RUSTON ââ'¬" When Louisiana Tech fans meet freshman Kierra Anthony for the first time, they might have to acclimate to the New Iberia native's thick south Louisiana accent.

It rivals the density of some of the best gumbos produced in Kierra's portion of the state.

Tech fans will get a chance over the next four years to see the 5-foot-6-inch point guard's basketball abilities do most of the talking; no Cajun accent can camouflage this skillset.

"Kierra has a high basketball IQ, which is exactly what we need from a freshman point guard," said Tech head coach Tyler Summitt. "She can create in a variety of ways, for herself and for her teammates. I look forward to watching Kierra develop as a floor general."

That development started in high school but is being fine-tuned this summer.

Like the rest of the LA Tech roster, Kierra attended the second session of summer school in July and August, providing the opportunity to bond with fellow teammates and begin her college career.

The somewhat reserved Kierra said that her initial workouts, both individual and team, have been nothing but positive.

"We work (on fundamentals) now instead of waiting for the season to come," Kierra said. "We have been doing basketball drills that will help our game. We have worked on ball handling, shooting, defense and conditioning. Coach (Summitt) never takes it easy on you, no matter what. I like everything about it."

Kierra was raised by her maternal grandmother, Vera Gardner. Grandma has already seen just how much her granddaughter has embraced her new school and coaching staff.

"She is very happy at LA Tech," Ms. Vera said. "She loves everything. She loves the coaching staff. Kierra doesn't fit just everywhere. She is more reserved, and she is quiet. When we went on the official visit, Kierra was free and open. It was amazing. All I could do was thank God. I knew she was going to pick LA Tech although I wasn't going to influence her decision. Of all the places we went, I never saw her free spirited the way she was that weekend."

Kierra signed with LA Tech back in November. She chose the Lady Techsters over Conference USA rival Southern Miss and a handful of in-state schools. And she is quick to tell you why.

"The family (atmosphere) sold me," she said. "That is what I was looking for. I have to be comfortable off the court, as well as on the court. When I came here, they made me feel at home. Everything they did was together."

Ms. Vera came on the official visit. Having raised Kierra since birth, she was heavily involved in the recruiting process.

"I really was impressed with a lot of things," said Ms. Vera. "The biggest thing was the family atmosphere. Coach Summitt is such a mellow person. I heard him say in every conversation to treat people right. That's one of my big deals. In order for us to make it we have to treat people right. I love coach Mickie because she reminds me of one of my aunts. I just love her.

"We visited other schools before LA Tech. And at LA Tech the coaches were all like family. They were all on one accord and got along so well. Everything was like family. Kierra was very family oriented and never left home. I really felt good about leaving her in their hands. It was genuine. You can feel they are really looking out for those girls. It's like a family."

Family; a word that is mentioned by every one of the Lady Techsters eight newcomers this year when talking about what led them to Ruston. It's no coincidence. It's one of the program's five pillars.

And Kierra is definitely a family girl.

New Iberia is about three-and-a-half hours from Ruston. That's where Kierra's family resides, close enough to come watch her play during the next four years.

"That was definitely important to me," Kierra said. "I have a big support system."

Kierra's mother Kirston "was young" when she was born. Thus, Vera was the guiding force in Kierra's life from the start.

And according to Kierra, her grandmother definitely ruled the roost.

"My grandmother was a disciplinarian," Kierra said. "She stayed on me about everything, no matter what it was. If I did something wrong, she would take the basketball away from me."

Maybe that is where Kierra learned to protect the basketball.

"Amen," Ms. Vera said. "That worked like a charm. When Kierra was in sixth grade, she was on the elementary school basketball team. She came home with a report card that had two C's and two D's. I almost had heart failure.

"So I took her basketball, and I told her she couldn't even look at another basketball until she got her next report card. Everyone seemed to be against that decision. But I put the basketball away, and I didn't let her play with it. When she got her next report card six weeks later, her D's were B's and her C's were A's. It worked like a charm."

At least until the ninth grade when another teachable moment arose within Kierra's up-bringing that turned into the game-winner when it came to her outlook on life and her behavior.

"When she was 12, 13, 14, Kierra was really, really a handful." Vera said. "She got into some trouble in 9th grade, and we had to meet at the school board office. They literally prohibited her from going into the gym for 45 days. That turned Kierra around completely. She has been a role model ever since."

Kierra developed a reputation during her high school career of never taking it easy on her opponents. She earned district most valuable player accolades as a junior and senior and was named the Best of the Teche Player of the Year by the Daily Iberian three straight years.

During her senior year, she averaged 23.5 points, 5.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals while earning all-state honors for the fourth straight year.

"I pick up things very easily," she said. "As a point guard, I have to know what is going on."

The good news for Kierra is that she won't be expected to start right away, although like most college players, that is her ultimate goal every day that she laces the high tops up and steps onto Karl Malone Court for practice.

However, Kierra has the luxury of learning from redshirt junior Brooke Pumroy, who has two years of Big East battles under her belt from her days at Marquette.

Pumroy said she has been nothing but impressed by Kierra.

"She is a great player," Pumroy said. "She really has her head on straight. She works hard. She can handle the ball. She is smart. I try to give her as much info as I've been given. As I have heard since I have been here, 'My ceiling is her floor.'

"When I leave here I want to be able to give her everything I have so she can build on that. I don't want to throw too much at her because I remember what that was like (as a freshman). She does anything she can to get better each day."

Sounds like a prototypical Tyler Summitt recruit; a coach's dream.

Although the daily battles during the summer were intense between Pumroy and Kierra ââ'¬" who missed a portion of the workouts due to an injury ââ'¬" there is already a mutual respect between the two that will only lead to better team chemistry.

"It has been good and our relationship is important because we are the only two point guards," Kierra said. "We have to connect with one another. If we are on the floor, it does not matter who is running it. I will definitely be able to learn a lot from her."

Anthony is learning to use that accent more and more, something every point guard must do. According to Pumroy, she is coming out of her shell.

"She works hard in the classroom and contributes to the team activities," Pumroy said. "She is becoming more and more vocal with that very, very strong accent. I love that girl."

And over the next four years, Louisiana Tech fans will too.