Hey Y’all!
I’m KK, but that
is not my real name. My real name is Keturah (Ka-tour-rah), but most people
can’t pronounce it or even spell it so KK will suffice. I am from
Charlottesville, VA and I have two brothers, Malik (14) and Kevin (18) who is a
quarterback for the University of Richmond. My mom is my best friend and we do
everything together, so you can only imagine how hard it was to leave her to go
to college even though she is only an hour away. I have been very blessed
throughout my life with the support from my family, opportunities like this one
to play college basketball (wow!!), and having Christ in my life. It is such an
honor and privilege.
Being a freshman
on an elite Division I basketball team can be overwhelming and terrifying,
but it has not been that way for me because of the amazing teammates that I
have. Yes, they are all very talented, but they are also the sweetest,
funniest, kind-hearted people in the world and I would like to share some
things about them.
Sid: Sid is
pretty laid back and chill. On the court she is an intense competitor. She is
what you call “shifty”. As we all know, Sid is from Texas and she will never
let you forget that. Sid is known for blasting her music from a speaker in her
backpack and walking up to people in the tunnel and singing/dancing with them.
Recently, she wore a clown mask and scared people as they were coming out of
the tunnel. It was hilarious. Sid’s humor and outgoing demeanor will be missed
next year and hard to replace.
Jordan: Jordan
from Jersey is the most talkative person on our team. She is so outgoing and
engages in conversations with everyone no matter if they are a coach, a
teammate, my mom, or a random person on the street. Jordan is very passionate
about art and judging by the walls of her dorm you could see why. She inspires
to be an FBI agent which I think is so awesome! Jordan definitely will ensure
that there will never be an awkward silence on this team.
Sheana
(Shalissa): Sheana is my roommate. She is a sassy Puerto Rican, ex-track star,
and lover of food like myself. Sheana can engage in a conversation with anyone
which makes her so likeable. Sheana has an enormous passion for basketball and
God which drives her to be the best that she can be. Sheana is very smart and
so fierce on the court. I am looking forward to playing with her for three more
years. In the near future, if you are ever speeding on the highway and you get
pulled over, Sheana might be the one giving you a ticket, so drive safe folks.
Molly (Sister
Mary): Sister Mary is one of the people on the team that gets me the most. She
is so witty and sarcastic but also super smart (she’s from Braintree). Mary is
a spontaneous dancer, horrible driver, and overly obsessed with Oreos. One of
my favorite memories so far this year with Mary is probably over the summary
when we would just cruise, over the summer, in her jeep, with the windows rolled
down, and the music blasting. I think that it is so cool that she aspires to be
an FBI Agent one day. Spending the next four years with Mary is going to be so
fun.
Brooke
(Brooklyn): Brooke was my roommate over the summer. She is so full of energy
and laughter. Brooke is actually a really good dancer and she likes to have her
own dance parties on the court, in her room, or in Sid’s car. It’s so inspiring
that Brooke wants to be a missionary and work with children in Honduras. The
best part about Brooke is her huge heart for others and the spontaneous hugs
she gives her teammates out of the blue. She always knows when someone needs to
be cheered up. I look forward to playing with Brooke for the next four years!!
Steph: Steph is
the girly girl of the team. She is terrified of bugs, loves chicken, and is
obsessed with Taco Bell. Steph is a great teammate that has so much compassion
and drive for God and the game of basketball. Steph is full of giggles, once
she gets going it is hard for her to stop. Don’t ever ask Steph where she’s
from because you’ll get confused. Somehow she lived in Georgia but went to
school in North Carolina. I wish I could be as fashionable as Steph but I’m
going to be around her for four years so hopefully I can learn a little from
her sense of style.
Mickayla:
Mickayla is so easy to like and so sarcastic. She has a unique sense of humor
that makes her who she is. Mickayla is OBSESSED with coffee. She is also one of
the best shooters on our team. Mickayla was my host on my official visit and
she made it so much fun that I just had to commit. I am so happy that I get to
play with Mickayla for two more years.
