Aug. 5, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. – With summer winding down and the 2009-10 season fast approaching, we met up with four members of the Kentucky women’s basketball team to find out what they’ve been doing this summer and what they are most looking forward to next season.
Senior – Guard – Amani Franklin – Decatur, Ga.
What did you do during your summer break?
“I went to summer school and to the gym. Mostly, I worked on my game and hung out with the team. My favorite thing would probably be going to Coach Mitchell’s house and having a cookout over there and eating a lot of food.”
Which skill do you think you improved on the most over the summer?
“I think I’ve improved my shooting. I’ve been getting a lot of shots up in the gym every day.”
What are you most looking forward to this season?
“Just playing! It’s my last year and I’m really looking forward to getting things started.”
Junior – Point Guard – Amber Smith – Winter Haven, Fla.
What did you do during your summer break?
“I went home for a couple weeks in May and got to spend time with family. Here’s a funny story – My sister had just gotten a poodle and I don’t like dogs, at all. I had gone out to eat with my mother and brought home a to-go box of pasta. I put it down on the table and went to the bathroom and when I came back the pasta was gone. I looked at the box and it had dog hair all over it. I got really mad and it was terrible. I’m over it now, I guess. Anyway, I also took summer classes and they are going well. After summer school ends, I am going home for a couple more weeks and my mother and I are going to Mexico.”
Which skill do you think you improved on the most over the summer?
“I would have to say my shooting. I’ve been getting in the gym and doing a lot of shooting this summer.”
What are you most looking forward to this season?
“To be truthful, playing without my brace. That is something that I’m really looking forward to because the brace is terrible. I’m just looking forward to that first game and playing with the new team. I think we’re going to be exciting.”
Junior – Forward/Center – Victoria Dunlap – Nashville, Tenn.
What did you do during your summer break?
“I went to the gym a lot. We are carrying our basketballs everywhere again and we have been dribbling a lot. We’ve bonded as a team. We’ve eaten dinner at Coach Mitchell’s house and watched movies in the lounge. Mainly I’ve just been taking classes and hanging out.”
Which skill do you think you improved on the most over the summer?
“Shooting and being more confident in my shot. I know last year I made a lot of shots but I was always hesitant and didn’t think I was going to make it. I also have improved my free-throw shooting by just going to the gym more and working on it.”
What are you most looking forward to this season?
“Just getting out there and playing games. I want to show people that we have a good team here in Kentucky for women’s basketball and we have a lot to prove.”
Junior – Guard – Carly Morrow – Chattanooga, Tenn.
What did you during your summer break?
“The craziest thing I did this summer was when I went bridge jumping and jumped off a 40-foot bridge. I also went camping at Red River Gorge over the Fourth of July and saw a lot of fireworks. I mostly stayed in Lexington this summer, got in the gym and did work-outs. On the weekends I was able to hang out with friends and go camping but during the week I focused on basketball.”
Which skill do you think you improved on the most over the summer?
“I would say pick-and-roll options. I did a lot of work with pick-and-rolls with the post.”
What are you most looking forward to this season?
“We have a lot of athletic players on our team this year. I’d say playing with those types of athletes is something I’m really looking forward to. There will be a lot of getting up and down the court and it’s going to be exciting. We have a lot of great players, Vic [Dunlap], Amber [Smith] and Amani [Franklin] are looking awesome, and we have a lot of talent with the newcomers.”
