I asked Morton College women’s basketball coach Jason Nichols the other day to describe the role that sophomore Tadriana Heard played on his team this season.
He put visions in my head of part player, part magician.
“She played all five positions,” Nichols said. “Think about this. She was our starting point guard, who led us in 3-point shooting, and was our best post player.
“That’s all I’ve got to say. I’ve never had a player as versatile as this kid — ever, ever in my coaching career.”
Heard led Morton to the best season in the program’s history. The Panthers were 30-3, finishing second at the NJCAA Division II national tournament in Port Huron, Michigan.
Morton entered as a seventh seed before pulling off two upsets to get to the championship game.
“I can’t even explain the feeling,” Heard said. “I’d never competed in a game that big in a national tournament or in a state tournament in high school.
“I felt like a winner even making it there. I was proud of myself and my teammates. We had a hard road, but I really thought we could pull it off.”
The Panthers were within two points with less than two minutes remaining before losing 49-44 to Kirkwood, Iowa.
“We were right there,” Heard said. “It was exciting. The whole time … you know how usually nerves calm down after tipoff? I was nervous the whole game. It was amazing.”
Heard averaged 16.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Her 131 3-pointers led the nation. She was the program’s first two-time first team All-American.
Her college basketball future also is secure. Among the offers she has received are from Division I schools Chicago State, Illinois-Chicago and Omaha and NCAA Division II Purdue Northwest.
“It’s really exciting,” Heard said. “Most of the Division I offers I have are close, but I’m more open to leaving than I was last year. I got to play in front of my family this season, and I loved it. If I was to do that again, I’d love it again. But I’m open to everything.”
Call it Tadriana Heard’s Major College Adventure, Part II.
After graduating in 2019 from Argo, Heard played for one season at Milwaukee before coming back home, where she felt more comfortable.
“I don’t think I was quite ready,” Heard said. “It taught me a lot to come back and play for Jason. I think he really built some character in me.”
In her second game for the Panthers, Heard had her first triple-double. It wouldn’t be her last. She had a stellar 2020-21 season. Then she had to decide whether to test the Division I waters again or stay for an encore at Morton.
Her loyalty to Nichols won out.
“I had actually decided in the middle of the season that I wanted to come back,” Heard said. “I loved my teammates and we had made so much progress. And we were having fun too.
“I loved playing for Jason. He really pressed me, but he never tried to make me anything I wasn’t. He let me be myself.”
For Nichols, having one more year of Heard was like receiving a gift.
“I think she liked the experience here,” Nichols said. “And I think she knew she might get more opportunities by duplicating the same type of year.”
Heard scored a season-high 30 points in a game against Spoon River and reached double figures 30 times. In two games, she made eight 3-pointers.
All the while, she kept her teammates in the mix.
“That kid, she had an unbelievable year,” Nichols said. “She’s so talented and she’s such a good kid. You know, when you get to be around somebody for two years, you can break them down and really get to know them.
“She’s something special, man. I told her, ‘You’re one of the top five players I’ve ever coached. Don’t take that lightly.’ I’ve had a lot of good ones play for me, and she’s one of the best.”
Today’s lesson?
“When you decide where you want to go next, make sure you’re not going just because of the name,” Heard said. “Make sure you love the coach, not just as a coach, but as a person. If you respect both of those things, you’ll have the best experience.
“Division I, Division II, Division III, JUCO … none of it matters. It’s all about competing and being around the right set of people.”
Heard definitely made them better.