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USU And Pebley's First Recruiting Class Careers Coming To Close
Feb. 23, 2007
LOGAN, Utah - Just four years after the Utah State University women's basketball team was re-instated, it is time to say goodbye to seniors Brittany Hagen, Camille Brox and Brittany Phillips, who will be playing their final home game Saturday night when the Aggies host Louisiana Tech at 7 p.m. at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. All three are original recruits from the 2003-2004 season, USU's first since reinstating the program after it was dropped following the 1987 season.
"These seniors are priceless," USU women's basketball head coach Raegan Pebley said of the only remaining players from the original signing class of 12. "Since the first day, they were part of building the tradition of this program. The very first year our catch phrase was "the tradition begins now," and I think they have really taken that to heart."
Hagen, one of two graduating forwards, said completing four years of playing for Utah State is a milestone in her life.
"A lot of people, when they are in college, just get graduation, but I am fortunate since I play athletics, to have a senior night, too. It summarizes my whole career," she said.
One highlight of Hagen's career this season was to have the tremendous ability to play and start in every game, appearing in all 107 games since the reinstatement.
"Hagen has worked so hard over the last few years by adding more to her game than just perimeter scoring," Pebley said. "She has become a better and smarter defensive player, a better overall rebounder, and she has improved her ball handling quite a bit. Had she not made those strides, she would not be playing the minutes she is playing."
It is pride, Hagen said, that has taken her thus far. She said that it is because of her pride in the Utah State women's basketball program, her coaches and the team that she has been motivated to come back each year, ready to step up and play hard.
Also under the basket for the Aggies is forward Phillips, who was the first recruit for the women's basketball team. She takes pride in not only being the first overall recruit, but her chance to score the first two points of their very first game in 2003, as well.
The one word that describes the 2006-2007 season to Phillips is "fun".
"I really just had so much fun this year," she said. "I even enjoyed coming to practice and I have not been like that in a long time. I think that shows a lot of time when we are playing. I am excited to say that I have accomplished something great."
"She is having a great senior year with her offensive scoring production," Pebley said, "but she has also been very valuable on the defensive end. She is one of the most intelligent players I have ever coached, and she really understands the game."
Having married Cory Phillips in May 2006, Phillips said that her future plans include kids. She has already completed her undergraduate degree in physical education, but is at the moment pursuing a master's degree in exercise science.
When looking back on her career at Utah State, Phillips said, "I just hope that I have made a difference, and that when people see my name they might wonder who I am."
For the next senior candidate, she may not make the headlines for scoring, but she has surely earned a reputation and made a name for herself with the spunk and aggressiveness she brings to the court.
Guard Camille Brox has been what Pebley calls "a spark off the bench."
"Camille has been through a lot in her career," Pebley said. "She has been somebody that I have turned to a lot and asked a lot from every single year, and it is not easy to bring that spark when you come off the bench. I am just really proud that she has made it through her four years and tried to make our program into a program that she is proud of when she leaves."
"I can see that all of the seniors from our freshman year have had a tremendous change," Brox said. "I never really did anything for myself for four years. I just did everything for the team. I was just here for the program, there was no `me' involved, it was all for the team, and I am going to miss it."
Brox said this summer she will be coaching an AAU 17-under women's basketball team in Long Beach, California, and will finally get a taste of what it feels like to be a coach. A native of Lakeview Terrace, California, Brox is excited to be a little bit closer to home.
"It has been a long four years," Brox said, but like Phillips and Hagen she, too, feels that it was well worth the time and effort.
"Each of these players have a loyalty to the program," Pebley said. "All of these players have seen other players come and go, but they stuck it out. I could not ask for a more important thing this year."
2006-07 Senior Class Career Highlights
Camille Brox
Brittany Hagen
Brittany Phillips
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