Scott

Big Ten powers Purdue and Penn State were among many schools recruiting Doris Scott for her basketball services in 1995. But the Mount Healthy High School senior decided to stay closer to home and to help the University of Cincinnati rebuild its program.

Now, as Scott's career has come down to a single-elimination tournament, the senior forward-center has no regrets -- even though she could be in West Lafayette, Ind. right now, enjoying life as part of the Midwest Region's top-seeded Purdue team.

"I wanted to help UC make a name for itself in women's basketball," said Scott, a two-time member of Conference USA's second team. "I wanted to be a part of turning this program around, getting it to a point where if you're a good high school player, you don't have to leave town to play college basketball."

And isn't 13th-year UC coach Laurie Pirtle grateful? Pirtle, whose team faces the University of Oregon in an NCAA Tournament first-round game Friday, said Scott is the undisputed leader on this team.

"Doris is a lot like E.F. Hutton," Pirtle said. "When she talks, all the other girls listen. She'll say this is where we've been, this is where we need to go and this is how we're going to get there. And everybody else just follows her lead."

	UC AT A GLANCE
	• Record: 22-8 • Seed: No. 12 Mideast • Bid: At-large • Coach: Laurie Pirtle (13th year, 164-203) • NCAA history: Second appearance (lost to Bowling Green in first round in 1989) • Opponent: Oregon (24-5, No. 5 seed) • When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Ames, Iowa

Scott may have had regrets after her freshman year, when the Bearcats posted an 8-19 record. But UC has accumulated 60 wins in the three years since, including a 22-8 record this season, the second-highest win total in school history.

Scott said going to any of those more-established schools could have spoiled her. Here, she said, being complacent has not been an option.

"I wasn't handed a silver spoon when I came here," Scott said. "All the success we've had we've worked hard for. It's much more gratifying when you go out and earn respect by working for it."

After narrowly missing the 64-team field for last year's NCAA Tournament, Scott said she and her teammates wanted to watch this year's selection show with a little more confidence.

"We went out this year and just wanted to control our own destiny," she said. "So (Sunday), we were wondering who we'd be playing and where, rather than whether or not we'd get in."

Scott is excited about the possibility of advancing to the third round, which would mean a Sweet 16 appearance next week -- on the friendly floor of UC's Shoemaker Center.

"It would be nice to play at home in front of friends and family," said Scott, who leads the team with 7.6 rebounds per game and is second with 14.5 points. "But we've still got to take this one game at a time."

Senior teammate Tanya Kirk said just being around Scott will help as UC prepares for Oregon, 24-5 and making its sixth consecutive NCAA showing.

"She's definitely a comfort to have around," Kirk said. "She's a great leader and a quality individual, on and off the floor.

"She doesn't run her mouth; she just plays, and that's been important to us."

What also has been important to Pirtle and the program has been Scott's development over her four years.

"Doris has learned how to guard people, she's learned how to stay out of foul trouble and she's really learned how to score against being double-teamed," Pirtle said.

Pirtle added that whatever happens in the tournament, Scott's contributions go far beyond points and rebounds.

"I believe when you go someplace, you should leave it in better shape than you found it," Pirtle said, "and Doris has definitely done that."