Growing Up Around the Sport

Women's Basketball, Aug 2004 by Miazga, Mike

Kristen Forristall couldn't help but get bit by the basketball bug. Forristall grew up in Oregon City, Ore., a community known for its nationally-renowned girls' basketball program at Oregon City High School.

"You start to play early around here," laughed Forristall, a 6'2'' forward. "In Oregon City, it's so revered. There's not a lot of time for hanging out around here. It's basketball all year round. You grow up going to the games. The environment is great. As a young girl, all you wanted to do is play basketball at Oregon City High School."

Forristall, who will play down the road at the University of Oregon this coming season, did exactly that and left an indelible impression on the program where she helped lead it to back-to-back state titles in 2003 and 2004. Forristall, a versatile player who averaged 22.9 points, 12.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists as a senior, was a three-time first-team All-State selection in Oregon.

"I think I was successful because I was a team player," said Forristall. "A lot of times, girls that are good players can take the ball and do good things with it. I made sure I got the ball to my teammates so they could do good things with it."

Forristall, who competed in the recent McDonald's High School All-American Game, was also a standout in the classroom where she sported a 3.9 GPA. She plans on studying sports marketing and advertising at Oregon.

-Mike Miazga