- "I made VWC my top choice because it's not too far from home and not too close, and I felt it would best prepare me for medical school"
- Selected Virginia Wesleyan over Lycoming College, Goucher College, Frostburg State University, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Stevenson University, and Barton College
Career Highs
Points: 30 – (Bridgewater - 1/13/16)
Rebounds: 10 – (at Hollins - 1/9/16)
Assists: 7 – (2x, most recent, at Apprentice - 12/8/16)
Steals: 5 – (3x, most recent, at Emory & Henry - 1/30/16)
Blocks: 2 – (2x, most recent, Randolph - 1/25/16)
Senior (2016-17): Reserve guard for the Marlins that saw significant minutes in each contest, appearing in all 26 games with eight starts… Led the Marlins with 17 points in a win over Washington and Lee on January 18… Tallied 11 points to go with four rebounds in 17 minutes of action against Hollins University on January 14… Contributed eight rebounds and four steals in just nine minutes of action at Salisbury on November 15… Led the team with 20 points and eight rebounds on Senior Day on February 18.
Junior (2015-16): Played in all 26 contests starting in all but one… Scored a career high of 30 points and led the team in most field goals made in conference match-up against Bridgewater College on January 13… Led VWC with 49 steals on the season… Pulled down a career high of 10 rebounds in conference play against Hollins University for her first career double-double as she also posted 12 points… Tallied 111 rebounds, 44 assists, and averaged 10.6 points per game.
Sophomore (2014-15): Played in all 29 games as a sophomore… Scored in double-figures once during the season, posting 12 points against Roanoke College on January 17… Contributed three steals at Washington and Lee University on January 24.
Freshman (2013-14): Played in 23 games, making four starts… Scored a season-best 23 points, hitting 8-of-14 field goal attempts, including 5-of-7 triples, in a 70-68 win over Randolph College… Recorded a season-high six rebounds against Randolph and four steals against Bridgewater College.
Before VWC: Helped Gwynn Park to an 81-18 record in her four years, including a 21-4 mark as a senior… Helped lead Gwynn Park to the 2013 county championship, the 2010 regional championship, and to the 2010 state finals… Averaged 12.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 steals per game as a senior, shot 52% from the field… Scored a career-high 25 points… Also was a cheerleader for three years, helping the Gwynn Park squad to three consecutive county championships… Helped Gwynn Park to a 2013 Grand Champion award at the US Finals Cheerleading and Dance Nationals… Honor roll student throughout high school.
Personal: Daughter of Darlene and Michael Strother… Mom attended Bowie State University… Has one sister, Nicole Tisdale... Criminal justice minor.
Get to Know Crystal
- Enjoys hip hop and rhythm and blues
- A fan of basketball's Carmelo Anthony and the Oklahoma City Thunder, football's Washington Redskins, and Drake
- Favorites include the movie "Bad Boys 2" and the TV series "Law & Order: SVU"
- Self-description in 10 words or less: "I am a Gemini, nice one minute, mean the next"
- My favorite aspect of being an athlete is: "cheering and playing basketball because they are two very different sports requiring different sets of skills"
- The part of my game I've improved the most is: "finishing around the basket and foot speed"
- My personal athletic goal at VWC is: "to become a better overall player. I would like to have an above average number in steals and assists"
- If I could spend a day with a famous person from any time period it would be: "Carmelo Anthony, because as a child I had the biggest crush on him and I looked up to him as an NBA player. He's the reason I like the number 15"
- It's the year 2030 and: "I plan on having a family and pursuing my career in anesthesiology"
- People might be surprised to know: "that I cheered in high school from 10th grade through 12th"
- The most important advice I've received is: "do not put something to do tomorrow that you can do today"
