The University of Mississippi Athletics
Coming To A Court Near You
10/13/2005 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 13, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - She's doing it again. Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross is producing her second blockbuster hit in her career. After guiding the University of Florida to the most wins in program history and putting the Gators firmly on the map, Ross has returned to her alma mater and likewise returned Ole Miss to its place of prominence in women's college basketball.
Ole Miss will be one of the "must-see" teams of the 2005-06 season, and junior guard Armintie Price continues to be a "must-see" player. A star was born two years ago when then-freshman sensation Price burst onto the college stage snagging SEC Rookie of the Year honors. The 5-9 guard followed up one star-studded performance with another by being named the 2005 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and earning First Team All-SEC honors. She became the first guard in SEC history to lead the conference in rebounding. She also rewrote the SEC history books by becoming the first player to lead the league in both rebounding and steals in one season. Price led Ole Miss in scoring (16.7), rebounding (10.3), steals (3.2) and field goal percentage (.536) during her sophomore campaign. Price is a preseason Wooden Award Candidate, the first in Ole Miss history.
"Armintie came out of nowhere as a freshman and has continued to be impressive on the court, as well as off of it. If the name Wooden is attached to an award, you know it is not based solely on ability, but also on character. She has all of those intangible qualities that make her deserving of the highest consideration. It is a credit to not just her talent, but the level at which she competes."
Make no mistake, however, the Lady Rebels are not a solo performance. The supporting cast is experienced, ready and able to round out what is sure to be a season of success. The senior class is highlighted by forward Ellen Buchanan, who started 22-of-30 games last season, contributing 2.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Sharp-shooting guard Ashley Johnson has started 19 games during her Lady Rebel career and posted 4.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per contest as a junior. Fellow guard LaTanya Jones added 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per outing last season, her first after transferring from Pensacola Junior College.
"My expectations for the seniors are basically the same from year to year," said Ross. "In my opinion players are defined by their senior year. This is their team, their season, their legacy. No one should work harder, play and practice with more passion and be a better teammate than the senior class. They set the tone. We are fortunate that we have three great young women in Ellen, Ashley and LaTonya to lead the way!"
An emerging player on the scene is junior guard Ashley Awkward. A talented and aggressive guard, Awkward is primed and ready to take center stage. Last season the versatile guard tossed in 4.5 points and pulled down 1.5 rebounds a game.
Although they were new to the college stage last season, rookies Danetra Forrest and Jada Mincy were able to make a big splash in their first season. Forrest provided more of a physical presence down low, while the fierce competitor Mincy banged the boards for putbacks and free throws.
Joining her teammates on the court for her first season was Tasi Worsham, a powerful and physical point guard. Completing the sophomore class is the ever-sharp three-point shooter Lindsay Roy.
Making her return to the court this season will be sophomore Carla Bartee. Bartee sat out the 2004-05 season after transferring to Ole Miss from Western Kentucky. She averaged 11.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game as a freshman with the Lady Hilltoppers. Bartee also posted nine double-doubles in her first season of collegiate basketball and will be another player on the roster who has some valuable experience under her belt.
Joining the big show at the forward position will be incoming freshman Brandi Tipton of Curryville, Mo. Tipton, 6-2, averaged 21.2 points, 13.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 5.0 blocks per game in leading Clopton High School to a state title as a senior.
Shawn Goff, of Tallahassee, Fla., also is making her debut and is looking to provide solid play at the center position. Goff, a 6-3 freshman, averaged 17.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game as a senior at Leon High School.
Ross, who stepped outside her normal coaching duties for Ole Miss last summer to play a part with guiding the USA Basketball U19 team to a world championship, is anxious for her Lady Rebel team to share that spot on the title stage.
"There is no more satisfying feeling as an athlete or coach than winning a championship," said Ross, who has led Ole Miss to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. "To help bring a gold medal back to the United States was an awesome experience.
"I want our Ole Miss players to experience what I felt last summer. I believe that we will. This is a proud and passionate program. We won't rest until we arrive at that one special moment, where we are truly number one."
The quest for championship opportunities begins early with one of the most challenging schedules in the country. A slate of games featuring 14 postseason participants headlines the schedule. Final Four teams Tennessee and LSU, along with Elite Eight powerhouse Rutgers and Sweet Sixteen teams Texas Tech and Georgia, round out an impressive list of foes who will visit Tad Smith Coliseum.
"This is a demanding schedule, this is a challenging schedule, this is an exciting schedule," said Ross, who owns a 283-146 record in her 14 seasons in the business. "Our Ole Miss fans are not only going to have an opportunity to see some of the marquee teams in the country slide right into our backyard, but more importantly they are going to have a chance to fill up the Coliseum, roll up their red and blue sleeves and help the Lady Rebels send shock waves throughout the basketball world. Our number one goal for the 2005-06 season is to defend our home court. With a little help from our friends, the Ole Miss family, we can!"
