The University of Mississippi Athletics
The Gospel According To Danetra
12/8/2005 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 8, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - While typical college students listen to pop, country or hip-hop music, Lady Rebel sophomore Danetra Forrest dances to the beat of a different tune. Forrest, whose father Riley is a minister, prefers gospel music.
"Don't get me wrong I do like all kinds of music," said Forrest, one of six Mississippians on the Lady Rebel roster. "I just happen to enjoy gospel the most. Growing up, that is what was on at my house the majority of the time, and I have always had a passion for listening to it."
Forrest not only likes to listen to gospel, but she and two of her teammates, junior Armintie Price and sophomore Carla Bartee, have formed their own group, The Annointed Voices. The trio specializes in gospel singing.
"Right now our focus is on basketball and school," said Forrest, who posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds against Vermont last season. "Singing is more of just a hobby for us right now, but in the future it is something we are definitely planning on pursuing."
While Forrest has teamed with Price and Bartee for singing engagements around Oxford, what she has managed to do with her teammates on the court is just as pleasing to Lady Rebel fans.
As a freshman, Forrest averaged 5.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game off the bench. She scored in double figures in five games, including a career-high 19 against Grambling State.
With the loss of post players Amber Watts and Amber Terrell from last year's team, Forrest will be expected to fill some of the void, a task she is up for.
"Now that I know what to expect on the court, I am ready to go to work," said Forrest. "Last year it took a little while for me to get used to the banging that goes on down low in the SEC. I got the hang of it as the season went on, and now I can't wait to get back out there and play."
If Forrest continues to progress as she did throughout last season , Ole Miss fans will be singing her praises for the next few years.
