Tide women's basketball team opens season against Tulane

TUSCALOOSA | The Alabama women’s basketball team will tip off its 34th season with a non-conference game against Tulane at 2 p.m. today at Coleman Coliseum.

The women are coming off two exhibition game wins over West Alabama 83-50 and Mississippi College 67-44.

The Tide is 27-6 all time in season openers, including winning nine of its last 10.

Alabama is 7-2 all time over the Tulane, but dropped last season’s game to the Green Wave 83-68.

This season marks the third for coach Stephany Smith who is working with a roster of mostly underclassmen. Senior guard Natalie Reshard and junior guard Camilla Blands are the teams only upperclassmen.

Point guard Dedrea Magee, a 5-feet 8-inch sophomore from Mississippi, has shown the ability to be the on-court leader the Tide needs. Her athleticism and quick first step allows her to put pressure on the opposing team’s ball handler and allows her to run the Tide’s offense.

Smith said Magee has all the tools to be a great player.

“Dedrea has the athletic ability to put pressure on the ball, which is the first thing we need to do defensively,” Smith said. “She just has to become more consistent at doing it.

“There are times when she thinks she is putting good pressure on the ball, but I bet when you look at the film she’s not within an outstretched arm of the ball handler.”

Freshmen forward Tierney Jenkins has been an immediate impact to the Tide’s roster averaging 14 points in the exhibition games.

Blands may the Tide’s most improved player thanks to a renewed sense of confidence and an offseason of preparation.

She scored 20 points against Mississippi College, with 16 coming in the second half. She was 4-of-4 from 3-point range in the second half. She also shared ball handling duties with Magee.

Smith also expects Daleisha Carn handle the ball, but warns she is taking it slow with the freshman.

“She (Carn) is another player who has the ability to bring the ball up the court, but again when you’re talking about a young player you have to bring them along slowly.

“You can’t just throw them out there.”

The team will play at Samford on Tuesday and will host Arkansas State on Nov. 18.