Sidelined Anna Claire Noblit still contributing for Mocs
Anna Claire Noblit’s basketball career has been cut short by injuries, yet the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior guard still is a member of the team and has the respect of her teammates.
Noblit arrived on the UTC campus in 2014 after a prep career at Alabama’s Covenant Christian in which she twice was the Class 1A player of the year, was a three-time all-stater and set the state record for 3-pointers made in a career with 503.
She had problems getting on the court early in her college career but showed some moments. As a sophomore, in what would be the most extensive action of her career, Noblit made three 3-pointers, including two during a 20-0 run, as the Mocs overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat Arkansas State 55-54 in McKenzie Arena on Nov. 25, 2015.
But since then, injuries have sidelined her. Noblit has had issues with arthritis and some disks in her back, which have hindered her ability to compete. Her last game was on March 3, 2016, against Western Carolina in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference tournament.
She’ll finish her career with 51 points, coming on 17 3-pointers.
“At first it was tough not getting to play,” Noblit said recently. “Basketball is what I’ve done my whole life, but I looked at it as an opportunity to grow as a person and a team member and hopefully help the team win games. I’ll help on the sideline in any way I need.
“It’s been difficult, but I’m trying to use it as an opportunity to grow on and off the court because I’m still there with my teammates.”
And she does help them. “When she’s talking, people listen,” UTC coach Jim Foster said. “Fortunately, when she’s talking, it makes sense. She’s got a good perspective of what’s right, what’s wrong, what’s real and what’s not, and it makes a big difference.”
Noblit has made some of her biggest contributions just in reaching out to the Mocs’ talented freshman class. Foster’s rotations are such that players on the bench always must be ready, regardless of whether they’re going to play. For younger players coming off standout prep careers, the change in their minutes allocation could be difficult, so hearing from Noblit and fellow seniors Aryanna and Keiana Gilbert has aided in the transition.
“Oftentimes we don’t know when the opportunity is going to present itself, but the main thing is to practice hard, listen and do what is said,” Noblit said of the advice she gives the younger players. “You can’t control it, because he’s the coach, so you have to work hard. (The freshmen) have a lot of questions, so I tell them to just do it, do the best at what they can do and hope for the best results.
“One of the best things is to work hard and do the best you can, and it’ll work itself out.”
The past couple of seasons may have helped guide Noblit in choosing her future endeavors. While the exercise science major hasn’t made any career decisions yet, coaching may be in the plan.
“If that is the opportunity, I would love to take it,” Noblit said. “I’ve had an awesome opportunity to grow and learn from Coach Foster and the staff. They know a lot, and everything I know is from them.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghen ley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.
“When she’s talking, people listen. Fortunately, when she’s talking, it makes sense.” – JIM FOSTER, UTC COACH