This is the fifth in a series of interviews with Morgan State senior student-athletes to celebrate their accomplishments and honor their service and dedication with a Senior Spotlight.
The NCAA canceled all winter and spring sports for the remainder of the academic calendar year. In response to the cancellation of the annual athletics banquet, this would give our senior student-athletes a sense of accomplishment and closure.
The fifth student-athlete is senior forward Dezyree Morales. A native of Hartford, Conn., Dezyree was a two-year member on the Lady Bears after transferring to Morgan State as a junior.
In her final collegiate contest, Morales shot a perfect 2-for-2 from the floor, finishing with four points to help Morgan State to a 64-63 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) quarterfinal victory over Delaware State (3/12). The victory sent third-seeded Morgan State to its first MEAC semifinal appearance since 2006-07.
However, due to the current climate surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Delaware State game would not only be the final contest of the tournament, but the final NCAA Division I college basketball game played for the 2019-20 season.
"Dezyree was an all-around player who had a willingness to stick her head in there and take the hard punches that other teams were giving," said Morgan State head women's basketball coach Ed Davis. She was one of our top defensive players in terms of the willingness to sacrifice her body for a win. You don't have a lot of kids like that. She's one that will always stand out in our program because without what she did, we would not have been successful."
Morales discussed her time academically and athletically at Morgan State.
Questions are in bold, and are followed by Morales' responses.
Q: What was the rollercoaster emotion of defeating Delaware State to advance to the MEAC semifinals, then being told the tournament and season was being cut short due to the coronavirus?
A: At first, I was proud of my team and so excited to move on to the next round. When they told us that the MEAC canceled the rest of the tournament, I was in shock. It made me a little sad because I knew we would've won it all. The ring would've been ours.
It's a wrap from the Norfolk Scope Arena in what is believed to be the last game played in America, as the Morgan State🐻🏀 have defeated @DSUwbb🐝 6️⃣4️⃣-6️⃣3️⃣ in the MEAC Quarterfinal.#TheMorganWay#MEACWBB#ThreeStripeLife #GoBears🔶🔷
— Morgan State Bears (@MorganStBears) March 12, 2020
Q: How did you first find out that the spring semester would end as we traditionally know it due to the coronavirus? And what was your reaction?
A: I found out around a week later after the tournament. I was in shock because of that too. I was like "oh man it's getting real now". I actually thought all of this would blow over to be honest.
Q: What are you doing in the meantime? Are you still in the Baltimore area or did you make it back home?
A: I'll just be doing the same thing I did at school at home. I went home for Spring Break but then it turned out being this way. I'm just cherishing the moments with my family. I don't see them a lot because I'm always away at school. So, it's actually been really fun at home.
Q: While you at least got to complete the regular season, what are some memorable highlight(s), accomplishments from the season?
A: An accomplishment for me would be that I had the most charges (taken) in the MEAC. For the team, we were picked to finish in seventh-place and we ended up finishing second.
Q: What was your time at Morgan State like both athletically and academically?
A: Athletically it was a learning experience and it was fun too. I got to travel statewide and visit Puerto Rico where part of my family is from. Academically it was a lot of work but I learned a lot this year. I'm not a person who talks much, but Morgan has pushed me to speak more and ask more questions.
Q: The team was picked to finish 7th and you finished tied for 2nd. How would you describe this season and how should this team be remembered?
A: This season was definitely a message sent to everybody in the MEAC that we are THAT TEAM that will play anybody hard. We should be remembered as the team who always played with heart and took every game personally.
Q: As a departing senior, how would you like to be remembered?
A: I may not be the leading scorer or leading rebounder but I always left my heart on the floor no matter what was going on. I always supported my team whether I was on the court or on the bench. I love to see my sisters eat on the court!
The Morgan State Lady🐻🏀 close out the regular season with 'Senior Night' this Thursday against @NorfolkStateWBB🗡 in a battle for MEAC runner-up and the No.2️⃣ seed. Read🆙👉https://t.co/ddcFNlg0xF#TheMorganWay #MEACWBB#ThreeStripeLife #GoBears🔶🔷
— Morgan State Bears (@MorganStBears) March 5, 2020
Q: How do you feel the coronavirus will affect the team heading into the 2020-21 season?
A: I think the team will be fine. I think they will be fired up given that we were robbed of our ring this year due to the coronavirus.
Q: What are your thoughts regarding the University's response to the coronavirus?
A: I think they are doing a good job in refunding the students eligible for the refund. Going into the future, if they are still enforcing live lectures then I'd suggest that they supply ChromeBooks with a hotspot because not everybody has internet.
Q: How has your family been impacted? And thoughts regarding the limited travel on airlines etc.?
A: Glory to God none of us have been infected by COVID-19. But we still have to work from home. My mom (nursing program), brother (high school) and I are all graduating seniors and we won't be walking the stage. I agree on the limited traveling because traveling puts people at a very high risk.
Q: How has the online/virtual learning been going so far? Any advantages or challenges?
A: It's been easier in some classes and harder in others. It really depends on the course and professors. I left all of my school materials in my dorm and I'm not able to get a ride back there right now because I live like 6 hours away. So, my professor had to reduce my assignment. Also, not all professors do live lectures and it's hard to get a hold of them.
Q: What's your message for fellow Morganites while they're away from campus during this pandemic?
A: STAY SAFE and practice self-care. Also, it's easy to slack when you're not used to being at home a lot so just stay on top of your studies.
#MORGvsNORF #MEAC #SeniorNight#GoBears 🔷🔶 pic.twitter.com/la6FPReT4o
— Morgan State Bears (@MorganStBears) March 5, 2020
Q: What are some of the things you will miss about Morgan?
A: I'll miss the HBCU environment. At the games, I'll miss the fans, the bands, the tumbling cheerleaders. All the concerts, day parties, etc. will be missed.
Previous Senior Spotlights
Roi Wallace
Stanley Davis
Diamond Hunter
DeAndre Harris
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Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 126 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
