While Seimone Augustus and Temeka Johnson get the most media exposure on the LSU women’s basketball team, Doneeka Hodges relishes being outside the spotlight.
Hodges should be a key third piece in No. 9 LSU’s game plan for the 2003-2004 season and through two games she is the second leading scorer, averaging 13.5 points per game.
Being one of only two seniors on the team, Hodges said she tries to set an example for the younger players, who are getting more playing time.
“I do what I can do,” Hodges said. “I think everybody on the team is trying to get better. Me coming out and playing hard every night, I hope that can be a good example to the younger players.”
LSU coach Sue Gunter said Hodges is not a player that focuses on accolades and awards, but whether the team wins or loses.
“She’s not a real vocal player,” Gunter said. “She does most of her leading by her actions. The limelight is just not a big deal with her. That’s not something that really bothers her. For her, it’s more important for the team to win.”
Gunter said Hodges’ biggest asset is her defense, and Hodges often draws the toughest defensive assignments. When the Lady Tigers take on Penn State on Friday in State College, Pa., Hodges will defend preseason All-American guard Kelly Mazzante.
“I think one of the things that goes unnoticed is that she usually draws the toughest assignment defensively,” Gunter said.
In the game against the Nittany Lions last year in the PMAC, Hodges held Mazzante to 13 points in LSU’s 80-63 win.
Hodges faced another tough task before this season started when her twin sister Roneeka transferred to Florida State. It was the first time the pair had been separated from each other in a long time.
She changed her number from four to 45 at the beginning of the season as a remembrance to her sister. Hodges took her old number (four) and combined it with Roneeka’s old number five to make 45.
“It’s a statement to me that even though we’re separated, we’re still together in spirit,” she said earlier this year.
Hodges said she has put that past her and is focused on the season, but Hodges said she remains close with her sister.
“We’ll always be close, we’re family,” Hodges said. “We have a special relationship that no matter how far apart we are, we’ll still have that bond.”
Gunter said both players handled the situation very well.
“I think it’s always hard because if there’s ever been two sisters that were close to each other, it’s them,” Gunter said. “I think the separation of the two of them was an extremely mature act for both of them. In this instance, each of them did what they thought was best. They’ve handled it the best way they can because they’re so close. Beyond just being sisters, they have a very unique relationship.”
The 5-foot-9 senior guard from New Orleans has flown just under the radar since coming to Baton Rouge in 2000, but has made significant contributions on the floor.
“I think Doneeka is one of those players that have been under the gun since her freshman year,” Gunter said. “I think she had to play before she was really ready to play, so I think she earned her stripes in the fire.”
Hodges played 31 games in her freshman year, averaging 6.9 points per game that year.
After averaging 15.3 points per game in her sophomore year, Hodges earned Second Team All-SEC honors her junior year, while helping guide the Lady Tigers to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament.
Hodges said the key to a successful year is running the offense efficiently and limiting mistakes.
“We just have to come out and perform every night, and if we get open looks, we’ve got to knock them down,” she said.
Gunter said she expects Hodges to play a pivotal role in this year’s offense, especially with behind the 3-point line, where she shot 36 percent last season.
“She’s absolutely a necessity because she’s our most consistent 3-point shooter,” Gunter said. “Doneeka is the one when push comes to shove and we need a 3-pointer, it’s going to be her putting it up.”