Twelve Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Class AAA state championships, two USA Today national championships and numerous All-Americans are merely a sampling of the honors gleaned by members of the Shelbyville Central girls basketball program.

Kayla Bryant is among the local team's award-winning athletes who chose to continue her hardwood career at the collegiate level, and for Bryant that choice was Lambuth University, the 2007 NAIA national champions.

Kayla Bryant finished sixth in total points scored for Lambuth this season and saw action in all 34 games. (Photo courtesy Lambuth University) [Click to enlarge]

By most accounts, the Eaglette-stamped Bryant -- whose grandfather is local veteran coach Aaron West -- has athleticism pumping through her veins.

"If you know my family, you know sports are a major part of our lives," Bryant said.

As an 8-year-old, Bryant began her basketball career. She said she credits her dad, Mark, and her mom, Gloria West Bryant, who also played for current Middle Tennessee coach Rick Insell during her high school days.

"Both pushed me the hardest because they knew I wanted to play at the college level, and the only way I could have achieved this was hard work outside of team practice," she said. "I remember coming into my freshman year of high school and my momma made me shoot a thousand 3-pointers every week day. It got frustrating, but it helped make me the player I am today."

Insell, who piloted his Eaglettes to an impressive 10 TSSAA state championships and both national titles in 28 seasons, was Bryant's coach during her first two years of high school. After he departed for Middle Tennessee, Bryant finished her career at Shelbyville under coach Lynn Burkey.

"I was coached by two great coaches in high school and not many players can say the same," Bryant said. "I was taught many things about the game and about life, and I still use those things I've been taught today. For example, you can get anything you want by hard work and dedication."

Putting on the blue and gold uniform had always been a goal for Bryant, she said.

"Being an Eaglette really meant something to me," she confirmed. "I took great pride in wearing that jersey, because it was my dream since I saw my aunt, Jennifer West Insell, and so many other ladies wore them (whom) I respected."

Bryant was a part of the 2004 Eaglette squad that brought home a state crown. In '05, she received all-region honors. During her '06 season, she helped lead the Eaglettes to state runner-up status and took home all-district and all-state awards.

Although things seemed to be rolling smoothly for Bryant, she said she hit a bump in the road that would change things forever when she began to develop breathing problems during the preseason conditioning of her senior season as an Eaglette. This setback forced her to make a number of doctor visits, where numerous tests were conducted. At the time, doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong, but they've since shed light on the issue.

"I have vocal cord dysfunction and it's actually not as rare as one might think," Bryant explained. "I still have difficulty from time to time, but it has gotten so much better since last year. I know how to control it now and my coaches and teammates help with that as well."

Lambuth coach Joe Reints has said he thought that Bryant's experience would be a vital attribute to his team.

"We knew Kayla was a very mature and intellectual player coming from the Eaglette program," Reints said. "We knew she would know the game very well and has had exposure to some great coaches during her high school and AAU careers."

Bryant's signature 3-point shots helped guide her to Jackson, but she had much more to offer Reints.

"Her ability to knock down the 28-foot jumper is what got her noticed, but her knowledge of the game, her knowledge of how to win, her humility and her insatiable desire to be great made her a great fit for our program," Reints said.

Bryant's work ethic also stands out among other players.

"Kayla almost always has a smile on her face," Reints continued. "She is one of the most dedicated players we have on our team and will frequently be in the gym outside of practice time working on her game. She is a great teammate and has what appears to be a great relationship with almost every player on this team."

Lambuth was an easy choice for Bryant as well, she said.

"I chose Lambuth University because I know coach Reints is looking to build this program into a program like the Eaglettes' and I believe he's on a good path toward it, (and) I want to be a part of it."

Even with Bryant's experience as an Eaglette, she said she still had to make a few adjustments to her playing.

"The biggest challenge for me this year is just getting used to college and playing at the collegiate level," Bryant said. "I had to learn and comprehend the game at another level, which takes time. I'm still learning things, and I'm sure I'll be learning until I graduate."

Still, the former Eaglette has demonstrated during her freshman campaign that old habits die hard. Earlier this season she netted a career-high 18 points against Allen College and also contributed five 3-pointers against Cumberland University.

Reints said he is impressed with the freshman's ability to adapt so quickly to a new kind of program and expects her to improve her already solid game.

"Kayla is a very smart player and has done a great job of picking up our system this year," Reints said. "We already know that she is a phenomenal shooter, but she is working hard to expand her game to be able to be a bigger threat off the dribble drive."

Bryant said it took her a few months to realize she was a "big girl" with more responsibilities, but she's now used to that fact. Thus, whenever she gets homesick, she said she has familiar friends in two former Cascade High School football players and current Lambuth Eagles, Seth Day and Seth Carter, to keep her company.

"When I miss home, I just hang with them," Bryant said, jokingly.

Tournament time is here, and with it comes added pressures for both the players and coaches, but Bryant said she eagerly accepts this challenge and looks forward to the future while remembering her past.

"I hope to help build the Lambuth program into what the Eaglette program is," said Bryant, whose team returned to the national tournament this season but a 70-67 loss to Vanguard prevented their earning another ring.

Lambuth's season ended with a record of 24-10.

Statistically, Bryant was second on the team in free-throw percentage (81.3) and third in 3-point percentage (42.7).