SEASON'S END...The Lady Frogs lost 109-78 to number-one seeded Lady Longhorns in final SWC action, Wednesday March 6, in the Dr. Pepper SWC Classic Tournament. The loss dropped TCU's record to 2-25 (SWC 0-14), a winning percentage of 0.08.
SEASON REVIEW... The young backcourt tandem of freshman Jennifer Hickman and sophomore Leah Garcia paced the Lady Frogs in 1995-96. Hickman, a six-footer from San Antonio's Castlehills High School, was named SWC Player of the Week Feb. 13 and led TCU with her 14.3 per game scoring average, while the 5-5 Garcia, a product of Houston's Lamar High School, was the team's assist leader at 3.8 per game and trailed only Hickman with her 13.0 scoring average. Sophomore forward Stacy Price, served as one of TCU's rebound leaders in 1995-96 at 6.2 retrieves a game while adding 8.4 points per contest.
Lady Frog victories in 1995-96 came against UTSA (78-58) at home, and Texas Southern (78-54) on the road. Three of the team's early-season losses were at the hands of No. 12 ranked Colorado, No. 14 Arkansas and No. 7 Texas Tech.
Indicative of TCU's youth movement, only medical redshirt Kim Altman (guard) was a senior on the 15-member squad. She was joined by juniors Kayla Courtade (guard), Jackie Jenkins (guard), Shawanda Harps (center) and Tamika Christopher (forward), the latter three all transfers from the juco ranks, sophomores Stacy Price (forward), Leah Garcia (guard), Rachel Holamon (center), Kim Keepers (center), and Sharita Hutton (injured), plus freshmen guard Jennifer Hickman, centers Shalecia Stewart and Ginger Usher, and forward Hillary Wright.
The 1995-96 season opened with a loss to Oklahoma 103-81, followed by three of the team's early season losses against No. 12 ranked Colorado, No. 14 Arkansas and No. 7 Texas Tech. The team placed fourth in the Marriott-University of California-Irvine tournament after being defeated by both UCI and Missouri-Kansas City.
A bright spot in the tournament was Shawanda Harps being named to the all-tournament team. One of only two wins came against UT-San Antonio in a home game with a final of 78-58. Oklahoma handed TCU another loss with a 93-47 final. The Purples would see their last win of the season against Texas Southern 78-54. The Lady Frogs steadily improved, but never won another Same of the season.
Rebounding from their consecutive losses, Jennifer Hickman was named SWC Player of the Week February 13. It was only the second time this season that a freshman had been selected for that honor. She also put her mark in the TCU record books with a record six 3-pointers against both UCI and Texas.
Later, Jackie Jenkins would join her in those ranks with her six 3-pointers against Lamar University. Despite their disappointing season, several TCU players held Top 10 positions among the SWC including, 3-pointers per game, steals, and assists.
SENIOR LOSSES...
Kim Altman...Only senior on the squad who was out for the season because of a discogenic back problem at L 4-5. Surgery was performed and she took medical redshirt status.
RETURNING LETTER WINNERS...
Kayia Courtade...Although she didn't put up big numbers in scoring, Courtade is one of TCU's tenacious defenders on the court, causing turnovers and stealing the ball. She has seen action in 24 of 27 games and was named GTE Scholar Athlete.
Jackie Jenkins...Leads the team in steals with 63 after 27 games. She started 23 of 27 games for Frogs. Jenkins tied a TCU record of six 3-pointers in a game and had a career high 29 points against Texas in the SWC Tournament. Averaged 11.4 ppg., and 4.3 rpg. Shares TCU record with Hickman for six 3-pointers in a game.
Shawanda Harps...This 6-1 center had a high game of 21 points vs. Texas A&M and a dozen rebounds vs. Texas Southern and Houston. Harps started all but two games for the Purples. Shag was named to the All-Tournament team in the Marriott/UCI Classic. Averaged 7.3 ppg., and 5.3 rpg.
Tamika Christopher...Played juco ball with teamate Jenkins. Led TCU in scoring against Texas Tech with 16 points. Tamika is averaging 2.8 ppg., and 1.2 rpg. after 22 contests.
Kim Keepers...Missed several games due to a lower back problem. Started only one Same of 13 this season, with the her last appearance against SMU on January 27. Keepers averaged 0.5 ppg. and 1.3 rpg.
Leah Garcia...One of TCU's floor generals as well as the team's second leading scorer averaging 13.0 ppg. and 3.5 rpg. while starting every game of 27 this season. Leah was Purples assist leader averaging 3.8 ppg. and stands in the statistical top ten in the SWC for scoring, field goal percentage and assists.
Stacy Price...One of only two Lady Frogs who started every game, Price is a consistent player averaging 8.4 ppg. and 6.2 rebounds. Second leading rebounder only behind Hickman. Game high of 19 points vs. Texas. and 14 rebounds vs. Texas Southern.
Rachel Holamon...Averaged 3.0 ppg. and 3.0 rebounds after 24 games. Had a career high of 11 rebounds vs. Houston defending the inside. This 6-2 sophomore post saw more playing time this year because of her continued improvement. Best free throw shooter among the squad at 71 percent.
Jennifer Hickman...One of the most productive freshman in TCU women's basketball history and can play either the shooting guard or small forward position. Jennifer was named the SWC Player of the Week February 13, after a game high 26 points and 11 rebounds against Texas. After 27 games, averaged 14.3 ppg. and 6.6 rebounds. Shares TCU record with Jackie Jenkins of six 3-pointers in a game.
Sharita Hutton...Had arthroscopic knee surgery during December 1995 and never played a Same this season. Prognosis is good for-her to return for the 1996-96 season.
Ginger Usher...Another high school standout freshman who averaged 4.3 ppg. and 3.6 rebounds. Season highs included 20 points and 9 rebounds vs. UT-San Antonio and 5 assists vs. Houston.
Shalecia Stewart...A freshman newcomer from Dallas Lincoln High School. Her season high rebounds were 5 vs. Alcorn State and Colorado. Shalecia shot 58 percent from the field while averaging 0.9 ppg. and 1.5 rpg.
Hillary Wright...A walk-on from Lake Oswego, Oregon, this freshman saw limited action this season Averaged 1.3 ppg. and 0.7 rpg.