When shooters are “on” their “stroke” makes them feel like they can hit any shot from any spot on the floor.
To get to that point where a shot becomes second nature, players often have to shoot hundreds — if not thousands — of shots before and/or after practice to become a sniper.
Natalie Tate is working toward that goal, but she admits she has to develop the consistency she and her coach desire.
“I have to come in the gym and work more than I do,” said Tate, who went 4-for-4 from the field Monday to help the East Mississippi Community College women”s basketball team to a 68-59 victory against Coahoma C.C.
Tate felt more comfortable shooting the basketball thanks to extra shooting practice coach Sharon Thompson had the players do. She said Thompson has encouraged her throughout the season to get into the gym more to hone her shooting skills. Tate, a 5-foot-4 sophomore guard from Columbus High School, is averaging 7.9 points per game on 33-percent shooting from the field.
“It has been an OK season,” Tate said. “I probably could be doing a little better. I am doing what I can and am helping our team when I get in, and I am encouraging everyone to play their best.”
Tate is playing more as a two-guard this season for the Lady Lions (9-7). The addition of freshman point guards Chadisty Hickman, of Kemper County High, and Kiara Quinones-Noa, of Puerto Rico, has pushed Tate into a slightly different role than she played as a freshman, when she saw more action at point guard.
Tate said she hasn”t had any problems adjusting to her new role that sees her compete for playing time with former Noxubee County standout Shanteria Tate (no relation), who is out of the lineup with a stress fracture in her foot.
Thompson said consistency is her main concern for Tate. She said a perfect example came earlier this month when Tate had a season-high 18 points in a victory against Mississippi Delta. She followed that effort with an 0-for-9 (0-for-5 from 3-point range) shooting performance in a loss to Itawamba C.C. and a five-point showing in a game against Northeast Mississippi C.C.
“She has been good at times, but the main thing is she has to be consistent,” Thompson said. “The thing she brings to the team is the ability to knock down open shots. We need her to be consistent with that every night.”
Thompson also would like to see Tate continue to hone her ballhandling skills. She said Tate”s size makes it more important for her to do other things, like bring a lot of energy to the court every time she plays.
“We need her to bring more energy,” Thompson said. “Everybody can get out there and do it.”
Thompson said she would like to see more of what she saw Monday from Tate. In reviewing the film of the game, Thompson picked out two or three instances where Tate “busted her butt and hustled back” down the floor to break up plays after turnovers. That kind of hustle is the work that gets players noticed by four-year schools.
“If she develops that consistency and learns at this level you have to put in the extra time, she has an opportunity to play as a four-year school,” Thompson said. “This is not high school. You have got to put in the time.”
Tate said she would like to continue her basketball career at a four-year school. She said she is considering the University of West Alabama, and hopes to attract attention from basketball coaches to earn a scholarship. She plans to study business administration at the next school she attends.
Tate also intends to work on her shooting so she can maintain the comfort level from the Lady Lions” most recent victory.
“I just have to work hard at it and don”t quit and keep a good attitude,” Tate said. “I have to improve my leadership and my ballhandling. I think I have a pretty good shot, and I have to keep working on it.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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