Deacon Sports Xtra: Harrison Taking on New Role as Leader
12/9/2021 12:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball, Les Johns
“When they were in for the first summer session, she was organizing them and getting them to go to the lake, go kayaking and enjoy their time together in an intentional way.” - Coach Hoover
With an influx of talented freshmen and a key transfer from Utah in Niyah Becker, returning junior point guard Kaia Harrison took it upon herself as a leader to help all these new teammates get acclimated with one another — and with life at Wake Forest.
The Deacs got together on the basketball court, but also in social settings during the summer, which has made a big impact on their chemistry.
"A lot of us stayed for both summer sessions and that was where we really gelled, especially off the court," Harrison said. "We did a lot of team bonding activities, like kayaking and escape rooms, just to build those relationships with each other.
"Getting shots up and running track — those types of things have bonded us better on the court, and it's translated well at least on the practice court."
A couple trips to the local escape rooms offered some illuminating entertainment for the team.
"It's a lot of fun," Harrison said. "It's funny to see how people react in different situations — who panics and who stays calm."
Wake Forest coach Jen Hoover took note of Harrison's summer leadership.
"In the offseason, she took on a leadership role," Hoover said. "When they were in for the first summer session, she was organizing them and getting them to go to the lake, go kayaking and enjoy their time together in an intentional way. She did that right away and has spearheaded those things since then."
On the court, Hoover is looking for Harrison to be a pesky, full-court defender and create shots for her teammates in transition.
"We've emphasized defense and know that it creates offense and fast transition play," Harrison said. "We want to be able to get out on the break. I feel like our emphasis on defense will help us create easy offense. We've also been focusing on rebounding, so we can get the ball and push.
"I feel like we're more versatile, and have players who can do different things. Practice has been looking great. People have been doing what they do best and gelling together great — that has really made a difference in practice and scrimmages."
The top offensive weapon for the Deacs appears to be sophomore Jewel Spear, who leads the ACC in scoring, averaging 20.3 points a game.
"She knows we're going to get her the ball no matter what, and she's good at creating her own shot," Harrison said. "She's adjusting to the faster pace we're playing. She loves it. If I get a steal, she's probably already down the court and I'll be looking for her. She knows we're all going to be looking for her, and that will open up opportunities for others if the defense is denying her."
Sharing point guard responsibilities with Elise Williams this season should allow the Deacons to have a fresh, ferocious presence for the full 40 minutes.
"Those two are going to share responsibility at the point guard position this year, and they both understand that they don't have to be the other one," Hoover said. "That took awhile for them to understand. You be the best Kaia Harrison you can be, and what does that look like? You be the best Elise Williams you can be, and what does that look like? They are both really good at what they are."
The Deacs have rolled to their first 8-1 start in 13 seasons and have another NCAA Tournament appearance high on their list of goals this year.
"I'm just excited to play with this new team," Harrison said. "We're pretty young and we've been playing well when we play fast and defend well. It's a new team and a fresh start. We're all eager to get back to the NCAA Tournament just like last season.
"Our non-conference games are going to help prepare us for ACC play and the postseason. We're all excited to get out there and see how our play and chemistry translates to how we perform on the court."
The Deacs got together on the basketball court, but also in social settings during the summer, which has made a big impact on their chemistry.
"A lot of us stayed for both summer sessions and that was where we really gelled, especially off the court," Harrison said. "We did a lot of team bonding activities, like kayaking and escape rooms, just to build those relationships with each other.
"Getting shots up and running track — those types of things have bonded us better on the court, and it's translated well at least on the practice court."
A couple trips to the local escape rooms offered some illuminating entertainment for the team.
"It's a lot of fun," Harrison said. "It's funny to see how people react in different situations — who panics and who stays calm."
Wake Forest coach Jen Hoover took note of Harrison's summer leadership.
"In the offseason, she took on a leadership role," Hoover said. "When they were in for the first summer session, she was organizing them and getting them to go to the lake, go kayaking and enjoy their time together in an intentional way. She did that right away and has spearheaded those things since then."
On the court, Hoover is looking for Harrison to be a pesky, full-court defender and create shots for her teammates in transition.
"We've emphasized defense and know that it creates offense and fast transition play," Harrison said. "We want to be able to get out on the break. I feel like our emphasis on defense will help us create easy offense. We've also been focusing on rebounding, so we can get the ball and push.
"I feel like we're more versatile, and have players who can do different things. Practice has been looking great. People have been doing what they do best and gelling together great — that has really made a difference in practice and scrimmages."
The top offensive weapon for the Deacs appears to be sophomore Jewel Spear, who leads the ACC in scoring, averaging 20.3 points a game.
"She knows we're going to get her the ball no matter what, and she's good at creating her own shot," Harrison said. "She's adjusting to the faster pace we're playing. She loves it. If I get a steal, she's probably already down the court and I'll be looking for her. She knows we're all going to be looking for her, and that will open up opportunities for others if the defense is denying her."
Sharing point guard responsibilities with Elise Williams this season should allow the Deacons to have a fresh, ferocious presence for the full 40 minutes.
"Those two are going to share responsibility at the point guard position this year, and they both understand that they don't have to be the other one," Hoover said. "That took awhile for them to understand. You be the best Kaia Harrison you can be, and what does that look like? You be the best Elise Williams you can be, and what does that look like? They are both really good at what they are."
The Deacs have rolled to their first 8-1 start in 13 seasons and have another NCAA Tournament appearance high on their list of goals this year.
"I'm just excited to play with this new team," Harrison said. "We're pretty young and we've been playing well when we play fast and defend well. It's a new team and a fresh start. We're all eager to get back to the NCAA Tournament just like last season.
"Our non-conference games are going to help prepare us for ACC play and the postseason. We're all excited to get out there and see how our play and chemistry translates to how we perform on the court."
Players Mentioned
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Guard
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Guard
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