To unlock another skill in Addie Porter’s game, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball coach Shawn Poppie got mental.
With one college season already behind her when Poppie took over last spring — as a freshman, she appeared in all 30 of UTC’s games and started 11 — Porter had already shown she was talented enough to play on a Division I court. But as a former point guard himself who is in the Limestone College Hall of Fame, Poppie knew more was going to be needed, especially as he scanned the UTC roster and recognized there was no other point guard on it.
This was about more than getting the ball upcourt, making good passes or even running the offense.
Poppie is big on team culture, and he knows a point guard can function as an important extension of the head coach to help instill the traits and values that make up that culture. The leadership potential is even greater for a point guard who could be around for three seasons, like Porter, as a new head coach, like Poppie, builds his program.
Only problem was, Porter wasn’t sure about stepping into the leadership role. She’s a sophomore, right? There are seniors for that. But Poppie insisted that Porter be one of the leaders — if not the main leader — for the Mocs on the court.