Evidently.

The Lions' leading scorer and shot blocker, Garner recently went over 1,000 points and 100 blocks for her college career. She was the MVP at last year's Big Ten Tournament. All impressive accolades, but not to Garner. Her biggest athletic achievement?

"Getting my high school jersey retired."

That jersey hangs in the gymnasium of J.R. Masterman High School in Philadelphia, where she became the first student-athlete, male or female, to go to college on an athletic scholarship.

Garner's athletic career has had the touch of King Midas -- golden. At Masterman she garnered multiple all-city and all-state selections in volleyball. She actually preferred volleyball to basketball -- although she was also three-time all-city, all-state and Philadelphia's 1996 Female Athlete of the Year in basketball -- but hoops offered her more collegiate opportunities. She attended Penn State women's volleyball coach Russ Rose's summer camp while in high school and caught the attention of the championship coach. She still does.

"Coach Rose still reminds me about my fifth year (of eligibility) and wants me to go over and play volleyball," Garner said with a chuckle.

Unfortunately for Rose, Garner may still be playing basketball, but not at Penn State.

"My dream is to be in the WNBA," Garner said.

The future

Sunday, January 31. In the closing seconds of an 88-64 Lions romp over Iowa, Rashana Barnes hits a smooth 17-foot jumper over highly touted Hawkeyes center Amy Herrig. With no hesitation, the color commentator on WPSX-TV said in reference to Barnes, "That's a look at the future of Penn State basketball."

The comments came as a surprise to the shy and reserved Barnes, who blushed upon hearing them, but nonetheless said the praise felt good. Some pleasant recognition in a year that has at times been unpleasant.

A year ago, Barnes was done with her season at West Catholic High School in Philadelphia, waiting for her 1998 Philadelphia Inquirer Player of the Year award to come in and lining up a date for a Sadie Hawkins dance. This year, the freshman Barnes, like every other undergraduate student before her, has dealt with the difficulties of leaving home and starting school -- but with the added twist of the demanding schedule, mental taxation and physical exhaustion that NCAA Div. I basketball requires of its participants.

"It's been an adjustment," Barnes understated in typical fashion.

The pressures of being a full-time student and full-time athlete have taught the 18-year-old Barnes to grow up in a hurry.

"You have to know what you've got to do," she said of the time-precious and stress-plenty life of a student-athlete.

Thus far, she's done amiably. Barnes has seen her minutes increase steadily throughout the season, coming off the bench and giving a shot in the arm to the Lions' post game. Often playing in relief of Garner, opponents see no drop in intensity or skill when the starter sits and the feisty frosh steps on the court. Barnes is rapidly establishing herself as an offensive and defensive threat in the Big Ten.

Her coaches have been pleased with Barnes' all-business attitude toward books and basketball.

"You wouldn't guess that she's a freshman," Peck said. "She's had a lot thrust upon her, and it's been a lot to absorb, but she's handled it great."

The teacher and the student

Part of Barnes' ability to bear the weight of collegiate life has been her faith in God in heaven, and on Earth, the guidance of fellow Philly native Garner.

"I try to look at Andrea and get some direction from her," Barnes said.

At age 20, Garner is hardly a grizzled veteran of living, but she has traveled a similar road as Barnes and is eager to help her younger counterpart through the trials and tribulations of Lion life.

"Rashana and I have become very close," Garner said. "I think I've helped her through a lot of things, dealing with being a freshman and all the changes in your life then."

As the grueling regular season winds down, Barnes and Garner are tired from the rigors of the Big Ten and academic calendars. Garner has buckled down her studies during the much-dreaded "junior corps" of classes her marketing major and logistics minor demand, while unbuckling the patience of her opposition. Barnes continues her trial-by-fire year each time she takes a test, in class or on the court.

Still, the pair has leaned on each other this season, and each keeps the other primed and motivated for the obstacles ahead. Undoubtedly, this kinship will continue as the Lions and the pair from the streets of Philadelphia press toward waters that neither Barnes nor Garner have toe-tested -- the NCAA Tournament.