Carrie Lee Lancaster embraces college challenge
York Comprehensive High School’s Carrie Lee Lancaster, a member of the girls’ basketball team since she was elevated to varsity status as an eighth-grader , is college-bound.
Lancaster signed Monday to play basketball for Smith College in Northampton, Mass., before family, friends, coaches and teammates gathered in the YCHS media center.
The 6-foot-1 post player became a force in Region 3-AAAA, earning all-region honors multiple times for the Lady Cougars.
“Carrie Lee found the school that was an ideal fit for her,” said Paula Blackwell, York’s head coach during No. 24’s five-year tenure with the Lady Cougars. “I’m so happy for her and her family. She is a wonderful young lady, who I will miss.”
Lancaster paused to reflect on her career in York following Monday’s ceremony.
“It’s kind of an unbelievable thing to think about,” she said of her five-year varsity stint. “I’m real excited about playing at the next level.”
Added Lancaster: “Through all of these years and my experience playing with the Lady Cougars, my teammates helped develop me as a player. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Lancaster admits her senior year sort of sneaked up on her.
“As an eighth-grader, you don’t really think about it,” said Lancaster, the daughter of David and Debbie Lancaster. “You think, well, my senior year’s gonna come. But I didn’t expect it to come this fast.”
Lancaster said she is excited about a new challenge. “I cannot wait to go to school up there,” she said. “I am ready to explore something else.”
Lancaster has been in weekly contact with her new coaches. “I love them,” she said. They’re awesome.”
Lancaster said the Smith College coaches have asked her to play with her back to the basket.
“I can finish that way and play defense,” she said. “I also want to play more facing the basket and could develop an outside shot maybe.”
Lancaster loves the campus at Smith College.
Enrollment is on the rise at Smith College, where a record number of students – 5,004 – have applied for admission to the class of 2019.
The school’s slogan is Women for the World.
This story was originally published March 10, 2015 at 3:27 PM with the headline "Carrie Lee Lancaster embraces college challenge."