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By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor

Gabrielle Curtis is an athletic 5-foot-8 freshman guard at Cowley College. Curtis led Ganado High School (Ariz.) to its first Class 3A state girls basketball title last season, in which Curtis led the state of Arizona in scoring, as she averaged 24 points per game.

Curtis has seen that total cut in half at Cowley, but is still second on the team in scoring (11.0). She's scored in double figures in 10 games, including four straight. Curtis also leads the Lady Tigers in blocks (16), steals (29) rebounds (63) and assists (27).

Curtis hopes that Cowley is a springboard to an NCAA Division I school.

Q. Last season, you led the state of Arizona in scoring. What was your highest total in a game?

A: "I would say it was 45. It was against a team called Parker."

Q. Ganado High School won every game in Arizona's Class 3A playoffs last season by double digits. What do you think made your team click in the playoffs?

A: "We mainly focused on running up and down the court. We mainly used our speed and our athleticism. And we had a really good connection. So, it made it even more fun."

Q. In the state championship game in Glendale, Ariz., how many people from your town showed up?

A: "Wow! We filled up that place. There were just so many people."

Q. How big was that state championship for the school?

A: "It was really big. The next day, we had a parade...it was at our community. It was pretty good."

Q. Cowley coach Todd Clark told me that when your team was in Dodge City last month, it had dinner at a local restaurant. And he mentioned that you had 25 family members there, which made up more than half the party. Just talk about that experience.

A: "For me to come out here was a big old step for me because I'm used to being home with my family and my friends. They called me a week before they said they were going to come over. At first, I really didn't believe them. Then, showing up at the game, it felt warming. I had a big-old smile. I felt good. I just tried to play my best for them. It's just a good feeling having your family members watching you play."

Q. Whenever you have the ball in your hands, what's your philosophy on offense?

A: "My philosophy on offense...is for the coach to tell me to make a good play or he wants me to drive in or look for an open shot or player."

Q. Why did you ultimately decide on attending Cowley?

A: "The reason why I chose Cowley is because of their academics and their basketball program. The coaches seem nice, and they are nice. I just want to start off at a (smaller) college at first to see what it would be like and how college ball would be."

Q. Which colleges were courting you in high school?

A: "Montana State, Fresno (State), Northern Arizona, Independence, Friends and a couple of community colleges in Phoenix.

A. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

A: "I hope to see myself still playing basketball, and I'm still trying to fulfill my dreams of going on to the WNBA."