March 14, 2002: Heather Cusick - Women's Basketball
3/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
When head women's basketball coach Maria Fantanarosa saw 2002 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Heather Cusick playing for the first time at a camp in Terre Haute, Ind., she knew right away that there was something special about the 5-foot-8 guard.
"The thing that really caught my eye was how scrappy and competitive she was," Fantanarosa said. "She wasn't the quickest player on the court, but she got her hands on everything."
After observing the Kokomo, Ind., standout's ability to both get to the basket and hit the long-range shot, Fantanarosa leaned to a friend, who also was a college coach, and remarked, "Well, there's only one player on this court."
Following a nervous chuckle, the coach turned back to Fantanarosa and confessed, "I was hoping you didn't spot her."
Fortunately for Fantanarosa and the Miami program she was in her second month of rebuilding, her eye for talent was right on the money. The feisty Cusick, who was just entering her senior year at Kokomo High School, was a diamond in the rough that was destined to become a cornerstone in Fantanarosa's rebuilding efforts.
"When I think back on that, it's one of those player stories where no one was going to spot her if they were looking for flashy play, but, if you liked that scrappy, blue-collar attitude, you were going to find a sleeper in her."
That sleeper, who recently finished her junior season, has awoken at Miami over the past three seasons, playing in all 87 games of her college career while making a remarkable 84 straight starts as the RedHawk point guard. Not only has Cusick demonstrated remarkable endurance while averaging more than 34 minutes a game during her career, the point guard also has shown remarkable effectiveness while putting herself easily on pace to rank among Miami's career Top 10 in 10 major statistical categories.
The only Miami player ever to earn all-Mid American Conference recognition in each of her first three seasons, Cusick, also has made an enormous impact in the areas that do not show up on the stat sheets. A two-time team captain, Cusick's ability to inspire her teammates on and off the floor with tremendous displays of heart and determination have allowed the program to reel off back-to-back second-place MAC East Division finishes as well as consecutive appearances in the MAC Tournament.
And what does Miami's second MAC Player of the Year have to say about the almost mind boggling list of accomplishments she's assembled in just three years at Miami?
"I just came in wanting to contribute to the team, and that's how it worked out."
Did I mention she's rather modest?
Perhaps such a humble answer is what should be expected from a young woman who has grown up surrounded by sports. The daughter of a football coach and sister of a three-sport standout, the principles of competitive drive and team play were engrained in Cusick at a young age. Though she doesn't recall when she first picked up a basketball, this prototypical Hoosier grew up looking for a game.
"I was always out playing with the boys, but my parents never discouraged it," Cusick said. "I was just very active and loved to be outside. I don't remember anyone actually teaching me how to play. I just had a lot of energy and wanted to have fun."
Regardless, Cusick was playing organized basketball by the time she was in the fifth grade and was soon off to a brilliant prep and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) career. She helped her Indiana's Finest AAU team to a national championship in the 15-and-under age group and would finish her AAU career with five consecutive state titles. Cusick also earned AAU All-America recognition after leading her Mohr Magic team to the national tournament following her senior season.
As a high school standout, Cusick transferred from Taylor High School to Kokomo when her father changed jobs prior to her junior season. During her senior season, she helped lead Kokomo to the state semifinals while averaging 17.9 points per game, totaling 177 rebounds, 121 assists and 107 steals and earning Indiana All-Star plaudits.
Though recruited by Fantanarosa mainly as an off-guard, Cusick's natural leadership abilities and desire to have the ball in her hands were quick to show through. By the fourth game of Cusick's collegiate career, Fantanarosa had seen all she needed to see and handed the reins to the future of her program.
"She was ready for it," Fantanarosa said. "She came in, and, even though she made mistakes, the majority of her mistakes were a combination of learning the system and her own frustrations. Any time you're the point guard with a new team, it's not just a matter of your ability and doing things correctly, it's largely about team chemistry."
Though struggling to stay patient while learning a new team that was simultaneously trying to absorb Fantanarosa's new system, Cusick was able to find remarkable success during her freshman season, breaking Miami freshman records for assists (133) and 3-point field goals (44). A dual honorable-mention all-MAC and freshman all-MAC honoree, Cusick ranked among the MAC's Top 10 in both assists and steals while leading the RedHawks to the MAC Quarterfinals.
"I still remember the first game I started," recalls Cusick. "I was nervous. The college atmosphere was a whole new environment for me. Fortunately, I was comfortable with the players that surrounded me and was able to relax and learn patience."
As solid as she had been during her freshman campaign, Cusick found a new level as a sophomore. Breaking the sophomore records for assists (155) and 3-point field goals (62), while leading the Red and White to the MAC Semifinals and, once again, earning honorable mention all-MAC status. She dropped a career high 27 points on Kent State in the semifinal game, but the RedHawks came up two wins short of what could have been their first MAC Tournament title since 1982.
Cusick's junior season was the stuff legends are made of. Along with becoming just the second Miami player to lead the league in scoring, Cusick led the MAC in steals and ranked second in assists and 3-point field goals. The junior also broke Miami single-season records with 168 assists and 73 3-point field goals and tied the RedHawk scoring record at 524 points. She was the first Miami player to earn first-team all-MAC plaudits since Monica Niemann in 1995 and the first MAC Player of the Year from Miami since 1983.
"She is my extension on the court," Fantanarosa said. "Changing offensive and defensive calls, instilling confidence in her teammates and leading by example are all things I expect from her. During a game, the team often mirrors the emotions, attitudes and competitive drive of the point guard. Heather has accepted that responsibility."
Though Fantanarosa sometimes frets that her point guard, who always plays with her heart on her sleeve, is trying to do too much and develop too rapidly, Cusick's experience and maturity are clearly reflected in what she's learned about the point guard position over the past two seasons.
"I've learned that you really have to let the game come to you," Cusick said. "The game usually dictates whether I need to be a passer or a scorer, and I just try to go in with an open mind and do what I need to help the team."
Another key to feeling comfortable on the court for Cusick is preparation. With the responsibility of relaying the game plan from Fantanarosa to her teammates, Miami's point guard is well aware that hard work on the practice court translates into gameday success. This has been especially apparent in tight games where Cusick has been called upon to make the big shot. Three times in the last two seasons, Cusick has sent games into overtime or snatched victory with last-second shots, including a remarkable off-balance 3-point field goal that sent the RedHawks into overtime and an eventual victory at WNIT participant Valparaiso on Nov. 28.
"Any player who wants to have an impact on a game wants to have the ball during the critical and pressure situations," Cusick said. "I'm that type of player. I feel like if I do what I'm supposed to in practice and work hard every day, that it's not really a pressure situation at all."
With that attitude, it's evident why Fantanarosa wants Cusick quarterbacking her team on the floor. According to the Miami mentor, her once-upon-a-time diamond in the rough has evolved into just the special type of player she envisioned on that July day in Terre Haute, Ind.
"If Heather had the opportunity to play a more glamorous position, she'd still want to play point guard. She may not get as much of the attention or glory, but the little things she does makes us what we are as a team."
