Katrina Grantham: Always In The Game

Feb. 22, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Sophomore Mia Johnson had just hit a 3-pointer that may have changed the Michigan State women's basketball season. One thing is for sure - the team had snagged victory from the clutches of defeat, coming back from 17 down to take a two-point lead at 13th-ranked Purdue.

But there was still 1.3 seconds left in the 54-52 game. Plenty of time, especially amid the dizzying euphoria, for Purdue to pull of a Christian Laettner-like miracle.

Out of her seat, just off the floor was senior tri-captain Katrina Grantham, at once, holding the rest of the bench from coming onto the court early and shouting, pleading and pointing for the players to get back.

Head coach Joanne P. McCallie said she couldn't have coached the situation any better. "Katrina played Coach P," she said. "I just had to sit down and get the heck out of the way."

Grantham, though injured at the end of her junior year, is still going to finish her career as one of just 30 players in MSU history to appear in 100 games. Like the rest of the seniors, she saved her best campaign for last, as the 6-1 forward started the season as the team's top reserve, averaging 4.0 points and 3.8 rebounds before earning her first career start at Houston on Nov. 26.

After 89 career games, the Saginaw, Mich., native started a string of five games, including one against Rhode Island on Nov. 29 where she pulled in 11 rebounds yet took just one shot.

Her selflessness, which can be seen even in her statistics, is something the McCallie has utilized during the past four years, allowing Grantham to see time at the wing, power forward and center positions, sometimes within the same shift on the court.

"We have never had a player that could do that as effectively like Kat is doing," McCallie said. "She's really created and carved out a niche for herself."

She has just seven more shot attempts (40) this year than assists (33) and despite averaging just 14.3 minutes per game, she has pulled in 29 offensive rebounds, which is sixth best on the team.

Earlier this week, Grantham sat down to talk about her time in the Green and White as time winds down toward her final regular-season home game on Sunday against Minnesota.

Q: When you arrived in East Lansing, the Spartans had just gone to their first NCAA Tournament in six years. How driven was the program, everyone involved, to take the team to the next step?

A: Coach P had a vision for this program and I believed in what she said. It was after I had committed that she told me we would go to the Final Four during my career. She wasn't blowing smoke because I had already said I was going to be a Spartan. She was very serious and intense about where she wanted this program to go. I think this attitude was reflected by the work ethic and passion that the team took on. When I got here, Julie Pagel, Candice Jackson, Kristin Haynie, Kelli Roehrig, Liz Shimek, and Lindsay Bowen all had the fire and passion to do whatever it took to move this program to the next level. As freshmen, we caught that fire and worked our tails off with them. Once we got a taste of success, it made us hungry for more.

Q: In one game this year, you had 11 rebounds and one shot attempt. Was that game a summary of your attitude, that the team comes first?

A: My attitude has always been that the success of the team is the most important thing. I believe that on successful teams, every player understands their role. When a player is on the court, she has an obligation to produce and contribute to the team's success. That does not mean you have to score points. I consider myself to be an intelligent person and player, and if I recall correctly, Allyssa had her career-high (28 points) that night. I thought it would be best for the team that I focus on playing good defense and rebounding, and we just fed Al on the offensive end. That's just smart basketball and that is doing what is best for the team.

Q: What has been your favorite moment as a Spartan?

A: Is it possible to pick just one? The entire Final Four experience was amazing. The come-from-behind victory over Tennessee when we were down 16 with 16 minutes to go to send us to the championship game was incredible. But I will say this, the Tennessee game may be my favorite moment, but my proudest moment would have to be our comeback against Purdue at their place this year. Outsiders have doubted the abilities of our team and whether or not we could win big games, especially after losing some of the greatest players in the program's history the past two years, and I think to come back after being down 17 on the road sent a message about this team. We truly fought hard and gutted out the victory. We've taken some hard hits and learned some tough lessons along the way this season, but we stuck together and it is paying off now. I am so proud of my sisters and what we've done this year, and what we are going to do the rest of the way.

Q: Rene Haynes has made big plays down the stretch during her whole career, including against Indiana, Illinois and Ohio State this year. What is it about her personality that allows her to come through time and again?

A: Rene is a competitor who does not feel pressure, and if she does, she sure doesn't show it. She has always played relaxed yet intense, and she never overanalyzes anything. She just plays. Rene is a skinny little thing, but she is so scrappy! I can name numerous instances where she has made plays, both offensively and defensively, in her career. She hit the game winner against USC in the tournament two years ago. She's gotten steals against Minnesota in the past to change games. She made critical plays against Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio State this year. Rene is so cool and calm during critical times and in scoring situations. It is quite remarkable. Heck, half of the time when she makes a mistake during a game, she just smiles and moves on. Just keep watching her because I am sure she'll make a few more big plays before the year is over.

On Friday, MSUSpartans.com will bring you a Q&A with senior Rene Haynes.

- Compiled by MSU Sports Information Intern Joe Guistina