score. I've tried to take on some of that role."
The injury bug may have finally released its grip on Middle Tennessee, a welcomed sight for Sissom and the Lady Raiders.
Johnson and freshman Kara Meadows could return to the lineup soon, providing a much-needed boost down low. Sophomore Kyla Allison could also return this season to help the guard play.
If they can slot into the lineup and start producing alongside Sissom, MT's offense could finally see some depth that it's searched for all year. That will mean Sissom will have to keep improving in different areas offensively, including becoming a better facilitator so the ball gets in the hands of the right people at the right time.
She currently leads the team with 40 assists this season, and her 1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks seventh in C-USA.
"We have to get more players involved in the offense," she said. "We've relied on Alex for so long, and I'm trying to take on some of that load … but as a collective group, everybody has to look to score and be offensive minded."
With reinforcements hopefully coming, Middle Tennessee's offense could get a much-needed boost as it enters the final stretch of the season.
Look for its improved senior leader from Woodbury with the bright smile to be leading the way, both on and off the court.
Players Mentioned
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