Seniors Jordi Cook (left) and Lacie Dowling (right) have been roommates all four years at Georgia Southern.
W. BASKETBALL: Friends Forever
2/21/2014 2:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball
STATESBORO, Ga. – Forgive women's basketball seniors Lacie Dowling and Jordi Cook if they tend to think alike.
In addition to being roommates for the last four years, the duo has spent countless hours practicing against each other, lifting weights together, traveling with each other in the close, friendly confines of a charter bus, not to mention competing alongside each other in over 110 games.
It makes perfect sense that they often find themselves firmly-planted on common ground – so much so they can almost finish each other's sentences.
Best arena and/or atmosphere you played in during your career?
"When we played at Georgia my freshman year because growing up living in Georgia – that's like the biggest deal," says Lacie.
"Georgia – that was pretty cool," says Jordi.
How about in the Southern Conference other than Hanner Fieldhouse?
"I like playing at Chatt because of the environment," says Lacie.
"I like playing at Chatt the best because I always have lots of family there," says Jordi.
Lacie, what's your pet peeve about living with Jordi and what would she say hers is about living with you?
"I like stuff clean but she likes everything to be in its little place, and it probably gets on her nerves that all my stuff isn't in its perfect place," says Lacie.
Jordi, same question.
"She probably gets mad because I'm a little OCD, like a perfectionist, and that really bothers her," says Jordi.
Dowling came to Georgia Southern from Nahunta, Ga., a town with a population of just over 1,000, about 36 miles West of Brunswick and the coast. She came to Georgia Southern basketball camps, starting in the eighth grade, and the place grew on her.
Cook is from Tunnel Hill, Ga., a town with a population just under 900, on the complete opposite side of the state, just 24 miles from Chattanooga, Tenn. Her cousin, Stacy Childers, played for the Eagles from 1993-95 and encouraged her to give Georgia Southern a shot.
Dowling and Cook had never met before arriving on campus for classes the summer before their freshman year and found themselves roommates when they reported to campus in the fall.
"I think the coaches knew from recruiting us that we were similar so they put us together," says Lacie.
Dowling is the point guard, the facilitator, who earned a spot in the starting lineup this season.
"My role is to direct everyone. Keep my head and make sure offensively and defensively, everybody is where they are supposed to be and maybe score some here and there," says Lacie.
Cook is one of three team captains, chosen to be a leader both on and off the court. She is the spark off the bench, a shooter and a real student of the game who rarely makes mental mistakes.
"I try to stay positive and keep everybody up and together and I try to be energetic and always know what I'm doing so I can help my teammates if they have questions," says Jordi.
They are two of five Eagles who will be playing their final home games in Hanner Fieldhouse this weekend, joining fellow seniors Brittney Benzio, MiMi DuBose and Danielle Spencer. The group will be introduced and honored prior to tipoff at Saturday's game against Appalachian State at 4:30 p.m. They play their final home game Monday at 7 p.m. against Western Carolina.
What will the emotions be like this Saturday?
"I'll have mixed emotions – I feel like we've put in a lot and I'm happy that we made it but also I'll miss it for sure," says Lacie.
"I feel it's more of like an exciting time, like we've been through it all together and we finally made it. It's more happy rather than sad," says Jordi.
Their four years at Georgia Southern have seen their ups and downs. Eventful, says Lacie. Busy, says Jordi. But the difficult times that inevitably come with playing Division I Basketball for four years have not soured them on the game.
Where will you be five years from now?
"I see myself coaching a high school basketball team somewhere in Georgia," says Lacie.
"Back at home teaching elementary school and hopefully coaching my high school team," says Jordi.
Maybe sometime in the future, they will meet again, in a Georgia state playoff game, each patrolling the sideline of the other's rival high school, barking out instructions, probably while stomping a foot. Maybe one team will run a swing-flex offense, and the other a high-low motion. One will press full-court and the other will play a sagging match-up zone. They will hug and talk before the game, remembering old times, but rest assured, it won't be the first time they will have spoken since graduation.
"I've felt more of a family than I thought I would. I thought I would make friends and stuff, but we have always had a family environment on the team, even more than I expected. They are my best friends," says Lacie.
"They have all become my closest friends, and we've just been through a lot together and I'm sure that we will all stay in touch," says Jordi.
