VALDOSTA – There seldom comes along a player whose mere presence on the court can the change the outcome of a game. For the Valdosta State Lady Blazers her name is Candice Ferrell.

Ferrell is not only the statistical leader of the team, but the emotional leader as well. So much so that head coach Kiley Hill once said, “When she gets going, she gets the whole team going around her.”

Ferrell is a 5 foot 11 inch senior from Hinesville, Georgia and has been at VSU since transferring over from the Bradwell Institute. She is about to earn a degree in administrative services and pursue a career in human resources.

Ferrell may only be averaging 23.3 minutes per game as a starter, but is leading the team in almost every statistical category.

“It’s my senior season, and I’m going to go all out,” said Ferrell after practice on Thursday.

Her 14.1 points per game is a team best. She is leading the team in offensive and defensive rebounds and is averaging 6.8 total boards per game. Even though she plays forward she is also leading the team in steals with 45 on the season.

So where did Ferrell learn to play so tough and so well?

“My mom taught me how to play, but I used to always want to play with my dad and his friends,” said Ferrell.

“But it was my mom who taught me how to defend and move. She told me if I kept working this would happen.”

Ferrell is not just your average forward however. Her 55.6 shooting percentage is second on the team and she is shooting 68.4 percent from the charity stripe.

So with all of the accolades and the pre season all-conference selection what does Ferrell consider the highlight of her career?

“Winning the (Gulf South Conference) East last year was huge for us,” said Ferrell.

“That and reaching the 1,000 point club. It was an honor. I never expected it to happen.”

Going into Saturday’s game versus West Florida, Ferrell and the Lady Blazers knew they had their work cut out for them. Ferrell knew the team was prepared, but also knew that UWF would be gunning for them after VSU beat them at home last year for the conference championship.

And what happened? Well, the Lady Blazers handed West Florida their first conference loss of the season and managed to shut down their number one player in the process.

So after the huge win are their any championship predictions from Ferrell, who scored 20 against UWF.

“We are just going to take it one game at a time right now.”

Spoken like a true champion.

Ferrell, nearing the end of her collegiate career, with all of her accolades and numbers still humbly thanks everyone around her for her success.

“I want to thank coach Hill for giving me the opportunity. I want to thank my teammates and the fans, who’ve gotten better and better every year,” said Ferrell.

The Valdosta State Lady Blazers are on the road for their next two games, but return home on February 11 to face off with rival West Georgia. The Lady Braves defeated VSU earlier this year and the Blazers are looking for some revenge.