Timeout Girls Basketball: Hanover Central’s Blayr Poston closing in on scoring mark

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Hanover Central's Blayr Poston looks for an open teammate while guarded by Boone Grove's Paige Aguilera on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. | Mark Smith~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 21, 2012 8:43AM

Hanover Central girls basketball coach Doug Nelson insists he hasn’t seen too many players like Wildcats point guard Blayr Poston.

Only a junior, Poston is not only quick, but has demonstrated an ability to score and get to the free-throw line consistently.

“She’s one of the best girls high school athletes I’ve ever seen,’’ Nelson said. “From baseline to baseline, she’s very fast. I think her greatest asset is her pure athleticism. She can play with anybody.’’

While Poston’s first love is hoops, she’s pretty darn good at soccer and softball.

According to Nelson, Poston is the only athlete in school history to win a sectional in all three sports she’s competed.

The Wildcats won a sectional title in soccer last fall and in softball last spring. Poston also won a sectional basketball title as a freshman.

“It’s special, it’s really special,’’ Nelson said. “She’s a special kid.’’

With a little less than a third of her junior season remaining, Poston is already closing in on the school’s all-time scoring record.

“It’s something I definitely want to do,’’ said Poston, who should pass former Wildcats standout Melanie Brumbaugh’s school record of 1,165 points sometime early next season.

“I don’t really think, or worry about it,’’ she said. “I’m just going to worry about the games I have now.’’

Poston has averaged 17.1 points, 3.5 assists, 3.1 steals and three rebounds per game so far this season for the Wildcats (11-4).

“I think we’re doing pretty good,’’ she said. “We have a really good team. The way our team gets along is just great. We really don’t have any problems.’’

Poston scored 25 points in a 53-46 loss to Boone Grove in the first round of the Porter County Conference Tournament on Tuesday night.

While she admits the loss was disappointing, she’s looking forward to a Jan. 26 rematch at home with the Wolves.

Poston’s penchant for scoring developed at an early age.

“When I was little, I used to always try and steal the ball any way I could,’’ she said. “I just knew scoring was a big part of the game. If you don’t score, you don’t win. I learned that in fifth grade. I think scoring is the most important part of the game. You have to be aggressive offensively. If you are aggressive, you will score. You can create offense with your defense, too.’’

Poston loves stealing the ball and scoring. In fact, Nelson said she’d often get into foul trouble from reaching in so much.

“Her steals numbers have gone down, but her fouls have gone down, too,’’ Nelson said. “She’s not reaching in as much and getting into foul trouble, so he’s spending more time on the court instead of on the bench next to me as an assistant coach. When she was younger, she thought she had to steal on every possession. We said just play team defense and keep your girl in front of you. Now, she’s patient on defense and offense.’’

With a couple of years of experience, Poston has come to the realization she isn’t responsible for everything that happens on the floor.

“She knows she doesn’t have to do it all herself,’’ Nelson said. “Last season, we kind of stood around and watched Blayr. This year, we have other weapons.’’

The Wildcats have a lot of kids who figure into their success. Players like Kristen Roper, Rylie Singleton, Tiphani Ward, Frankie Turturillo and Emily Blue.

Even though Poston understands her role as a point guard, she definitely has a scorer’s mentality.

“I like to drive and go to the basket,’’ she said. “I’m better at driving than I am at outside shots.’’

If Poston wants to get to the basket, she will.

In fact, she’s averaging just under eight attempts per game from the stripe with 115 free throws attempted (76 made) in 15 games.

“There aren’t too many people around who can guard Blayr one-on-one,’’ Nelson said. “She’s very good at getting to the line. If she wants to go to the hole, she’s going to get there. I’m glad she’s on my team. I wouldn’t want to coach against her. I think her best basketball is ahead of her.’’

Poston said she also hopes a career in law enforcement is ahead of her, too.

While she definitely wants to play hoops at the next level, she’d like to play for a school with a strong Criminal Justice program.

“I want to be a homicide detective,’’ said Poston, whose dad, Dale, is a St. John police officer.

“My dad supports me. He wants me to do whatever I want to do. He wants me to be successful in life and fulfill my dreams.’’

Poston’s interest in law enforcement started as a youngster.

“I think I went to work with my dad in sixth grade,’’ she said. “I remember riding along in the police car with him. He caught someone speeding, chased them down and gave them a ticket. Then, there was a call to someone’s house — like getting an ambulance for a person who was hurt. That day pushed my curiosity a lot more. I started watching police shows. It all made me want to do that for a career.’’

Becoming a homicide detective came from watching Law and Order and NCIS.

“I love puzzles and trying to solve them,’’ Poston said. “I think it would be interesting to figure out every little step along the way. To take every single clue and eventually find the person who committed the crime and put them in jail...I think that would be pretty cool. It would definitely be interesting work.’’