By Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Arkansas and Texas haven't played each other in 12 years, but three of their players made introductions this summer.

Arkansas' Shameka Christon and Texas' Stacy Stephens and Heather Schreiber won gold medals on the USA Basketball Under-21 Young Women's Team.

Coached by Texas Tech's Marsha Sharp, the squad defeated Venezuela (100-40), Argentina (107-70), Puerto Rico (123-50) and Brazil (81-50) July 17-21 in the inaugural Confederation of Pan American Basketball Associations (COPABA) world tournament.

"We hung out and did everything together," Christon said. "We're still going to be friends (after the tournament game). I'm quite sure I'll see them all again this summer when I try out again."

WRIGHT THIS WAY: Lakota West graduate Cara Wright looked at UC and Xavier before making a college commitment to Arkansas.

"I think I wanted to go away (to school). Even though I'm close to my family, it was one of those things where I wanted my independence," Wright said.

Wright's parents live in Bloomington, Ind. Wright's family hasn't had many chances to visit Arkansas, and her sister, Jenay, saw Wright play for the first time collegiately Sunday at Shoemaker.

SWAP MEET: Arkansas has seven players from its own state on its roster, plus Texans Kiesha Beard, Lakishia Harper and Rochelle Vaughn. The Longhorns have 10 Texans on their roster - but none from Arkansas.