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SCC's Mikaela Blissett signs on with Christian Brothers University
SIKESTON -- Scott County Central's Mikaela Blissett exemplifies the label of a student-athlete.
Not only did the senior lead the Bravettes basketball team in nearly every statistical category the past two years, but Blissett will also serve as Scott Central's valedictorian during tonight's graduation ceremony at Ronnie Cookson Gymnasium.
The qualities Blissett possesses gave her the opportunity to move on to the next level and become a student-athlete at one of the best academic colleges in the region in Memphis, Tenn.
Blissett recently signed her letter of intent to play basketball for Christian Brothers University which was named one of the Best Southeastern Colleges by The Princeton Review in 2010.
"She's every coaches dream and I feel like Christian Brothers is lucky to have her," Scott County Central girls head coach Matt Limbaugh said. "It's a great opportunity for her to succeed. She's going to do great things in life and this is just the next step."
Blissett, who holds a 4.3 GPA, spent the last two years at Scott Central leading the Bravettes to two district championships. She made the Class 1 all-state media and coaches teams for the second year in a row after averaging 22.7 points and nine rebounds her senior year.
"She was a class act for this program," Scott County Central head coach Matt Limbaugh said. "She really brought Bravette basketball back to a respectable mode in southeast Missouri."
The main attractant for Blissett was Christian Brothers' atmosphere. The Memphis campus reminded her of the high school she's spent the last four years making it an easy transition.
"It's a small, private school and I like the small atmosphere -- just like [Scott Central]," Blissett said about the four-year school. "I thought I really fit in well with the basketball girls when we scrimmaged. I really liked it."
When visiting the campus, Blissett was a bit timid at first. The Class 1 stage of Missouri basketball has been home for quite awhile and she wasn't sure how she would fit in with the Division II program that competes in the 11-team, Gulf South Conference.
"I was a little nervous at first," Blissett admitted. "But once we started playing things started clicking. It was natural to play with them. I felt really at home there."
The Lady Bucs went 15-13 last season and are under the tutelage of the school's all-time leading scorer in Sarah Condra. Condra will be in her third year as head coach when Blissett steps on campus.
"I'm going to try and work my way up," said Blissett. "I probably won't start at first but I plan to get in the groove of things and go with whatever happens."
Blissett is expected to play either the small forward position or move up to power forward if needed. Those are two positions she's used to while primarily playing under the basket for Limbaugh's Bravettes.
"She's going to be a great 3-4 where she can use her size advantage as a three and also have a speed advantage as a four in the post," Limbaugh said. "They're excited to have her because of her versatility. She's developed an outside shot which has made her even more dynamic."
Blissett said ball-handling and shooting will be areas of improvement for her at the next level after leading the Bravettes to a 16-10 record last season and a 36-17 record the past two years.
"It was really fun and I loved playing with my teammates," said Blissett about Scott Central. "It's been a challenge playing at such a small school with not many girls coming out for the team, but it's been a good experience to learn from. I've learned to be a leader and different things like that."
Blissett plans to major in either sports management or coaching.
"I feel like her work ethic is going to take her to where she needs to be," said Limbaugh. "She's one of those girls that is never done until she gets what she wants. She's never satisfied and she will continue to work. She's just a coaches dream to have and she's been a pleasure to coach."