Guns Up!
01-14-2003, 07:12 PM
Tech's Pierson is reaching new heights
01/14/2003
By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News
LUBBOCK – Selling a new attitude to her coach and teammates was probably the easy part for senior Plenette Pierson on the road back from suspension last season. They realize her presence directly affects Texas Tech's success.
Convincing Sheryl Swoopes was another matter.
Turns out that Swoopes likes what she sees, too. Swoopes, one of Tech's most famous athletes, sees in Pierson an ability to dominate games, a will to win and a great attitude, albeit one that is still supportive as it is stubborn.
These are the reasons why Pierson, who was exiled last season after a clash with coach Marsha Sharp, has returned as one of the best players in the Big 12.
"I think she's one of the most talented players in the country, but what really makes her special is her mentality," said Swoopes, who rang up 53 points against rival Texas en route to the 1993 national championship. "Not too many players would have gone through what she did last year. But she came back strong from it and is playing with an attitude this year."
Reaching the Final Four would be a fitting end to Pierson's collegiate career, one that started full of promise only to be stopped by that stubborn streak and later rejuvenated through perseverance.
Along the way, Pierson admits she's been humbled. Her coaches and teammates say that Pierson is a better person, not to mention a better player, for it.
"I'm really excited for her," junior Jia Perkins said. "Whatever she has in the future is going to be awesome for her."
Pierson averaged 13.6 points and 6.9 rebounds as a Tech freshman. The numbers improved during her sophomore year.
Pierson, a 6-2 forward, logged three games as a junior before Tech played at New Mexico on Nov. 30, 2001. In that game, Pierson struggled through 21 minutes and finished with eight points on 4-of-15 shooting. Tech lost, 74-65.
Pierson and Sharp had an exchange that neither detailed publicly. The next morning, the Tech sports information department announced that Pierson had been suspended indefinitely for an undisclosed violation of team rules. Pierson never played another game that season. In May, Pierson said she had said things that were "a mistake."
But instead of transferring or quitting basketball altogether, Pierson stayed with the Lady Raiders. She and assistant coach Lance White began holding daily individual workouts. White helped Pierson work on her quickness, footwork and a 15-foot elbow jumper. Pierson said the workouts helped her refocus on how much she wanted to play at Tech along with sharpening her skills.
Having stuck with it, Pierson had her suspension lifted.
"She's a lot more mature player, and a lot more mature person," Sharp said. "Some of what would have come no matter what the circumstances were last year. But I do think there were some benefits of her having so much individual time.
"I'm really proud of what she's done."
Pierson has returned to her All-Big 12 form. Her current averages in scoring (17.9) and rebounding (7.5) are career highs. Pierson has a quicker first step to the basket, a better touch in the lane and a nice outside shot. Her current 50.2 shooting percentage is just under a career-high 50.6.
At times, Pierson looks as if she's been shot out of a cannon while running downcourt. Perkins and Erin Grant are getting used to seeing Pierson lead fast breaks – and finish them, too.
"My teammates have welcomed me with open arms after last year, and this has just been a lot of fun for me," Pierson said. "I think it's been better than I anticipated. My game has gotten stronger, and I know my teammates so much better. This is a lot of fun."
Pierson's triumphant return helps Tech's program far below the surface. Sharp takes great pride in the fact that younger players have always looked up to the veterans.
Take Michi Atkins, a wide-eyed freshman on that 1992-93 championship squad. Atkins watched and learned from Swoopes. Atkins would eventually become the third-leading scorer in Tech history and a second-team All-American.
Freshman LaToya Davis fits Atkins' mold. Davis, a 6-1 forward improving with each performance, said she looks up to Pierson and follows her moves.
"She just goes in there like a warrior," Davis said. "Coach loves that warrior mentality. She's one of my role models on this team. I'm always asking her how I can get better. She really helps me a lot."
Good thing for Davis that Pierson helped herself first.
01/14/2003
By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News
LUBBOCK – Selling a new attitude to her coach and teammates was probably the easy part for senior Plenette Pierson on the road back from suspension last season. They realize her presence directly affects Texas Tech's success.
Convincing Sheryl Swoopes was another matter.
Turns out that Swoopes likes what she sees, too. Swoopes, one of Tech's most famous athletes, sees in Pierson an ability to dominate games, a will to win and a great attitude, albeit one that is still supportive as it is stubborn.
These are the reasons why Pierson, who was exiled last season after a clash with coach Marsha Sharp, has returned as one of the best players in the Big 12.
"I think she's one of the most talented players in the country, but what really makes her special is her mentality," said Swoopes, who rang up 53 points against rival Texas en route to the 1993 national championship. "Not too many players would have gone through what she did last year. But she came back strong from it and is playing with an attitude this year."
Reaching the Final Four would be a fitting end to Pierson's collegiate career, one that started full of promise only to be stopped by that stubborn streak and later rejuvenated through perseverance.
Along the way, Pierson admits she's been humbled. Her coaches and teammates say that Pierson is a better person, not to mention a better player, for it.
"I'm really excited for her," junior Jia Perkins said. "Whatever she has in the future is going to be awesome for her."
Pierson averaged 13.6 points and 6.9 rebounds as a Tech freshman. The numbers improved during her sophomore year.
Pierson, a 6-2 forward, logged three games as a junior before Tech played at New Mexico on Nov. 30, 2001. In that game, Pierson struggled through 21 minutes and finished with eight points on 4-of-15 shooting. Tech lost, 74-65.
Pierson and Sharp had an exchange that neither detailed publicly. The next morning, the Tech sports information department announced that Pierson had been suspended indefinitely for an undisclosed violation of team rules. Pierson never played another game that season. In May, Pierson said she had said things that were "a mistake."
But instead of transferring or quitting basketball altogether, Pierson stayed with the Lady Raiders. She and assistant coach Lance White began holding daily individual workouts. White helped Pierson work on her quickness, footwork and a 15-foot elbow jumper. Pierson said the workouts helped her refocus on how much she wanted to play at Tech along with sharpening her skills.
Having stuck with it, Pierson had her suspension lifted.
"She's a lot more mature player, and a lot more mature person," Sharp said. "Some of what would have come no matter what the circumstances were last year. But I do think there were some benefits of her having so much individual time.
"I'm really proud of what she's done."
Pierson has returned to her All-Big 12 form. Her current averages in scoring (17.9) and rebounding (7.5) are career highs. Pierson has a quicker first step to the basket, a better touch in the lane and a nice outside shot. Her current 50.2 shooting percentage is just under a career-high 50.6.
At times, Pierson looks as if she's been shot out of a cannon while running downcourt. Perkins and Erin Grant are getting used to seeing Pierson lead fast breaks – and finish them, too.
"My teammates have welcomed me with open arms after last year, and this has just been a lot of fun for me," Pierson said. "I think it's been better than I anticipated. My game has gotten stronger, and I know my teammates so much better. This is a lot of fun."
Pierson's triumphant return helps Tech's program far below the surface. Sharp takes great pride in the fact that younger players have always looked up to the veterans.
Take Michi Atkins, a wide-eyed freshman on that 1992-93 championship squad. Atkins watched and learned from Swoopes. Atkins would eventually become the third-leading scorer in Tech history and a second-team All-American.
Freshman LaToya Davis fits Atkins' mold. Davis, a 6-1 forward improving with each performance, said she looks up to Pierson and follows her moves.
"She just goes in there like a warrior," Davis said. "Coach loves that warrior mentality. She's one of my role models on this team. I'm always asking her how I can get better. She really helps me a lot."
Good thing for Davis that Pierson helped herself first.