Impressive numbers, but it wasn't easy getting there as the college game took considerable adjustment by Stuttley after the style of basketball she played in high school.
"The (college) game to me is more like AAU," said Stuttley, who is in her second year at Western. "We have a shot clock now and everything is very fast paced. We can't hold the ball; we have to figure out what we want to do in 30 seconds and that was a huge change to get used to."
Stuttley has faced — and overcome — a number of other changes, but a recent one not only impacted her directly, but affected the entire team. Stuttley, who leads the Cavaliers in scoring at 13.1 points per game and is averaging 7.0 rebounds per contest, switched to playing point guard, a position she had never played before. With changes on the Cavaliers' roster, Western needed someone to step up and seize the opportunity, Western coach Chad Dull said. And he knew who would be able to accomplish that.
So far, so good. Today, she will get another chance to run the offense as the Cavaliers (5-10, 1-4 Minnesota College Athletic Conference) battle Ridgerwater (4-8, 0-4) in a MCAC game at Holy Cross.
"Terra is one of the most competitive kids I've ever coached," said Dull, who is in his first season of coaching the Western women. "Her willingness to take on the challenge really shows the team she's a real leader. Playing point (guard) has allowed her to grow as a player and add skill sets that she didn't have before."
The transition to playing a new position would be challenging for anyone, even for an experienced player like Stuttley. But after getting into a groove, she has made it look easy and has excelled in the new role.
"It's honestly not what I expected. Last year to this year has been a complete 180. I wasn't a great ball handler, and I still have room to improve. My team has made it so easy for me," said Stuttley, who is averaging 3.1 assists per game. "They work with me every day and are so patient with me. I'm so thankful."
Besides adjusting to a new, more aggressive style of play, a 30-second clock and a new position, there were other things that came head-first at Stuttley. Western's schedule is filled with games all over Wisconsin and Minnesota, including a trip to the far north, as in International Falls, Minn., which comes with almost seven hours of travel time. Those road trips are a different from traveling to neighboring Mississippi Valley Conference schools for high school games.
"The traveling situation is a win-lose situation. It's fun because we ride with the boys team and it's a good bonding experience to be able to get to know each other. It's different because we watch movies and TV, and then go play. Then all of a sudden they say, 'Okay it's time to go.' It's a part of playing (college basketball), but you get used to it.
"Thankfully we take coach buses," Stuttley said, laughing.
Stuttley, who is undecided on a major, is facing some difficult academic choices on what to do next, but one thing is for certain: She wants to continue playing college basketball. Stuttley may explore a career in dietetics or pediatrics, but her future must include basketball.
A number of colleges, including North Central (Naperville, Ill.), Waldorf (Waverly, Iowa), Alverno College (Milwaukee), and Bethany Lutheran (Mankato, Minn.), have expressed interest in adding Stuttley to their team.
"I'm taking some time to decide; it's a big decision," Stuttley said. "Coach works with me a lot talking to other schools to see where I'd fit and be actually able to play instead of sitting on a bench. I just want to continue my dream of playing basketball."
- Story by: SARAH WAARA sarah.waara@lee.net Jan 27, 2017