Three Points: Practice Rolls On

NORMAN -- Midway through its preseason practice slate, Oklahoma women's basketball is just a week away from its first exhibition game of the year and 18 days away from its regular-season opener versus Southern Illinois.

Before the Sooners host their preseason scrimmmage Thursday night, senior guard T'ona Edwards, junior guard LaNesia Williams and senior guard Gioya Carter discuss their improvement from last season, who has impressed in the practice gym and the depth of 2016-17 squad.

SENIOR GUARD T'ONA EDWARDS

1. What is the biggest thing you have seen so far in practice that has caught your eye?
“All of us just being immersed in each other and trying to make each other better. We are learning new concepts so making sure we (including the freshman) are on the same page. Making sure the senior class is leading in the right way. Approaching the scrimmage as if it was a game. So mostly just staying focused and keeping our chemistry.”

2. Have you and Gabbi Ortiz solidified your 1-2 punch for this year?
“Yes, our chemistry has always been good, we don't always get to play on the same team so when we do it is like we have been doing it our whole lives. We feed off each other really well and I love playing with Gabbi. “

3. What is that one thing this summer that you feel like you have transitioned over into the fall and kept getting better at?
“Just trying to stay attack oriented. Last year a lot of teams didn't see me as a threat and I got tired of that so I am making that a mentality while also helping my teammates.”

JUNIOR GUARD LANESIA WILLIAMS

1. What has been your primary focus as an upperclassman?
“All of us being good leaders and showing them the ropes and communicating. Each of us has built our confidence and a lot of us have added new dimensions to our game and I think we are all improving as a team. That is setting an example for our freshman to follow.”

2. What is something you feel you have improved on sophomore to junior?
“My jump shot has improved. I feel like I am learning when to use my speed and when to go fast and not to. I feel like being a more confident player also helps me play more comfortably on the court.”

3. What do you think it will be like having 15 girls who can play and give big numbers?
“I think it is going to be great. I think our bench is really deep. We have a lot of players who can come in and play multiple positions. I don't think there is much of a drop off. We can all do a lot when we step on the court.”

SENIOR GUARD GIOYA CARTER

1. Being fully healthy this year, how do you feel practice has been so far now that you are going through without an injury?
“Last year, I didn't get to go through preseason, so just to have the extra time and extra workouts with my teammates really helps the chemistry and that is something I didn't have the privilege of doing last year.”

2. Do you feel like you have gotten your rhythm back?
“I feel like with the new things we're trying offensively, my rhythm is a little different. But, overall I am back at it.”

3. What is something you can show fans in your game that may be different from years past?
“My all around confidence. Freshman and sophomore year I struggled with finding who I was a player, but now being a senior and trying to be a leader has helped my confidence a lot.”

BONUS: Do you feel like you are more of a vocal leader now?
“I am still more of a 'do it' leader but I feel like I am doing a better job leading vocally as well.”

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SENIOR GUARD T'ONA EDWARDS

JUNIOR GUARD LANESIA WILLIAMS

SENIOR GUARD GIOYA CARTER

Players Mentioned

Gioya Carter

Gioya Carter

T'ona Edwards

T'ona Edwards

Gabbi Ortiz

LaNesia Williams

LaNesia Williams

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics