Lexi Oge was a standout basketball player for the Richmond Hill Lady Wildcats basketball team in the 2023-2024 season, helping lead them to the playoffs. After graduating in May 2024, she traded in one black and gold Lady Wildcats’ jersey for another one, as she signed with Randolph College and became a Lady Wildcat once again.
Oge says that her freshman year went well for her, as she saw significant playing time early on in her career, which is not easy to come by.
“I had a really successful first season of college basketball,” Oge said. “I played in every single game of the season and started nine games as a freshman. I was also one of only two athletes on the team to make the Dean's list.”
Although she had a great first year, Oge already has plans for the offseason, and is looking to improve her game even more.
“I was third on the team for blocks and in the top-five for rebounds,” Oge said. “I am a hardcore defender, so it is really hard to get past me.
“During this offseason, I plan to work on my offensive game, work on my shooting and find additional ways to help my team score.”
Adjusting to the level of basketball being played is not the only thing that Oge had to get used to, as the academic side of things is much different in college than in high school.
“Managing classes as a college athlete is intense,” Oge said. “There are days that by the time I got to my first class at 9 am, I had already had two hours of practice. If you are not focused, you can easily get behind. It is not like high school, because no one is chasing behind you to get your work done. If you do not do the work, you fail and you also don’t get to play.”
Oge also had to deal with changes in circumstances on being on a new team, after playing with some of the same teammates for many years.
“The biggest hurdle from high school to college was finding my place with the team,” Oge said. “I was the new girl. In high school, the girls I played with since middle school, we knew each other and our styles of play. Once I got to college, I had to learn my team's game, how they played, who did what and figure out how I fit in.”
Having overcome the hurdles of change, Oge’s second year will be more about being a leader and focusing on the little things.
“I am looking forward to becoming a leader on our team,” Oge said. “The majority of our starters from last season have graduated and I am looking forward to being able to step up and help us get back into the ODAC Conference Tournament again.
“Being a collegiate athlete is tough, regardless if you play D1,D2, D3 or Juco but it’s also a lot of fun. My team traveled to Puerto Rico, we got to travel to so many different places to play. I had fun, made friends and great memories. This is what I worked hard to achieve since middle school and it paid off. I am glad I stayed focused and never let anyone or anything deter me.”
Zane Rowland is a sports correspondent with the Bryan County News.
