Straight from the Hart

Stephanie Hart has worn some impressive labels throughout her distinguished basketball career.

All-star, defensive stopper, MVP.

The former Shorewood High School hoopster has piled up the praise for her fearless, scrappy and tenacious style of play.

Those same attributes helped Hart earn the admiration of her University of Denver teammates, who have come to count on the senior forward on and off the hardwood.

When Pioneers head coach Pam Tanner asked her players who’s the one person they’d want covering their back in the heat of battle, the undivided response was telling.

There was no recall, no run-off.

No one refuted the results.

“It was Stephanie hands down,” Tanner said. “Every single player.”

Even though there’s not a combative bone in Hart’s slender, 6-foot frame, Tanner can see why she was such a popular choice.

“She’s a kid that just never quits,” Tanner said. “She works so hard in practice every day, whether we’re four days before a game or the day of a game. You can’t tell the difference with Stephanie. She just gives everything she has.”

Hart’s friends and family had a rare chance to catch her in action last week when the Pioneers came to town for their first-ever meeting with the University of Washington.

As members of the Sun Belt Conference, the Pioneers don’t wander to the West Coast very often. So for most of Hart’s relatives and supporters, the game was their first time seeing Hart play in person since she steered the Shorewood girls to a Class 3A state title in 1998 and a return trip to state the following year.

“It’s real special for everyone to come and play in front of the support group that watched them grow into a college player,” Hart said.

During her four seasons at Denver, Hart has grown into a respected team leader and a force on the boards. But the time hasn’t passed without some turbulence.

A mysterious illness sidelined Hart for a few weeks last season. Doctors eventually determined gallstones were causing her pain, but Hart toughed it out and postponed surgery until after the season.

“It was frustrating not being able to play,” Hart said. “We didn’t know what was wrong for awhile. But it’s all fixed now.”

Trainers have found it difficult to diagnose Hart’s maladies because she’s so adept at camouflaging her discomfort.

“It’s always a fight with Stephanie to figure out if she’s hurt or sick because she won’t tell you anything. You just have to kind of read her a little bit,” Tanner said.

“It took us awhile to figure out Stephanie. The kid had to have her gallbladder removed and she played through that last year. Most people could not do that. A regular person would never even think of doing what Stephanie’s doing.”

Following her offseason surgery, Hart shed some pounds she couldn’t afford to lose. Surrounded by bulkier bodies, her thin physique often takes a beating in the paint.

“I have some bumps and bruises after the games, but it’s all part of the game I guess,” Hart said. “I usually rely on my athleticism to make up for what I lack in strength.”

It seems to be working.

Despite her midseason health scare, Hart appeared in all but two of Denver’s 30 games last year and made 24 starts. She led the Pioneers in rebounding and steals and chipped in close to five points per game.

While her offensive production fluctuates, Hart’s defense has consistently turned heads. During Shorewood’s title run she earned a share of two state championship records — which have yet to be topped — for most steals in a single game (nine) and a tournament (22).

“She’s not a kid that’s going to come out and shoot 3-pointers every night. She’s going to get the garbage buckets, the rebounds,” Tanner said.

“Our coaching staff has come to depend on her quite a bit and we’re going to miss her when she’s gone. Hopefully we can have a great year this year and reward her for her efforts.”

The Pioneers were picked fourth in the six-team Sun Belt West Division preseason coaches poll and are off to a 5-3 non-conference start. Hart welcomes the added responsibility that comes with being one of only three seniors on Denver’s youthful 2003-04 roster.

“Everyone plays an important role and I try to be that person that fires everyone up out on the court,” Hart said. “That’s my job as a senior, to get everyone going. That’s what my goal is when I come out for every game.”

Hart, a communications major, listed the coaching staff and climate as what led her to Denver. The Pioneers made the leap from Division II to D-I two years before Hart arrived.

As a freshman, Hart played behind an honorable mention All-American on a Denver squad that matched a school record for wins and received an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament.

Over the next two seasons Hart’s numbers increased steadily as she earned a permanent spot in the starting five and a reputation as one of the team’s hardest workers — no matter what obstacles were thrown in front of her.

“I don’t think anyone really knows what they’re in for when they decide to become a college athlete,” Hart said. “I’ve had my trials and tribulations, but it’s definitely made me a stronger person in the end.”