May 20, 2005
She was a Freshman All-SEC selection in her first year with the South Carolina women’s basketball team and was the team’s leading scorer as a sophomore with the Gamecocks, but there is more to Lauren Simms than what she does on the court.
Every Sunday for the past eight years, Simms and her family have participated in a remarkable program with their church. The Simms family is part of a group that goes to the Oliver Gospel Mission in Columbia and picks up people without homes and brings them to church. The group gives them a good breakfast and a change of clothes and lets them shower and attend church services before fixing them a lunch they can take back with them to the mission.
“It’s a great program and we enjoy being a part of it,” Simms said. “You can really see growth in the people in the program. Some find jobs through us and that is a real good feeling. It’s great to be a part of something like this, and it means a lot to be able to help people who don’t have a place to go, when I am blessed to have a home.”
This year, Simms became only the second Gamecock women’s basketball player to earn a spot on the SEC Good Works Team for two consecutive seasons. The Good Works Team recognizes those players who are active in the community and serve as positive role models. Simms credits her parents for instilling the importance of community in her, and also credits them for keeping her focused on academics first and basketball second.
“Academics have always been important to me, and my parents are a big reason for that,” said Simms, who this year earned a spot on the SEC Winter Sports Academic Honor Roll. “My mom has always said that I need to have something to fall back on, because basketball won’t always be there. Whenever I spent too much time playing basketball and my grades started to slip, my parents would step in and get my priorities right.”
Since enrolling at South Carolina, Simms said she has seen a noticeable difference in how she handles things.
“I have matured a lot as a person since coming to college,” Simms said. “One of the biggest things I have learned is to appreciate the journey. I appreciate the opportunity that I have at South Carolina and I know that it is a blessing to be here. There are a lot of people that want to be in this kind of position, and I am happy with the great opportunity that I have. I have grown so much as a person in the last two years, and it has been a great learning experience. I am a stronger person than I was before coming here, and I know that I am still growing and learning.”
Part of what makes Simms’ experience at South Carolina so special is the fact that she is getting a good education and continuing her basketball career in her hometown.
“It’s a big help to know that my family is always there and I can go see them at any time,” Simms said. “I always know that I have their support, and it is very comforting to know that they are right here in town. I have a lot of pride in being a Gamecock, and it’s great to have friends from school and from church and people that I know come out and watch us play. I look at the faces of everyone that has been behind me through the years and it gives me extra strength. I want the best for the South Carolina women’s basketball program, and I will work hard to make good things happen.”
Simms isn’t alone as a Palmetto State native playing for the Gamecock women’s basketball program. Guard Angela Hunter and forward Lakesha Tolliver are both from Columbia, as is incoming freshman guard Brionna Dickerson. Forward Melanie Johnson hails from Barnwell, and incoming freshman forward/center Demetress Adams joins the program this year fresh off leading Bishopville’s Lee Central HS to a state title in the Colonial Center.
“It’s going to be great to play with all those girls,” Simms said. “We all have that extra motivation to represent South Carolina well. Most of us played together in AAU ball and we know each others’ games and know each other off the court as well. Brionna and Demetress are both good players, and it will be great playing with a group of South Carolinians who all want the best for South Carolina women’s basketball.”
After suffering a season-ending knee injury in the Gamecocks’ win over Alabama on February 20, Simms is working hard to be at full strength to help lead the team in 2005-06.
“The knee is coming along well,” Simms said immediately after a workout in the Gamecocks’ practice facility. “I work out with the trainer for 2 1/2 to three hours every day and it’s really paying off. She is doing a great job of pushing me. I can’t wait to get back on the court. It was hard not being able to play in the last few games last year, but I can’t wait to get back. I’m excited.”
