Breanna Richardson knew there would be a lot to learn as a freshman.
In addition to having to adjust to the rigors of college studies, Richardson also realized she was going to take on a new role on the basketball court. While Richardson always has been a key fixture on her teams, coach Vic Schaefer regards Richardson’s power forward position as the second-most important spot on the floor behind point guard. The power forward, or point four, as Schaefer refers to it, is crucial to the Mississippi State women’s basketball team because it runs a lot of its offense through the power forward.
In the last five games, Richardson is showing a greater understanding of her role and delivering more consistent production. The 6-foot-1 freshman from Conyers, Ga., played perhaps her best game Sunday, scoring a career-high 15 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and playing strong defense to lead MSU to a 54-50 victory at Arkansas. The victory helped MSU (14-3, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) snap a two-game conference skid and get it back on track before it plays host to No. 12 Tennessee (13-3, 2-2) at 8 tonight (CSS) at Humphrey Coliseum. WKBB-FM 100.9 will broadcast the game live. HailStateTV subscribers can get the live audio stream at www.hailstate.com/hstvlive.
“She looks really comfortable,” Schaefer said. “We’re talking about one of the all-time great kids. Her and (freshman power forward) Ketara (Chapel) are just gentle girls who are smiling all of the time and laughing. They are probably two of our class clowns. You have to add Savannah (Carter) to that mix, but they are always smiling happy kids.”
Schaefer said he never has coached kids with a demeanor like Richardson’s. On Sunday, though, he didn’t need that kind of mind-set from Richardson or any of the Bulldogs. With a possible 0-5 start in the league starting his team in the face, Schaefer knew MSU needed a victory. The Bulldogs also needed a win to validate the preseason SEC poll that had MSU picked to finish 11th and Arkansas picked to finish 12th. To help accomplish that goal, Schaefer encouraged his players to “flip the switch” prior to the game and take an all-business approach on the court.
“I told them they have to be monsters and that they had to have an edge and that they should leave their nice girl in the locker room,” Schaefer said. “I told them you have to put your game face on and attack because if they didn’t take it to somebody that somebody was fixin’ to take their cookies.”
Richardson didn’t allow that to happen. Not only did she have her best scoring night in a career-high 35 minutes, but she also held Jessica Jackson, Arkansas’ leading scorer at 19.7 points per game in SEC action entering the game, to four points on 1-of-5 shooting.
“I think I have been doing my role and stepping up and doing what I have to do,” Richardson said.
Richardson has scored in double figures the past five games to raise her scoring average to 8.5 points per game, which is fourth on the team. She also is second on the team in rebounding (6.1). The production is a return to the beginning of the season, when Richardson reached double figures in three of her first games. She then scored three points in her next four games, which was a part of six-game stretch she failed to hit double digits.
Richardson’s aggressiveness has played a big role in her improved play. Often stationed at the top of the key, Richardson is attacking the basket more and creating scoring opportunities. In the last five games, she has attempted at least six free throws three times. For the season, she is 41 of 61 (67.2 percent) from the free throw line.
“With more and more games I am getting more comfortable with my teammates and with what the coaches are expecting,” Richardson said. “I would say my confidence level has went up. There is still room to improve, but my confidence improves with more understanding and as I understand what’s going on.”
Richardson said she is taking better advantage of the offensive system that allows her to read the defense and to make plays. That play might be a pass into the block to center Martha Alwal. It might be a pass to another perimeter player, or it might be a drive to the basket. Either way, Schaefer feels Richardson is using angles better in the half-court set, which is helping MSU be more efficient.
“(Breanna and Ketara) have adapted to our offense,” Schaefer said. “We have a way of doing things. We want our four players to defend out there and we run our offense through them. Last year, we had five players (centers) at the four and we could not stretch it and we couldn’t face up and score and we couldn’t attack the rim and challenge. That is why we signed those two players, and those two players have really done a nice job for us.”
As freshmen, though, Schaefer knows Richardson and Chapel are going to have their ups and downs. Richardson has had her share judging from the fact that she leads the team in turnovers (46). But Schaefer feels Richardson and Chapel will become more productive as they get more comfortable and confident in their roles. He also feels they will develop a knack for flipping the switch when it is time to take care of business.
“When that light comes on and you have to step our into that arena of competition, you have to find a way to kick that (smiling and gentle personality) to the curb and go compete and win your battle,” Schaefer said. “Whatever battle you are in, you have to go win you position, and I thought Breanna won her position Sunday, which, in turn, helped us win the game. If she doesn’t win her position and really dominate her position, we lose. She not only scored and rebounded, she spent time on the other end really playing hard. I guarantee the kid slept like a baby that night because she really left it out on the court. All our kids did.”
NOTE: Tickets for the game are $5 for adults and free for youth high school age and under.
The first 150 fans will receive free Hail State sunglasses, and it will be Chick-fil-A night in Bully’s Kidz Kourt, which starts at 7 p.m. in Mize Pavilion. The Memphis Grizzlies’ Kings of the Court dunk team will on hand to perform at halftime, and free pizza will be given to students while supplies last.
Fans also will be able to win one of three Maroon Memories by signing up at HailState.com/Memories. The Maroon Memories available will include a visit and pictures with the Bulldog spirit squad, the opportunity to line up with the team for the National Anthem, or the chance to win a cash prize in the Cadence Challenge.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor.
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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