As she sat in her Sunday school class, Garner soon grew bored with the scene. She didn't mind the subject matter or the teacher, but she did have a problem with her fellow classmates.

Andrea's mother, Donna, said her daughter was frustrated because the reading was going painfully slow. She also said her daughter knew exactly how to fix the problem.

She simply raised her hand and told her teacher, Mrs. Taylor, that she didn't belong in the class. When asked why, Andrea answered bluntly that her fellow classmates couldn't read fast enough to suit her tastes.

Andrea also knew she could do a better job. Her reasoning? She said she could read with expression, and she had no qualms in telling her teacher exactly that.

In spite of what might seem like a child overstepping her bounds, Andrea's Sunday school coup turned out to be nothing out of the ordinary. Today, Andrea is still speaking her mind and doing things with expression.

"She just knows what she wants and how she's going to accomplish it," Donna said. "She doesn't doubt herself much."

At first glance, the boldness she displayed in Sunday school isn't immediately apparent in Andrea. She speaks quietly, lacking the forcefulness displayed by other players and even her own coach, Rene Portland.

But that doesn't mean she lacks conviction.

Confidence can be heard in her words, even though you have to listen closely. Andrea isn't one to intentionally draw attention to herself with volume or flowery speaking. She's direct, honest and lets her actions speak volumes.

Earlier this season, she was asked if she thought the Lions could finish the rest of their conference schedule without a letdown.

"I don't think that (a letdown) will happen," she said, "because we're a good team."

And Andrea had to utilize all of her confidence and determination just to be a part of that team.

The first player to gain widespread attention in athletics at the tiny J.R. Masterman High School in Philadelphia, Andrea's talent was given little exposure. She had offers to play basketball at Div. II schools, but she wanted to play for a large, Div. I university.

It took an all-out mail assault by Donna and a lot of patience from both, but Andrea was finally given a chance. After mailing videotapes of Andrea's best games to several universities, Portland was the only coach to respond.

The veteran Penn State coach liked what she saw. Portland gave Andrea a scholarship, finally giving her the chance to showcase her skills in a big arena.

The chance to break out of her small high school gym was more difficult than Andrea bargained for. She was in the company of highly recruited All-Americans. Out of the five-member recruiting class, Andrea felt like a rookie pitcher on the mound against Mark McGwire.

The program suffered a serious decline in her freshman year. Instead of the powerhouse it had been the previous season, the Lions were struggling to fill the cracks left by players graduating -- a task that fell on the shoulders of Andrea and the rest of the freshmen.

"It was mostly the Helen Darling show, and Chrissy (Falcone) and even Courtney (Wicks)," Andrea said. "I had to work hard to make a name for myself."

But in her four years in Happy Valley, Andrea has done just that.

Her name is mentioned with All-American candidates and potential WNBA prospects. Her skill has improved drastically, and she now handles the ball more adeptly as she continues to excel as a medium-range jump shooter.

Andrea also broke out of her comfort zone when it came to being vocal. She's still no Charles Barkley, but when it comes to leading her teammates, she isn't afraid to be heard.

"She would rather do what is asked of her, and now she's asking people to do things," Darling said.

Not that her improved leadership skills transformed Andrea into a tyrant on the hardwood.

Andrea has managed to retain her sense of humor and desire to entertain. Before the Big Ten title game, she was seen rapping in front of a television camera with two of her teammates. Once a member of the Triple A Posse, a rap group she formed with her cousins, Andrea hasn't lost touch with her roots.

As her mother said over and over again, Andrea Garner still knows what she wants, and does everything in her power to obtain it.