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Harding Focused on Winning
Dec. 3, 2002
Courtesy of Blue Devil Weekly, By Ron Ferrell
Watch Duke freshman Lindsey Harding fly up and down the court a few times and you get the idea that basketball has always come pretty easy for her. It's easy to think that attributes such as speed, athletic ability and grace are things that come naturally, and to a certain extent that is true, but those talents have to be developed. Harding had to have the work ethic to make herself into an elite player. Some people have to overcome being short, or slower than others, but Harding has it all and she is eager to do her part for a team she feels is destined for big things.
Harding was one of those players who could do anything in high school and AAU ball. At 5-foot-8, with long arms and tremendous speed and quickness, Harding could beat people off the dribble. She could post up smaller players inside or lock up anyone defensively.
As a four-year starter at Houston's CY-Fair High School, Harding earned just about every All-America honor imaginable. As a senior she averaged 25 points per game, 8.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists. She has the kind of game that reminds you of another Duke player who currently dominates the women's game the way few are able to do.
Harding wanted a challenge when she came to college. She knew she could play, but she didn't care about being the star. Harding wanted to be part of a winner. She grew up watching Tennessee and Connecticut dominate the women's game, but she didn't dream of playing for those schools, she dreamed of beating them for a national championship. Duke was the easy choice when it came time to make her decision.
"I wanted to play for the best," Harding said. "I wanted to have to fight for a position and I wanted to win a championship. That is what I want. If it means playing one minute or 20 minutes, I just want to win. I found what I want here.
"I have never won a championship, not in high school, AAU or anything, but I have worked my butt off and I believe that with Coach G's help we can win. Coach G deserves it and it is her time."
Harding said Duke coach Gail Goestenkors recruited her because of her defensive ability. She said she has always worked hard on defense, but she had a real awakening when she arrived in Durham.
"I have always thought that I worked harder than anyone. I got here and I didn't think I could push myself anymore," Harding said. "But I see Alana (Beard) work and she makes you want to work even harder to keep up with her. She is always diving after balls, working hard and you are like, 'I'm pathetic, I need to do that, too.' She just makes you better, all around.
She makes every game seem so much easier."
Harding said there was a passion on the defensive end that she had never been around before. She loved the intensity, though, and has pushed her effort to match those around her.
"I have never been around great, great players, but Monique (Currie), Alana, Iciss (Tillis) and Sheana (Mosch) are unbelievable. On defense, they make it like it is a fight every time. I have always pressured and everything, but I've never had a full team that makes the offense have to fight to score. No shots are free, all are contested. That has impressed me so much. And you can see where it comes from because from day one, Coach G has talked defense, defense.
"My other coaches have stressed defense, but to be around players that want defense and want it so bad makes a big difference. I thought I played good defense, but here they tell me to play even harder. She really stressed it. Now, I am more comfortable with it, and I will get better."
The offensive end has taken some adjustment too, as Harding has had to learn how to think more like a point guard and a little less like a scorer. A dynamic presence with the ball, Harding has always been able to get a shot just about whenever she wanted one, but the speed, talent level and size of defenders is a cut above in college. In high school she could drive on anyone. Do that in college and you are likely to find a charge or blocked shot waiting on you.
"It is really a shock to take the ball out and go up the floor fast and you look and they are still there, you haven't passed anyone," Harding said.
"There were several people on my AAU team that were really fast. No one could stay with us. I think I have learned a lot about when I can drive and when I can't. There are a lot of things I probably would have done a month ago that I wouldn't do now. I have learned my responsibilities and what I can and cannot do at this level.
"Sometimes I over-pass - make a pass when I should take the shot - but Coach G will call me out in practice and tell me this is what she wants me to do. If it is a shot, make or miss, she says that is what she wants me to do. I just have to make the right decision in the game."
Junior Vicki Krapohl has played a large role in the education and development of Harding. A starter in the final 29 games of last season, Krapohl is more of a prototypical point guard. She takes her shot when available, but the focus is on running the team and getting the ball to scorers like Beard, Tillis and Mosch.
"Vicki helps me out a lot. I am always asking her if I am doing things right. She will let me know and say you're doing this right. She encourages me and tells me how proud she is of me. It is really great learning from her."
The playing time has come quickly for Harding as she has posted more than 25 minutes per game in the first three, second only to Beard. She made her first start against Hampton in the Paradise Jam Tournament at St. Thomas over Thanksgiving.
When Duke played Tennessee in the Jimmy V Classic on Nov. 24 Harding said she had to stop for a moment to take in the whole event. She said she remembered how she always wanted to play against the best and at Duke she is getting to do that.
"When I first started in the seventh or eighth grade I would watch Tennessee play UConn or watch Tennessee win championships. I went to the Final Four in St. Louis just to see Tennessee play. I was like 'Man, these teams are great.' I just thought I would love to go out there and play against Tennessee or UConn. I had to take a second Sunday and I thought, 'Wow, I have made it. I am here at the top level.'"
