Pasco: Responsibility makes Bulldog better

Responsibility makes Bulldog better

By KEVIN KELLY

ZEPHYRHILLS -- When three of her teammates graduated last summer, Natalie West thought about leaving Zephyrhills, too.

The Bulldogs' senior point guard now is glad she didn't.

West's improved play and her ever-present role as the leader of Zephyrhills' girls basketball team have helped the Bulldogs to the Class 4A regional quarterfinals.

"In our program, we always tell our point guards that they have to become coaches on the floor and they have to make decisions," Bulldogs coach Dale Palmer said. "I think she just naturally took to that. She's learned how to do that over the years without alienating anyone. She's matured and finds the right words at the right time."

Zephyrhills has won 14 of its last 16 games and received votes in this week's state poll. The Bulldogs, who started 1-4, host Lake Gibson (17-7) in a Region 2 quarterfinal at 7:30 tonight.

"I can't say like 100 percent, but we've improved a lot," the 18-year-old said. "At first, we didn't have everybody. We weren't all together on the same page. Finally, we just clicked. Our chemistry, we all get along. We all hang out together. We know how to treat everybody."

West averages a team-best 10.4 points per game, shoots 69 percent from the free-throw line and dishes out six assists per game.

"Confidence is everything for shooters," Palmer said. "She takes some interesting shots. She shot a one-hander, a one-legged one-hander in the Hudson game. It went in, but it was a little unorthodox. Scorers don't care. They just get it in the hole. Her shooting has come along as she's shot more. Now she's taking up more of the offense."

Friday, Zephyrhills beat Hudson to win the 4A-7 championship. West scored 17 and 13 points in two district games.

"She sets the tone really for the whole team on both ends, both offensively and defensively," Palmer said. "That's the kind of leadership you need, especially out of a point guard. They have to be gutsy and fearless, and she's got all those kinds of qualities."

Part of West's maturation and ability to lead a team no doubt has come through handling the responsibilities of being a single mother.

She gave birth to her daughter, Laci, in June 1997.

"I just like taking charge because I'm used to being the influence with my daughter," West said. "And I just want to be an influence on the team."

She plans to attend Southeastern College next year, where she hopes to play basketball and study psychology.

West chose psychology because she wants to counsel people like those who helped her three years ago when she was pregnant. Still, if she could change anything about her situation, West insists she would only change the timing.

"It would be better if it was a different part of my life," she said. "But I think it's kept me out of a lot of trouble. It made me so responsible, so I wouldn't change it."

For now, her focus is divided between caring for Laci and taking Zephyrhills as far as she can in the playoffs.

"Every year, I see the court better," she said. "Before, I'd always sit back and give the ball up. Now I'm the captain, the point guard and the leader of the team. If I'm out of the game, I'm hurting the team."