Teonni Key (Vicky Graff Photo)
Former Tennessee coach Kellie Harper is now working as analyst for the SEC Network and Sunday she certainly liked what she saw from Kentucky junior Teonni Key in an 89-69 win over Arkansas.
Key had 13 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the field and 4-for-6 at the foul line along with 11 rebounds, two steals, one block and one assist in 30 minutes.
It was the seventh double-double this season for the North Carolina transfer and she has now scored in double figures 15 times this season and had 10 or more rebounds in seven games.
“I think what you are seeing first is her confidence,” Harper said. “He (Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks) is giving that to her. I think Teonni has really embraced this role. She can put the ball on the floor, can shoot and does a great job rebounding. She is gaining confidence every game.”
Key said it was nice to be back playing in Memorial Coliseum after Thursday’s loss at Texas A&M when the Cats were 1-for-18 from 3 — with Key making the only 3-pointer.
“We had a good crowd and it was great just being out there and seeing everyone who came out,” Key said. “I think today we all came out with more energy and more focus. Just more togetherness and being connected and confident with what we are doing as individuals.
“That helps everyone really get to their spots and know what they are doing. We had some ups and downs, but I think that our biggest difference was just being out there together, confident as individuals and as a group.”
Kentucky had a 29-10 lead after one period and then scored 33 points in the third quarter. Kentucky was 13-for-28 from 3-point range and got 14 points from Amelia Hassett, who was 4-for-8 from 3, and 19 points from Georgia Amoore, who also had eight assists to up her career total to 796.
“I think one of the big challenges obviously was remembering who we are (after the Texas A&M loss) and staying confident,” Key said. “We lost but we are a good team and we could not let that roll over into another loss.”
Key said the team had to remember “the next one (game) is the most important one” and regroup from the loss after UK had won its first five SEC games.
“Just being who we are as a team on and off the court,” Key said. “We have a lot of trust and connectivity with each other, including the staff so they know what’s best for us. I think just focusing on the next game and trusting our staff.”
Brooks depends on Key to “bring the swag” to the court and she likes that role.
“I think the biggest challenge is energy,” Key said. “He is always telling me to bring energy and be smart and stay out of foul trouble. Even when things are going bad, help us stay together, so I try to do that.”
One Response
She is fun to watch as is the rest of the team. She is a lot more versatile than I thought she was.