MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women’s basketball team welcomes six newcomers to its lineup for the 2011-12 season.  Over the course of the summer, usajaguars.com is sitting down with each of the incoming players so that fans have an opportunity to get to know each of them off the court.  The third in the series is Breanna Hall, a 5-9 guard from John Horn High School in Mesquite, Texas.

Hall missed most of her senior season after suffering an ankle injury, but returned for the final few games of the season.  As a junior, she averaged 18 points per game and helped John Horn finish with a 30-5 record.  That same season, she led the area in three-pointers made (2.5 per game) and tied a school record at JHHS with eight three-pointers made against Bishop Lynch. 

During her prep career, Hall has earned all-district honors and been selected to several all-tournament teams. She has also been a member to the Texas Top Prospects’ summer team.  Hall was also ranked the 63rd-best player in Texas by Joey Simmons’ Premier Basketball.

Where did you grow up and where do you call home?
“I grew up in Mesquite, Texas right outside of Dallas and I’ve lived there my whole life.”

What led to you decision to play at South Alabama?
“South Alabama has a really good nursing program.  I also like the coaches and I have family in Alabama.  It just seemed like it fit my needs the most.”

What are you majoring in here at South Alabama and what do you are plan on doing after graduation?
“Right now, my major is undecided, but I want to be a nurse.  I’m just not sure which route I want to go down.  I don’t know if I want to do exercise science or just do the pre-nursing all the way.”

How did you decide that you wanted to go into that profession?
“I like kids, so I decided I wanted to be a neonatal nurse.”

Being one of three freshmen on the team, how has the transition from high school to college life been for you so far?
“It’s been a little different.  There’s not someone there always telling you what you have to do, when to do it, or how you’re supposed to do it.  I guess I enjoy the freedom, but I still know my limits and what I have to do.  It’s going pretty well so far.  It’s been a lot to do, but I’ve enjoyed it.”

Has there been any upper classmen or either of the two junior college players coming in with you that you have sought out for advice to help you with the transition?
“I’ve gone to a couple of the upper classmen for some advice, especially Mansa (El).  She has given me advice on basketball, school and other things”. 

With three freshmen on the team have you already started developing a relationship with each other?
“I had actually met Rachel (Cumbo) before I came down here at a tournament that she was playing in, so we exchanged numbers there and we were able to kind of get to know each other before we got down here to South Alabama.  With Amanda, we’ve gotten to know each other some and hang out since we’ve been here.”

What are your goals for the upcoming season – both individually and for the team?
“I would like for us to win the Sun Belt Conference and as far as myself, I want to be a big contributor to that.  I don’t want to just be a freshman that comes in here and waits to get my time later.  I want to do as much as I can, the best I can, the earliest I can.”

Who is your favorite basketball player to watch, college or pro?  What about their game do you like?
“I like Dirk (Nowitzki), but I’m not just saying that because they just won the championship.  I think he is a really good player and that he has really good composure.  I also like (Rajon) Rondo.  Except for his shooting, I like everything else about his game.  The way he can just get to the basket so easily.  Out of the WNBA, I would say Diana Taurasi.  I have liked her game ever since she was at UCONN.”  

Are there any players currently in the Sun Belt Conference that you faced during your high school career in Texas?
“My high school team actually played against Jasmine Godbolt from North Texas.  We faced them in the play offs two years – my freshman and my sophomore seasons.”

What do you believe to be a strength to your game and what do you bring to the team that can help the club accomplish its goals of winning a conference title?
“Primarily, I would say my shooting. I’ve always been a shooter.”

In high school, you averaged nearly three three-pointers a game and once hit eight in a single game.  Did that part of your game come naturally or did you have to work to get to that point?
 “I’ve worked really hard at becoming a good shooter.  My dad actually taught me to shoot when I was little. Since then, it’s just been go to the gym, go to the gym, go to the gym and just do different types of shooting drills.  My senior year, I actually got up to where I was shooting 500 shots a day, so it came with a lot of practice.”

I know that you are relatively new to South Alabama, but what is a routine day for you at USA?
“I wake up and go to early morning work outs  Then rush back home and take a quick shower before heading to my eight o’clock class.  I have two classes from 8-9:55 and 10:20-11:15.  Then I go to study hall for an hour.  If we don’t have open gym, I go home and either do home work or take a nap before going to the cafeteria to get something to eat.  I then go work as a life guard at the student rec, work out or go to rehab.”

Who would you say has had the biggest impact on your life, either as a person or as a player? Why?
“Both of my parents have really helped me.  As a player, my dad really helped me develop into the player that I am today.  Personally, I would have to say my mom.” 

Do you have any other talents other than playing basketball?
“I used to be a swimmer.  I would say that that was my next best sport.  Our relay team came in fifth in the state of Texas when I was going into high school.”

Who was the main assistant coach at USA to recruit you?  Describe your relationship during the recruiting process.
“Coach (Bobby) Brasel was the coach that recruited me out of high school.  He is real nice and kind-hearted.  He’s funny.  I felt comfortable with him.  He made (the recruiting process) really comfortable.  I could talk to him about things.  If I had any questions, I knew I could always call him.  He made it just seem very welcoming.”

What other schools did you have offers from or recruited you?
“I had offers from UTEP, Tulane, SMU and UT-Arlington. Those, along with South Alabama, were the ones I narrowed it down to."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

OFF THE COURT WITH...
Kierra Johnson
Camille Reynolds
Breanna Hall
Rachel Cumbo
Amanda Toliver
Jennifer Johnson