Jan. 27, 2005
Courtney Fritz was slated to be a starter at guard this year, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the team's fourth game at Nevada. In 2003-04, Fritz averaged 10 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, starting all 28 outings and earning Mountain West Conference honorable mention honors. She already ranks fourth all-time in career three-pointers with 68, including 63 as a freshman.
Q: How hard is it to be sitting on the bench with your knee injury this year?
A: It's extremely hard, because I want to be on the floor and help the team. It helps traveling with the team, being there during practice and at home games, because it helps to support them and promote a team atmosphere. The team has done a great job treating me like a true player, as if I'm still helping them on the floor. So far I think I've done a good job with my role on the bench and cheering them on.
Q: Do you think you've learned anything while on the bench?
A: Definitely. This will help with my aspirations to be a coach after playing college ball; as far as learning things coaches do and seeing things on the floor that I haven't seen before. When I come back next year, this experience will definitely help me on the floor.
Q: This year, you were planning on sharing time at point guard with freshman Kate Eveland, but now that you're not on the floor are you giving her any advice?
A: I'm am definitely giving her more advice now that I'm watching her play from the bench and I'm not playing with her. I help her out, because I know what it's like to be a freshman and be the sole point guard on the team and having to carry the team on your shoulders. As far as playing out there, I told her that you are going to learn from your mistakes and you have to take what you can get.
Q: You didn't play point guard in high school, so how hard was it to make the transition in college?
A: I played point guard before my high school career, so it wasn't a shock to play that position, except for all the minutes that I got to play. Although I don't think I was born to be in the point-guard position, I definitely enjoy taking a leadership role on the team and sharing the No. 2 guard spot with Kate (Eveland). I love to shoot, so being at the second guard position gives me a lot more opportunities to do just that. It's something that I'm ready to handle.
Q: So, you share an apartment with sophomore forward Erin Jackson, who also had season-ending(ankle) surgery last month, how has that been?
A: Erin and I have some good times. We're both disabled right now, because we just had surgery. When we're walking up to our place together and one of us is on crutches and the other has a big knee brace, people just wonder what's wrong with us.
Q: Who does most of the cleaning in the house?
A: Well, I do most of the time.
Q: What was one of the best traveling experience you've had while on the team?
A: I'd have to say our Washington State trip last year, because we had a big win and it was the first chance my dad was able to see me play in a college game. He was right there in the crowd. He drove up with my family and being a big part of my basketball career in general, it was really great for him to be able to see me play in a game like that - a close-game atmosphere, which is what college ball is all about. I really enjoyed that.
Q: You like to go shopping, are there anything in particular that you like to buy?
A: No, just clothes. Kate (Eveland) and I spend a lot of time together - the mall is one of our favorite hangout spots.
2004-05 Aztec Women's Basketball Player Features
Nov. 3 - Lindsey CaseyDec. 13 - Ashley Cheesman Jan. 3 - Michelle Strawberry