"I think I'll keep in touch with all of them," adds Lacie.
What about Jordi?
"Oh, for sure Jordi," says Lacie.
In addition to being roommates for the last four years, the duo has spent countless hours practicing against each other, lifting weights together, traveling with each other in the close, friendly confines of a charter bus, not to mention competing alongside each other in over 110 games.
It makes perfect sense that they often find themselves firmly-planted on common ground – so much so they can almost finish each other's sentences.
Best arena and/or atmosphere you played in during your career?
"When we played at Georgia my freshman year because growing up living in Georgia – that's like the biggest deal," says Lacie.
"Georgia – that was pretty cool," says Jordi.
How about in the Southern Conference other than Hanner Fieldhouse?
"I like playing at Chatt because of the environment," says Lacie.
"I like playing at Chatt the best because I always have lots of family there," says Jordi.
Lacie, what's your pet peeve about living with Jordi and what would she say hers is about living with you?
"I like stuff clean but she likes everything to be in its little place, and it probably gets on her nerves that all my stuff isn't in its perfect place," says Lacie.
Jordi, same question.
"She probably gets mad because I'm a little OCD, like a perfectionist, and that really bothers her," says Jordi.
Dowling came to Georgia Southern from Nahunta, Ga., a town with a population of just over 1,000, about 36 miles West of Brunswick and the coast. She came to Georgia Southern basketball camps, starting in the eighth grade, and the place grew on her.
Cook is from Tunnel Hill, Ga., a town with a population just under 900, on the complete opposite side of the state, just 24 miles from Chattanooga, Tenn. Her cousin, Stacy Childers, played for the Eagles from 1993-95 and encouraged her to give Georgia Southern a shot.
Dowling and Cook had never met before arriving on campus for classes the summer before their freshman year and found themselves roommates when they reported to campus in the fall.
"I think the coaches knew from recruiting us that we were similar so they put us together," says Lacie.
Dowling is the point guard, the facilitator, who earned a spot in the starting lineup this season.
"My role is to direct everyone. Keep my head and make sure offensively and defensively, everybody is where they are supposed to be and maybe score some here and there," says Lacie.
Cook is one of three team captains, chosen to be a leader both on and off the court. She is the spark off the bench, a shooter and a real student of the game who rarely makes mental mistakes.
"I try to stay positive and keep everybody up and together and I try to be energetic and always know what I'm doing so I can help my teammates if they have questions," says Jordi.
They are two of five Eagles who will be playing their final home games in Hanner Fieldhouse this weekend, joining fellow seniors Brittney Benzio, MiMi DuBose and Danielle Spencer. The group will be introduced and honored prior to tipoff at Saturday's game against Appalachian State at 4:30 p.m. They play their final home game Monday at 7 p.m. against Western Carolina.
What will the emotions be like this Saturday?
"I'll have mixed emotions – I feel like we've put in a lot and I'm happy that we made it but also I'll miss it for sure," says Lacie.
"I feel it's more of like an exciting time, like we've been through it all together and we finally made it. It's more happy rather than sad," says Jordi.
Their four years at Georgia Southern have seen their ups and downs. Eventful, says Lacie. Busy, says Jordi. But the difficult times that inevitably come with playing Division I Basketball for four years have not soured them on the game.
Where will you be five years from now?
"I see myself coaching a high school basketball team somewhere in Georgia," says Lacie.
"Back at home teaching elementary school and hopefully coaching my high school team," says Jordi.
Maybe sometime in the future, they will meet again, in a Georgia state playoff game, each patrolling the sideline of the other's rival high school, barking out instructions, probably while stomping a foot. Maybe one team will run a swing-flex offense, and the other a high-low motion. One will press full-court and the other will play a sagging match-up zone. They will hug and talk before the game, remembering old times, but rest assured, it won't be the first time they will have spoken since graduation.
"I've felt more of a family than I thought I would. I thought I would make friends and stuff, but we have always had a family environment on the team, even more than I expected. They are my best friends," says Lacie.
"They have all become my closest friends, and we've just been through a lot together and I'm sure that we will all stay in touch," says Jordi.
"I think I'll keep in touch with all of them," adds Lacie.
What about Jordi?
"Oh, for sure Jordi," says Lacie.
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