UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- For basketball enthusiasts around the country at all levels, success is often contingent on having players that can serve as an extension of their coaching and leadership on the floor at all times.
"It's vital to what we do to have that QB or goalie on the court that are directing huddles, commanding their team and pushing our culture," Penn State head coach Carolyn Kieger said. But also understanding what Penn State women's basketball is trying to accomplish and where we're trying to go."
This is especially relevant for Kieger and her Lady Lions this year, given that over 80% of the team, including eight freshmen, did not step onto the court for Penn State last season.
Looking to improve of the squad's 2019-2020 campaign, Kieger's young team actually comprises five upperclassmen, each coming to Penn State after starting their college careers at other schools. Though each of these transfers possess valuable experience, they will have to work just as hard as the freshmen to get acclimated with a new coaching staff in a year distinguished by uncertainty.
Anna Camden
Thus, the bulk of the responsibility to step up as perpetual leaders has fallen on sophomores Anna Camden, Makenna Marisa and Shay Hagans, the only returning members who saw live action while sporting the Blue and White last season.
"I think us three being returners who played last year, we have an understanding of how things are supposed to work and what Penn State's standard is," Camden said. "So, it's definitely our responsibility to help the newbies, whether they're freshmen, grad transfers or whoever it might be."
Throughout her first offseason at the collegiate level, Camden spent much of her time picking Kieger's brain about responding to the adversity they had faced together through gradually constructing a winning culture.
"She's a go-to for me when it comes to keeping this young group together because she's been so willing to help and so invested into putting Penn State above her own needs, wants and wishes," Kieger said. "When you have that, you have a special leader."
The sense of responsibility that Camden feels to drive such positive change constantly lingers over her roommate as well, Makenna Marisa, who has used her own personal experiences and admirable work ethic as a helpful blueprint for the newcomers.
"I'm not perfect, I make mistakes on the court too, and I'm still constantly learning," Marisa said. "But with that experience I have from last year, I feel that It's my responsibility to help the freshmen learn Kieger's style of play and just her systems offensively and defensively."
"She's going to win every sprint and give you her all every single day," Kieger said. "She's always led by example and is learning how to use her voice and hold people accountable to the same standard where she's working every day."
Much like the palpable growth of Marisa, Kieger has also witnessed her young point guard Shay Hagans gradually blossom into a potential floor general.
"Shay's confidence, body language and how she carries herself have come such a drastic way." Kieger said. "In one year, she's probably transformed more than anyone."
"Last year, I used to be shy and sort of let others walk over me sometimes," Hagans said. "But this year, I'm really stepping up and using my voice in a positive way to help lead this team."
In Hagan's case, her evolution as a leader is imperative for the team's development, given that all eight incoming freshmen are guards who will benefit from her ongoing guidance.
"I don't think she thought she was going to be in that leadership position as a sophomore, but Shay wants it and is welcoming it," Kieger said. "She's pushing herself through fatigue and mentoring that young group that I don't think she knew she was ready for."
Kieger, a 2019 Naismith Women's Coach of the Year Award semifinalist, defines leadership in her young program by pushing a constructive culture and embracing "Lion PRIDE": Passion, Respect, Investment, Discipline and Excellence.
But the sophomores haven't just reiterated what their well-spoken coach has preached, either. Rather, Camden, Marisa and Hagans have all taken action by asserting themselves and applying this two-step process to their own lives, in whichever ways they see tangible.
For Camden, much of the work she has done thus far to galvanize a young group has actually taken place off the court, as she stresses the importance of creating strong relationships that can carry over onto the court."
"With such a new team, I've been just doing my best to get to know everyone, so just taking people out to lunch, having one-on-one conversations and really learning about each other so that I can understand them," she said. "I think it starts off the court."
Though Marisa is improving as a leader by letting her voice be heard, she also recognizes that everyday learning processes are not mutually exclusive.
Makenna Marisa
"As a leader, I'm also just trying to learn more and more every day," Marisa said. "I still learn from the freshmen, I learn from (transfers) Kelly [Jekot], [Jonashia} Cash, and what they learned at their previous schools."
As Hagans continues to transcend into a role beyond what she may have expected of her sophomore year, she wants to hold others responsible for the work they're putting in day-in and day-out.
I'm more mature and I think I've stepped up and used my voice more to hold others accountable," Hagans said. "I know what to expect, I know what Kieger wants, and can help her lead the team as a sophomore."
Perhaps what has allowed three sophomores to transition so seamlessly into such important roles has been the close bond that they share, the foundation being the tough times they faced together as first-year players.
"I think everything that we went through last year just kind of solidified a bond and unity between three of us, especially since we were the only three who played and came back," Camden said. "It was like a decision that we were going to take this program where it needs to be and we're just kind of bonded through that indefinitely."
"We're not afraid to hold each other accountable, which is just what comes with being close. That's kind of my hope with the team this year" Marisa said. "That we get close enough to hold each other accountable and tell each other the truth."
Through sharing an apartment in a chaotic year that can also serve as the turning point for their program, Hagans points to the idea that her, Camden Marisa have not just become leaders, but best friends.
"We're very dysfunctional with each other but it's really funny," Hagans said. "We're just able to be ourselves with each other and whenever any of us need anything we've got each other's backs."
"They are my best friends, and when I say sisters I fully mean it," Marisa said. "We're three very very different people but are connected endlessly because of situations we were put in together."
"They got so many valuable minutes as freshmen that I think are going to pay dividends this year, Kieger said. "I really believe they will help us transform this program from coach-led to player-led."