Lauren Works (#12 / G / 5-7 / So.)
Creighton’s Lauren Works (WBR/Adam Streur) $ CLICK TO BUY $
In 2013-14, Lauren Works was one of the key reserves off the bench despite being a true freshman in a crowded and experienced back court. She made four consecutive free throws in the final 22 seconds against Villanova to seal a Creighton home win in the Bluejays’ Big East debut on Dec. 28. In her very next game she post career-highs with five rebounds and six assists in a 65-63 overtime win at Georgetown. She burned the Hoyas again in the rematch, scoring a career-high 10 points, all in the second half, to complete the season sweep for Creighton.
Last year, playing alongside experienced guards like Marissa Janning, McKenzie Fujan, Jordan Garrison, and Sammy Jensen, all Works needed to was make limit mistakes and knock down an open shot. With Fujan and Garrison graduated, Works finds herself as one of the most experienced guards returning despite only being a sophomore. She has been more aggressive in practice and is driving the ball to the basket more in addition to being a threat in spot-up situations on the perimeter.
There is no shortage of bodies in the Bluejay back court this year, but with three of them being true freshmen Works will have to step up early while the younger players get accustomed to the speed of the game and how Flan wants them to play. Fully recovered from an off-season injury, Works appears prepared to handle that challenge.
Head Coach Jim Flanery on Works
“Lauren had a torn labrum and had the surgery in May. She wasn’t cleared until late September so she missed some skill work and some opportunities over the course of the summer. Despite that I think she came back in great shape. She did what she could from a conditioning standpoint until she could start shooting. Lauren is scrappy, she works hard, and having been here a year she’s more consistent as a sophomore. She’ll be a rotation player for us.”
5-on-5 with Lauren Works
Q: How has practice and preseason preparation gone so far?
A: “We’ve been doing really well. I think we are getting into the swing of things and our team is really meshing well. We’re having a lot of fun together, which definitely helps the chemistry. Individually, I feel more confident than I did last year.”
Q: What was the biggest adjustment that you needed to make from high school to college?
A: “I’d say speed of the game. I had a lot of help from my coaches and teammates. Playing against really good people in practice helped me.”
Q: What did you focus on in the off-season to get ready for your sophomore season?
A: “Shooting and ball-handling. Those were the things the coaches said at the end of last year.”
Q: What were your thoughts on being picked fourth in the Big East preseason poll?
A: “We felt pretty good about that. It will be a good season, so I’m excited.”
Q: What do you think is the ceiling for this year’s team?
A: “Our goal is to get to the NCAA Tournament, so that would be huge. We just need to improve and be consistent in every game that we play.”