Terry fills big shoes of Simon and Bibby

Tanith L. Balaban Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior guard Jason Terry (31) shoots for a three pointer against Sakalai Lithuania during their exhibition game Nov. 8. He had a career high of 26 points Friday when he played the entire game.

Well, senior point guard Jason Terry sure proved those critics wrong when he started the season off strong, already scoring a career-high 26 points through at last Friday's game with Tennessee.

"I thought we played well as a team and we will keep getting better," Terry said. "I think I played average. I mean I did have seven turnovers, but the high scoring points was good. Overall it was a good start to step up and see what needs to be done."

Terry led the No. 12 ranked Wildcats to a 73-72 win over then-No. 9 Tennessee at the Black Coaches Association Classic in Albuquerque. Terry was on fire for the first game, leading both sides in scoring, shooting 11 for 17.

"You know we knew since the beginning of the season last year, Bibby's plans to leave, so we started preparing then," Terry said. "And I know that A.J. (Bramlett) and I need to take on the leadership roles, to keep the tradition going; the winning tradition."

This may be Terry's first season to step into the spotlight on more of a solo ride, but he's been there the past three years, adding to the Wildcat's play his personal competitive edge.

He started his first season as a Wildcat being named to the All-Pacific 10 Conference Freshman Honorable Mention. As a sophomore, he started the first 13 games of the season, and once Miles Simon regained his eligibility, Terry stepped into the game as Arizona's sixth man of the "sensational six" National Championship Team.

"It was the best feeling I've ever felt," said Terry of capturing the NCAA title in 1997. "It was the peak of my life because it's something that rarely happens to you. Now I just want to get back there."

In the 1997 National Championship game against Kentucky, Terry was ready before the game even began. He slept in his uniform complete with socks and shoes. It paid off, because as he fought Kentucky's press for 33 minutes, he didn't commit a single turnover. On the offensive side, he had eight points with five assists.

Last season, Terry made a mark not only as a defensive powerhouse, but as a great passer as well. His 4.3 assists per game ranked him eighth in the conference. Terry was also the team's fourth leading scorer with 10.6 points per game.

"It's definitely a different approach of playing," said Terry of the difference between playing from the bench and playing as a starter. "I like coming off the bench because you're kind of the underdog and the other team is just looking to see what you got. But now it's a different approach for me. I can't see how the game is flowing first. I have to just go out there and start the game with intensity."

Terry has been adding intensity to his game since his first record breaking days in high school. At Franklin High School in Seattle, he broke the record for steals with 212. He was also a two year Scholar-Athlete award winner, as well as an All-League and All-State honoree. He led his team to back-to-back state championships and was named the Washington Player of the Year as a junior.

"I chose the U of A especially because of Coach Olson's style," Terry said. "He gives his guards freedom. And I liked little ol' Tucson. It's not like the big cities, so you can put your focus on basketball and studies."

His quickness and scoring determination make him a pleasant addition to the Wildcat program, and with his socks pulled up to his knees, he is an easy target to on the court.

"I feel naked without them," he said.

When Terry isn't occupied on the court, he's in the classroom completing a family studies major.

After college, Terry said he hopes to find a professional basketball career waiting for him.

"And if that doesn't work out," he said, "I want to go back home to Seattle and work with inner-city youth at a community center."

Until then, Terry will keep doing what he's been doing on the court, leading the team to big wins, trying to maintain the tradition and establish Arizona as a basketball powerhouse.

"The first weeks were slow," Terry said. "But now the guys know what it takes, and know what they want of me to do in leading. So I'd like to lead us to a repeat as Pac-10 Champs to get the No. 1 seed in the (NCAA) Tournament."

Terry will continue to put his goals and game plays to the test this Saturday at 3:07 p.m. when the Wildcats take on Marathon Oil at McKale.

Kate Longworth can be reached via e-mail at Kate.Longworth@wildcat.arizona.edu.