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FRANK PASTORThe Central guard will start her college career in Tampa and dreams of a four-year school and even a shot at the WNBA.
BROOKSVILLE - Sharesa Scott's best memories involve basketball.
Going away to camps. Traveling to high school games. Playing streetball as a child.
She seemed to take a basketball everywhere she went, even working on dribbling before volleyball practice.
"Basketball works (out) a lot of my stress," Scott said. "When I get down on myself, I goplay ball. It's fun for me. I love to be competitive."
The Central senior on Friday ensured she will be able to continue to play competitively for at least another two years by accepting an athletic scholarship to Hillsborough Community College.
Scott made things official in the high school conference room, in front of her family, principal Dennis McGeehan, athletic director John Sedlack, basketball coach Lori Lessley, volleyball coach Jim Jensen, HCC coach Terry Echols and HCC assistant and 2002-2003 Southern Conference Player of the Year Shanette Thomas, whom Scott will try to replace at point guard.
"It's a lot off my chest," said Scott, who made her decision during her senior season and notified the school a few weeks after the season.
Scott, 5 feet 3, a two-time Times' All-Hernando/Citrus first-team selection, made up for a lack of height with toughness, quickness and ballhandling ability.
A four-year varsity player and three-year starter, she helped Central to new heights.
As a senior, Scott led the Bears to their first 20-win season and first playoff berth. They placed second in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, believed to be another program first, and avenged two previous Class 4A, District 7 tournament losses by defeating Lecanto in the semifinals.
Scott was at her best in the 43-31 win, scoring eight of her 12 points during a 26-8 second-quarter run that put the Bears in control.
Echols, who first watched Scott in December, said she was the fastest player he saw in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco or Hernando counties.
"I just was captivated by her speed," Echols said. "Her coach said she was fast, but seeing her in person, it was blazing speed."
Echols said he envisions Scott competing for a starting spot as a freshman.
Last season, Echols took over a program that went 5-22 in 2001-2002 and guided it to a 22-8 record. He said the Hawks' goal for next season is a state championship.
Another objective is exposure. HCC players moved on to Michigan State, Saint Leo and Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga., after last season. Another is looking at North Carolina-Asheville.
Scott plans to study physical education and transfer to a four-year school, possibly South Florida, in two years.
Someday, she would like to play in the WNBA.
"I'm happy for her," Lessley said, "because I knew since Day 1 it was a goal of hers to play after high school and continue to play as long as she can."