Perkins' Bravard loving FSU life

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.

Perkins graduate Cierra Bravard is living the life right now.

Bravard is not only a key contributor as a true freshman for the No. 12 team in the country at Florida State University, but she also is enjoying her new scenery despite far away from home.

"It's cool. I really like it here," Bravard said. "It's been real fun. I have a pretty good schedule because I don't have to get up early or stay late for classes and of course being in Florida the weather is always nice.

"It's tough sometimes though trying to keep up with classes and basketball on the road because we travel so much, but it has definitely been worth it."

In 32 games this season that includes 15 starts, Bravard is averaging 9.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game and has added 30 blocks. For her efforts, she was named to the all-Atlantic Coast Conference rookie team.

"It's definitely been different and a good transition I think," Bravard said of her season so far. "I'm still trying to get used to college basketball and the way it's played and the way I have to play. But individually and as a team things are going well. Overall, it's been pretty good."

Meanwhile, it has been another banner season for the Seminoles, who continue to progress as an up and coming program in one of the toughest conferences in the country.

Florida State qualified for NCAA Tournament a school record fifth straight time and earned the No. 3 seed, which is their highest-seed ever in the tournament.

They will travel to Duluth, Ga., which is just outside of Atlanta and take on No. 14 seed North Carolina A&T in the first round of the Trenton regional Saturday. The game will be aired on ESPN2.

Florida State's best-ever seeding is a reward for the greatest regular-season in program history. The Seminoles not only earned their highest national rankings ever this season, for the first time they also earned a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference title by finishing tied with Maryland with 12 regular-season wins. In yet another program first, the team also finished undefeated in true road games this season.

FSU then followed the regular season with the team's second-ever trip to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.

"It's been an overwhelming year so far, but we're right where we want to be," Bravard said. "The way we finished out the year, we were expecting to be in the third or maybe fourth seed. The team has been strong all year and it's not as bad for me to be far away from home because I have a team like this. It's been a really cool, fun experience so far and we worked really hard and deserve everything ready to come at us this week."