After dropping the first two games of the season, Longwood women’s basketball returns to practice this week with an emphasis on the three point shot, on both offense and defense.
On defense, the Lancers have already given up 16 three pointers over two games. In an effort to resolve the issue, the team ran drills that focused on keeping the player’s feet moving and improve on closing out on shooters.
Later they continued to work on their offensive plays, as well as creating opportunities through improvising by driving and kicking out to shooters when the offense breaks down.
Longwood’s offense has gotten out to a cold start from the three point line, which plays a huge part of their offense this season, as they are shooting just 13 percent from behind the arc.
Senior Casey Ripp is off to a cold start. The sharpshooter has started the season sluggish, but just being a part of the team shows how far she has come.
At James River High School in Midlothian, Ripp had a strong career. As a sophomore, was the first player in 10 years to score 30 points in a game. Her game didn’t go unnoticed as she drew offers from Division II and III schools
“I was a freshman on varsity, so I played all four year, and started since sophomore year. I got first team all-conference, so I had a successful career,” said Ripp.
But after high school, Ripp’s passion was redirected to pursuing a career as a special education teacher.
“All the schools I was given opportunities to play at, none of them had the education program I was looking for. So that being said, I wanted to come to Longwood for the awesome education program,” said Ripp.
Ripp however couldn’t completely leave basketball behind, so she joined the club team, and by her junior year, would become the president.
“I’ve always loved the game and I was committed to that (club basketball),” said Ripp.
Then it all changed at last year’s Longwood Hearts Basketball (student-faculty basketball) game.
Ripp was picked to participate, and her game caught the eye of the now Associate Head Coach Sherrie Tucker.
“I just saw her out there playing hard and taking it seriously. So that stuck out to me, the fact she was giving 100 percent in a game where people might not take it that serious, and you only get that from young ladies that are passionate about the game,” said Tucker.
“After the game, she (Tucker) pulled me aside and asked ‘why have you not tried out before? You’re doing great and we would love to see you if you want to come visit a practice,’” said Ripp.
Then after a tryout and a summer of working with the team, and Ripp has bloomed into a key addition to the team.
“She can do a lot of things on the court, she’s very smart, she can shoot the basketball, and puts it to the floor (dribbles) real well,” said women’s basketball Head Coach Bill Reinson. "She’s just a good fit for what we’re doing.”
Reinson then noted how with Ripp’s skill set and willingness to leave it all out on the court makes her into a glue player, meaning that no matter who else is on the court Ripp provides to and fits with them, making a cohesive unit.
While Ripp is a talented player on the court, what stands out the most about her is her personality and playful nature.
“She’s definitely a jokester, and you definitely expect to get some laughs from Casey Ripp after practice. She brings that energy, she brings that really happy go lucky energy, and you definitely need that,” said Tucker.
Along with being a Division I student-athlete, Ripp is also very active on campus as she’s part of Ambassadors, the president of Mortar Board and president of Special Education Ambassadors. Not to mention that she holds a 3.799 GPA.
On Saturday, Nov. 19, Ripp and the rest of the Lancers won their first game on the season in their home opener versus UMass-Lowell by the score of 84-82. In the game Ripp made her presence felt, especially on the defensive end where she lead the team with four steals, one of which led to a breakaway layup late in the second half.
Ripp is set to graduate this May with her bachelor's degree, then stay at Longwood for one more year to receive her master’s with another year for eligibility.