[00:00:15] Speaker A: Hello, welcome to the Roundhouse Podcast with Paul Sullentrop of Wichita State University Strategic Communications. Thanks very much for listening. We are going to continue our series introducing you to Wichita State women's basketball newcomers. Our guest is Abby Cater. Abby is a 5 foot 7 graduate transfer guard from Austin Peay. She averaged 7.4 points over two seasons. Abby is from Fort Washington, Maryland. She is a big Washington Commanders fan. She will wear number two for the Shockers. Abby, who's your favorite WNBA or your favorite NBA player?
[00:00:48] Speaker B: My favorite NBA player is Kevin Durant.
[00:00:51] Speaker A: And he is from that area.
[00:00:52] Speaker B: He is.
[00:00:53] Speaker A: He is from the dmv, right? Am I using the lingo correctly?
[00:00:56] Speaker B: Yes. He is a PD county native.
[00:00:58] Speaker A: Okay. Why do you like him so much? What about his game is appealing?
[00:01:01] Speaker B: I think that I resemble him in a lot of ways in his game. So, like just that. And then he's just a hometown dog. Like, I love that. So I think that's why I say I like him.
[00:01:13] Speaker A: He's a very, very talented basketball player. No doubt. Why did you choose Wichita State?
[00:01:18] Speaker B: I chose Wichita State because why not? Like, it was. I feel like it was the best decision for me and like, with me to grow and getting better and the coaching staff felt very loving. Like, I just want to be in a place with great people and I think this is the place for that.
[00:01:34] Speaker A: You are a communications major. What do you hope to do in that field later in life?
[00:01:39] Speaker B: Later in life in that field, I hope to either become a sports broadcaster, a sideline reporter, or maybe even do some things behind the camera, behind the scenes, editing, recording things of that nature.
[00:01:51] Speaker A: What is your favorite sport to broadcast? Watch. Do you see yourself working in a particular sport?
[00:01:58] Speaker B: I would hope to get back into basketball because although I don't want to go pro or anything like that, I do want to stay in my sport, I think so. I think basketball will be the best. And just because I have so much knowledge on it already, more. More so than all the other sports.
[00:02:12] Speaker A: You would have the perspective of a former athlete. Definitely. So when a fan comes to a game next season in Koch arena, what do you want them to say about Abby Cater and how she played?
When they're leaving the arena, I want.
[00:02:24] Speaker B: Them to just say, she's so tenacious. Like, she has so much grit in her and she loves to play defense. Like she. You'll never have to think twice about if Abby's gonna play some defense today. Like, that's just something I'm gonna do every time I step on the court.
[00:02:40] Speaker A: Okay. You brought up defense first, which is not what every basketball player loves. Why do you like basketball? Why do you like defense so much?
[00:02:47] Speaker B: I honestly, I don't know. It's just like, the thought of taking the ball from somebody is just always been.
Been really thought about in my brain. And, like, I think it's just like you said, like, a lot of people don't really harp on defense. A lot of people don't talk about it. And I think me having that is something that I have that a lot of people other. A lot of other people wouldn't want to do. So, like, for me, I think that gives me a plus already, because it's like, I always used to say, like, if football was like basketball, where it's defense and offense put me on the defensive team, like, I don't even. Yes, I could score, don't get me wrong. But, like, I.
I just love defense. Like, I don't know. I've always been like that.
[00:03:28] Speaker A: Do you see yourself as a linebacker or a cornerback? Are you sacking the quarterback? Are you blasting running backs?
[00:03:36] Speaker B: No, I'm the people front line. I'm front line.
I'm ready to go. Get unleash. Literally unleash me. Open the cage, and I'm gonna go.
[00:03:45] Speaker A: Okay. You're more nose guard, defensive tackle, rushing the passer kind of a person. All right, well, that leads us right into the Washington Commanders. You're a big fan. They are playing very well. How exciting was it to see what they last season?
