By Seth Doria
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 25, 1997

Texas Towers give UA depth

Adam F. Jarrold Arizona Daily Wildcat The two newest additions to the UA women's basketball team, 6-foot-2 Monique Paige, left, and 6-4 LeKeisha Taylor, battle for a loose ball yesterday during practice at Gittings Hall. The two centers add some much needed height to the Arizona lineup.

When looking back at the problems the Arizona women's basketball experienced last season, the one that sticks out is lack of depth in the post.

The Wildcats didn't have the physical presence off the bench to give starters Marte Alexander and Adia Barnes a rest before a late game surge.

So this year's arrival of 6-foot-2 Monique Paige and 6-4 LeKeisha Taylor could be the final pieces needed to elevate Arizona to the upper echelon of women's college basketball teams.

Both players were named all-city, all-district and all-region in the state of Texas after their senior year, and both should give the Wildcats quality minutes when Alexander and Barnes need a rest or have foul trouble.

Paige, from Flower Mound, and Taylor, from Houston, were dubbed the "Texas Towers" by UA recruiting coordinator Denise Dove.

Assistant coach Bill Broderick said Taylor is a finesse player who utilizes hook shots and other moves to score, while Paige is a "power player who can go and bang with the big guys."

He added that Taylor is an excellent shot blocker, but needs to work on body balance and finishing her shots, while Paige needs to work on her post moves and post defense.

"I am a real physical player. I can bang," Paige said. "I just have to put some final touches on my skills."

The two are in different stages of development and will contribute in different ways, but both are dealing with the same transition from high school star to college freshman.

"You can be top dog in high school," Paige said, "but here your skills are low on the totem pole."

In addition, Paige and Taylor are, like any other college freshman, adjusting to the added responsibility of life away from their parents

"The most important thing is time management," Taylor said. "With all the preparation for school and basketball, you must have balance."

"It's a change you welcome," Paige added. "It is a lot of responsibility, sometimes you loose track (of time), and mom and dad aren't there to remind you."

Paige didn't start playing basketball until her freshman year of high school. "I played soccer for 9 years. I watched soccer, not basketball."

Adam F. Jarrold Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman centers LaKeisha Taylor, left, and Monique Paige wait for a rebound yesterday during the women's basketball practice at Gittings Hall.

She soon wanted to try something else, however, so she picked up basketball.

She realized basketball was her future during her junior year - in the biggest game of the year. Her team was down by two with 10 seconds left when she shot and missed a layup. She got her own rebound and again went up for the shot, which she hit while being fouled. "I hit the free throw and we won by one," she said.

Paige said she chose to come to Arizona because of the players and the coaching staff.

"I clicked with the team. I felt like I could be an addition to the team," she said. "And I really like the coaching staff."

Paige added that she is especially looking forward to playing under head coach Joan Bonvicini.

"Intensity will be the key," she said. "She wants things done on the floor and off. Our attitudes click, but she'll be on my butt if I don't do my job."

Taylor, the more reserved of the two, said she loves basketball, but God is her driving influence.

"God blessed me with the talent that I can share with others. I live daily through God's word," she said.

Both players said they would like to contribute this year, but that they both trusted head coach Bonvicini to do what was right for the team in terms of playing time.

"I want to do what is needed of me here and accomplish many goals," Taylor said. "Whatever coach Bonvicini thinks is best is fine with me."

Paige said she just wanted to have to good time while at Arizona.

"I want to say that I loved playing ball in Arizona. You have to enjoy what you do," she said.

And while it is too early to tell how many minutes each will get on the floor, Wildcat fans should be able to look forward to four years of strong post play behind the "Texas Towers."