Briana Bass

Moore: Take us through a situation like this: season-opening game in early November, on the road against a tough Mooresville squad, down by two with less than 10 seconds to play. You hit a shot to force overtime and eventually led your team to a big win. What's going through your mind in situations like that? Bass: They missed the tail end of a one-and-one at the free throw line, which put us down two. I kept looking at the clock and said to myself, "I refuse to lose." It was up to me to put the team on my back and I took the shot. Before the start of overtime, we were sitting on the bench and Coach (Alan Vickery) was talking to us and I said, "Ladies, we will not will lose this game. We'll leave everything out on the court." Moore: Are you comfortable being the one your coaches and teammates generally turn to in situations like that? Do you want that responsibility? Bass: Yes, I do. I've been playing varsity since my freshmen year; I've been learning every year. I'm finally the senior and the leader of the team and look at it as a challenge. You have to meet that head on. Moore: Does part of that come from having four years of varsity experience - going through the highs and the lows each season - so that by the time you are a senior, you're able to handle those game scenarios patiently and effectively? Bass: My freshman year, it was only me and a bunch of juniors. They showed me the ropes. I took that and I learned from it. Each year, I've learned more and more about being a player and a leader. Last year was more of a learning experience, getting to know a new set of teammates. Now, we're gelling and things are going well. Moore: Speaking of things going well, you've had several highs and lows during your run at NC. Certainly, one of the highs had to be winning state your freshman year. What was your role on that team? What can you look back at now and say you learned? Bass: I've learned how to run a team; how to get others involved - and when to get them involved and knowing the right time. Sitting back and learning early on in my career, I can now pass on what I've learned to the younger players. Moore: On the flip side of that state title experience was the knee injury you sustained just a few games into your sophomore campaign. How hard was it for you to miss all that time and unable to help the team? Bass: It was devastating! I cried all the time because I wanted so badly to be a part of that team. They were seniors, we'd one state the year before and I wanted another chance to play with them. It was a tough time - but my teammates, coaches and parents were there to support me. Moore: But to your credit, you were able to recover from the injury and rejoin the team in time for sectionals. Was the injury, and the fact you wanted to play with that group of seniors, motivating for you during your rehab? Bass: Yes, it certainly was a form of motivation. I went to rehab everyday after school with that in mind. It was a constant pounding and it paid off in the end. Moore: You verbally committed to attend the University of Tennessee and play basketball for Pat Summitt after your sophomore year. What led you to pick the Vols so early in your career? Did you just want to make a decision and then focus on the rest of your high school career? Or was there something about UT that made you say, "That's where I want to go." Bass: It was a little bit of both. Ever since I was younger, I wanted to play for Tennessee. I made the verbal commitment early so I didn't have to be stressed out deciding where I wanted to go, or thinking, "What if this team doesn't look at me?" I just seized the moment, so I could enjoy the rest of my high school career and focus on my team. Moore: Coach Summitt recently compared you to Vols senior standout Shannon Bobbitt, who helped lead UT to the NCAA women's title last spring. How does that make you feel - honored or a little nervous to live up to the expectations? Bass: I'm kind of nervous, but I'm happy that I received such a compliment. I'm ready for the challenge, but I know I have a lot to learn as an incoming freshman. I talk to Shannon a lot, we text each other after games and she tells me a lot about what to expect and that I can ask her anything, if it will help me. So I'm looking forward to the challenge and meeting it head on. Moore: Other than Bobbitt, have you talked with Eric Gordon (2007 Indiana Mr. Basketball, North Central graduate and Indiana University freshman) or your cousin Jason Gardner (1999 Indiana Mr. Basketball, North Central grad and University of Arizona All-American) about the adjustment from high school to college and what to expect next year? Bass: Not really. I talked to Eric, but not about the transition - he just mentioned the constant conditioning (laughs). I never really have talked to my cousin about it, because there's such an age difference between Jason and I. Jason has talked to my dad, told him some things, and then my dad will pass that on to me. Moore: Turning back to the Panthers, what are some goals your have in mind for yourself and the team this season? Obviously, you'd like to finish your career how you started it. Bass: That's the main goal - to win state. As a leader, I have to be able to show people what they have to do. I need to let them know what their role is and how to do their job for us to accomplish what we want, which is another state title. And personally, if I get the opportunity to win Miss Basketball, I would love that honor. Moore: Alright, going back to the beginning of the conversation...do you know a shot is going to fall before you ever take it? Bass: Yes. You can't have any doubt in your mind. You have to see it, believe it and make it happen.