[00:03:57] Speaker B: It was so exciting because it hasn't been like that in a long time. So, like, the hometown was lit. Like, we was just in JD5 we trust. Like, I think it was really good for our city. So, like, I'm excited to be, you know, just confident and cheering for them and as I've always been. But, like, you know, like, with it being so much better now, it's just, like, even more exciting. Like, you. I can't wait to the next season. Like, it hasn't been like that for a while. So, like, it's great.
[00:04:26] Speaker A: Excellent. The Commanders appear to be a team on the rise. So if you weren't playing basketball, is there another sport you might be playing?
[00:04:34] Speaker B: If I wasn't playing basketball, I would probably be a cheerleader because that's what I used to do. And I had to end up making a decision. And I kind of just stuck with basketball because I knew it would probably get me a little further than cheerleading would. But I'll probably be cheerleading or I probably wouldn't play any other sport. I'LL probably just go and like, some things I like to do.
[00:04:55] Speaker A: What made you fall in love with basketball?
[00:04:58] Speaker B: I think my brothers, honestly just growing up, watching them and playing with them, like, it was really inspiring for me. Like they were in a lot of different sports. They played football and basketball. So like, I think just me coming from an athletic background was just the thing. Like when I started off cheerleading and then like I started to play basketball and then when I started to play basketball, I realized, like, oh, this is what I want to do. So like, I think just being around my family and just really just taken after them.
[00:05:26] Speaker A: Were your brothers nice to you? Were they mean to you? Did they take it easy on you?
[00:05:31] Speaker B: Nah, they never took it easy on me. I just started being able to beat my brother, so. And that's only. Well, I'm not gonna. Nope, that's not only because he had knee surgery. I. I'm just better than him now.
[00:05:41] Speaker A: And how many brothers do you have?
[00:05:43] Speaker B: I have two brothers and two sisters.
[00:05:45] Speaker A: Okay, excellent. Big family.
What is the favorite movie that you might recommend to someone?
[00:05:51] Speaker B: I would recommend everyone to go watch atl. I think that was a great movie.
[00:05:57] Speaker A: Okay.
What advice would you give to a high school athlete? Let's say your high school invited you back to talk to their women's basketball team. What advice would you give them about choosing a college? About academics, athletics, the whole college picture?
[00:06:11] Speaker B: I would say definitely do your research.
I think a lot of places, like everybody, everybody's gonna say the same, a lot of the same thing. Like, cuz they want you, but like when you get there, it might not be the same. It might not be the same. So like I say, like, really do your research and really know what you want. Like you have to know what you want when talking to these schools. Because a lot of schools might not have that. A lot of schools might. So like, you have to really know what you want. And also you got to work hard, like wherever you go. Like you have to have the mindset to work hard. Even if people on your team probably don't have that mindset, you just always have to have that mindset so that you can be set up and you can be okay. So I would just say, and your grades are very important. I had to learn that the hard way. And you have to take care of your academics. Like that is actually so important, which I had to learn the hard way. And I'm glad I did. Like, I'm not.
I loved my journey. But like, you know, just to avoid that, you gotta have them Academics, right?
[00:07:12] Speaker A: What is your tip for academics? How did you get organized or dedicated to studying?
[00:07:19] Speaker B: Really, just once I had to go juco from high school. I really think that is what alarmed me. It was like, okay, now you have to lock in. Like, you have to lock in to leave here. So, like, I think that was really just the biggest thing for me, just, just locking in because I have to, like, I know there's something I have to do to get to where I want to be, so I'm going to do it.
[00:07:39] Speaker A: Abby Cater, thank you very much for your time.
[00:07:41] Speaker B: Thank you.
[00:07:57] Speaker A: Hi, this is Rick Muuma, president of Wichita State University.
[00:08:00] Speaker C: Check out the latest episode of the Forward Together podcast.
[00:08:03] Speaker A: Each episode I sit down with different guests from Shocker Nation to celebrate the.
