Italee Lucas: Parting wish

Senior seeks to end prep hoops career on a high note

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Italee Lucas has reached just about every milestone a prep basketball player could ever hope to attain.

Except one.

The Centennial High School senior, who has generated national attention since her freshman year, wants to end her prep career on the ultimate high note.

"I'd like to go out with the championship," said the 5-foot-8 Lucas, whose team fell just short of a fifth consecutive state title last year. "We won it my freshman and sophomore years. I know what it feels like to win it, and I want to finish with one more as a senior. I want to go out with a bang."

Lucas' whole career has been a bang.

The explosive point guard entered the 2006-07 season with 1,930 points, 406 rebounds and 349 steals over three varsity seasons.

She hasn't let up a bit this year as she leads the Bulldogs with 23.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

Bulldogs coach Karen Weitz is cautiously optimistic that her team can fulfill Lucas' final high school wish, but she warned that no one player can single-handedly carry her team to a championship.

"Italee is going to be instrumental as long as she keeps things in perspective," said Weitz, who returned to Centennial this season after leaving for a year to coach college ball. "She's going to need her team. When she has balanced stats -- balanced scoring, rebounds and assists -- that's a good game for Italee."

Lucas put up big numbers during Weitz's absence last year, but she agrees that another state crown will require more teamwork.

"I feel more comfortable now," said Lucas, who spent last summer as a member of the USA Basketball Women's U18 National Team. "I know I don't have to do everything. I have teammates who can help."

Lucas will continue to have qualified teammates for at least four more years as the highly recruited guard has signed to play at North Carolina starting next year.

Though she could have played just about anywhere, she had her reasons for choosing to become a Tar Heel.

"I like soccer and that's where (former U.S. Olympian) Mia Hamm played," said Lucas, who has professional aspirations. "And they have a good program. I went out there and I loved it."

Weitz has sent countless players to the college ranks, but she feels Lucas could be the most promising ever to leave Centennial.

"Italee has the ability to see the floor and handle the ball," said the coach, who noted that her standout guard has an unstoppable work ethic. "I know she can mentally perform at that level. A lot of kids think they can do that, but they can't."