Welcome to the Spring 2008 In the Locker Room series. This semester is packed full of Obies who play fundamental roles in Oberlin athletics. The series begins with an interview with one of the Review’s own sports editors, junior Alyssa Clark, of the Yeowomen basketball team. Alyssa scored her 1000th career point this season and is helping the Yeowomen battle back to the top of the North Coast Athletic Conference.

M:  What aspect of the Oberlin women’s basketball team, would you say, has motivated you to keep playing these past three seasons?

A:  I would have to say the most important aspect is my teammates. Seeing them get really pumped and going out there every day really gets me going. Their enthusiasm to work hard rubs off on me.

M:  What about this season has been positive and inspired the team to keep up the hard work?

A:  We are currently ranked sixth in the conference standings, and are set to go to the playoffs if we keep it up. Beating Allegheny was an important step because it was the first time under Coach Champ [Champion] that we’ve been able to do it. Then we beat Wooster by a close margin, and it really boosted our morale.

M: What improvements have occurred between last season and this season?

A:  We have more scoring threats, and that makes us a much tougher team for other opponents to defend. Coach Champ is finding new and better ways to teach and inspire us. We also have had players step up and make important contributions. Alicia Smith did not really play much last year, but this year she is the starting shooting guard and ranked fifth in the conference for three-point percentage.

M:  Earlier this season, you accomplished both a personal and school milestone by scoring your 1,000th college career point. How did you reach this goal, and how did it make you feel?

A:  I scored a lot of the points freshman year because the team did not have a lot of scoring threats. The past two years I have been pretty consistent, averaging about 15 points per game. The event was actually bittersweet because it was senior night and I felt I was taking away from them. I did it against Denison and we ended up losing the game, and I would much rather win then hold the personal record.

M: Besides scoring your 1,000th point, what is your fondest memory of playing basketball over the past three years?

A:  I would have to say that my favorite memory is of scoring 42 points in one game. It happened one night against Earlham my freshman year. We did not win, but it was my best personal performance. I can’t really describe the feelings I had while it was happening, but I felt as if I couldn’t do anything wrong.

M:  How do you prepare for a big game, one where you might score 42 points?

A:  I don’t do much but listen to music. I like listening to Lil Wayne and Jay-Z, but I like Jay-Z’s slow stuff. I am usually pretty calm and clear headed but that depends on who we are playing. When we play Earlham and Hiram, I get extra excited and get really pumped.

M:  What dreams or goals do you have for the program?

A:  This season, I want us to make it past the first round of the playoffs. And I would really like to win conference before I graduate. This year we quietly showed that we were serious contenders for the NCAC crown.

M: When you’re not tearing it up on the hoops what do you like to do with your time?

A:  I am an RA in Third World House, and I really like to hang out with my residents. I like being an RA in Third World because it is a safe space for LGBTQQ and first-generation college students. We also do programs that reflect the mission statement of our house.

M: What has been your favorite program?

A: There is program housing night at the ’Sco every semester to celebrate the program housing offered at Oberlin. All are encouraged to come to the event, and actually, there will be another one coming up February 29. I promise it is one crazy fun night.

M: Well, it’s time for this week’s question of the week. This week’s We Want Quarter Beers to Be 25 cents Foundation question is: Would you rather have a controllable ability to breathe fire or would you seriously date Will Smith?

A:  I would date Will Smith because he is one of my favorite actors. He is so hot, definitely hotter than breathing fire.