Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Powe Off To Good Start For Bulldogs
November 11, 2024 | Women's Basketball
State junior still doing a little bit of everything for MSU.
STARKVILLE – Entering her third season at Mississippi State, guard Debreasha Powe continues to work extremely hard and exemplify what it means to have a Bulldog mentality.
It's much more than just donning the Maroon and White by wearing the uniform on game days and performing in front of thousands of fans at Humphrey Coliseum. To get to the top and be the best you can be, it takes realizing that hard work never stops.
That sentiment is something that Powe has lived and breathed since becoming a Bulldog in 2022. Her outstanding outing in State's 100-56 season-opening victory last week featured the Meridian, Mississippi, native shooting 6-of-10 from the field for 16 points. She also racked up seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal in 31 minutes played in the season opener against the Tigers.
For her head coach Sam Purcell, Powe's performances on the court result from her gritty and determined mindset that has become infectious for her teammates and coaches surrounding her.
"I loved it, besides one drive where we didn't play scouting report defense…I looked at her and I said, 'Powe, scouting reporting defense,'" Purcell said. "She put her head down and made a great adjustment. Sometimes she doesn't come up with the rebounds. She boxes out so hard that my guards come in and clean it up. Again, it's a testament to her character. She's blue-collared [and] a hard worker."
Coming out of high school, Powe was ranked as the 84th-best player in the country in her class, while also being ranked by a plethora of outlets as the best player in Mississippi heading into her senior year.
Once decision time came, Powe chose to come play for Purcell and the Bulldogs. Since her arrival as a freshman in 2022, she has wasted no time making an impression on the program. She makes the most of her minutes on the floor, whether it be swishing three-pointers or providing incredible box-outs to help State secure rebounds and get the ball back to the other end of the court.
She became one of three players in the Southeastern Conference to knock down more than 65 3-pointers on a 40.0 percent rate or better during her sophomore campaign in 2023-2024.
Her new role focused more on her abilities as a defender to start the season has allowed for Powe to diversify her attributes on the floor. A changing role in her game does not mean the hard work stops for the athletic and dedicated guard, however.
"I was very comfortable [in the season's first game]. What you do in practice shows in the game and we work hard every single day," Powe said. "My teammates push me, and I push them. I was really glad to see and show it."
Like her cast of talented teammates, Powe is hungry for more. The Bulldogs all want to be at the top of their game and know they have more to bring to the table for the Maroon and White faithful this season.
Powe's headstrong attitude is infectious and fills her teammates and coaches with a desire for more. As she continues to venture through her junior campaign, there will be a multitude of opportunities to do what she does best. That is, work hard and play harder.
"We didn't finish the way we wanted to last year and we're hungry," Powe said. "We want more [and] we all want to win. When everyone wants to win, it makes us all better. We're willing to do whatever is necessary to win and that's what we got with the team this year."
It's much more than just donning the Maroon and White by wearing the uniform on game days and performing in front of thousands of fans at Humphrey Coliseum. To get to the top and be the best you can be, it takes realizing that hard work never stops.
That sentiment is something that Powe has lived and breathed since becoming a Bulldog in 2022. Her outstanding outing in State's 100-56 season-opening victory last week featured the Meridian, Mississippi, native shooting 6-of-10 from the field for 16 points. She also racked up seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal in 31 minutes played in the season opener against the Tigers.
For her head coach Sam Purcell, Powe's performances on the court result from her gritty and determined mindset that has become infectious for her teammates and coaches surrounding her.
"I loved it, besides one drive where we didn't play scouting report defense…I looked at her and I said, 'Powe, scouting reporting defense,'" Purcell said. "She put her head down and made a great adjustment. Sometimes she doesn't come up with the rebounds. She boxes out so hard that my guards come in and clean it up. Again, it's a testament to her character. She's blue-collared [and] a hard worker."
Coming out of high school, Powe was ranked as the 84th-best player in the country in her class, while also being ranked by a plethora of outlets as the best player in Mississippi heading into her senior year.
Once decision time came, Powe chose to come play for Purcell and the Bulldogs. Since her arrival as a freshman in 2022, she has wasted no time making an impression on the program. She makes the most of her minutes on the floor, whether it be swishing three-pointers or providing incredible box-outs to help State secure rebounds and get the ball back to the other end of the court.
She became one of three players in the Southeastern Conference to knock down more than 65 3-pointers on a 40.0 percent rate or better during her sophomore campaign in 2023-2024.
Her new role focused more on her abilities as a defender to start the season has allowed for Powe to diversify her attributes on the floor. A changing role in her game does not mean the hard work stops for the athletic and dedicated guard, however.
"I was very comfortable [in the season's first game]. What you do in practice shows in the game and we work hard every single day," Powe said. "My teammates push me, and I push them. I was really glad to see and show it."
Like her cast of talented teammates, Powe is hungry for more. The Bulldogs all want to be at the top of their game and know they have more to bring to the table for the Maroon and White faithful this season.
Powe's headstrong attitude is infectious and fills her teammates and coaches with a desire for more. As she continues to venture through her junior campaign, there will be a multitude of opportunities to do what she does best. That is, work hard and play harder.
"We didn't finish the way we wanted to last year and we're hungry," Powe said. "We want more [and] we all want to win. When everyone wants to win, it makes us all better. We're willing to do whatever is necessary to win and that's what we got with the team this year."
Players Mentioned
G/F
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