It's an endearing quality, the ability to twist your skill set according to the flow of a particular basketball game.
No two performances are alike, but each one contains little success stories and, hopefully, only a few minor setbacks.
Senior Carly Richardson has been on the successful side of things since she first laced up for Palmyra head coach Ron Berman back in 2010. And soon, Bucknell head coach Aaron Rousell will get his opportunity to feature one of the Mid-Penn Conference's most versatile player.
Richardson recently tagged Rousell's Patriot-League upstart as her next stop, verbally committing to the Bison for the 2014-15 season.
For the 5-11 forward, all roads were leading straight to Lewisburg, where Richardson's family and friends could continue to enjoy the ride.
“I think the first thing was considering the distance from home. Being relatively close to home was really important to me,” said Richardson, a two-time Patriot-News Big 15 pick who averaged 15.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game as a junior.
“I also wanted to go to a place with high academic standards because it's important to have a degree from a reputable school for when basketball career is over. As far as the program, I think Coach Rousell has done a great job turning the program around.”
Rousell, who earned the post following Bucknell's 5-25 campaign in 2011-12, dug in and guided the Bison a .500 mark before an opening-round loss to Navy in the Patriot League Tournament.
In about 370 days, Rousell will inherit a tough-as-nails performer who has paced Palmyra's three straight Mid-Penn Keystone Division titles. Richardson, Berman's grittiest performer, helped the Cougars roll up 29 consecutive wins and the District 3-AAA title. Palmyra was eventually stopped by Scranton Prep (40-36) in second round of states.
“All recruiting is a process, from going to tournaments to playing AAU. There are periods when coaches can come see you play but not talk to you,” Richardson said.
“The whole experience is really unique. It's not like anything that I've been through. But when I took my official visit to Bucknell, that was when I knew. When the offer came up, I was happy to accept it.”
Q&A WITH CARLY RICHARDSON (Feb. 4)
Richardson, who had fellow Patriot League programs Colgate, Lehigh and Lafayette on radar, was also quick to point out a few individuals that made her the player, and leader, that she is today.
“I think, first off, my dad has been my No. 1 coach since I was little. Coach Berman has been huge during this process. I would never be half the player I am without him,” Richardson said.
“The skills he instills in you are invaluable.” Richardson, who noted her work with Advance Hoops, turned in a successful summer run with coach Bill McDonough's Lady Runnin' Rebels AAU team in Philadelphia. All the work certainly paid off.
“I pride myself on being able to do a little bit of everything. I think that makes me a little harder to guard,” said Richardson, projecting as a swing guard at the next level. “I can shoot or take it off the dribble. I also a little bit of a post game. That versatility is what I pride myself on.”
Epler on Twitter: @threejacker