Cardinal Points

Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Andrei Popovici Vlad Sophomore Molly Harte, a forward on the women's basketball team, has a knack for pulling down rebounds and is showing leadership qualities.

Molly Harte likes to hang with the boys.

Growing up, she was always competing with her brothers, whether in basketball or life in general.

Harte is a forward for the women's basketball team. A sophomore at 19 years old, she is only in her second season playing college basketball. She often starts, but sometimes comes off the bench because the team has a rotating carousel of forwards.

So far this season she has shined.

Her team has shown improvement over last year, winning two of its first five games. Harte is a large part of the success, averaging 8.2 points per game, while pulling in around 3 offensive rebounds a game. Offensive rebounding is vital to team success because it allows for second chance points.

She was named to the Cardinal Classic all-tournament team after scoring 30 points and pulling down 17 rebounds in two games.

A warrior on court, she is described as dependable and helpful by her teammates. If a problem arises she can be counted on to help correct it, while being a leader by example. Even though she is a young player on the team, she is considered a leader and the team listens.

"It depends on how she is feeling, but she can be loud and authoritative, or she can be sweet and friendly," Shoshana Harris, childhood friend and point guard, said "She will tell you what you were doing wrong and correct it."

Head Coach Cheryl Cole agrees.

Cole has seen Harte grow from a shy girl to an emerging leader in less than two years. Cole said Harte is vital to the team's success because she is not afraid to get physical when going up for a rebound.

"She brings us extra energy and enthusiasm when she bangs around under the hoop for a rebound," Cole said. "She gets a lot out of her talent and provides leadership with her good communication skills."

Harte and Harris grew up together in Troy, NY and played high school basketball with each other. They could be described as best friends, and did what many high school girls do in their free time - go shopping. A lot of their leisure time together was spent roaming the halls of the mall.

Continued...

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