COLUMN: “She really stepped up to what we know she could do”

1/8/2023 4:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Courtney Blakely has stepped up in a big role at point guard for the Lady Raiders

By: Sam Doughton, MTSU Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Walking off the Murphy Center Court on Thursday night, walking back to my office after interviews, walking to my car as the day's work was done, everyone I ran into, from Blue Raider Radio Network's Duane Hickey to Sidelines' Calvin White to MTSU Creative Video Extraordinaire Jordan Frazier all said the same thing.

"Man, if she could've had just two more rebounds!"

Those of us who cover sports, whether it be on the radio or in print or through a camera lens, we may or may not, depending on the outlet, choose to root for a team in a game we cover. But all of us, regardless of our job title, root for the story.

And Courtney Blakely being just two rebounds away from a triple-double against UTSA is almost as good of a story as it would've been if she had gotten two more rebounds to push her eight rebounds to double digits, to go along with her 11 points and 11 assists on Thursday.

Of course, I'm splitting hairs here. Because anyone who was in the Murphy Center on Thursday night's 80-41 Lady Raider win saw what Head Coach Rick Insell did from his sophomore point guard. And that observation is a pretty great story.

"(Blakely had) total control," Insell said. "I thought it was one of her best games she's ever played for us."

The stat line itself, featuring a 3-for-6 night from the floor, a 4-for-5 day from the free throw line, and no turnovers, sticks out for its near symmetry, of course. But it does little to actively describe just how much Blakely imposed her will on the proceedings in the Glass House.

Controlling the pace of play up and down the court, manipulating the Roadrunner defense to find open players on the perimeter (Jalynn Gregory) and inside (Kseniya Malashka), guarding one of the top perimeter threats on the UTSA roster, particularly when defensive specialist Alexis Whittington was getting a break from the action.

"I've been around CAB since we got here," Gregory said. "I knew coming in she could be good, and she's finally showing us.

"This game, she really stepped up to what we know she could do."

The stellar play comes in the crucial context that Blakely was doing all of this in a role that she was not pegged for at the beginning of the season, playing more minutes than she ever had in her collegiate career (that is to say...all of the minutes available, as she did both Thursday night and on Saturday at North Texas).

With All-Conference USA point guard Savannah Wheeler leaving last week's win against Charlotte due to injury, Blakely has been called upon to run the offense in her absence, rather than sharing primary ballhandling duties together, like Blakely and Wheeler have most of the season. Blakely certainly has had time on the court, particularly late in games, where she's running the point, and Gregory has been able to help at times as well.

But for the past three games, the keys to the Lady Raiders have been hers. And the Gary, Ind. native is rising to the occasion.

"It's been a work in progress," Blakely said after Thursday's win. "The whole season, (Rick Insell) has been telling me that 'You not only need to look for you, but you need to make sure your team is straight.' Tonight, I just went out with that mentality and I was able to do it."

Blakely likely won't have too many games where she scores a ton of points this season. Her 11 on Thursday tied her season-high, and her career high last season was just 18 points. She has that capability, no question, with the driving ability to get to the hoop and an underrated outside shot, knocking down her only three-point attempt against the Roadrunners.

But she doesn't need to be a volume scorer for Middle Tennessee to be successful. With the shooters around her on the outside and the Lady Raiders' post presence, Blakely knows she just has to get them the ball. As she pointed out when Gregory was on the interview podium on Thursday night.

"That girl was hot," Blakely said, quickly grabbing the mic before Gregory could answer. "So, I was going to look for my shooter. Thank you!"

The past three games were the second time Blakely has been inserted into the starting lineup for a Lady Raider who's out due to injury, after taking over Whittington in the lineup following the team's trip to Las Vegas, showing her prowess as a defensive stopper, Whittington's role in the rotation.

Now with Wheeler out, Blakely is showing the floor general skills that flashed last year as a freshman, when she was backing up Dor Saar off the bench, building on top of the work she put in over the summer to work her way into the "seven starters" group Rick Insell has leaned on early.

And when Wheeler returns? Those extended minutes will give Blakely even more tools to work with on the court. Even as she's still getting used to playing 40 minutes a night.

"I get tired at times, but I've got to push through," Blakely said. "Matt (Insell) said that great players don't get tired. So, I've got that in my mind while I'm playing."