Entering their 2014-15 season, the LSU women’s basketball team faces the question of who will replace last season’s three senior leaders, point guard Jeanne Kenney and forwards Shanece McKinney and Theresa Plaisance.
Coach Nikki Caldwell said she believes they found Kenney’s replacement in sophomore Rina Hill at last week’s media day.
Kenney started 85 games for the Lady Tigers and ranks 10th in school history in career assists. Hill may have large shoes to fill, but she said she got advice from the best person to learn how to do it — Kenney herself.
“I learned a lot [from Kenney] especially leading the team on the floor,” Hill said. “I spent a lot of time with her.”
Last season, Kenney averaged 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 39 percent from the 3-point line, but Kenney’s biggest asset was her leadership.
Kenney picked up the Lady Tigers whenever they needed a boost, according to Caldwell and many players who are confident in Hill’s ability to do the same.
Hill said becoming a floor general is something she practiced over the summer because she is naturally soft-spoken.
“I’m not that vocal,” Hill said. “I was just trying to get out of my comfort zone this offseason and do something more for this team.”
The Lady Tigers’ belief in Hill stems from her basketball IQ and her willingness to learn.
Caldwell said Hill wants the responsibility of running the offense on her shoulder.
“[Hill] is player that will compete and somebody that will be a great extension of our coaching staff because of her high basketball IQ,” Caldwell said. “I’m telling her we’re going to introduce a new offense, and her first question to me was ‘Can I get it early?’ She wants this information.”
Caldwell said she sees Hill’s IQ on display every time the Lady Tigers take the court, even for practice.
“[Hill] has shown in the past week, by us going purple versus gold [in scrimmages], what she’s capable of as far as her ability to the lead the team,” Caldwell said. “She’s shown that in the first week of practice that she is a great leader on the floor for this team.”
Caldwell isn’t the only one who has seen the improvements Hill made after her freshman season.
Junior guard Akilah Bethel said Hill is one of the more articulate point guards she has ever played with and is improving steadily.
“[Hill is] coming into her own,” Bethel said. “She’s one of those people that can see things before they happen. She’s very smart on the court and off the court.”
Senior forward Sheila Boykin said Hill’s comfort level running the offense is impressive, and the offense will go as she does.
“[Hill] now is a lot more comfortable with handling the ball and getting the team into the offense,” Boykin said. “I’ve seen that a lot in the offseason and even now that we’ve started up practice.”