Basketball
Local Girl Shines With Lady Indians
By Jason Eaton
Originally Published in The Herald
January 23, 1998
Julie Hagood has two identities at Arkansas State University.
She is the fiercely competitive court general who ignites the Lady
Indian basketball offense by dishing out assists and launching
three-point bombs.
She is also the soft-spoken, almost shy young lady who seemingly does
not have an intimidating bone in her body.
The sophomore guard of Pocahontas said she has been playing basketball
as long as she can remember.
"My dad is a coach. I have always been around it," Hagood said.
Hagood went to basketball camps with her father when he was the boys'
and girls' basketball coach at Maynard, she said.
Hagood's father, Rick, is the boys' head basketball coach at Pocahontas.
That is the school where Hagood left her mark and ASU recruited her to
play for the Tribe.
Hagood said being close to home has its advantages.
"My parents get to come to the home games," Hagood said.
Hagood said she does not feel pressured to perform because she is a
"local" girl.
She feels her hometown supports her because many people come to watch
the Indians play, she said.
Hagood said winning the Sun Belt Conference would be great, but she has
a loftier goal.
"Obviously our main goal is to make it to the (NCAA) tournament," Hagood
said.
Chemistry plays a huge role in developing a winning basketball team.
Hagood said the Lady Indians are closer now as teammates then ever
before.
And it shows in the victory column.
"Every team has its ups and downs," Hagood said. "Hopefully we will keep
getting closer as teammates and friends."
Hagood said she does not look up to anyone in particular. But it's
probably a safe bet that some people look up to Julie Hagood.
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