By Michael Adams 
Austin Sports Journal 

Expectations for the Anderson Trojans women’s basketball team going into the season were not high. 

The Trojans have a new head coach and four freshmen on their roster, including guards Lucy Swanson, Mya Counter and Mei Space. 

There have been some growing pains, but Anderson (14-11, 7-1 District 24-5A) has emerged as one of the front-runners for the district championship. 

The nucleus of the Trojans’ is senior Brooke Fuller, who leads the team with 11.6 points and 2.5 steals per game.  Fuller’s leadership has been the difference for a team that started the season 2-7. 

“I think giving her the opportunity to lead in a way that is comfortable for her has been a big difference,” coach Courter said. “We talked about types of leadership and how that can look. We are different. I’m very loud; Brooke is not. So, I think that allows her to be herself, and that’s leading by example.” 

Anderson’s freshmen have had to grow up fast, and Fuller’s leadership has helped ease the growing pains. 

The Trojans played a difficult non-district schedule that included Houston Stratford, Boerne Champion, Round Rock, Austin High, and Bastrop. 

“It’s probably taken the whole season to get everyone in sync and where we are at this point,” coach Counter said last week after Anderson’s win over Bastrop. “Coming to varsity for freshmen is a big change, from the speed of the game to learning the strengths of their teammates, to understanding their roles.” 

Fuller has a natural love of basketball that her teammates feed off. 

It started back when Fuller was in elementary school, where the speed of the game drew her to basketball at a young age. Her father, who played basketball in college, also played a big role in her falling in love with the sport. 

“He’s the reason I wanted to play basketball and why I want to play in college,” she said. “I just love everything about basketball… I’m a competitive person, so basketball is a natural fit.” 

Fuller has achieved her goal of playing college basketball. She signed with Dakota State University in November and will still have the Trojans name on her jersey, just in different colors. 

With that goal already accomplished, Fuller has another goal she’d like to achieve before her playing days at Anderson are over – win a district championship and make a playoff run. 

A tough non-district schedule, mixed with Fuller and her fellow seniors’ experience playing in very competitive District 26-6A the past two seasons, could equal success come the playoffs. 

“The girls that were on the team last year got to see high-level 6A basketball playing Westlake, Bowie, Lake Travis, and Austin High,” Fuller said. “Knowing we were able to play with them got us ready for 5A, and I think that has translated into more confidence this season against 5A competition.” 

That confidence could come in handy for the playoffs, which are right around the corner.