[00:08:08] Speaker C: Vision and mission of Wichita State University.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
[00:08:27] Speaker A: Our next guest is Asia Reeves. Asia is a 5 foot 8 junior guard. She averaged 7.2 points in two seasons at McNeese State. She's from Oklahoma City and she will wear number 0 for the shockers. Let's start there. 0 is topical because of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Asia, what's the story with wearing 0?
[00:08:46] Speaker D: When I was a little girl, my grandpa used to call me Westbrook.
[00:08:49] Speaker A: It's Russell Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder. All right, that rolls right into. Are you an Oklahoma City Thunder fan?
[00:08:55] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:08:56] Speaker A: What do you like about the way they play basketball?
[00:08:58] Speaker D: They play together.
They know each other's abilities, so they put it to use.
[00:09:05] Speaker A: A lot of fun, A lot of defense being played by the Oklahoma City Thunder. No doubt about that. Tell us about choosing Wichita State to continue your basketball career. Why did you end up here?
[00:09:14] Speaker D: It's a better opportunity and it's two hours away from home.
[00:09:18] Speaker A: Two hours away from home. When a fan comes to a game at Koch arena next season, when they're walking out of the arena, what do you want them saying about Asia Reaves and how she played the game of basketball?
[00:09:30] Speaker D: I have grit and I'm a hard worker.
[00:09:33] Speaker A: I've heard the word grit a lot during these podcasts. Is that something that Terry Nooner has really emphasized?
[00:09:38] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:09:39] Speaker A: He is a gritty coach.
What's your favorite type of social media?
[00:09:45] Speaker D: I'll say TikTok.
[00:09:46] Speaker A: TikTok. What do you like about TikTok?
[00:09:48] Speaker D: It's just funny videos on a free page.
[00:09:52] Speaker A: If you weren't playing basketball, is there another sport that you would be playing?
[00:09:57] Speaker D: I would probably run track or box.
[00:10:00] Speaker A: Run track or box? Were you a sprinter? What did you do in track?
[00:10:04] Speaker D: I ran to 200. I did relays and I ran to 400.
[00:10:08] Speaker A: Okay.
Who's the best basketball player you've faced off against? High school, college, anywhere?
[00:10:16] Speaker D: I would say Dariana Page. Little Bucks.
[00:10:21] Speaker A: Where did you play against her?
[00:10:22] Speaker D: High school.
[00:10:23] Speaker A: In high school. Okay. If you went to Harding Charter Prep in Oklahoma City. If they ask you to come back to campus, talk to our athletes about the whole college process, choosing a college, being recruited. What advice would you give to a youngster?
[00:10:39] Speaker D: I would just say follow your heart. Know what's best for you. Know what's best for your personality, your environment.
That's what I would tell them.
[00:10:48] Speaker A: When I asked what you like to do away from basketball, you said you have two cats. Tell us about the cats.
[00:10:54] Speaker D: One is nonchalant and the other one loves to be up under me.
[00:10:58] Speaker A: Okay. What kind of cats are they?
[00:10:59] Speaker D: Two Black Bombay Cats.
[00:11:01] Speaker A: Black Bombay Cats. How long have you had them?
[00:11:04] Speaker D: I had Twizzler for about almost two years and toothless for about 10 months.
[00:11:13] Speaker A: And how did you come up with those names?
[00:11:16] Speaker D: Toothless from how to Train youn, Dragon and Twizzler. Because of black licorice.
[00:11:24] Speaker A: Black Licorice, Yeah. Asia Reeves, thank you very much for your time.
[00:11:27] Speaker D: Thank you.
[00:11:29] Speaker A: Our final guest on this podcast is Taya Davis. Taya is a 5 foot 7 graduate transfer guard from Fordham. She averaged 7.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.6 steals last season. She will wear number 14 for the Shockers. Taya is a point guard. Taya, tell us about being a point guard, getting your teammates involved, being quarterback on the floor, all those things that are important at a point guard. Why do you enjoy that position?
[00:11:55] Speaker E: I've been enjoying being a point guard my whole life. I love to pass it. I love assists. I would rather assist over scoring.
