Derica!!!

[sybarite]

Most minutes played last night: Derica 26

When she came into the game with 11:49 left in the first half, Sherri was rotating everyone. Derica played the last 11:49. She didn't do anything after 4:05 to get into the box score. I thought she looked a little tired, but Sherri left her in. Others were bouncing in and our for three or four minutes. She just stayed on the floor.

In the post game, Sherri mentioned that Derica had done the types of things that get you more playing time. She shot well, but that wasn't mentioned. It was her defense, defense on screens, and jumping the ball that Sherri said would get her time. During the game, Tubbs kept commenting that her passing was right on the money, but nobody could score and get her an assist. She got an offensive board, defensive board, steal, and an assist. She did make one turnover. But, she was pretty solid. I thought she rushed her last couple of attempts, but the freshmen weren't giving her much time in the open.

If she continues to play solid defense and handle the ball, I'm not sure how we can not play her. She is a threat. Curiously, she missed her first college free throw attempt, and she was about 90% in HS.

 

[Soonerfan20]

She has a great looking shot and you're right, she is a threat. Once she gets comfortable in the system and gets hot like that, she will be a huge lift off the bench. She took advantage of the opportunity for sure.

And I also loved that the team was jumping out of their seats for her when she hit those 3's.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Derica does play pretty solid fundamental defense. But, I am reminded of what a baseball coach told me many years ago. He said, "if a player can hit the ball, any coach will find a place to play him". That was his way of saying, hitting is the most difficult thing to do in baseball and if he can do that, he will play regardless if he can play defense well, run well, etc.

There are not a lot of basketball players who can make 50% or more of shots BTA. If you have one who can, you play them. When Derica came out red hot, it was obvious that Sherri was not going to take her out whether she missed a defensive assignment, didn't screen well, missed a block out, etc. By knocking down shot after shot, she was going to play. When Derica was in high school, she was a shooter. Sherri said after the game that she knew Derica could really shoot. That is why it is very odd that Derica didn't get any minutes in the Gonzaga or Louisville games when 3 pointers were hard to come by. A critical 3 pointer in the Louisville game could have been the difference in winning and losing. I hope Sherri isn't hesitant to play Derica in every game we play in the future.

 

[MsProudSooner]

I read a comment that Sherri made to Derica in the preseason practices that if she was open Sherri wanted her to shoot the ball - not pass it. Looks like she really took that advice to heart last night. Hopefully, a performance like last night was just what the doctor ordered for her.

Where will she be in the rotation? Sub for Vegas or someone else? Will both of them be on the floor at the same time?

 

[SoonerNorm]

I read a comment that Sherri made to Derica in the preseason practices that if she was open Sherri wanted her to shoot the ball - not pass it. Looks like she really took that advice to heart last night. Hopefully, a performance like last night was just what the doctor ordered for her.

Where will she be in the rotation? Sub for Vegas or someone else? Will both of them be on the floor at the same time?

It is hard to say what Sherri will do. I don't know if she will continue to start Gioya or not. If Gioya starts at the 3, that likely moves Sharane to the 4. I think Derica would sub for Gioya. But, if Kornet starts at the 4, that brings a different scenerio into play.

All I know is, at some point in every game, I would like to see Derica get some minutes at the 3. She really isn't quick enough to play the 2 (IMO).

 

[MsProudSooner]

It is hard to say what Sherri will do. I don't know if she will continue to start Gioya or not. If Gioya starts at the 3, that likely moves Sharane to the 4. I think Derica would sub for Gioya. But, if Kornet starts at the 4, that brings a different scenerio into play.

All I know is, at some point in every game, I would like to see Derica get some minutes at the 3. She really isn't quick enough to play the 2 (IMO).

I like the threat of both she and Vegas being on the court at the same time.

 

[badger]

Soooo... do we have another Whitney Hand on our hands? Cuz I only recall one other freshman in recent history that shot the 3 this well.

OK, maybe two if you include Vegas

 

[j2d2]

Vegas, Hook and now Derica all have hit 7 threes in a game as freshmen. I'd forgotten that Mo had.

 

[Keller Sooner]

She was awesome! The first one may have caught a smidgen of iron but the next six were nothing but twine. :woot

 

[SoonerinNC]

I like the way she sets up for her shot. Just behind the line, squared up and shoots in rhythm. If she and Vegas are on the court at the same time it could be tough particularly on fast breaks.

Sherri needs to get her on the court against some quality teams. We need her when the others go cold.

Looks like Kornet is going to have to elevate her game to reclaim her starting spot from Carter. Carter has not arrived on offense yet but neither has Kornet and even Campbell so far. Campbell got off to a slow start with the treys last year too. I remember when she hit the first one. She got a standing ovation from the Sooner bench.

 

[BigT14]

I was impressed as a freshman having that kind of game this early. :clap

 

[rocjunkie]

I like every thing about Derica's game. She really isn't a two guard, but can stay with most three's. Her movement on defense is fun to watch, she switches smoothly on screens, blocks out well on shots, and follows the ball while knowing where her defensive assignment is. Her shot is solid. She sets up and squares up to the basket and has a nice release. Consistent and solid.

I hope this is the start of something special, with the early struggles from behind the arc, Derica can be exactly what this team and Aaryn need. Two shooters that can open up the post for Kaylon and Nicole, and drives to the basket. The next three weeks will be interesting to watch.

 

[SoonerinNC]

I watched a number of Derica's games on the web last year. She seemed to have a very mature court sense on both offense and defense. As I recall she had a nice pull up jumper as well as the long range shot.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Who was it that shot a 7 foot fade away jump shot the other night? Gioya?

 

[SoonerNorm]

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