Jacobi Lynn’s freshman moment came early in the preseason.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball newcomer from McMinn Central, who is left-handed, shot a layup with her dominant hand in practice, presumably on the right side of the rim.
Hall of Fame coach Jim Foster didn’t like that.
“He told me I couldn’t east peas on a spoon because they would fall off,” Lynn recalled with a laugh Wednesday. “He said to start eating peas with a spoon and I’d be fine.”
The analogy was meant to explain that doing the simple things would help her get better.
Lynn was also one of the freshmen assigned to carry a basketball around at all times after “not respecting it” during the first practice.
The primary ball-handler for the Chargerettes, the 5-foot-7 Lynn averaged 22.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds a game as a senior, but she is having to learn how to play without the ball in her hands. The Mocs have a number of talented ball-handlers who are expected to be able to play both with and without the ball.
“In high school I always had to have the ball,” Lynn said. “Here I have more help; they know what to do with the ball. I just have to move to the corner for open 3s, and I’m getting better at that.”
Foster said the other biggest challenge for Lynn is being more disciplined defensively.
“Kids from small schools have the tendency that maybe they didn’t play against as good a player and they could take chances,” Foster said. “Now you can’t do that at this level.”
Foster has openly admitted his affinity for the five-player freshman class, and the five have developed a bond. They challenge each other and push each other, and since they’ll be expected to contribute to the team’s success, they’re coming together.
“I really enjoy it,” Lynn said. “I feel more comfortable with more people, and if I’m confused I know they are, too. We’re learning, but we can come in here, too, shoot together and get better.
“I enjoy it, instead of being the only one.”
As long as the quintet learns to eat peas with a spoon, they’ll learn and continue to get better, too.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.