Jordan Loera is a member of a group of talented freshmen hitting campus for the Ducks in 2011-12. A two-time Seattle Times All-State First Team selection and four-star recruit according to ESPN HoopGurlz, Loera has definitely already made her presence felt at Matthew Knight Arena. During Oregon’s first game of the season, a 102-93 win over Cal Poly, Loera tallied 12 points, including three baskets from three-point territory. The Moses Lake, Wash., native chatted with the Emerald about adjusting to Eugene, the Ducks’ fast-paced offense and her thoughts on the University’s blazing track team.@@http://www.goducks.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=500&SPID=236&SPSID=4304@@ @@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPID=236&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=205332883@@
How are you adjusting to Eugene? What’s your favorite part of the city?
I’m loving it. I’m very happy with my decision. The people here have been great. The team chemistry we have is awesome. My favorite part probably is just being part of this team and the support from the community and just how much support we have from people who don’t know us. I’m loving it.
You’re only a few games into your true freshman year, so you’re definitely still adjusting, but how do you see your role on the team? Who’s helping you integrate into the team?
The veterans, for sure, are looking out for us and just making sure that we’re getting the hang of it and doing what Coach asked us to. The coaches have been good about making sure that we’ve done our job. As far as my role, I play the two position and I just think it’s important that I know exactly what I need to do and where I need to be. It’s part of the offense; all of the positions need to know what they do well for that offense to work. So my role is just to do it right every time.
It’s an exciting year for the program — the first year in the Pac-12 and the first full year in the new arena. As a Washington native, are there any teams you’re especially looking forward to playing?
For sure. Wazzu — Washington State — my best friend (center Carly Noyes) is on that team. We haven’t really talked lately because we’ve both been really busy, but we’ve been playing since we were in second grade. We’ve never played against each other, so I’m excited. It’ll be different to see her, especially because it’s been a while. Definitely Wazzu.@@http://www.wsucougars.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/noyes_carly00.html@@
Oregon’s pace is pretty frantic. Head coach Paul Westhead likes to really push the ball. Considering your high school experiences, how are you adjusting the speed of the offense?
It’s definitely different than anything I’ve played. Other styles have just been more, “come down and set up a play.” In this (offense) you pretty much get to create things for yourself, you get to take what the defense gives you pretty much. It’s definitely been challenging, just because when you think you’re going faster you still need to be faster — there’s always room to be quicker. But I love the challenge. I love it. I think from a team perspective we’ll just get better from here and it’ll be awesome.@@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=3720219@@
You ran track for four years in high school. As you probably know, Eugene is called “Track Town USA.” Are you going to go watch to the team? Do you ever get the itch to step back out on the oval?
I don’t know about the old itch to get out because I actually got injured doing track. That’s where this puppy came from (points at scar on knee from injury during senior year). But I’ve always loved competitive track, so I’m definitely going to try to come watch it. I think it’s amazing how fast they run — it’s incredible.
You and Oregon sophomore forward Danielle Love played club ball together back in Washington. What role did she play in your recruitment and what’s your relationship like now?
She definitely laid it out, told me how great it was, how much she enjoyed it. We were on the same club team for two years and it was definitely good to have someone here I’m familiar with. I trusted her input and I’m glad with my decision.@@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=204976792@@
Women’s basketball athlete of the week: Jordan Loera
Daily Emerald
November 15, 2011
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