By Kyle LoJacono
One of the key players in Academy at the Lakes girls basketball’s ascendance as a state powerhouse has committed to play at the next level.
Wildcats senior forward Andrea Mauger announced she will continue her career at Franklin & Marshall College, a Division III program in Lancaster, Pa.
“It’s an amazing dream come true for me,” Mauger said. “This is what I’ve been working for since the seventh grade, so to be able to say that I got here means a lot to me, and it just proves to me that you really can get whatever you want in life if you work hard enough.”
Mauger transferred from Wesley Chapel after her freshman season. The academy was 0-15 the year before her arrival, and she helped the squad finish 19-5 and reach the regional finals in her first season with the squad.
The academy went on to post 23-6 and 25-3 records in 2011-12 and 2012-13, respectively, while reaching the Class 2A final four both years, including a state runner-up finish in February.
“The whole experience has been an amazing one,” Mauger said. “I couldn’t have asked for a more successful career. We started at nothing and really built the program over there. It was exciting to see everybody jump on board and support us. I think we really turned around the attitude of winning at that school. People come out and expect us to win now. … To have two state appearances, I think if you’d have told them that a couple years ago they’d have just laughed.”
Mauger, who was named The Laker/Lutz News Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2012, finishes her high school career with more than 1,500 points. Her squad reached at least the regional finals every season in high school.
Mauger said the Franklin & Marshall coaches are looking for her to be more of a shooting guard.
“I chose the school based on academic performance as well as basketball, and a place where I could make a difference instead of just going for the school name,” Mauger said.
The Diplomats went 8-17 last season, 5-15 in Centennial Conference play.
—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker
