Three Points: Camp Guard 'Em

NORMAN – The second week of practice for the Oklahoma women's basketball team has placed a heavy focus on defense. Uniquely named “Camp Guard 'Em”, the Sooners have focused solely on the techniques of guarding man-to-man defense, terminology and team philosophy since Monday.

Simply it's a four-day crash course that has become an annual tradition under head coach Sherri Coale. Guards Gileysa Penzo, LaNesia Williams and Derica Wyatt talk about the Sooners' progress.

JUNIOR GUARD DERICA WYATT

1. You're no stranger to this program and Camp Guard'Em. What's practice been like over the last two weeks?

“Practice has been very good. It's been intense. We started with transition offense and defense for the first three days of practice and I think we did really well. Now we're on Camp Guard'Em, which is all defense. We're really working on our awareness and guarding the ball on the defensive end.”

2. Camp Guard'Em is all about defense. What changes have made you to how you play defense this season?

“For me, I've never been a great on-ball defender. But now that I've worked at my spacing and my awareness I feel like I'm guarding much better than I did last year. I feel like I've gotten a lot better at defending off the ball, knowing when my guy is and having better court vision.”

3. What's it like to have so many players back from a year ago?

“Defensively, it's made a difference. Last year, we were at the bottom when it came to fouls per game. We're really focused on not fouling and doing a better job at that. Coach Coale really puts an emphasis on discipline and every time we foul in practice we have to go write our name on the whiteboard. That helps us not foul. Overall, I feel like we're in a good place six practices in.”

SOPHOMORE GUARD LANESIA WILLIAMS

1. How would you evaluate the team's progress during Camp Guard 'Em?
“I think everyone's mindset from last year has changed. Last year, we committed too many fouls in games. We're trying to keep people on the floor and I just think it's been a big key point for us when it comes to guarding the ball. Each day we're trying to have fun with it instead of just making it another part of the game. We're trying to have fun making stops on defense.”

2. The first three weeks of practice are broken down into segments. Do you like that as a player?
“I think it's a great way to teach our team. With (Ijeoma Odimgbe) being our only freshman, I think it makes it an easier process for her to learn. It really makes it an easier process for each player to learn step-by-step and break the game down into different areas.”

3. With so many players back from last year's team, how has freshman Ijeoma Odimgbe progressed in practice?
“We're trying to stay in her ear and be positive. We've all been in that spot and we know it's tough to be in that position. We're just trying to teach her along the way and make sure when she has questions she knows we're here to help her.”

RS-FRESHMAN GUARD GILEYSA PENZO

Gileysa Penzo

1. As a guard, what's your focus been during practice?
“My focus has been staying in front of the ball on defense. Missing last year, I didn't really get a feel for each team and how fast they were. My focus has just been to make sure that I don't foul, stop the ball and stay in front of the ball so my teammates don't have to rotate behind me.”

2. After missing last season, are you glad to be back practicing at full speed?
“Preseason was tough with all the running. It was hard on me. But as we kept going through it and more running days came I was mentally-prepared for it. I just wanted to have fun with it and have one goal in mind which is to go to the Final Four. That's been my motivation during workouts throughout the year. To get back to playing with full contact has been great. It's hard to miss a year and not be able to play so I take every day has a blessing.”

3. Who do you think has made the most progress on defense?
“I feel like LaNesia and Derica have really improved at guarding one-on-one. They've made unbelievable progress from last year to now. They've done a really good job during Camp Guard'Em this year not to foul since that's been a major point of emphasis for us as a team.”

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JUNIOR GUARD DERICA WYATT

SOPHOMORE GUARD LANESIA WILLIAMS

RS-FRESHMAN GUARD GILEYSA PENZO

Players Mentioned

Ijeoma Odimgbe

Gileysa Penzo

LaNesia Williams

Derica Wyatt

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics