Basketball | 3/1/2023 5:14:00 PM

FRISCO, Texas (March 1, 2023) – Love of the game, unforgettable memories, pure joy and family – basketball can mean so many things to each individual.
 
As the Texas Woman's basketball team reflects on the historical regular season they accomplished together, each individual player has been reminded why they love playing the game.
 
For Ariyanna Hines, she loves the game of basketball because of the friendships it gave her, and the life lessons it taught her.
 
"I really love playing basketball, because of the great friendships I have gained that will last a lifetime," Hines said. "I love how basketball has taught me many life lessons too. One of them being self-discipline and how to handle fear and failures. I love the saying, "tough times don't last, but tough people do."
 
Sophomore Kayla Glover said basketball has taught her so much, and she is extremely grateful for the game.
 
"I love playing basketball, because of the opportunities that it has awarded me," Glover said. "I have been able to make relationships and memories that will last a lifetime.  It has taught me not only how to be a better player on the court, but an even better person off the court. I am truly grateful for everything that I have and will continue to gain from playing basketball."
 
Keslyn King said her love for the game began when she was young, because for her, basketball runs in the family.
 
"I love playing basketball, because I was practically raised in a gym," King said. "Seeing my mom coach day in and day out, and the relationships that were being built, I eventually fell in love with the sport, and I have loved it ever since."
 
The old saying teamwork makes the dreamwork has been an identifying quality of the Pioneers all season, as everyone brings significant contribution to the team's success. Grace Lowery said the teamwork is why she loves the sport.
 
"I love playing basketball, because it's a sport of teamwork," Lowery said.
 
The Pioneers closed out the regular season last week. In their final home game in Kitty Magee Arena, TWU defeated UT Tyler in dramatic fashion to clinch the Lone Star Conference Regular Season Title. The game came down to the final shot, as Jada Celsur took a step back and shot a three with the clock winding down. The shot – nothing but net – sent the crowd in frenzy and gave the Pioneers the one-point win.
 
Celsur said persistence (which she showed on Thursday) is the lesson she has learned from the game of basketball and what she will taking with her this postseason.
 
"I love playing basketball, because of the life lessons it teaches you along the way," Celsur said. "It has taught me that hard things are going to come at you, but working through it and being persistent will always be worth it in the end."
 
This weekend, the Pioneers will take the floor for the Lone Star Conference Championships.
 
Going in with the No. 1 seed, the team enters with humility and the desire to give it their all every chance they get.
 
"My mindset and I believe my team as well going into the conference tournament isn't so much as to win, but to give everything we have," Jordan Jackson said. "Obviously, I want to win, and my team wants to win, but at the end of the day, the team who wins is the team that gives everything in them in order to win."
 
Brielle Woods said she is looking to focus on one game at a time this weekend.
 
"My mindset heading into the conference tournament is to focus on one game at a time and not to look over anybody," Woods said. "Each team in the conference is tough, so it's important that we focus on what's in front of us first. The team's mindset is to stay humble and compete with our opponents to the best of our abilities."
 
The opportunity to play the game is made all the more special by playing it with your family – a special team. As the Pioneers look ahead to the next journey of the season, they cannot wait to step on the floor with this team.
 
"This team means a lot to me," Ashley Ingram said. "We have been through a lot together yet have been able to get through it. We have challenged each other to be better on and off the court. I love this team and the family that comes with it."
 
For senior Sadie Moyer, she said this team has made her last year as a Pioneer the best year.
 
"This team is my family," Moyer said. "They have pushed me to be a better person and better player. They work so hard. They are making my last year the best year because of their support and love."
 
Ngozi Obineke said this team embodies what it means to be a Pioneer.
 
"This team to me is the definition of a Pioneer," Obineke said. "We are resilient and always overcoming challenges that present themselves. I am beyond grateful to be a part of this team and to be a Pioneer not just in the court but in life."
 
The joy the team plays with can be seen on the court, during bench celebrations and in practice.
 
"This team has been so fun to be a part of," Leila Patel said. "We have worked day in and day out to be where we are now. I am so proud of our fight and how we have overcome so much adversity throughout the season. We work so well together, and I'm excited to see how far we can go."
 
The family aspect of the team is what Scout Huffman said will ultimately carry the team to success.
 
"This team means so much to me," Huffman said. "Everyone, from our freshmen to our seniors, bring something unique and positive to our team. This team is resilient, consistent and persistent. We have faced a lot of adversity this year, but how we responded to the adversity is what makes our team so special. Those were the moments when we came together, we played for each other, and we fought for each other. Those were the moments that made us the strongest. We push each other to be our best, we make each other laugh and we cheer on one another. Our team is full of selfless people and that's what makes us different. This team has so much potential to go far in the Conference Tournament, Regional Tournament, and any tournament after that because we play for each other, and we trust each other. This team is like family to me, and I'm so blessed to be a part of it."
 
Another opportunity to play the game you love with people you love – that's what awaits the Pioneers this weekend at the LSC Conference Championships in Frisco, Texas. TWU will tip off in the first round of the tournament on Thursday, March 1 at 6 p.m. against St. Edward's at the Comerica Center.