SHEPPARD BACK WITH BRONCOS AFTER TOUR IN MIDDLE
EAST
Junior forward played first game since 2008 on Thursday
February 5, 2010
FAYETTEVILLE - In the moments after Fayetteville State's 82-66 win
over Livingstone on Thursday, Shacovia Sheppard was worried about
how many turnovers she had.
First-year head coach Eva Patterson-Heath scanned her stat sheet
and told the junior forward that she turned the ball over twice in
her first game action in nearly two years.
Not too long ago, Sheppard didn't have the luxury of focusing on
game stats, be they hers or her teammates. She is also a sergeant
in the U.S.
Army Reserves and recently returned from her second tour in the
Middle East.
"It had its moments," said the Charleston, S.C., native, who
enlisted in 2004 and has made year-long stops in Kuwait and Iraq.
"Some days were good and some days were bad. I just had to adjust
the best way I could."
In fact, Sheppard has become very good at adjusting to whatever
situation is presented to her.
The oldest of four children, Sheppard always dreamed of attending
college. However, after her mother Bernadette White took out a loan
to pay for her first year at Fayetteville State, Sheppard said
something had to give.
"My purpose for signing up was to help my mother out," Sheppard
said. "I have three other siblings and I didn't want her to have to
pay for me. I didn't want to be selfish, so I went out and figured
something out on my own."
Unselfishness not only defines Sheppard in regards to her family
and friends, but also on the basketball court.
"All I do is run up and down the court," she said. "I try to get
steals, hit my layups and help my teammates out on defense."
Despite missing nearly two full seasons, Sheppard knows -- and is
friends with -- many of FSU's current players, including seniors
L'Oreal Price, Randi Watts and Tressa Aughburns and juniors
Mercedes Humphries and Amanda Owens.
Before Thursday's game Sheppard only had been with the Broncos
(12-6, 7-4 CIAA, 3-0 Western Division) for five days.
"It was crazy at the first practice because I didn't know what
they were doing," she said. "But they helped me get back into the
swing of things and everything was good."
Added Patterson-Heath: "From what I hear from everyone else is
that she's such a hard-nosed player. We want that type on the
court. When we need a rebound, we want to be able to put her
in."
With only eight games remaining before the CIAA tournament,
Patterson-Heath said she hopes Sheppard's determination to finish
college and serve her country can be an inspiration to her
teammates.
"It is so wonderful that she gave herself and her life to protect
us," said Patterson-Heath. "We take so much for granted. If they
really understand the sacrifices that she's made for all of us,
hopefully they can see that and be appreciative of it."
