The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
11.16.2013 | Women's Basketball
Krystle Henderson and Celina Rodrigo aim to complement each other at the point guard position this season.
| GAME INFORMATION |
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Texas Longhorns at New Mexico Lobos Tuesday, Nov. 19 • 8 p.m. CT Albuquerque, N.M. • The Pit (14,540) TV: - Radio: Longhorn IMG Radio Network / TexasSports.com Live Stats: GoLobos.com Social Media: Twitter / Instagram |
AUSTIN, Texas -- Karen Aston finds herself in a rare position this season that many coaches around the nation would envy -- having two starting-caliber point guards on her roster. Both Krystle Henderson and Celina Rodrigo are more than capable of running the Texas offense and each bring their own unique set of skills and abilities to the floor.
Henderson is in her first season as a Longhorn, but brings experience and leadership as a junior college transfer from Trinity Valley Community College where she led the Cardinals to a NJCAA Division I national championship last year. Henderson is a great ball handler with good court vision, who brings toughness and determination to a young Texas team.
Rodrigo, meanwhile, is entering her second year as a Longhorn and has the experience of playing point guard at Texas for a full season. Aston will admit that Rodrigo was thrown into the fire last year as a freshmen, but the second-year coach expects a lot from her sophomore guard. Rodrigo possesses the ability to score the ball, especially from the perimeter with midrange and three-point shooting.
While most coaches would chose to stick with on point guard over the other, Aston has commented publicly that she wants the two guards to share the point guard responsibilities and plans on playing both on the court at the same time frequently throughout the season. Aston claims a large part of Texas' success this season will depend on how well Henderson and Rodrigo work together.
Last Wednesday night against Texas State, Aston enjoyed what she saw from the two guards as they combined for 18 points, 12 assists, five rebounds and only two turnovers. Rodrigo scored a career-high 15 points, and Henderson distributed a career-high eight assists.
When the two were on the court together the Texas offense looked especially dangerous as the Longhorns were able to create turnovers, get out in the fast break and find the open man in the half court offense. In fact, Rodrigo ended up being the recipient of many of Henderson's assists as she often played off the ball and went 3-for-4 from behind the arc.
Coach Aston talked about Rodrigo's performance after the game.
"I think Celina (Rodrigo) put a lot of work in this spring and summer, and she was rewarded with that today," said Aston. "She didn't play hardly any at the two-guard last year, so it was great to see her adjust her game and have success."
Rodrigo's ability to play the two-guard position will be a determining factor as to whether she and Henderson can be on the court at the same time. After the Texas State game Rodrigo talked about playing with Henderson and how they can be interchangeable when sharing the court.
"I think it is a good combo for us when Krys (Henderson) and I are out there together," Rodrigo said. "Sometimes she brings the ball up and I play on the wing or vice versa, and I think we do a good job of being interchangeable in that position tonight."
Rodrigo and Henderson look to continue their solidarity in the first road contest of the season at New Mexico on Tuesday. Tip off from Albuquerque, N.M., is schedule for 8 p.m. Central.
