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The Courier-Journal: Who started you out in basketball?

Averette: My cousin, Kevin Smiley. I was 5 then and he was 15. I used to follow him around, and he'd take me to Shawnee Park every Sunday, where he'd teach me how to play. He grew to 6 feet 6 and played for Valley. He later played at Allegheny Junior College in Maryland before coming back to Louisville and playing for U of L two years.

C-J: Weren't you one of several Central players who begged coach (Ashley) Franklin to take the Central coaching job three years ago? What did you like about her?

Averette: I've known Coach Franklin since the sixth grade when she was an assistant at Johnson Middle School. My freshman year, she worked for the U of L women's team (breaking down video) and then applied for the job at Central. I really like her. She's a young coach who can relate to the players. She explains everything in detail. She pushes us, but I like that.

C-J: How did you feel about making All-Region and then being voted the No. 1 player this season?

Averette: I was excited, but I want to be that at the end of the season. I'm more of a team player.

C-J: Didn't you recently pass the 1,000-point mark?

Averette: I did that in our first game this year with 23 against Fairdale.

C-J: What type of player are you?

Averette: I like driving to the basket, but I like playing defense better than offense. I play a little point guard and shooting guard. I once hit five threes in a game against Lexington Catholic. I need to work on improving my left hand.

C-J: Central reached the regional semifinals last season and lost to Butler 58-54 in overtime on Dec. 3. What are the chances of your team winning the region?

Averette: We have high hopes. It was a real disappointing loss to Butler (in the region) last year. We lost three seniors off that team but gained four freshmen who all are getting playing time on the varsity. We've got to work on cutting down our turnovers and missed layups and hitting our free throws.

C-J: How did you get interested in anesthesiology?

Averette: I've always wanted to work in the medical field. Pre-med is our magnet at Central.

C-J: Have you had any offers from colleges to play basketball?

Averette: No offers, but I have applied to Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., and Howard University in Washington, D.C. Both have basketball programs.

C-J: How far do you want basketball to take you?

Averette: As far as it can. Pro ball? That would be OK, but I'm not necessarily looking at that. I don't want to coach.

C-J: What do you do in your free time?

Averette: I go to movies. I watch TV, especially "The Golden Years." It's funny. I watch a lot of basketball. I've been to the (KFC) Yum! Center three times already to watch the U of L women play. I really like it there, especially the pictures on the wall of former players and coaches.

-- Bob White

BRIANNA AVERETTE UP CLOSE

School: Central. Year: Senior. Sport: Basketball. Family: Averette lives with her mother, Monra Turner. Student/athlete: Averette's goal is to become an anesthesiologist, and her favorite subject is anatomy. Coach Ashley Franklin: "Brianna knows what she wants to do in life. She wants to make sure basketball takes her as far as she wants to go without losing focus on her academics. She can play at a mid-Division I level in college. She's got everything, the full package. She's shooting the ball better this season, and I like her versatility. We can put her wherever we need her, at point guard or shooting guard. I've even played her in the post before. She understands how to use her body very well, although she's not tall."

http://www.highschoolsports.net/local/lo...-Averette/