Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Photo by: @MTAthletics
First basketball practice in the books for the MTSU Lady Blue Raiders
10/1/2021 5:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Murfreesboro, Tenn. – The Lady Blue Raiders hit the court for the first official practice of the 2021-22 season Tuesday. Throughout the roughly two-and-half hour practice, Coach Rick Insell and his staff emphasized the fundamentals.
Things like footwork, proper screen technique, and never going the same direction with the basketball consecutive times were discussed. The coaching staff also keyed in on taking charges, and not settling for the 3-point shot when they could drive down the lane. Insell firmly believes that fundamentals are what gives players that transition from high school to college an advantage over their competition.
"You come out of high school, and you were THE player in your high school program and travel team. Then you get here and you're one of the guys. You're going to play someone as talented as you, and when you do, what's going to give you the edge? Fundamentals," Insell said.
When it comes to high school players that are making the jump to the collegiate level, the team welcomes a few standouts. Two of them shared their thoughts following their first official college workout.
Gracie Dodgen, a 5-foot-10 guard out of White County, will be depended on for her absolute flamethrower of a jump shot. Dodgen enters the program with an incredible Tennessee single-game state record of 15 3-pointers.
"It was a very cool experience, and honestly a memory I'll never forget," she said. When asked if her coaches would allow her to go for 16 in a collegiate game, Dodgen chuckled and said, "I hope so, depends on my shooting that day."
Next up was 6-foot guard Skye Payne from Alabama. Touted as an ESPN top 100 prospect, Payne already has an impressive resume, as she is one of the rare prospects to play six total years of varsity basketball. Payne played two years varsity as a seventh and eighth grader at Clay-Chalkville in Alabama before moving on to Hewitt-Trussville.
Payne said that helped prepare her for collegiate competition.
"It helped shape me into the player I am now since I'm not scared to go up against older players," Payne said.
Insell believes this Lady Raiders team is blessed with depth and talent, but the future practices are particularly important for the newcomers as they begin to learn new terminology and new coaches.
"I'm pretty satisfied, we've got some very talented young ladies, and they just have to learn me, what I expect, my terminology, and where we're going with the ball," he said.
With starting lineup opportunities still up for grabs, the intensity of these practices will continue to rise.
Things like footwork, proper screen technique, and never going the same direction with the basketball consecutive times were discussed. The coaching staff also keyed in on taking charges, and not settling for the 3-point shot when they could drive down the lane. Insell firmly believes that fundamentals are what gives players that transition from high school to college an advantage over their competition.
"You come out of high school, and you were THE player in your high school program and travel team. Then you get here and you're one of the guys. You're going to play someone as talented as you, and when you do, what's going to give you the edge? Fundamentals," Insell said.
When it comes to high school players that are making the jump to the collegiate level, the team welcomes a few standouts. Two of them shared their thoughts following their first official college workout.
Gracie Dodgen, a 5-foot-10 guard out of White County, will be depended on for her absolute flamethrower of a jump shot. Dodgen enters the program with an incredible Tennessee single-game state record of 15 3-pointers.
"It was a very cool experience, and honestly a memory I'll never forget," she said. When asked if her coaches would allow her to go for 16 in a collegiate game, Dodgen chuckled and said, "I hope so, depends on my shooting that day."
Next up was 6-foot guard Skye Payne from Alabama. Touted as an ESPN top 100 prospect, Payne already has an impressive resume, as she is one of the rare prospects to play six total years of varsity basketball. Payne played two years varsity as a seventh and eighth grader at Clay-Chalkville in Alabama before moving on to Hewitt-Trussville.
Payne said that helped prepare her for collegiate competition.
"It helped shape me into the player I am now since I'm not scared to go up against older players," Payne said.
Insell believes this Lady Raiders team is blessed with depth and talent, but the future practices are particularly important for the newcomers as they begin to learn new terminology and new coaches.
"I'm pretty satisfied, we've got some very talented young ladies, and they just have to learn me, what I expect, my terminology, and where we're going with the ball," he said.
With starting lineup opportunities still up for grabs, the intensity of these practices will continue to rise.
Players Mentioned
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