Oct. 13, 2006
PHOTO GALLERY
Keeping It Simple
TCU women's basketball head coach Jeff Mittie made his message clear and repeated it often during the Lady Frog's first practice of the season: "It's just basketball. Keep it simple."
With 22 days until their exhibition opener at home against Lake Truck Lines (WNBA), the Lady Frogs practiced for two hours Friday evening at the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Basketball Complex.
"I really thought the first practice was excellent," Mittie said. "On day one, everyone is always enthusiastic about being here. You expect those things, but I was most pleased with the fact that we competed really hard tonight."
According to junior Jenna Lohse, one of 10 returning veterans, after seven months since the last game, the team was anxious to get back on the court.
"I think our first practice went really well," Lohse said. "We were all excited to be here today. Everyone arrived at least 15 minutes early ready to work. I believe it's going to be a really good season because we plan to work really hard."
Frog Stops
Many visitors and fans made appearances at the Lady Frogs' practice. TCU Athletics Director Danny Morrison and wife Peggy stopped bye to say hello and took a moment to check in with Mittie. In addition, TCU standout supporter Delores, better known as "Superfan," and husband Lyle watched the team for over an hour. Various fans peered through the glass and sat around the court to get their first glimpse of the 2006-07 Frogs.
Team Is The Name of the Game
He said it once, and Mittie will likely repeat it for the rest of the season: "For this team to be good, they're going to have to share the basketball."
The eighth-year TCU head coach was pleased tonight because he thought he saw a lot of sharing on the court.
What's with all the love? According to Lohse, the players have really focused on creating a family-type relationship off the court.
"We always go out to dinner together and we're all really close friends. We know what's going on in each other's lives and we get along great off the court. I think you'll see that close relationship transpire on the court this year."
Mittie, one of the top young coaches in the country after leading his team to six-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, concurs.
"I think our players are passionate about their team. There is a sense of shared ownership with this group. The unity with these players seems strong. There is a lot of heart here."
Briefly
The Frogs will be back on the court Saturday morning with a start time of approximately 9 a.m . . . Five newcomers made their TCU practice debut (Emily Carter, Shayla Moore, Danielle Nunn, Lauren Roberts and Helen Roden). . .Roberts is not eligible to compete this season due to NCAA transfer rules, however, she can practice. . .Associate head coach Larry Tidwell, assistants Tonya Benton and Yolanda Wells-Broughton, and director of basketball operations, Tricia Porter, along with Mittie, have been together as a staff for three seasons. . .TCU hosts an exhibition contest against Lake Truck Lines (WNBA) on Nov. 2 before traveling to defending national champion Maryland for its regular-season debut. . .On Thursday, Nancy Lieberman of ESPN.com released her preseason Top 25 poll and tabbed the Lady Frogs as the No. 21 team in the nation.
