Despite brief Women's March Madness stay, Vanderbilt basketball's Shea Ralph finds silver lining
Her stay wasn’t as lengthy as desired, but Vandberbilt women’s basketball coach and Fayetteville native Shea Ralph found an adequate silver lining.
Ralph had the rare opportunity to coach in her home state Friday night, the No. 7 Commodores taking on 10-seed Oregon in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament. Down by 19 points in the third quarter, Ralph’s Vanderbilt team rallied to take the game to overtime before ultimately falling 77-73.
Nevertheless, it felt good to be home.
“It means everything. I was so excited when we got the draw to come here,” Ralph said. “My mom was not. My mom went to North Carolina, so that was kind of an issue for her. But my uncle did play football here at Duke, and I grew up right down the road. For those of you that don't know, Fayetteville is like an hour and a half, like my entire family's here.
“I wouldn't be the person I am without the things that — the people that I grew up with, the things that I went through in North Carolina. It's great to be back here, and I'm also really happy to be representing Vanderbilt in a new phase of my life, kind of full circle for me as a player.”
Ralph has a 73-59 record at Vanderbilt through four seasons. After the Commodores finished with a losing record her first two years, they earned back-to-back 20-win seasons each accompanied by berths in the Women’s NCAA Tournament.
Before molding young basketball savants, Ralph left an indelible mark on high school basketball in North Carolina. A standout for Fayetteville’s Terry Sanford HIgh, she held 17 state records upon her graduation in 1996. Among those was her 39.1 points per game scoring average, a record which thrust Ralph back into headlines over the past few months as Bessemer City’s Tionna Pettus chased the all-time mark.
Finishing with 3,002 career points, Ralph was named an NCHSAA Athlete of the Year, a WBCA All-American and USA Today National Player of the Year. She went on to play for UConn, scoring 1,678 points and helped the Huskies to the 2000 National Championship, with Ralph being named 2000 Women’s Final Four MVP.
“I was probably the most stubborn player of all time, both in high school and in college,” Ralph said. “But all of those moments that I just talked to you guys about, and a lot of them were in high school, made me the coach, I think, and the person that I am now. It's exactly why I do what I do.”
Vanderbilt finished the 2024-25 season with a 22-11 record. However, she feels Vanderbilt’s brightest days may be ahead of them.
“I think what's made it special is the growth that we've had,” she said. “I know that, when I sit back and I'm asking the players to do something that I'm not capable of doing right now, right? I'm still thinking about it sucks that we lost the game. We should be playing on Sunday, and we're not. Why is that?
“I want to keep moving in the right direction. I just hate losing. I hate it. So I have to remember in those moments when I feel that to practice what I preach with the players. I have to remember that my steps are ordered as are theirs. I know they're here for the right reason. I know I'm here for the right reason, and together we'll keep this moving in the right direction. We'll be a force to be reckoned with from here on out.”
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Vanderbilt basketball's Shea Ralph returns to NC for Women's March Madness
-
Trump, Musk play role in March Madness saga about Native American team
Adam Strom, fired as coach of the women's basketball team at Haskell Indian Nations University under DOGE, stayed as a volunteer. His team rallied.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
How Khamil Pierre's shoes serve as reminder of motivation entering March Madness for Vanderbilt
Khamil Pierre of Vanderbilt women's basketball wrote a message on her shoes to remind of her motivation during March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Former Vanderbilt star Karen Booker fired as Trevecca women's basketball coach
Former Vanderbilt star Karen Booker coached Trevecca's women's basketball team to an 8-20 record this season.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
What channel is Vanderbilt women's basketball vs Oregon on today? Time, TV schedule to watch March Madness game
What channel is the Vanderbilt women's basketball vs Oregon March Madness game on today? Here's how to watch, including time, TV schedule, live streaming info and game odds.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Oregon vs. Vanderbilt in March Madness: Prediction for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener
It's Oregon vs. Vanderbilt in the first round of the 2025 Women's NCAA Tournament. Here's our prediction for the March Madness basketball game.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Oregon women's basketball vs. Vanderbilt game time set for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener
What time does Oregon women's basketball play Vanderbilt in March Madness? Here's the game time for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Can Vanderbilt reach Sweet 16 in Women’s March Madness? Predictions for why and why not
Can the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team reach the Sweet 16? Our 2025 March Madness bracket predictions show how it can make an NCAA Tournament run.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Why Vanderbilt's March Madness disappointment is reminder of program's progress and needs
Last season, Vanderbilt women's basketball was happy just to be in the NCAA tournament. This year was about advancing and what tools they need.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
LSU women's basketball believes it found key for March Madness run. Here's what it is
After rout of San Diego State, LSU women's basketball believes it has found its key to a deep NCAA Tournament run. Here's what it is.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
JuJu Watkins knee injury: Social media reacts to injury of USC women's basketball star
USC women's basketball star JuJu Watkins hurt her knee in the first quarter of the Trojans' second-round game. The sports world reacts on social mediaYahoo Sports - 26m -
TGL: Billy Horschel, Atlanta claim first match in best-of-three series against New York
It came down to a single putt, but Atlanta Drive GC took the first match by the narrowest of margins over New York.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
UNC's Alyssa Ustby missed senior day due to injury. March Madness offered her another home finale
There was less than a minute left in the final home game of Alyssa Ustby's North Carolina career. Victory was in hand, along with a ticket to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. Two days after ...Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Luka Doncic: Lakers 'got a little bit satisfied' during recent eight-game winning streak
After the Lakers lost their third game in a row on Monday, Luka Doncic said they may have gotten complacent after winning eight in a row recently.Yahoo Sports - 31m -
How did Johnny Furphy perform in the G League? Stats for Mad Ants in career-high game
Pacers rookie Johnny Furphy set a new career high in scoring Monday on assignment in the G League, leading the Mad Ants against the Bulls.Yahoo Sports - 36m
More in Sports
-
Why the NBA could be headed for 'worst tanking stretch we've ever seen'
Teams are getting really good at tanking. Can the NBA do anything more to stop it? Here's what's next for the race to the bottom.ESPN - 24m -
JuJu Watkins injures knee: USC star carried off floor after being knocked down in Women's March Madness game
Watkins was unable to put any weight on her right kneeCBS Sports - 26m -
JuJu Watkins injures knee: USC star carried off floor after being knocked down in Women's March Madness game
Watkins was unable to put any weight on her right kneeCBS Sports - 26m -
JuJu Watkins knee injury: Social media reacts to injury of USC women's basketball star
USC women's basketball star JuJu Watkins hurt her knee in the first quarter of the Trojans' second-round game. The sports world reacts on social mediaYahoo Sports - 26m -
TGL: Billy Horschel, Atlanta claim first match in best-of-three series against New York
It came down to a single putt, but Atlanta Drive GC took the first match by the narrowest of margins over New York.Yahoo Sports - 28m