In the fall of 2008, seven freshmen arrived on the Hilltop to join a program whose name instilled little fear in the hearts of opponents. Georgetown was fresh off a campaign in which it had struggled to stay above .500, finishing 15-14 overall and stumbling to a 5-11 conference record with no postseason. The Blue and Gray had not won a Big East tournament game in seven years, and over 15 seasons had passed since their one and only trip to the NCAA tournament.
Fortunately for the future of Hoyas basketball, none of those freshmen cared.
With a disciplined work ethic and naive fearlessness, the seven recruits redefined the character of a program that desperately needed direction.Three years later, they enter their senior season on the heels of two consecutive NCAA appearances, a trip to the Sweet 16 and a campaign in which the Hoyas stayed in the top 25 all season.
“I think the seven seniors came in with a different type of attitude and mindset,” Head Coach Terri Williams-Flournoysaid. “It wasn’t so much, ‘OK, we’re not supposed to be that good, we’re not supposed to win this game,’ but they just came in with a different type of attitude: ‘Why not? Who said so?’ … They are definitely the seven that came in and helped us turn this program around.”
“We just wanted to win. That’s all we knew. … We weren’t really worried about the past, the records and who we were supposed to lose to. We were basketball players just like every other team,” senior forward Tia Magee said. “We just went into every game fearless. We just wanted to play ball like everybody else, and our mentality reflected onto all our teammates. Winning and not accepting less than that is just kind of our mentality as a team now.”
The start to this diverse but cohesive group’s final year is symbolic of the end of a transitional stage for the Georgetown program — one from mediocrity to national prominence. Even as the ephemeral nature of their collegiate careers has become apparent, “the seven” are determined to continue their progress.
“It’s a lot more exciting. … I have a sense of urgency,” senior guard Alexa Roche said. “We don’t have time to mess up. We need to get to where we were at the end of last year before [our] first game.”
Given the departure of guard Monica McNutt, the heart and soul of last year’s team, the eldest Hoyas will need to assume greater responsibility and leadership on and off the court. For Magee and senior point guard Rubylee Wright, two close friends who return to the Blue and Gray’s starting lineup, it’s clear that the veterans’ time is now.
“I have to be prepared for my teammates, and I started to realize I’m the oldest now. There’s nobody to baby me. I’m supposed to be there to answer all the questions, show them how to work, show them what they’re supposed to do. I have to set the example,” Magee said.
Leading last year’s team in rebounding — a traditionally difficult statistical category for past Blue and Gray squads — with 5.2 boards per game, Magee’s big presence down low reflects the major contributions she is anticipated to make this season, both statistically and intangibly.
“I think the team listens to her well, and I feel that through her hard work she’s able to make everybody else [reach] her level and work just as hard,” Wright said. “She will yell at you on defense if you aren’t getting that stop or that steal, and I think that her energy that she brings to the team will help everybody play better.”
Magee can convert opportunities from her customary position at the post but is also capable of knocking down mid-range and longer jump-shots. While junior All-American guard Sugar Rodgers led last year’s team with 18.7 points per game, Magee is also expected to fill the slot of the primary supporting scorer. Magee was third on the team last year with 8.2 points per game.
“This year I’ll need to be more of a leader, more outspoken, more of a point scorer and do the little things, but it’s stuff that I’m very capable of doing,” Magee said.
Wright, Georgetown’s assists leader with 5.0 helpers per game last season, is by far one of the smallest players on the floor at 5-foot-3, but the playmaker’s on-court presence and demeanor make up for it.
“Even though Monica was not the point guard, she was still the leader on the floor. Now it’s Ruby’s turn to be the general on the floor,” Williams-Flournoy said.
Wright is largely charged with the responsibility of facilitating an up-tempo style of play which has characterized itself as one of quick transitions. Not only will she look to continue her on-court contributions in distribution, scoring and defense, but Wright will need to help guide the newer guards on the team.
“She’s been doing a really good job of running the team and fixing the little things and making good suggestions. She keeps the team going,” Magee said of her teammate. “She has already been a great, great leader for the guards and point guards that are just coming in. She’s done a good job of instructing them and teaching them.”
In addition, Roche has made strides to establish herself as a leader, and senior forward Adria Crawford — the Hoyas’ spark plug and hustle player in the paint — will continue her vital contributions.
The senior class is rounded out by forward Tommacina McBride, guard Morgan Williams and redshirt junior forward Amanda Reese.
“I think we have a lot of pressure on us to grow up, and I think we’re reaching that point. We have this chip on our shoulder because everybody’s saying, ‘Oh, the seven freshmen, seven sophomores, seven juniors, seven seniors.’ There’s so much pressure relying on that,” Crawford said. “I think we know it’s time to step up, so it’s a really exciting moment to [start] the season.”
Results notwithstanding, one thing is for certain: This year’s senior unit will lead, and they will lead with the same enthusiasm that they have brought to the program in their first three years as Hoyas.
“Our class, we’re loud, we’re outgoing, we’re the most excited. We can be obnoxious, but we’re also the most eager,” Magee said.
While they may not always top the scorecard or make the headlines, the Class of 2011 has its eye on besting last year’s Sweet 16 performance. Regardless of the team’s ability to successfully navigate through a rigorous schedule, “the seven” have already made their lasting impact on a program — one that won’t be soon forgotten.
