It's not easy being thrust into the role of go-to scorer. Just ask Erica Bizzari.

During her first two seasons on the Union Springs' girls basketball team, Bizzari was a role player who watched as teammates carried the torch in the scoring department. Her sister, Stephanie, was even the Wolves' leading scorer for 2004-05.

As her senior season began, Bizzari knew her role would be heightened and embraced the chance to lead the Wolves.

“I knew I had to work really hard in the offseason,” Bizzari said. “I played on a traveling AAU team to help me prepare. It's a different pace this year. My sister Steph and Katie (Pinckney) left the team last year so coach (Jim Gunnip) put some pressure on me to do more.”

Without hesitation, Bizzari carried out her coach's wish and took the reins on offense. Through the first five games of the season, she averaged 12.5 points and 10 rebounds per game, doubling her junior year averages in both categories.

Just as Bizzari and Union Springs were starting to peak, the senior forward suffered a major setback. During a Dec. 20 game against Groton, Bizzari broke a bone in her left wrist. Although the injury should have sidelined Bizzari for as many as six weeks, her competitive drive helped her make it back onto the court in just two weeks.

“I was supposed to have the cast on for three weeks,” she said. “But I can't sit out. After two weeks I went to the doctor and talked him into taking it off. At practice (when I was injured) I was working on ballhandling with my right hand, doing sprints and stuff on the sideline. I just can't sit out, I can't be away from the game.”

With Bizzari out of the lineup, Union Springs went 1-5 and struggled to get into any offensive rhythm. She returned to the floor Jan. 14 against Newfield and immediately recorded a double-double.

In the seven games since her return, the Wolves are 4-4 and Bizzari has upped her scoring (13.6 ppg) and rebounding (11.3 rpg).

Although the wrist injury apparently hasn't slowed her down, Bizzari still lacks total confidence in her scoring ability.

“I've never been much of a scorer,” she said. “I was always afraid to shoot. I still don't have a lot of confidence in my shot. I don't know how to explain it.”

While Bizzari remains less than enthused with her jumper, she continues to shoot after hearing advice from her older brother, Mike, who played basketball at Union Springs and graduated in 2004.

“My brother got me to start shooting,” Bizzari said. “He's always telling me to shoot. When he was on varsity, he was the go-to kid. He would let it fly and held nothing back. He always tells me to shoot 3s but I always tell him my range doesn't go past two feet.”

Bizzari doesn't take Mike's advice and bomb away from the perimeter that often but she has no problem driving to the hoop. After playing two years at the guard position, she has played primarily in the post this season.

The Wolves' offensive success is typically a direct correlation as to how Bizzari plays. With all the pressure put on her to score, Bizzari says she finds herself relying on her teammates more than most people would think.

“I think we started coming together late in the season,” she said. “It took a while but we got it now and started meshing. But as much as (my teammates) think they need me, I need them. I need them to pick me up. As much as they think they need me, I need them more.”