When the preview for your upcoming basketball season is all about the debut of a stellar freshman class and you are a senior, what do you do?
In the case of this year’s Lady Vol senior class, the answer was simple — lead.
Even though the answer was simple, finding out just how to lead wasn’t always easy for Tennessee’s seniors.
No. 5 Tennessee (21-4, 11-1 SEC) has had its share of inconsistency this season. The seniors haven’t been immune.
Through tonight’s Senior Night contest at 7 against Mississippi State, UT coach Pat Summitt has used eight different starting lineups in an attempt to find the right mix. Changes to the starting lineup probably still are in the cards.
The seniors — Shyra Ely, Brittany Jackson and Loree Moore — have found themselves in and out of the lineup just like the rest of their teammates.
But losing their starting jobs at various points in the season hasn’t caused the three to lose focus.
Two weeks ago, after Tennessee’s loss to LSU, both Jackson and Ely were removed from the starting lineup. For Ely in particular, the move has served as a motivating factor.
In UT’s win over Vanderbilt on Feb. 17, Ely poured in 18 points in a reserve role. On Sunday Ely had her best outing of the season, a 30-point, 11-rebound effort in the 84-71 win.
A third-team All-American last year, Ely has struggled at times this season. A move from the power forward position — Ely’s home for her first three years — to small forward precipitated some of the problems.
Summitt chose to move her back to the four spot when she lost her starting job. The move has paid off for Tennessee and for Ely.
“I’m more comfortable at the four,” Ely said. “I’m able to get inside, rebound and run the floor. Those are my strengths.”
Though Ely’s recent productivity may take the headlines, Moore’s role may be more significant for the Lady Vols. Missing the month of December after undergoing a tonsillectomy, Moore has become one of the best leaders on an underclassmen-laden team.
“Leadership is a major focus for me, and that is communicated all across the board with those on the court and the coaching staff,” Moore said. “That starts with defense and carries over into the transition game.”
For the senior class, which heads into tonight’s game against Mississippi State with a 114-18 record, closing out the season means getting ready to take care of some unfinished business. The three have been to three straight Final Fours and two consecutive national championship games.
But they don’t have any rings.
“A national championship is always the expectation,” Ely said. “First of all, though, I need an SEC Tournament championship, since I don’t have one of those.
“To get there and fall short has been frustrating to me.”
