Tech Topics - Winter 2008 - (Page 45)

YELLOW JACKETS Leading Ladies Washington natives Jacqua Williams and Alex Montgomery are the Jackets’ dynamic duo on the basketball court By Van Jensen D espite growing up not far apart in Washington and each starring for their high school basketball teams, Jacqua Williams and Alex Montgomery never met until they both ended up in Atlanta on Georgia Tech’s women’s basketball team. Williams, now a senior public policy major, came three years ago as a tough, defense-minded point guard. Last year she was joined by the offensive star Montgomery, now a sophomore history, technology and society major. While the two have become friends, they do carry a rivalry regarding their hometowns. “I’d say Seattle’s better,” Williams said of her native city. “I guess Seattle is cool,” Montgomery said reluctantly. “But Tacoma, there’s a lot to do there.” Though they may have differing opinions on that front, the two are united as they lead the Yellow Jackets into this season. Montgomery, coming off an ACC AllFreshman season, is the team’s leading returning scorer and will shoulder much of the offensive load. Williams, meanwhile, is the team’s overall leader and a dominating defensive presence. In her previous three seasons, Williams amassed 261 steals, putting her within arm’s reach of the school record. That strong defense isn’t the only similarity Williams has to another Seattle basketball star. “Oh yeah, she talks a lot,” Montgomery said of Williams and her trash-talking resemblance to former Seattle Supersonic Gary Payton. “Yeah, I talk on the court, but I get the job done,” Williams said. Of the steals record, she added, “It’s been a goal since my freshman year. So it’s time to go ahead and close it out.” Personal records, though, are taking a back seat this season as the team focuses on making it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. They barely stopped training over the summer then quickly resumed practices, conditioning, weight training and yoga this fall. They’ll face a tough ACC schedule and a game against perennial powerhouse UConn. “We’re worried about winning games more than what we put up in the record books,” Williams said. “As long as there’s a ‘W’ up on the board, we’re happy.” The Yellow Jackets are spending more time watching film of opponents and practicing their game plan to ensure they stay focused once the season starts. “We all just have to believe in each other and communicate,” Montgomery said. Williams explained, “When we step on the court, every team’s the same. We just have to know we’re coming out to take care of business.” For Williams there’s added pressure this year as it’s her last before graduating. It’s an exciting time, she said, knowing the value of her Tech education. “There’s no other place I’d rather be to graduate — just the history behind Tech and the name that it made,” she said. Montgomery echoed that sentiment. “I came here for basketball, but now academics come before sports.” Both players also said they are happy to be at the school during a period when its women’s teams have gained national prominence. “Each year with the support of the students it gets better and better,” Williams said. “Now that the different women’s and men’s teams are starting to make a name for ourselves, people see you can come here for more than just academics. It’s the best of both worlds.” Both players say they plan to play in the WNBA, and Williams also expects to compete professionally in track as a sprinter before eventually attending law school. She runs in the 200 meter and the 4 x 100 meter relay and last season helped Tech to an ACC championship in the relay. She’ll compete in Tech’s upcoming spring track meets after basketball ends. Montgomery hopes basketball can open doors to play professionally overseas. “I just want to explore the world and see what’s outside of the United States.” Williams had never considered going overseas, but after hearing Montgomery talk about it she started to consider the prospect. And though both players are focused on this season, they couldn’t help but wonder if they might someday once again randomly end up as teammates. Only this time it wouldn’t be on the other side of the country but the other side of the world. Montgomery, left, powers the Tech offense while Williams, right, leads the defense. PHOTO: BARRY WILLIAMS

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Topics - Winter 2008

Tech Topics - Winter 2008 Contents Letters Buzz Around Town Alumni House Rockin’ Good Time State of the Institute The Hill Presidential Search Going Airborne Student Life An Architect’s Eyes Weight Coach Robot Burdell & Friends Ramblin’ Roll Rural Readers Leading Ladies Yellow Jackets Beyond His Years Leading Change Real World

Tech Topics - Winter 2008

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