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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 2 89 "I think of things I could have done better," she said. "My mom is always talking, always correcting. She doesn't really tell me what I've done well, it's more about what I need to fix, but that's helped me be the player that I am. "My mom is a great role model, she's always push- ing me to do my best in everything and always go hard, have a big heart for the game. She loves the game more than anyone I've ever met. She influenc- es me." Traylor was great as a freshman, averaging 18.3 points, 5.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals and about two blocks per game, but rather than resting on the good, she sees areas where she could improve. Her outside shot needs refinement, not in its mechanics but in its consistency; last season she made only 21 three-pointers, scoring more in the mid-range and toward the basket. And being a lefty, she's constantly dealing with opponents trying to take that away, facing defenders lining up significantly to her left and forcing her to her right hand. "We've been working on trying to even out her left and right hand and also trying to be a little more consistent with the three-point shot," Cerbone said. "Those are goals for her. But the other thing with that is that teams try to take away her left hand, but honestly, she can still get to the basket with some of the moves she makes with her left hand. I know that will change at the college level, so that's why we're continuing to work with her right hand." The Artesians, who won 15-of-23 games last sea- son with three freshmen in their starting lineup, add another solid rookie this season, in point guard Gra- cie Johnson. The second point will share duties with Traylor and allow her to play off the ball at times this season. "I've always been a point guard," Traylor said. "I like it. I like being in charge, bringing up the ball, calling plays and stuff. But I think it will be a good opportunity to do different things from different po- sitions, so I'm excited about that." Cerbone will use his star in as many ways possible: At the point, off the ball, in the middle of an oppo- nent's zone, and even in the post, where she's work- ing on moves in the paint. Traylor's been working on it all. "I'm in the gym pretty much every day," she said. "My coach (goes) before practice and after practice sometimes, I go in there and get extra shooting with him. He helps me out." Purdue's glad to hear it. Traylor committed to the Boilermakers after a trip to campus Sept. 12, doing so after fielding early offers from Michigan State, Indiana and Minnesota. But her commitment hasn't stopped recruiting letters from arriving, including from Notre Dame. And considering she has two years until signing day for the 2018 class, programs likely will continue to pursue. "It actually feels really good (to be committed)," Traylor said. "I don't regret it at all. That's where I want to be. There's nobody else that compares. Oth- er schools are still sending me stuff, and everybody is saying, 'You could go so much bigger,' but when I went to Purdue I just felt good and it was where I wanted to be. I don't think I'd be happy anywhere else." Cerbone is looking forward to watching her — and helping her — develop over the next few years. "I don't know that I've ever had a player who has a higher ceiling than her," said Cerbone, who has coached 15 years at Martinsville High School. "Hon- estly, she's so good right now, but if she becomes a 35- to 40-percent three-point shooter and equals out right and left on the offensive side, I just don't know how many people are ever going to be that good in this area. I think she could be an Indiana Miss Bas- ketball. "She's really comfortable with Purdue, but I really think before all was said and done, she could have chosen anyone in the country." j