As she awaits the start of the inaugural 2020 WPBA season by putting in individual workouts, guard Lacoya Terry sported the new customized uniforms for the Georgia Soul by Wooter Apparel during a recent photoshoot hosted by Rebel Shots.
Lacoya Terry feels right at home in Georgia and with the “Soul” printed across the front of her jersey.
Born in Hephzibah, a small remote town within Richmond County and a suburb of nearby Augusta, Terry is still remembered in the area as a phenomenal three-sport athlete who earned Player of the Year honors in basketball as a Senior before going on to cut down nets and make her mark in the hoops history books at East Carolina University. Even 11 years removed from suiting up for the Pirates, Terry still has what it takes to be a champion. In 2017, the 5-foot-8 guard and knock-down shooter helped lead the semi-pro Georgia Soul to the 2017 National Championship after a comeback win over the St. Louis Surge in the Women’s Blue Basketball League.
Three years later, Terry and the Soul are in search of another banner that sadly enough will have to wait for now. With the Soul a part of the first season of the WPBA, the COVID-19 pandemic has put an official hold on the season that was initially slated to begin on May 17 with the Soul hosting the Mississippi Eagles at Augusta University’s Christenberry Fieldhouse. As the WPBA works diligently to follow the right procedures in place, the goal remains to keep its players and the community safe as the league awaits its 2020 start to the season.
Lacoya Terry recently caught up with Wooter Apparel to talk about adapting to her WPBA preseason workout routine, how the Georgia Soul have bonded beyond basketball, making a positive impact in the community in Augusta, and getting a first look at the new custom-made Soul uniforms from Wooter Apparel.
From winning a C-USA Championship at East Carolina and as a semi-pro with the Georgia Soul in 2017, Lacoya Terry remains focused on getting back on the court and hopeful about the start of the 2020 WPBA season.
You put together an impressive college career at East Carolina, where you captured a C-USA Tournament Championship and still hold the honor of ranking fourth all-time in scoring in program history. Looking back on your time as a Pirate, what are you most proud of from those days playing college basketball?
I am most proud of the legacy I was able to leave behind. Winning a conference championship and being named tournament MVP was something I could have only dreamed of. I was never one to boast individual accomplishments, I just always wanted to be whatever my team needed me to win. Scoring was one of the things that my team needed so I worked hard to stay focus and consistent which led me to fourth place as an All-Time Scorer in ECU women’s basketball history.
Growing up as a standout student-athlete at Hephzibah High School, who helped influence your career and what does it mean to you to be able to play so close to home in Augusta with the Georgia Soul?
It means a lot being that I am able to play in front of my family, friends, and fans that watched me play growing up. It’s important to represent my city and be a role model for the youth in my community. My parents (Joseph and Yolanda Terry) were my biggest influencers growing up and playing basketball. They were both hard workers and instilled those same characteristics in me. Once I fell in love with the game of basketball, my parents told me to work hard and always give 100%. That fueled my drive and passion for the game to help me become the player I am today.
The Georgia Soul are celebrating their 5-year anniversary since the organization first started in 2015. How have you seen the franchise grow on the floor and in the community over the years? What do you appreciate the most about being part of the Soul?
Wow — I can’t believe it’s been 5 years. I’ve seen the franchise grow in many ways especially in the community. Before the pandemic hit, the Georgia Soul were out and about in the community every weekend and a few days during the week as well. Our fan base was growing and we were getting a lot of publicity from news and media outlets. One thing I appreciate most about being a part of the Georgia Soul is the amount of time, energy and effort our owner Nesia Wright puts into the franchise. Her dedication sets the tone and standard for everyone that’s a part of the organization. It pushes me to go harder even on days I may not feel like it.
Along with a “cityscape” design and sublimating printing, the Georgia Soul home and away uniforms also include highlighted sponsor logos from Napleton Infiniti and Gordon Highway KIA of Augusta.
You recently took part in a photoshoot with Rebel Shots where you had a chance to wear the new customized Georgia Soul basketball uniforms from Wooter Apparel for the inaugural WPBA season. What were your first impressions of the new jerseys and shorts?
My first impression of the new uniforms was love at first sight! The design was unlike any uniform I have ever worn before. The photoshoot was a bonus which definitely made me more anxious for the start of the season.
You have been around the game for a long time and bring a veteran presence to the floor. What advice would you give to a younger player looking to get started in semi-pro basketball or who aspire to play professionally overseas?
My advice for younger players is to never lose focus! Make basketball your priority outside of God and your family. Nothing or no one should get in the way of your goals. Work hard on your craft everyday because there’s always someone looking to take your spot.
With the current COVID-19 pandemic going on, how are you staying game ready and what kind of impact has the virus had on your community?
I’m staying ready by continuing to work on my game. I’m getting shots up and conditioning most days out the week. Only thing that’s bothering me is not being able to scrimmage with my teammates so that we can build our chemistry. The pandemic has closed many small businesses and other places like factories/warehouses in my community. Gyms aren’t open and many people are out of work. It’s just an all around sad situation that I’m praying gets better soon.
In addition to playing for the Georgia Soul, you work as an activity therapist at the Augusta State Medical Prison. What have you found is the key to balancing life, a career, and basketball?
I found the key to balancing life, career, and basketball is time management and healthy eating. Those two components makes it easy for me to make it through the day and accomplish all my tasks without missing a beat.