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 the incoming players so that fans have an opportunity to get to know each of them off the court.  The fifth in the series is Amanda Toliver, a 5-5 guard from Minor High School in Birmingham, Ala.

The four-year letterwinner for the Tigers averaged 10.5 points and six rebounds a game as a senior, while also carding a 4:1 assists/turnover ratio.  She also helped the Tigers finish with a 29-5 record and advance to the state tournament.  This past spring, she was selected to participate at the annual Alabama/Mississippi All-Star game.  With her signing, Toliver became the first women’s basketball player at Minor to receive a Division I scholarship

As a junior, Toliver averaged 13.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game and led the Minor to a 24-6 record a year after helping the Tigers reach the Sweet 16 of the state tournament and finish with a 25-6 overall mark. 

You lettered at Minor High School in Birmingham, Ala., for four years.  Have you always lived in Alabama?
“No.  Actually I was born in Los Angeles, Calif., and then we moved to Birmingham my sixth-grade year.”

How does living in Alabama differ from California?
“Life in California is much faster.  Most of the things that we do in Alabama aren’t as fast-paced.”

What factors led to your decision sign with South Alabama?
“I can tell you this.  I’m the type of person that wants to go play at a place where I feel like it’s my family.  When I came on my visit here, they made me feel like I was in a family.”

What are you majoring in here at South Alabama and what do you are plan on doing after graduation?
“I’m going to major in exercise science and I want to coach when I get my degree. I would like to start off at a lower level so that I can get the experience of leading and work my way up.  Maybe even become a coach of a WNBA team one day.”

How long have you known that you wanted to do that as a career?
“I’ve always known.  I was at least five or six when I began watching Lisa Leslie of the L.A. Sparks run up and down the court and wanting to coach a player like that who is so powerful and just wants to do what it takes to get better.”

Being one of three freshmen on the team, how has the transition from high school to college life been for you so far?
“Actually my AAU coach, Marvely Nettles, played at the University of Alabama, so she had already had us on a college-like schedule.  She worked us as if we were in college already, so I have learned some new things, but I had already had a taste of it during my summer years playing basketball.”

You had the experience from your AAU playing time.  Have there been any upper classmen you that you have sought out for advice to help you with the transition? How have they helped you?
“There have been three – Sarda Peterson, “C.C” Kennon and Taylor Ammons.  Taylor is always making sure that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.  She makes sure that I never underestimate myself.  Sarda pushes me to get better on the court and C.C. is like my big sister.”

With all three incoming freshmen already on campus, how have you three’s relationship developed?
“All three of us have really gotten along well with each other.  I have the same classes was Rachel (Cumbo), so we are together a majority of the day on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I stay above Bre (Breanna Hall) in our dorm, so I see her all the time.”

What are your goals for the upcoming season – both individually and for the team?
“As far as the team, I would like for us to win the Sun Belt and play in the NCAA tournament.  As an individual, I would like to become a more complete player.”

Some incoming freshmen like to ease their way into their college careers and some like to come in and make an immediate impact.  Which type would you say that you are?
“I want to be a strong player, whether it is coming off the bench or if I start.  I want to be the type of player who gives the team a spark.” 

Who is your favorite basketball player to watch, college or pro?  What about their game do you like?
“I’m a Lakers fan so Kobe Bryant is my favorite NBA player.  I like it when he just feels like he can score on anybody.  On the women’s side, I would say Ivory Latta (former North Carolina point guard and WNBA player).  I like her because she is so little and people underestimate her.  She can just get inside and really rebound.  That is one thing I love to do.  Her small size and her ability to get a rebound says a lot about her game.”

When you signed to play here at South Alabama back during the fall, your high school coach mentioned that a strength of yours was your basketball IQ.  How does that help you when you are out on the court and what would you say are some other strengths of your game?
“I would say that a couple strengths of my game are my ability to get to the rim and being a leader on the floor.  I feel that I am both a vocal and a lead by example type of player.  I would probably say that I am more vocal though.  I can see things on the floor before they happen, so I can tell and show my teammates where I want them to go and where they need to be at before it happens.”

I know that you are relatively new to South Alabama, but what is a routine day for you at USA?
“Well, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, I wake up at six in the morning.  On Wednesday, I go to study hall right after our work outs. If we have a pickup game, that is usually at one in the afternoon.  Then I’m through for the day.  Tuesdays, I get to sleep in a little and don’t have class until nine and then study hall til one.  Get out of that and take a quick nap.  Then I’m back in class at 5:30 p.m.”

Who would you say has had the biggest impact on your life, either as a person or as a player? Why?
“I could say my mother of course, but she’s always going to help me out.  I would also say my AAU coach Marvely Nettles.  She’s the big lady in my life besides my mom.  She’s always been there and had my back.  She’s never let me down and I’ve never let her down and don’t plan on it.  She’s just coach Mar. You’ll never meet a person like her.”

Do you have any other talents other than playing basketball?
“I played softball in high school and was an all-state player my junior year.  I was ranked seventh out of my class in 6A.”

Who was the main assistant coach at USA to recruit you?  Describe your relationship with that coach during the recruiting process.
“Coach (Eric) Wise was the main one.  He treats me like I’m his child.”

What other schools did you have offers from or recruited you?
“I had offers from UAB, Mississippi State and Arkansas-Little Rock, but theirs came in late.”

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