Opportunity awaits Quanirah Montague in year two
Quanirah Montague came to Starkville and Mississippi State as one of three four-star freshmen in the women’s basketball signing class.
A year later, Montague is the only one left from that group as Jasmine Brown-Hagger transferred to Illinois and Mjracle Sheppard went to LSU. Montague didn’t think transferring was the answer for her after one season.
“I just felt like it was my freshman year, so I’ve got to learn and I’m in one of the biggest conferences. There’s no need to transfer,” Montague said. “I watched most everything and I felt like this year is going to be my year to show what I know how to do.”
Deciding to return for a sophomore season is going to bring rewards Montague’s way as she’s competing for the starting center spot this year.
Rocio Jimenez is the only returning player from last year’s team but the 6’7 center from the Domincan Republic has been fighting injuries the last two years and isn’t quite ready. The biggest competition this season for Montague is former Penn State and Georgia State center Kayla Thomas as well as Kenyan center Madina Okot.
Okot was just recently cleared by the NCAA to play this season and adds a very interesting dynamic to the roster that could change the game for the Bulldogs. Montague has some of those same skills in her game as well.
“A lot of opportunity because Jessika was a kid who played 30 minutes a game, which is unheard of in the post position. You’ve got (Montague), who was one of the top 50 high school recruits in the country two years ago that has waited her turn, who has played behind her, is ready to seize her moment,” coach Sam Purcell said.
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“We were lucky to get Kayla Thomas in the transfer portal. That’s a young lady that’s going to shock a lot of people. Her college career, because, again, this is the last year of COVID kids, started at Penn State. She has been phenomenal for what we’re trying to do, mold into a team for what she brings.
I have a sleeper, Madina, from Kenya. She’s special, has a motor for days, but most of all she has a joy of being at Mississippi State. Between those three along with Powe, she’s a stretch forward, I’m excited to have two in, two out, have a rotation where we can avoid foul trouble and have plenty of bodies to throw out there no matter what the opponent brings at us.”
The increase in role is massive for Montague this season after learning the ropes under Jessika Carter last season. Behind the All-SEC center, Montague averaged 2.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and was second on the team with 26 blocks.
She’s taking what she learned last season and the growth that she’s made in the offseason to try and produce at a high level in year two. The time she spent under Carter and inside the SEC last year couldn’t have been more valuable.
“This season I feel like I’m taking a big step,” Montague said. “Being the post player behind Jess, I got to learn a lot watching her. I feel like it’s a big step for me on the court. I learned to always be ready.”
