Bland happy in the South

The former Boardman ace has found another home at North Carolina A&T.

By JOE SCALZO

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

Amber Bland was born in New Orleans, plays college basketball in North Carolina and lives in Houston.

So, despite spending more than 15 years in Boardman, she wasn’t able to avoid picking up a decidedly Southern habit.

She now speaks with a twang.

“I know, I know,” she said, laughing. “I don’t know what happened. Sometimes it comes and sometimes it goes.

“I’ve been down here too long.”

Four years ago, Bland graduated from Boardman as the area’s all-time leading scorer (Ursuline’s Tyra Grant broke that mark) and spent one year at Penn State before transferring to North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C.

After sitting out a season due to NCAA transfer rules, Bland emerged as the team’s best player last season, setting school records in points scored (589), points per game (19.6), field goals attempted (497) and minutes played (1,100) to earn first team Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors.

She’s averaging 14 points and six rebounds per game this season, helping the Aggies to a 7-5 record.

“I love it here,” said Bland, who plays with New Castle High graduate Jaleesa Sams. “It’s kind of a home environment. It kind of reminds me of Boardman that way. I’m really happy.”

Her parents moved to Houston after she graduated and when Bland decided to transfer — she got caught up in the Penn State controversy between junior guard Jen Harris and Coach Rene Portland — they wanted her to attend nearby Baylor. But her friend, Tiffany Williams, convinced her to look at North Carolina A&T and Bland came away impressed.

“I had to make my own decision,” she said.

When asked if she regrets leaving Penn State, Bland paused for several seconds.

“I do,” she said. “I regret leaving my teammates and my friends I had there. I do miss them a lot. But I understand if you play the game right and do your schoolwork, you can get whatever you want and wherever you want to go.”

Bland is majoring in journalism and wants to stay involved with sports, possibly as a sportswriter. She’s on track to graduate next fall and is considering attending graduate school during her final year of eligibility.

She’s also thinking about playing in Italy this summer — “I just want to see Venice,” she said — and wants to stay involved with the game after college.

Bland was also a track standout in high school — many observers, including her coach, Denise Gorski, felt she could have been an Olympic-level heptathlete — but she said she’s left that sport behind.

“Track is definitely out of my system,” said Bland.

“Whenever I see a track, I get hives.”

Bland hasn’t been to Boardman recently but stays in touch with Ursuline High graduate Courtney Davidson, now at Michigan State.

“Courtney keeps threatening me,” she said.

“She wants me to come up and see her. I’ve been trying to get back, but I’ve been caught up with basketball and trying to graduate early.

“I’ll get back eventually.”

She misses more than her friends.

“The Italian food [in North Carolina] is not the same,” said Bland. “I just cook for myself.”

As for Texas, well ...

“I don’t really like Texas,” said Bland.

“I haven’t given it much of a chance, but I don’t like it. I like a small, little area. Texas seems so big.

“Being from Boardman, everyone knows each other. In Houston, you’re your own self.”

Speaking of, Bland has become more independent since leaving Boardman.

“It’s very different,” she said. “It’s kind of awkward because I’m used to my parents [Willie and Maria] being by my side 24-7. But now I’m my own woman and I make my own decisions and I have to be smart about the things I do.

“It’s different, but it’s a good different. In the long run, it’s helping me prepare for the world. I’ve grown a lot since high school.”

And while she hasn’t been to Boardman lately, she thinks about it often.

“I do miss home,” she said.

“I’m not missing the snow, but I miss home. I want to send a message to Boardman High School: I wish them the best of luck and keep playing hard. I love you guys and I love Coach [Ron] Moschella.”