Grant takes role at rebuilding Penn St.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State’s court leader this year just happens to be its leading returning scorer. It’s up to guard and team captain Tyra Grant to help mesh a host of new talent with the veterans on the rebuilding Lady Lions.

The 5-foot-11 Grant, a former Ms. Basketball who graduated from Ursuline, paced the team last year in points (19.6 per game) and energy level.

“It’s a great plus having her on the court,” freshman guard Alex Bentley said. “Having her as a senior with all the experience, she’s teaching me things that I need to know at the college level. It’s nice to be able to feed off her.”

Once an NCAA tournament staple, the Lady Lions have struggled in recent years, last making the tourney in 2004-05 under longtime coach Rene Portland.

Coquese Washington took over two seasons ago, with the Lady Lions stumbling each year to 18-loss campaigns (11-18 last year). One bright spot from last season is that Penn State finished 6-12 in the Big Ten, two games better than in 2007-08.

Grant will be key for Penn State to have a chance to return to the postseason.

“Tyra has potential to duplicate what she did last year,” Washington said.

“I think [she] should be in contention for player of the year in the conference. I think she has an opportunity and potential to be an All-American.”

Washington said the Lady Lions’ go-to player has to take extra steps in being mentally prepared for games since she will be their opponents’ defensive focus.

Despite the added pressure, Grant is taking the new responsibilities in stride. She said she has taken on some leadership role every year on the team — but is ready to take it to the next level.

“I just take it as it comes, I don’t use that to put more pressure on myself,” Grant said. “I just keep going and keep going.”

The team knows it faces a tough challenge with such a young squad stepping on to the court Friday when Penn State opens at Drexel — including four freshman and three sophomore Lady Lions.

But Grant and Washington hope there is enough progress by season’s end to give Penn State a postseason opportunity.

“That would be dumb to say there won’t be any problems at all,” Grant said.

“We’re a young team and we’re going to take our lumps and we’re going to learn from them and we’re going to progress.”

The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.