W. Cagers Having a Feast(er)

Thanksgiving has passed, but the Feast continues. Freshman Allison Feaster, that is.

A recent addition to the Harvard women's basketball team. Feaster devours the competition beneath the boards.

The Stoughton resident, stepping into the starting power-forward position, has dictated her will in the Crimson's first two games despite the immediate pressures of college basketball.

Having earned a starting position in seventh grade for the highly competitive Chester High School program in South Carolina, Feaster was a top recruit for Harvard coach Kathy Delaney Smith.

Not only was Feaster a dominant rebounder, but she also netted over 3,300 points in her high school career.

"She has handled [the transition to] college basketball very well," junior Amy Reinhard says. "She may be a little nervous, but it doesn't show in her play."

Feaster certainly seems to have eased into the routine.

In Tuesday's 109-56 trashing of Army, she hit the boards with authority, leading the team with nine rebounds--four offensive and five defensive.

In addition, Feaster sunk eight of her 11 field goal attempts. Combined with her two free throws. Feaster contributed 18 total points to the victory, which saw Harvard score its most points ever in one game.

In spite of her success, Feaster feels that her starting position is a "compliment" rather than a right.

"There are others that are just as qualified as I am," Feaster concedes. "Everybody on the team was a star in high school."

Feaster's only personal goal is to play her best. Her primary motivation stems from being a part of the team rather than just an individual.

"The team chemistry is incredible," she says. "We are pulled together by a common goal--to win the Ivy League championship. To me, that is very exciting."

Feaster has proven herself to be a benefit to team play. Her teammates acknowledge that her ability complements the guard play very well.

"Her arms are really long, and it you can pass the ball in her general vicinity, she just sucks it up," Reinhard says.

"Allison is a part of what we need to play at a higher level," senior captain Tammy Butler says. "She is phenomenal."

Feaster attributes much of her success to the excellent leadership that Butler provides.

"[Butler] is the best possible role model for anyone to have," she says. "She's the best [leader] for me, as well as for the rest of the team."

Feaster's only qualm with team life is having to run so much during practice.

"I hate running with a passion," she concedes.

But one couldn't tell that by watching her perform.

"Allison is very quick," Reinhard says. "She runs the floor very well."

The natural conclusion--Feaster means business.

She may be just a cub, but she has the discipline to step up like a veteran.

'If you can pass the ball in her general vicinity, she just sucks it up.'--Amy Reinhard