I just like to be unselfish with my teammates, and I would love them to score more while I have all the assists I can as possible.
[00:12:11] Speaker A: A lot of people like to shoot. They like to score. That's the most fun thing about basketball. Why do you enjoy passing? Why do you like the assist so much?
[00:12:20] Speaker E: That's always just been my thing to have assists.
The most assists I ever had in the game was 22. So I always try to, like, beat that record as much as possible.
[00:12:31] Speaker A: So 22 assists. That is a lot of assists. Was that at Fordham?
[00:12:34] Speaker E: No, that was at Garden City with Coach Scales.
[00:12:37] Speaker A: Okay. Okay. Excellent. So you played for Coach Scales at Garden City Community College?
[00:12:41] Speaker E: Yes.
[00:12:42] Speaker A: We should make that clear to people. So was reuniting with Coach Scales, was that A part of why you came back to. Came to Wichita State?
[00:12:48] Speaker E: Yes.
[00:12:49] Speaker A: Okay. Describe Coach Scales as a coach.
[00:12:52] Speaker E: Coach Scales is a hard coach, but he's understanding. He understands a lot on and off the court. He's been there for me since the day I came to Garden City. Like Alina Strado, I can lean on all the time, so always appreciated.
[00:13:06] Speaker A: Coach Scales, when a fan comes to a game next season at Koch arena, what do you want them to say about Taya Davis and how you play the game of basketball?
[00:13:16] Speaker E: I would love for them to say I'm unselfish and I'm always looking for my teammates and I'm always going as hard as possible.
[00:13:22] Speaker A: If you weren't playing basketball, is there another sport you would play?
[00:13:27] Speaker E: No.
[00:13:28] Speaker A: Basketball. All the way.
[00:13:29] Speaker E: All the way.
[00:13:29] Speaker A: What made you fall in love with the sport of basketball?
[00:13:32] Speaker E: Growing up with my brother, he used to always let me come outside and play with him. And then he started training me as I was getting older, and it's always been like that, me playing with my brother.
[00:13:43] Speaker A: What music do you listen to when you're getting ready for practice, getting ready for a game?
[00:13:48] Speaker E: I like to listen to Babyface, Ray Goudini, and sometimes I like to listen to gospel music, too.
[00:13:55] Speaker A: Who's the best basketball player you've played against?
[00:13:59] Speaker E: The best basketball player I played against, I would say, is probably Taylor Donaldson.
I never played with her. I played with her, like, on the court in practice. But that's the best basketball player I ever played with.
[00:14:16] Speaker A: Let's say Garden City Community College. Or maybe your high school invited you back and they said, taya, we want you to talk to our athletes about the whole process. Getting recruited, choosing a college, academics, athletics. What kind of advice would you give to a young person?
[00:14:31] Speaker E: I would give to them?
Make sure you choose the right spot where you know you're gonna be happy at. And once you get there, the work is not done. Keep putting in work every day as much as you can so you can get better and be wherever you want.
[00:14:43] Speaker A: To be at Taya Davis. Thank you for your time.
[00:14:45] Speaker E: Thank you.
[00:15:01] Speaker A: Thank you for listening to the Roundhouse podcast, courtesy of Wichita State University Strategic Communications. We encourage you to rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can find more roundhouse
[email protected] Rick.
[00:15:16] Speaker C: Freeling on deck for the Blue jays.
They'll have two cracks to get that runner home from second with one out here in the bottom of the 12th. The run at second, the tying run in the ball game.
Fast ball line to center. Base hit. Jim OD charges it on the hop. They're sending him home. Here comes the throw. It is in time. He's out. He's out to play on a sensational throw by Jim Oddly. One hop, right on the money and Steve Bruns is dead at home plate. And now there are two down. Shocker. Fans, you may look at that Saturday afternoon, that one play. That might be the play to get you the championship ring. What a throw, Mike. It's the big show in Rosenblatt Stadium. He came up throwing and he threw a strike down Main Street.
