Girls' basketball practices begin this week state-wide, a time of uncertainty for many.

But Osseo guard Mikayla Bailey is thrilled by what she already knows. Bailey, a tough and tireless defender, recently became the first player in the Class of 2012 to make a verbal commitment to the Gophers and is one of only two junior girls overall with her college basketball plans decided; Hopkins' Sydney Coffey has committed to Marist.

"I'm still shocked about committing to the Gophers," said Bailey, echoing the sentiments of some basketball fans because she is not a dominant scorer. "I feel like this year there is more pressure on me to do well but I'm just going to keep working hard."

A two-year varsity starter with a passion for defense, Bailey hopes to expand her game this winter. She averaged 9.8 points per game as a sophomore. Points aren't everything, but Bailey will be expected to provide more of them. And she has the tools. Coaches praise the 5-9 Bailey for her mid-range shot and three-point shots and her ability to draw fouls going to the basket and finishing.

"I really hope that's something she owns up to this season," Osseo coach Joey Waters said. "She'll say, 'I'm a defensive player,' and I'll tell her, 'No, you're a well-rounded player.' "

Bailey plays soccer and runs track but basketball is her passion and defense is her focus. The seven years she has played AAU basketball for North Tartan gave program director Bill Larson a good look at Bailey's skills without the ball.

Bailey's toughness, hustle and sound defensive fundamentals shined in national tournaments during June and July and made Gophers coaches take note because many other players are scorers first.

"I don't often use this word, but she is a true warrior on the court," Larson said. "She brings the things a lot of teams lack."

Larson joked that the Gophers should install bumpers around the raised floor at Williams Arena to keep Bailey from injuring herself in pursuit of a loose ball. Waters is trying to get Bailey to wear knee pads. Bailey said playing hard just comes natural.

"Even when I was a little girl, every sport I played I went out and gave 100 percent," Bailey said. "And basketball is just a different game to me. Something about it gave me inspiration to do well."

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574