The University of Mississippi Athletics
INSIDER: Three Of A Kind
2/25/2007 | Women's Basketball
By Ben Garrett
OleMissSports.com Insider
Although each one will tell you that they are totally different from one another, don't be fooled; they're connected.
Before ever arriving at Ole Miss, Jada Mincy, Armintie Price and Ashley Awkward already knew each other, and were in constant contact going into their freshman year at Ole Miss. Each had the same dream and aspiration, and that was to one day become national champions. Although that overall goal has yet to be accomplished, these three have turned a program once struggling for an identity before their arrival, into one of the top teams in the Southeastern Conference.
"It means a lot to have known each other before ever arriving at Ole Miss," said Awkward. "We set really high goals going into this season, and we feel good about the things we have already accomplished, including turning the program from one of the worst in the conference into a top five team."
A few of the accomplishments garnered by the three, include leading an Ole Miss squad to 73 wins, the most since the 1996 senior class posted 79 wins in their four year careers, as well as three consecutive post-season appearances as starters for the Red and Blue. But despite the various accolades garnered by such a high-profile senior class, Mincy has always believed that this year could be something special.
"I've always said that if there was ever a year that we were to go far, this was the year," Mincy said. "We said before the season started that we are going to give 100 percent, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so that we can be considered among the elite. I think we've done that."
Often considered among those elite is Price who, due to her 18 point performance against Mississippi State Sunday, is only the fifth player in NCAA history to reach the 2,000 point, 1,000 rebound, 300 steals and 300 assist plateau. Yet despite her numerous accomplishments, Price has only one goal that she and the other seniors have set, and that is the satisfaction of knowing that they have done all they can to help make Ole Miss the best it can be.
"Whenever the season ends, I just want to have the feeling of knowing I have done all I can do, and that our team gave a greater effort than our opponent," said Price, "Jada, Ashley and I came in thinking championship, and we don't want to have any regrets."
So far, the Rebels have posted a 20-8 record overall and a 9-4 mark in the SEC, making the likelihood of another post-season appearance a serious possibly. These ladies helped lead the Rebels to wins over LSU, Vanderbilt, Mississppi State and Kentucky, only further adding to an already impressive tournament resume.
"No one thought we were supposed to beat LSU," Mincy said, "With Ashley, Armintie and I being seniors, beating LSU meant a lot. That win really set the tone for the rest of the season."
Up next for the Rebels will be a home contest against Auburn Sunday, followed by the SEC Tournament March 1. Currently the team is positioned for a possible first-round bye in the conference tournament, but regardless of what lies ahead in the upcoming week, Awkward is already focused on the goal each of the women targeted upon their arrival in the fall of 2003.
"We want to go to the (NCAA) tournament and at least go to the Sweet Sixteen," Awkward said, "We are the first class to be with Coach Ross all four years, and we set really high goals four ourselves. We want to end the season on a good note."
Although there is still a lot of basketball to be played until the conclusion of the 2006-2007 season, the accomplishments of this season have already made this class of seniors one of the most successful in Ole Miss Women's Basketball history. But basketball aside, Price believes that the friendship each has gained from growing together throughout their respective careers will mean the most in their future endeavors.
"We are all best friends," said Price, "I will always remember how much fun it's been and how hard we worked while we were here."
As the three are now set to close the book on another chapter in each of their lives, nothing can take away from the experience that each of these women have gained from their respective careers at Ole Miss, as they truly are three of a kind.
"We have a bond," Mincy said, "We're three different people, but we all connect and have great chemistry. We are the heart of the team."
