Sanchez Brings Versatility to Sooners

Krista Sanchez | Junior | W Basketball

NORMAN, Okla. -- SoonerSports.com presents this Sooner Spotlight feature on women's basketball junior Krista Sanchez.

Sanchez, a two-year letterwinner who has played in 39 games for the Sooners, hails from Fayetteville, Ark. This season, the 6'1" forward is averaging 5.3 points per game.

Oklahoma (3-1) travels to San Francisco, Calif., to play in the Odwalla Classic on Friday. OU plays the Iowa Hawkeyes at 7 p.m. on November 25.

Krista Sanchez Bio & Stats | Krista Sanchez Photo Gallery

What was it like playing at New Mexico in the "Pit"?
“It was definitely an experience, but we have played at Texas Tech and other schools where they packed the house. Once the place gets full the noise starts to echo off the walls.

“We practiced before with the loud speakers on. That prepared us for the noise. It was so loud in the Pit I couldn't even hear myself talk.

“I love playing against a tough fan base. When fans are against you the whole time, it makes it that much more fun to play there.”

What impact has the Paris twins made on the team?
“They've made a huge difference. We now have two big posts always under the basket. We know that we can pass them the ball and they will catch it. We have confidence in our freshmen that they will come through. There's usually a big trust factor to overcome when freshmen join the team but we trust Ashley and Courtney.

“We have a great relationship with both of them. We are so happy to have them here.”

Does this team have a special bond?
“We are really close this year. We've been close in the past, but even more this year. There are no separate groups among us. We all hang out and get along. All of us enjoy spending time the with freshmen. It's never seen as a hassle to help the freshmen learn the ropes.

“Courtney and Ashley are not afraid of anything. They came in here and stepped right up to the plate. They are part of our family now.”

What are some of your goals for this season?
“My main goal this season is to become the player that my team needs me to be. Before a game coach specifies what she wants me to do, so that is my main goal for that game.

“We have so many good things on this team that I need to set myself apart. I try to focus on things that need to be done. We have so much depth and talent that our expectations are very high. We are not trying to prove to others that we can do this, but prove to ourselves that we can succeed. ”

How did you get started in basketball?
“I started playing competitvely in third grade. I used to watch Magic Johnson and Arkansas basketball (Sanchez is from Fayetteville) all the time. Then I would go out in my driveway and try to imitate what I had observed. I have a younger brother and we used to be very competive. We share that competitive fire.”

Talk about team goals for the start of the Big 12 season?
“At the beginning of the year we set out team goals. Playing away from home is good for us. These tough non-conference games will help us get ready for Big 12 play. The Big 12 is a rugged conference and it's all about power. By playing big teams we will be preparing for the Big 12 regular season.”

What do you bring to the team?
“My greatest asset is my court awareness. I can see court movement very well. I think when we need that cadence, someone to take over and slow things down, that's where I am. I pick up court movement and identify what is happening faster than others.”

Why did you choose to come to the University of Oklahoma?
“When I visited Oklahoma, I'd never seen a team that was so close. The girls had a great relationship with the coaches and loved being around them. It was important for me to see that you can have fun outside of basketball and still be serious when playing basketball. Everyone loved each other and treated one another like family. Why wouldn't I want to be part of a family away from home?”

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