University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Getting to Know the 2017-18 Lady Eagles: Respect Leaphart
7/27/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss â€" Respect Leaphart wasn't sure what to expect her freshman year but, at 6-foot-0, she was the tallest-listed player, so Coach Joye Lee-McNelis was going to play her right out of the gate. The sophomore played in every contest of her freshman year, logging 20 minutes or more in 10 games, and played a career-high 24 minutes in four different matchups.
Last season, Leaphart said that her inexperience led to a lot of rushed or forced plays and did things associated with inexperience.
"I was everywhere, spastic," Leaphart said. "I rushed a lot of stuff instead of letting the game come to me."
But Leaphart is ready to rock this season with a full year of experience under her belt.
"I'm expecting to play more comfortable and smart basketball this season," Leaphart said. "I'll be more aggressive do to the fact that I am more comfortable."
She added that communication and selflessness will be key to her success this season.
"The biggest improvement I want to make is communication with the team and learning how I can help myself and the team at the same time."
