Deacon Sports Xtra: Morra Continuing to Grow Game in Senior Season
12/1/2021 11:47:00 AM | Women's Basketball
“I’ve really evolved from my freshman season. So many aspects of my game have flourished.” - Christina Morra
It's Christina Morra's senior season at Wake Forest, and she's working to expand her game in hopes of making it her best season with the Demon Deacs.
After a 94-48 victory Saturday over UMBC, Wake Forest Women's Basketball is off to its first 7-0 start since the 2008-09 season and the best ever in the Jen Hoover era.
"As a senior, I'm really reflecting on all the transitions I've made and the way I've grown," Morra said. "I've really evolved from my freshman season. So many aspects of my game have flourished. It's amazing to see the progression through the years.
"At times it hits me. Wow, this will be my last time doing these things, but it hasn't fully hit me yet. I'm trying to take on more of a leadership role, but by being a vocal leader and by leading my example in practices. I'm really excited about the season. I'm thrilled about having fans this year. I'm excited to be back on the court competing with my teammates."
Morra is averaging 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds a game for a Demon Deacon team that is extremely balanced, excluding the sensational start of sophomore guard Jewel Spear.
"Morra has really committed during the offseason to becoming a better rebounder," Hoover said. She's trying to play a little differently. She scores well with her back to the basket. She's a crafty scorer down there, with both her left and right hand.
"She's also expanded her game. She's trying to extend her game out to the 3-point spot, especially as a trailer in transition. She would like to play some at the four, and that's something we've tinkered with a little bit. She's added some to her game each year and wants to be more of a leader for us as a senior."
Although Morra has yet to attempt a 3-pointer through seven games this season, that's become part of her arsenal, and she can float between the 4 and 5 spots on the floor.
"I've been working on stretching out my game this season," she said. "One of my goals last year was to be more versatile and athletic, and stretch the floor a little bit. This year I've really been keying in on defending on the perimeter and really embracing my face-up game. I'm gaining confidence in hitting my mid-range and shooting the trail-three.
"I'm hitting a good percentage, so it's about getting the confidence to shoot it in the game. Coach has given me the green light, because she knows I've been putting in the work. I've extended my game more than last year."
Adding to that confidence a bit is being able to share the floor with her friend Niyah Becker, who transferred to Wake Forest from Utah.
"I did play with Niyah for two years on the Canadian National Team, so I know her tendencies," Morra said. "We compliment each other on the court. She plays the 3 and the 4, and likes to be on the perimeter a bit. I'm more of a 4 or 5, playing as a stretch-4 at times this season."
The Deacs are pushing more up-tempo and are looking to turn defense into offense.
"Last year we got more of our success out of our half-court execution," Morra explained. "We had players who could score the ball and create for themselves. This year, we have that, but in addition to that we can push the ball in transition. This team has a little bit of everything — size, strength, fast, versatile and long.
"Our freshmen are long and athletic. We've been pushing the pace and getting easy baskets that way, but then we also have the half-court sets, so the combination will really benefit us this season and go even further in the tournament."
The highlight of her career to this point was seeing persevere through all of the adversity last season to be selected with an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
"Nothing beats that," Morra said. "It showed our hard work, consistency and persistence did pay off. Last year was a huge grind for our team. My parents didn't come to one game and we had to wear masks the whole season. There were a lot of sacrifices we had to make, but we had each other's backs. It was an emotional moment, because all of our hard work paid off."
And despite being projected to finish 13th in the ACC this season, Morra is confident the Deacs have what it takes to return to the Big Dance.
"I wasn't surprised, obviously," she said. "We have a lot to prove, just as we always have. We have people doubting us. We've gone to the NCAA, but they aren't sure we can do it again. We just have to continue to prove ourselves. It doesn't help to get upset about it.
"We just have to do our thing and stay consistent, supporting and pushing each other. In the end we will prove them wrong and make a run in the tournament this year."
After a 94-48 victory Saturday over UMBC, Wake Forest Women's Basketball is off to its first 7-0 start since the 2008-09 season and the best ever in the Jen Hoover era.
"As a senior, I'm really reflecting on all the transitions I've made and the way I've grown," Morra said. "I've really evolved from my freshman season. So many aspects of my game have flourished. It's amazing to see the progression through the years.
"At times it hits me. Wow, this will be my last time doing these things, but it hasn't fully hit me yet. I'm trying to take on more of a leadership role, but by being a vocal leader and by leading my example in practices. I'm really excited about the season. I'm thrilled about having fans this year. I'm excited to be back on the court competing with my teammates."
Morra is averaging 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds a game for a Demon Deacon team that is extremely balanced, excluding the sensational start of sophomore guard Jewel Spear.
"Morra has really committed during the offseason to becoming a better rebounder," Hoover said. She's trying to play a little differently. She scores well with her back to the basket. She's a crafty scorer down there, with both her left and right hand.
"She's also expanded her game. She's trying to extend her game out to the 3-point spot, especially as a trailer in transition. She would like to play some at the four, and that's something we've tinkered with a little bit. She's added some to her game each year and wants to be more of a leader for us as a senior."
Although Morra has yet to attempt a 3-pointer through seven games this season, that's become part of her arsenal, and she can float between the 4 and 5 spots on the floor.
"I've been working on stretching out my game this season," she said. "One of my goals last year was to be more versatile and athletic, and stretch the floor a little bit. This year I've really been keying in on defending on the perimeter and really embracing my face-up game. I'm gaining confidence in hitting my mid-range and shooting the trail-three.
"I'm hitting a good percentage, so it's about getting the confidence to shoot it in the game. Coach has given me the green light, because she knows I've been putting in the work. I've extended my game more than last year."
Adding to that confidence a bit is being able to share the floor with her friend Niyah Becker, who transferred to Wake Forest from Utah.
"I did play with Niyah for two years on the Canadian National Team, so I know her tendencies," Morra said. "We compliment each other on the court. She plays the 3 and the 4, and likes to be on the perimeter a bit. I'm more of a 4 or 5, playing as a stretch-4 at times this season."
The Deacs are pushing more up-tempo and are looking to turn defense into offense.
"Last year we got more of our success out of our half-court execution," Morra explained. "We had players who could score the ball and create for themselves. This year, we have that, but in addition to that we can push the ball in transition. This team has a little bit of everything — size, strength, fast, versatile and long.
"Our freshmen are long and athletic. We've been pushing the pace and getting easy baskets that way, but then we also have the half-court sets, so the combination will really benefit us this season and go even further in the tournament."
The highlight of her career to this point was seeing persevere through all of the adversity last season to be selected with an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
"Nothing beats that," Morra said. "It showed our hard work, consistency and persistence did pay off. Last year was a huge grind for our team. My parents didn't come to one game and we had to wear masks the whole season. There were a lot of sacrifices we had to make, but we had each other's backs. It was an emotional moment, because all of our hard work paid off."
And despite being projected to finish 13th in the ACC this season, Morra is confident the Deacs have what it takes to return to the Big Dance.
"I wasn't surprised, obviously," she said. "We have a lot to prove, just as we always have. We have people doubting us. We've gone to the NCAA, but they aren't sure we can do it again. We just have to continue to prove ourselves. It doesn't help to get upset about it.
"We just have to do our thing and stay consistent, supporting and pushing each other. In the end we will prove them wrong and make a run in the tournament this year."
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