Treasure Hunt May be the Key for Kentucky WBB
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(Hannah Phillips | UK Athletics)[/caption]
Treasure Hunt may be a fitting name for Kentucky’s freshman guard. After coming into the season with high regard, it’s taken a while for Kentucky to find Hunt’s place on the team. However, in a turn of events, Kentucky’s shocking loss to Ole Miss may have been the long-missing key to unlock Treasure’s full potential.
Hunt scored eight points against the Rebels and was the only player on the team to shoot above 50% from the field. More importantly, Hunt recorded the highest +/- on the team with a +7. Hunt’s impressive outing didn’t slip by unnoticed, either. Coach Elzy took specific note of her young talent’s performance.
“I’m really proud of Treasure. I thought she came in and gave us some really solid minutes in Georgia, and also today,” Coach Elzy said during the postgame press conference on Sunday. “That’s what we’ll need from Treasure going down the stretch.”
Coach Elzy wasn’t the only one to mention Hunt’s play. Senior leader, Chasity Patterson, gave her own thoughts on Hunt after the team’s tough loss to Ole Miss.
“Definitely super proud of Treasure. She came in and stepped up big time for us,” Patterson said. “I’m excited to see how we move forward with her.”
It seems like big things are in store for Hunt as the ‘Cats head into the postseason. Nevertheless, Hunt’s inevitably bright future certainly wasn’t given to her.
For the vast majority of the season, the once highly-touted guard had become just another player on the bench. Up until the final two games of the regular season, Hunt had only played five minutes in conference play altogether. The last two games combined? 3o minutes.
Hunt’s sudden arrival into the rotation may seem odd, but, in reality, it’s exactly what this team needs. The Wildcats have consistently been able to defeat or compete with teams this season outside of the top 10. However, when Kentucky has faced women’s basketball titans such as Texas A&M or South Carolina the ‘Cats have repeatedly been dismantled.
There has seemingly been a running theme this season of the ‘Cats looking for the final piece to push them over the hump, but coming up clueless. Hunt could very well be this final piece.
Her athletic frame and natural defensive skills allow her to be ridiculously versatile. The 6-foot-1 guard was arguably the only player on the court even somewhat able to defend 6-foot-5 Ole Miss center Shakira Austin. Hunt even was able to reject the Rebels' star on multiple occasions.
As a team that struggles with height, Kentucky can use all the extra athleticism they can get. Look for Hunt to quickly become not only a contributor to this team’s success, but a talent the team’s hopes depend on. The Wildcats' search for their missing piece may have taken longer than intended, but any true Treasure Hunt is well worth the wait.
(Hannah Phillips | UK Athletics)[/caption]
Treasure Hunt may be a fitting name for Kentucky’s freshman guard. After coming into the season with high regard, it’s taken a while for Kentucky to find Hunt’s place on the team. However, in a turn of events, Kentucky’s shocking loss to Ole Miss may have been the long-missing key to unlock Treasure’s full potential.
Hunt scored eight points against the Rebels and was the only player on the team to shoot above 50% from the field. More importantly, Hunt recorded the highest +/- on the team with a +7. Hunt’s impressive outing didn’t slip by unnoticed, either. Coach Elzy took specific note of her young talent’s performance.
“I’m really proud of Treasure. I thought she came in and gave us some really solid minutes in Georgia, and also today,” Coach Elzy said during the postgame press conference on Sunday. “That’s what we’ll need from Treasure going down the stretch.”
Coach Elzy wasn’t the only one to mention Hunt’s play. Senior leader, Chasity Patterson, gave her own thoughts on Hunt after the team’s tough loss to Ole Miss.
“Definitely super proud of Treasure. She came in and stepped up big time for us,” Patterson said. “I’m excited to see how we move forward with her.”
It seems like big things are in store for Hunt as the ‘Cats head into the postseason. Nevertheless, Hunt’s inevitably bright future certainly wasn’t given to her.
For the vast majority of the season, the once highly-touted guard had become just another player on the bench. Up until the final two games of the regular season, Hunt had only played five minutes in conference play altogether. The last two games combined? 3o minutes.
Hunt’s sudden arrival into the rotation may seem odd, but, in reality, it’s exactly what this team needs. The Wildcats have consistently been able to defeat or compete with teams this season outside of the top 10. However, when Kentucky has faced women’s basketball titans such as Texas A&M or South Carolina the ‘Cats have repeatedly been dismantled.
There has seemingly been a running theme this season of the ‘Cats looking for the final piece to push them over the hump, but coming up clueless. Hunt could very well be this final piece.
Her athletic frame and natural defensive skills allow her to be ridiculously versatile. The 6-foot-1 guard was arguably the only player on the court even somewhat able to defend 6-foot-5 Ole Miss center Shakira Austin. Hunt even was able to reject the Rebels' star on multiple occasions.
As a team that struggles with height, Kentucky can use all the extra athleticism they can get. Look for Hunt to quickly become not only a contributor to this team’s success, but a talent the team’s hopes depend on. The Wildcats' search for their missing piece may have taken longer than intended, but any true Treasure Hunt is well worth the wait.
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