SEC Tipoff Blog: Alabama plans to get down and gritty

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Speedy Alabama plans to get down and gritty 

Kristy Curry has established a way to play during her decade as the Alabama women’s basketball coach. Play fast and shoot from deep. That core philosophy has led to back-to-back 20-win seasons and two NCAA Tournament trips in the last three years.

“We want to play fast,” Curry said. “There’s no secret about that.”

Curry’s not abandoning that approach, not after leading the SEC last season in 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage. Instead she wants to build on it by adding an edge.

Hence the team motto for this season: Grit, Love and Gratitude.

Sarah Ashlee Barker embodies that philosophy. The Georgia transfer is heading into her second season back in her home state. Joni Taylor, who signed Barker at Georgia before taking the Texas A&M job, said the player known as SA “has a toughness that a lot of players don’t have. She’s the ultimate teammate.”

That was evident last season at Alabama, where Barker spent more time playing at the 4 spot out of necessity rather than at her more natural small forward position. With an improved frontline in Tuscaloosa this season, she’ll move back to the 3 spot.

“Last year they needed me at the 4,” Barker said. “I’m always going to do what the coaches ask me to do. I just feel more confident and more integrated in the offense (at the 3).”

What does Curry like about Barker?

“She’s just nasty,” Curry said, “in a positive way.”

Barker, who’s known as a tireless worker, said she essentially took a rare month off in May “to give my body a rest.” That down time allowed her to recharge her batteries. There will be no rest for opponents that match up against her during her senior season.

“I want people to think of us as gritty,” Barker said. “That’s been our main focus.”

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