STARKVILLE — Anna Lea Little began her basketball career as a home-schooled teen-aged youngster.
Starkville Academy coach Glenn Schmidt is very pleased that Little’s family later changed their minds and enrolled her at the school.
In just her second full of season with the Lady Volunteers, Little’s game is beginning to take off. The junior guard leads Starkville Academy with an average of 12.7 points per game. From the field, Little is shooting an amazing 48.8 percent, while hitting 55 percent of her 3-point shots and 80 percent of her foul shots.
This remarkable effort is a big reason why Starkville Academy is 18-3. Her recent play also makes her this week’s Dispatch Prep Player of the Week.
“Her parents came to me her ninth grade year and talked about the possibility of Anna Lee coming to play for us the next year,” Schmidt said. “To be honest with you, I didn’t know that much about her. So I sent a couple of assistant coaches to see her play a game at Winona Christian. We decided that (placing her on the team) was something we needed to do.
“She has turned into quite a ball player.”
Despite being home-schooled, Little was playing with the Starkville Christian School basketball squad. After playing with the Lady Vols the summer after her freshman year, it appeared she was ready to be a big part of the Starkville Academy program moving forward.
“Basketball has always been in my blood,” Little said. “It is something that I have always enjoyed doing. My first two words in life were basketball goal. My family has always liked the sport, so I grew up around it.”
On a very balanced Starkville Academy team, Schmidt has challenged Little to become an even greater part of the Lady Vols’ offense.
“After we got back from a Christmas tournament at Manchester Academy, we called her in and told her we wanted her to double the number of shots she had been taking,” Schmidt said. “Her ball handling skills are very good. She has been passing up some of the shots that we wanted her to take.
“From a defense and rebounding standpoint, she has come a long way. That comes from being a gym rat. She is the type of player who is always in the gym working hard to become a better player.”
Little credits her family for being a big influence on her game. She also credits Coach Schmidt for being able to fine-tune her game.
“My brothers have helped me a whole lot,” Little said. “They are the ones that taught me how to shoot a basketball. My parents have also been a big influence on my athletic career. Then, there is Coach Schmidt. She has helped me take my game to another level.”
Schmidt feels like Little’s work ethic and desire to be perfect is the driving force behind her straight As worksheet in the classroom. She also feels that this boundless energy and commitment level will help her improve her game even more in the year ahead.
“Personally as a fan of basketball and as her coach, I think she has come a long way in two years,” Schmidt said. “You got to consider she hasn’t had the repetitions every day in practice starting with junior high basketball. To see the progress she has made in two years makes me awfully proud.
“She can play forward and guard. She is an over-achieving student, who means a lot to our program.”
Little said her priority will always be school work. The ability to excel in the classroom, is just as rewarding as succeeding on the basketball court. She is also a valuable member of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“School is what is going to get you somewhere in life,” Little said. “I have always enjoyed playing basketball, but that won’t mean anything one day. School is the thing that will get you far. Doing the best in every class is always a top priority.”
As the Lady Volunteers enter the stretch run, Starkville Academy is trying to complete a perfect run through district play. The squad feels like it is beginning to hit its stride with postseason play right around the corner.
“We had a good summer,” Little said. “We knew that could carry over into a good season. We have worked very hard in practice to be the best team we can be. This team has balance and plays together well. If somebody is having an off night, somebody else is there to pick up the slack.
“We have to stay focused and be more aggressive. If we do that, we should be able to finish strong. I really like where we are headed.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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