Chaparral’s Cunnigan emerges as a leader for struggling San Jose State

image: Ta’Rea Cunnigan playing basketball

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Christopher Hadorn   JAN. 10, 2013

Reprinted from U~T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/

Ta’Rea Cunnigan is a psychology major at San Jose State, so she’s intrigued by the processes of the brain.

The Chaparral High graduate knows to keep a positive mindset when circumstances sour on the basketball court.

That hasn’t been easy this season, as her Spartans women’s basketball team has labored to a 4-11 record, including 1-3 in the Western Athletic Conference.

“I am trying not just to dwell on what we haven’t been able to, but focus on what we can do,” Cunnigan said. “We have a lot of basketball left to play. I have been trying to remain positive and just keep encouraging my teammates.”

Cunnigan, a sophomore, is the Spartans’ lone returning player. San Jose State might be the greenest team in Division I women’s basketball — it has zero seniors, one junior, two sophomores and six freshmen.

“(Youth) does play a factor, but we don’t really use that as a crutch, either,” Cunnigan said.

The 5-foot-9 guard has been a torchbearer for her young teammates. Entering this week, her 19.9 points per game ranked second in the WAC. Her 3.53 steals per game were also second in the conference and 14th in the nation.

With her ability to drive to the basket and create havoc as a press defender, Cunnigan is realizing the promise that was foreseen from her when she was named a preseason all-conference selection.

She is playing at a higher level this year after leading all WAC freshmen in scoring with 11.6 points per game in 2011-12.

Cunnigan credits some of her improvement to offseason strength and conditioning. But she has always believed that she had the athleticism to play at an elevated status in Division I. And she thinks most of her gains should be attributed to Spartans coach Tim La Kose and his staff for helping her with the mental approach.

“(They emphasized) staying positive and being a leader on the court — also off,” Cunnigan said. “Not being too down on myself when I do make a mistake or when I do mess up. Just move past it and keep going. I think that’s where the maturing comes into place, being able to make a mistake and responding different to it in a more positive manner.”

Cunnigan aspires to be a sports psychologist. Certainly, her chances weren’t hurt this week, when she learned she was nominated for an academic All-American honor. Cunnigan holds a 3.61 grade-point average.

“It’s time to just come together, get some wins from here on out,” Cunnigan said.

Comments are closed.