Murphy signs with IPFW Lady Mastodons

Andrew Murphy will always remember three key things when it comes to the game of basketball, thanks to his big sister, Erin Murphy.

“Be responsible, always hit an open man if he’s open and keep your head up on the court,” Andrew said.

Erin, a senior at Seymour High School, has done those things along the way, allowing her to achieve a longtime goal of playing college basketball at the Division I level.

In May, as a junior, Murphy verbally committed to continuing her basketball career for the Indiana University-Purdue University Lady Mastodons.

On Wednesday, Murphy made it official by signing her national letter of intent while surrounded by Andrew, their parents, Danielle and Charlie Murphy, and other family members and friends, coach Beth DeVinney and members of the Lady Owls basketball team.

Wednesday was the first time athletes could officially sign. Another session will be in April 2010.

“I chose this period just because I had already verbaled and I knew this was really where I wanted to go,” Murphy said. “I just loved everything about it. I just went there and I got this feeling that I loved the school there. I met some teachers and they were nice and I liked the coaches, and the players welcomed me.”

Once she inked the deal on Wednesday, Murphy said she had mixed feelings, considering she still has her senior season ahead.

“I’m feeling a lot of different things,” she said. “I feel excited. I’m ready to play and I’m glad I’m part of the team, but it’s sad in the same way also, leaving and knowing that I’m not going to be in Seymour anymore.”

DeVinney was glad to see Murphy sign, but noted she still has a big role to fill on this year’s team.

“She’s ready to take her game to the next level, and it’s exciting for her and I think she’s going to learn a lot more,” DeVinney said. “She probably has yet to play her best basketball, that’s the good news. So we’re excited to see that.”

Early dreams

Murphy’s dream of playing college basketball began when she was a third-grader at St. John’s Lutheran School at Sauers.

“Ever since I was little, I would watch games on TV and always tell myself I just wanted to play at that level,” Murphy said. “Especially when I was at Sauers, I just always told myself I would be at that level someday.”

Her parents can attest to that.

“Division I was her dream,” Danielle said. “She once thought, should she settle for anything less? She said she’s always wondered, would she be able to or would she not? The chance came, and she said she thought she could do it.”

Charlie said, “She’s known that she wanted to play college ball all the time, and she just worked hard and achieved her dream. She doesn’t give up. She has a good work ethic, and that’s what it’s going to take. She’s always been a kid where we didn’t have to push her very hard to get her homework done or to do anything. She knew she had to do it, and she’d finish it.”

Danielle said Erin has learned to be responsible.

“I know even with her brother, she pushes him to make sure he can’t miss this for something else going on,” Danielle said. “He has to go to his practice, and it’s important if you’re committed to something, you stay with it and stick with it and set your priorities to what you’ve committed to. I’ve already told her, ‘you’re going to have to work hard, keep working hard, don’t give up. This is your dream. You’ve got to finish your dream and just hang in there and stick with it.’”

Dedication to the Lady Owls

When Murphy entered the Seymour program, DeVinney soon realized Murphy would be a true asset.

“This group, when they came in, they were a really good group and a really close group, and when they came in, we talked to each of them about their goals and stuff,” DeVinney said. “Erin’s goal was always to play college basketball, so it’s been a long time coming, a lot of miles traveled for AAU and a lot of time spent during the summer, a lot of time spent during the season.”

Last winter, Murphy became the eighth girls basketball player at SHS to reach the 1,000-point mark.

“She’s changed the way we play basketball,” DeVinney said. “Even coming in as a freshman, just being so athletic, being a great shooter, having a passion for the game, this is a kid, if she doesn’t play well, she goes in the gym that night and shoots, goes and works on whatever she didn’t do well. She’s given herself completely to the program.”

The transition

DeVinney expects Murphy’s hard work will carry into her college career.

“She’s a slasher and a scorer, and she can get to the basket, she has good hands,” DeVinney said. “I think (the Mastodons) were looking at all of those things, and they are excited about having her. Plus, they have a point guard that’s transferred in that’s going to be able to distribute the ball well. I think (Murphy) will add a lot of scoring punch to their lineup.”

Before she gets to IPFW, however, Murphy and the Lady Owls have work to do. Their season opens at home on Tuesday with Southport.

But when the transition from high school to college basketball comes around, Murphy said, “I’m not too sure what to expect yet, but I know it’ll be a big jump, just like eighth grade to varsity. But I think with the right mindset and if I work hard enough, I know I can do it.”

Murphy’s family has faith in what she can accomplish.

“I’ve seen her grow a lot through basketball,” Charlie said. “It’s helped her learn a lot of discipline, the importance of taking care of your teammates and leadership skills. She’s kind of taken a leadership role last year and probably will be more so this year.”

Murphy’s family and friends have been faithful supporters throughout the years, and Charlie expects that may change some, with IPFW being three hours away. But when they are able to make it to games, they’ll be cheering all the way.

“I’d like to see her become the leader like she has here by her senior year there, and maybe she’s the one that the team looks up to kind of like here,” Charlie said. “I know that’s one of her goals.”

Danielle said she and the rest of the family appreciate all of the local support.

“The Seymour basketball family has just been really great to her,” Danielle said. “She’s really appreciated everything they’ve done and all the encouragement they’ve also given her.”

DeVinney looks for Murphy’s legacy to carry on this year and beyond.

“She’s a great role model for any kid coming up, boy or girl, about what it is to be an athlete,” DeVinney said. “Erin is a student-athlete in every sense of the word.  She a straight-A student, just a tremendous kid.”

Murphy said she has reached this point because of “hard work and of course all my family and teammates and coaches. The love of the game has pretty much taken me here where I am today.”