You must learn to crawl before you can walk and learn to walk before you can run.

But one day, just before I entered the "terrible 2s," like so many other times in my life I ignored my mother's advice and went scurrying across our living room floor. And just as I reached the halfway point of my dash to glory -- my dash to prove adult authority ignorant and unknowing -- I lost my balance.

My young legs gave way and I cracked the back of my head against the corner of the brick fireplace.

The scar still remains to this day, serving as a reminder not to overstep my bounds and that first things always come first.

Penn State guard Lisa Shepherd has a distinctly different scar from a similar situation to my rebellious decision as an infant.

Unlike mine, Shepherd's scar was internal as her athletic psyche was damaged following her first-ever start as a Lady Lion.

In Penn State's worst loss of the season, an embarrassing 72-54 home-court drubbing at the hands of Ohio State, Shepherd tried to do too much.

Taking the place of regular starting guard Shawnta Vanzant, Shepherd shot 0 for 10 from the field, 0 for 5 from 3-point territory and 0 for 2 at the free throw line. She wasn't hesitant by any means, her 10 field goal attempts will attest to that fact, but Shepherd overstepped her bounds and, as I did that fateful day as a 1-year-old, tried to sprint before she was mature enough to do so.

For the next seven games Penn State coach Rene Portland returned Shepherd to the place where she had enjoyed her success over the past season and a half -- the bench, as a substitute. By her atrocious display in the Lions' Big Ten opener, Shepherd showed Portland that she just was not ready to take on the role of being a starter.

Shepherd has learned from that mistake.

The second coming of Shepherd the starter has looked nothing like the one Dec. 28, 1998 against the Buckeyes.

This Shepherd has put those memories behind her.

This Shepherd has matured.

Since starting against Indiana six games ago Shepherd's play has become as predictable as her generic postgame responses.

With 17 points and five second-half 3-point baskets against Northwestern Jan. 27 Shepherd "did what is best for the team."

After an 18-point performance against Iowa Jan. 31 Shepherd could honestly say she "didn't really feel any pressure from starting."

Last Friday, after pouring in 19 points in Penn State's 73-71 overtime win against Wisconsin, Shepherd was "comfortable with her role on this team."

And Sunday Shepherd once again torched Don Perrelli's Northwestern Wildcats as she tallied 27 points, and at the same time showed "that it's always nice to start."

With three conference games remaining in the Lions' regular season, Portland now finds herself in a position other coaches envy. Portland can hold out her two clinched fists and ask the opposing coach to theoretically pick their poison -- Shepherd's outside production or the presence of Penn State's frontcourt performers Andrea Garner, Clara Carter, Rashana Barnes and Maren Walseth.

No matter which one coaches have chosen, they have been burned by a Penn State offense averaging over 88 points per contest since the re-injection of Shepherd into the starting lineup.

Ahead of the Lions lies the grueling stretch run of the Big Ten Tournament and a possible NCAA Tournament invitation. But even this journey starts with a single step.

A step Shepherd has taken over the last six games.