Cat: Cat is my
favorite person in the entire world. I aspire to be like her when I grow up. I
have learned so much by playing alongside her. Coming in as a freshman we have
to memorize so many plays and there were more times than none when I didn’t
have a clue about what we were doing. Whenever Cat played on my team or even
when she was guarding me she would tell me where I was supposed to go so that I
wouldn’t look lost. That is just the kind of person Cat is - so sweet, humble,
and willing to help others. Cat will be missed so much next year and I wish we
could have played together for more than just one year. When I get married, Cat
will be the wedding planner, the cake maker, and probably the person that helps
me say yes to the dress.
Kate: Kate is
the sweetest person ever! She has this contagious smile that never goes
unnoticed. Kate took on the challenge of nursing school and basketball at the
same time. I have heard some stories of her almost having a couple of mental
breakdowns, but its Kate! Kate is fierce on the court and so difficult to box
out. Every practice Coach Green yells at me for not pushing Kate out of the
lane to get the rebound, but what he doesn’t know is that Kate is so strong
that I can’t even move her. Kate is going to do great things in the medical field
and it is going to be an honor for me to say that I played alongside her for a
year.
Ash: Ash is
super talented at basketball and so smart. She aspires to be an FBI Agent one
day which I think is so cool and she is currently working on her second masters
(WoW!!!). Ash has accomplished so much in her life already and she is just
getting started. Something many people may not know about Ash because she is so
quiet is that she is a jokester. If you just sit back and listen to her little
side comments, you’ll get a good laugh out of it. Ash will be missed next year
for sure and I have learned so much from playing alongside her every day in
practice.
TC: I have been
playing with TC since were sophomores in high school on our AAU team back in
Charlottesville. Our senior year, TC and I didn’t really stay in touch because
we were both so busy and our lives were going in two very different directions.
About two weeks before I had to leave for LU, I got a text from my AAU coach,
Taber, and he mentioned to me that TC would be playing for Liberty as well. I
was happy and thrilled that I would get to play with TC again and I also knew
how hard she has worked for this opportunity and that she really deserved it.
TC is a very godly woman, that leads by example, and is not afraid to voice her
opinion.
Jaymee: Jaymee
Fisher Davis (still don’t know why people say her whole name) is so easy to get
along with and has one of the most clutch jumpers you will ever see. Jaymee was
one of the first people that made me feel so welcome to the team. She is always
representing Charlotte (704, never forget) and she has so much love for God,
her family, her friends, and her teammates. Jaymee is currently dating John
Dawson, a superstar for the LU Men’s basketball team. I am so sad that I only get to play with Jaymee for only a year, but so
far it has been the best experience because of the person that Jaymee is. Look
out for JFD because she is going to do big things in the future.
Mikal (Kelz): A
phrased used at least six times a day is “OMG Mikal is so funny”. She is the
funniest person I have ever met. On top of her being funny, she is so good at
basketball and beautiful. Her defense is terrifying!!! If she ever had to guard
me, I would just hand her the ball and go sit beside my coach on the bench. She
brings so much laughter and energy to this team and I am so happy that I get to
play with her for two years.
Kaitlyn (Katie
Kayla): Kaitlyn is one of the sweetest people ever (sometimes too sweet). She
gives the best hugs and always knows how to cheer a person up. Kaitlyn and I
became close over the summer when we realized that we played AAU against each
other (my team beat her team). Kaitlyn and I literally do everything together.
Something interesting about Kaitlyn is that she loves to read and cook. Her
specialties are monkey bread and tacos and her favorite author is John Green. I
am so excited that Kaitlyn and I will be teammates for four years. She will
definitely be a lifelong friend.
Candice: Candice
is so funny. She is so easy to get along with and you can always count on her
for a good time. I love playing with Candice because she’s always willing to
help with the plays when I am lost and she’s a great point guard all around. I am so happy that I get to continue to play with her for the next three years.
Whenever Candice gets mad it is hilarious because she starts laughing and she
gets this really high pitch voice. My favorite memory with Candice is probably
the time we spent like four hours in Green hall eating dinner and talking about
life with Mikal, Kaitlyn, TC, and Corbin. Candice is one of those friends that
you absolutely need in your life.
Audrey: Audrey
is such a hard worker on and off the court. She is quiet at times but so easy
to get a laugh out of. Audrey’s whole closet is basically Old Navy and she
always wears her hair in a perfect braid. Audrey is just such a well put
together person and I admire her for that. I can’t wait to play with Audrey for
two more years.
Thanks for
reading!
-KK Barbour #30
