OneTeam2021

When the Mansfield University women's basketball team takes the court, senior captain Paige Whitfield has one thing on her mind - bringing her athletic career full circle with the Mountaineers.

As a freshman, Whitfield turned out to be a missing piece to a senior dominant roster during the Mounties playoff run in 2017-18. During Whitfield's rookie year, the Mountaineers won the most overall and conference games since the 2011-12 season to earn a berth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament.
 

Four seniors held down starting spots on that club, allowing Whitfield to play a pivotal role with the team's second unit, while also starting four games when the Mountaineers needed a spark. Showing the ability to play in both the front and back court, Whitfield played in all 29 games, making four starts, while averaging 3.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and knocking down the third most 3-pointers on the team (18).

Whitfield followed her freshman year by starting every game she played in as a sophomore (25), while improving on every statistical category. The Altoona, Pa. native improved her points per game by four, her rebounds by one and knocked down an additional 16 trifectas on the year.

Whitfield was named a team captain in 2019-20 and did not disappoint, leading a young team which featured four freshmen that started and logged significant minute totals all year.

Whitfield - previously the Mountaineers shooting guard - moved to power forward as a junior to fill a void in the front court and although often undersized, was able to battle in the paint with the best of them in 2019-20. Whitfield led the Mounties in minutes with 924 and was second in points (9.9) and rebounds per game (5.1). Whitfield's 33.0 minutes per game was good enough for 21^st in the PSAC, while her 1.9 blocks ranked her ninth.
 

Whitfield stays involved throughout the athletic department and is currently serving as team manager for sprint football.

Hear from the Mountaineer captain as she discusses training during the pandemic, her message to the team, favorite quote and more.

What has basketball meant to you?

A: Basketball has always been a large part of my life, it is where I met my closest friends and has also given me so many life lessons. The feeling of playing in a game is unlike any other feeling I would ever get, I am blessed to be able to play a sport throughout my life.
 

How has sports helped you grow into the person you have become?

A: The amount of life lessons basketball has taught me through my life is unbelievable, I would not be the women I am today if it wasn't for this sport and for the people I have met throughout this journey. Not only have I learned to handle aggressive and intense moments with calmness and maturity but I have also learned to be the best leader I could be at a quicker pace than I ever thought I would have to.

How has not playing sports during these difficult times been for you?

A: I definitely think that the majority of athletes at MU are having a difficult time not being able to compete yet. I am somewhat happy we are able to start these small workouts and at least get into the gym and be able to work out with Coach Gustin. But, for me, this is just not the same compared to if we were in a normal stage of pre-season and being able to compete and workout as a whole team.

What quote inspires you and is preparing you for a return-to-sports in your life?

A: A quote from Kobe Bryant that inspires me is, "Everything negative – pressure challenges – are all an opportunity for me to rise."
 

As a team leader / captain, what message have you given to the team, especially the young players, during this time?

A: Being a leader on a team that is very young has been challenging, along with the time that we are in but I would also not ask for it any other way. The main thing I have been telling my team is to be grateful for every step further that we are being given to our path to competition. We are blessed enough to be able to have started workouts again and to be able to touch a basketball on our home court and the girls have definitely been taking advantage of it and are getting better already.