After getting her first taste of varsity action as a freshman, Livingston Academy Lady Wildcats girls basketball player Bella Harris said adjusting to the speed of the high school game was her biggest early challenge. Now, a year later, that learning curve has started to pay off.
“It took probably a month or two just to realize that the pace is a lot quicker and everything,” Harris said.
That adjustment has helped Harris step into a bigger role for the Lady Wildcats this season. Entering the final month of her sophomore campaign, she is seeing more time on the floor and contributing more consistently on both ends of the court, averaging increased minutes, points and rebounds compared to her freshman year.
With that expanded role has come a clear focus for improvement. Harris said ball control and decision-making are areas she’s working to sharpen as the season progresses.
Harris said she looks to handle the ball better this season and commit fewer turnovers. Harris said preparation has also been a key part of her growth.
“I’ve just listened,” Harris said. “[We play] very aggressive teams, and so it’ll help us realize what we have coming for us and prepare us.”
Harris said the momentum of games often shifted during her freshman year as she learned on the fly, but those experiences laid the foundation for her confidence now. With Livingston sitting at 10-15 entering the final stretch of the season, Harris said the lessons learned will continue to show.
“I’m feeling good about this season,” Harris said. “I think that [it’s been] a learning season, that we’ll grow throughout the season.”
As the Lady Wildcats push toward the finish line, Harris’ development has mirrored the team’s mindset: Learning, adjusting and building for what is ahead.
