Photo by: Joseph Craven
Frierson is the “Wright Flyer” for Raider women's hoops
1/29/2020 10:15:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Story by Alan Hieber
Wright State women's basketball 6-4 junior center Tyler Frierson came a long way from Long Beach, California to become a presence in the paint for the Raiders – something head coach Katrina Merriweather is very cognizant of still to this day.
"I will be forever grateful for Tyler's trust. Her coming to a school across the country before I even coached one game as a head coach will always mean a lot to me," Merriweather said.
Frierson was pure fire this past weekend after skying for 11 rebounds and adding 17 pivotal points in a tight affair as Wright State prevailed in by topping Detroit Mercy 67-61 Thursday night. Her second act in a more comfortable 85-66 breeze past Oakland on Saturday afternoon included 13 rebounds and 16 points.
The walking double-double and top Wright State rebounder, Frierson has not only improved in the scoring and boards department. She has become more disciplined by depleting her foul total – keeping her on the floor longer to pad those other key stats. She has spent over three minutes more in games compared to last season.
"I realized when I foul and have to sit out that really hurts my team," she said.
"She (Frierson) puts the team first and embraces new challenges," Merriweather said.
Something else keeping Frierson focused on the bigger picture during games is her mother living across the country in California – who has dealt with a few chronic health issues since Tyler's childhood.
"I know she's watching, and I talk to her after the game," Frierson said. "That's my biggest thing – playing for my mom."
In the absence of Symone Simmons, the all-time Wright State rebounds leader amongst both the men's and women's programs, redshirt freshman Shamarre Hale – affectionately referred to as "Tank" by her teammates – has stepped up as the squad's second leading rebounder. Frierson has made it a priority to mentor her counterpart.
"I just let her (Hale) know, 'It's going to be ok. I've done it before,''' Frierson said. "I'm teaching her how to prevent things from happening and what to do instead, especially on defense."
"Tyler is an unselfish leader who understands we are only as strong as our weakest link. She and Tank talk to each other a lot in practice," Merriweather said. "The competition is tough, but they both make each other better. Our five spot is extremely important to what we do and all four players continue to get better."
One day Frierson could find herself on the other side of the microphone as a sports reporter. That's a career route the mass communication major has in mind. She says one of her favorite instructors has been Dr. Melissa Spirek – who has taught several of her courses within the department.
"She (Spirek) is so supportive of our basketball team and has really worked with me, especially during the season," Frierson said. "She says, 'Don't worry. Just come in whenever you're free, and we can go over everything that's due.'"
There is one thing Frierson's teammates might be wary of listening to. Back in California she enjoyed the abundance of authentic cuisines. That has now been a theme in the Dayton area, especially with spots serving Korean infused soup.
"It's my thing to do with my teammates now. Some of them don't want to try it and say, 'What is that? I'm not going to go eat that,'" Frierson said while chuckling. "I like making them try it."
At the moment the 13-8 Raiders sit at 7-2 in Horizon League play – only trailing IUPUI (8-1 in the Horizon). To repeat as HL conference tournament champions, Wright State could very well face the Jaguars in their home city - as Indianapolis is the host of the Horizon League Championships beginning this season.
After a 70-58 statement win over league titan Green Bay on Dec. 30 in front of a large crowd serenading the Raiders with jeers, that might not be the worst prospect.
"I think that game proved who we are and what we're capable of," Frierson said.
The Raiders now welcome Green Bay to the Nutter Center this Thursday for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
Wright State women's basketball 6-4 junior center Tyler Frierson came a long way from Long Beach, California to become a presence in the paint for the Raiders – something head coach Katrina Merriweather is very cognizant of still to this day.
"I will be forever grateful for Tyler's trust. Her coming to a school across the country before I even coached one game as a head coach will always mean a lot to me," Merriweather said.
Frierson was pure fire this past weekend after skying for 11 rebounds and adding 17 pivotal points in a tight affair as Wright State prevailed in by topping Detroit Mercy 67-61 Thursday night. Her second act in a more comfortable 85-66 breeze past Oakland on Saturday afternoon included 13 rebounds and 16 points.
The walking double-double and top Wright State rebounder, Frierson has not only improved in the scoring and boards department. She has become more disciplined by depleting her foul total – keeping her on the floor longer to pad those other key stats. She has spent over three minutes more in games compared to last season.
"I realized when I foul and have to sit out that really hurts my team," she said.
"She (Frierson) puts the team first and embraces new challenges," Merriweather said.
Something else keeping Frierson focused on the bigger picture during games is her mother living across the country in California – who has dealt with a few chronic health issues since Tyler's childhood.
"I know she's watching, and I talk to her after the game," Frierson said. "That's my biggest thing – playing for my mom."
In the absence of Symone Simmons, the all-time Wright State rebounds leader amongst both the men's and women's programs, redshirt freshman Shamarre Hale – affectionately referred to as "Tank" by her teammates – has stepped up as the squad's second leading rebounder. Frierson has made it a priority to mentor her counterpart.
"I just let her (Hale) know, 'It's going to be ok. I've done it before,''' Frierson said. "I'm teaching her how to prevent things from happening and what to do instead, especially on defense."
"Tyler is an unselfish leader who understands we are only as strong as our weakest link. She and Tank talk to each other a lot in practice," Merriweather said. "The competition is tough, but they both make each other better. Our five spot is extremely important to what we do and all four players continue to get better."
One day Frierson could find herself on the other side of the microphone as a sports reporter. That's a career route the mass communication major has in mind. She says one of her favorite instructors has been Dr. Melissa Spirek – who has taught several of her courses within the department.
"She (Spirek) is so supportive of our basketball team and has really worked with me, especially during the season," Frierson said. "She says, 'Don't worry. Just come in whenever you're free, and we can go over everything that's due.'"
There is one thing Frierson's teammates might be wary of listening to. Back in California she enjoyed the abundance of authentic cuisines. That has now been a theme in the Dayton area, especially with spots serving Korean infused soup.
"It's my thing to do with my teammates now. Some of them don't want to try it and say, 'What is that? I'm not going to go eat that,'" Frierson said while chuckling. "I like making them try it."
At the moment the 13-8 Raiders sit at 7-2 in Horizon League play – only trailing IUPUI (8-1 in the Horizon). To repeat as HL conference tournament champions, Wright State could very well face the Jaguars in their home city - as Indianapolis is the host of the Horizon League Championships beginning this season.
After a 70-58 statement win over league titan Green Bay on Dec. 30 in front of a large crowd serenading the Raiders with jeers, that might not be the worst prospect.
"I think that game proved who we are and what we're capable of," Frierson said.
The Raiders now welcome Green Bay to the Nutter Center this Thursday for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
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