Bradshaw matures into leader role at Notre Dame

Allyson Bradshaw shied away from a leadership role on Notre Dame's 2008-09 girls basketball team.

This season the 5-foot-7 junior point guard has embraced the role, and it's made all the difference.

"Allyson has really stepped up to a leadership role," Notre Dame coach Renee Peters said. "She's gifted and a strong athlete. When you look at her you see someone who wants to make her teammates better and who wants to win."

Peters said the biggest difference is the more active role Bradshaw takes.

"This year she's asking questions," Peters said. "She's not complacent with me just telling her what to do. She wants to know why and understand why. She may not be the most vocal on the court ... Inside she's a sweet little girl, but on the outside she's a beast. She studies the game and knows the game so well."

And even in the role of point guard, Bradshaw is the top scorer for the Bulldogs, who have compiled a 25-4 record and are ranked second in Class 4.

Notre Dame will be making its first final four appearance since 2003 when it faces St. Dominic at 3:20 p.m. Friday in a state semifinal in Columbia, Mo.

Bradshaw has become a fixture at guard since moving into the starting lineup late in her freshman season. She started last season but admits she wasn't ready for a leadership role.

"I knew I'd have to step up and be a leader this year," Bradshaw said. "Last year I felt like since I was an underclassman I couldn't be a leader being so young. This year I had to pick it up. I have to make everybody better."

Her teammates have taken notice as well.

"As a junior she's stepped up for this team," senior forward Jane Morrill said. "She's a team leader. I don't even consider her a junior anymore because she's increased her game so much. It helps a lot."

Bradshaw has blossomed in her new role as her numbers have increased on all fronts. She leads the Bulldogs with 14.9 points, 4.6 assists and 2.7 steals a game after averaging 11 points, 3 assists and 2 steals as a sophomore.

"Last year she had the tools," Peters said. "This year she has the tools and the confidence. This year she sees the open posts, she's penetrating more. She's the quarterback of the floor; she's making sure everything is set up. She manipulates the offense and is an outstanding shooter."

Bradshaw is shooting 53 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. And she is as adept at penetrating with the dribble as she is shooting a jumper. Her versatility as both a scorer and play-maker already has brought her all-conference and all-district honors.

Bradshaw credits her work over the summer to her success.

"I played some summer ball," Bradshaw said. "I went to training and worked hard on shooting."

Bradshaw said her father is the one who originally turned her onto the game.

"We'd go out in the driveway and shoot around and play," Bradshaw said. "He's the one that asked if I wanted to play traveling."

But basketball isn't the only sport the junior excels in.

Bradshaw played an important role on Notre Dame's volleyball team, which finished fourth in Class 3 in the fall. She also starts for the girls soccer team.

"[Basketball[']s] my favorite," Bradshaw said. "I've played it the most, that's for sure."

Why basketball?

"The team chemistry," Bradshaw said. "We're all like best friends."

Bradshaw plays a vital part in that chemistry. While she looks to be all business on the court, Bradshaw has another side away from the spotlight.

"On the court she's serious," teammate Brooke Bohnert said. "In the locker room she's hilarious, very crazy. She jokes all the time and makes the whole team laugh."

Morrill added, "She's a lot of fun to be around."

From the stands, fans only might see the intensity of a competitor.

"On the court you can't be silly," Bradshaw said. "You'll probably start messing up and throwing the ball away. In practice it's still serious, but a little less intense."

Jokes aside, Bradshaw is looking forward to playing on the biggest stage.

"It's really exciting," she said. "We've never made it this far. This is where we want to be; this trip couldn't be more exciting."

Peters knows a major part of her team's success rest in her point guard's hands.

"She has to continue doing the same thing she's done all season," Peters said. "Take care of the ball and hit shots. She's our leader in transition. It sounds like a tall order, but she's been doing it all season."