Big Sky Q&A with Women's Basketball Junior Amy Patton
By Megan Lobdell/Big Sky Conference
OGDEN, Utah - NAU junior women's basketball player Amy Patton, from Tempe, Ariz., took the time out of her schedule at Northern Arizona to answer a few questions with the Big Sky Conference. Patton talked about how she got started in basketball, how it feels to have her jersey hanging in the Ring of Honor at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn., and who the best dancer is on the team.
Patton has been named to the Big Sky All-Academic team for two years. Last season, she led the Big Sky in scoring and was 80th in the NCAA Division I with 16.4 points per game.
So far this season, Patton ranks 10th with 13.3 points per game. She has scored 240 points, 130 rebounds, 35 steals, 45 assists and is shooting .365 from the field.
Patton and the Lumberjacks have a 5-13 overall record and looking for their first conference win. NAU will compete at home on Thursday against Weber State at 6:35 p.m. MST and on Saturday against Idaho State at 3:05 p.m. MST. Both games can be watched on NAU-TV or for free on Big Sky TV.
Q: How did you get started playing basketball?
A: My dad would take my older brother and me to the park. He would play against us two and we would always lose. But I fell in love with basketball through those years and found out I was kind of good.
Q: When being recruited, what made you choose Northern Arizona?
A: I loved how it is only two hours away from my hometown Tempe and it is close enough to where I can go home if I needed. But it's far enough to get away from the 120 degree weather. My parents love it too, since they have been to every single home game.
Q: What have been some of your favorite memories at NAU?
A: Meeting the teammates that have been brought into my life. Even the ones who have graduated have become some of my best friends. Also, traveling, even though I hate going through security and those long lines and sometimes having to wake up at 4:30 in the morning, messing up my beauty sleep.
Q: How much have your coaches and teammates helped you?
A: My coaches and teammates have helped me throughout the years to become a better person not only in basketball but also in life. I appreciate them for that.
Q: What are your personal goals for this season?
A: I would like to become a better leader for my teammates and also improve my game to be the best that I can possibly be.
Q: What are your team goals for this season?
A: To get to conference and then win it. Go Big or Go Home!
Q: You have been on the Big Sky All-Academic team for two years now. How important are your studies?
A: Academics are super important to me because I don't plan on playing basketball my whole life and to have a great education will get me further. Being able to understand and use what I learn in college will help me tremendously in the real world.
Q: Your jersey is hanging in the Ring of Honor at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn. How does it feel to have your jersey hanging up and how did that honor come about?
A: It is a great honor to have an accomplishment like that which came my junior year of high school. It shows that hard work really does pay off and it is great to be recognized for that kind of an honor. For simply doing something I love and have fun with.
Q: Tell us something we wouldn't know about you?
A: I am a very superstitious person. I've been doing the same routines since freshman year in high school before every game. If I skip or do something out of the ordinary it messes with my head.
Q: If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive who would it be and why?
A: Beyonce because I love her music, Justin Bieber so I can secretly snip his hair while he is eating and sell it for thousands of dollars, and Miss Teen South Carolina from 2007 (Caitlin Upton) so I can ask her another question and hopefully she would give me a better answer than the answer she gave in Miss Teen USA.
Q: If you couldn't play basketball what sport would you do?
A: I would play ping pong because there is no running. Or probably volleyball because I was a beast in high school, if I would say so myself, and there isn't that much running.
Q: What if your favorite road trip in the Big Sky and why?
A: I would have to say Portland. The hotel we stay in is so ritzy and I love the city.
Q: Who is the best dancer on the team and why?
A: Besides me and my super fly moves, I would have to say Jasmine Sneed because she is like five feet tall and she looks like a little 5-year old dancing, but she can really shake her groove thing. It's adorable.
Q: Where is your favorite place to eat in Flagstaff and why?
A: I would have to say Scott's Chicago Pizza. The pizza is scrumdiddlyumptious (word from Willy Wonka) and I think I might just have to go and get something to eat now.
