May 5, 2006

Baton Rouge, LA (CSTV U-WIRE) -- Coming into the 2006-07 season, the LSU women's basketball team is faced with the prospect of replacing one of the most successful players in women's college basketball history -- Seimone Augustus.

Enter high school phenom Allison Hightower.

The 5-foot-10-inch guard from Arlington, Texas, averaged 21.6 points per game.

She also tallied nearly nine rebounds and six assists during her time as a three-year starter. Hightower said one of her biggest weaknesses coming to LSU is her lack of physical strength.

"I know they'll have me in the weight room, and I can get stronger," Hightower said.

On an LSU team that stresses defense, Hightower said she feels up to the task since defense was the most stressed point on her high school team.

"I feel like I have a lot to work on," Hightower said. "The most we worked on was our press and our half-court defense."

Hightower watched LSU's Final Four game versus Duke in Boston this past April.

She said it was disappointing to watch her team fall just short of a national title appearance.

"It just wasn't their day," Hightower said. "Hopefully, I can make an impact and get better every day and just try to win a championship, just like everyone else."

(C) 2006 The Daily Reveille via CSTV U-WIRE