Last March, the Roland Lady Rangers played in the Class 3A State Tournament at Jim Norick State Fair Arena — a.k.a., “The Big House.” One of the seniors on that team was Lilly Medicine Bird.

Now, Medicine Bird is getting ready for the next level of basketball as she will begin her freshman season at the University of Central Oklahoma with the season opener against St. Cloud (Minn.) State in the Central Region Challenge at 6 p.m. Friday in St. Cloud.

“Personally, I’m ready to just take what I’ve learned from high school and what I’ve gotten from college, and try to put it towards this new team,” Medicine Bird said. “I know as a team, we’re all really anxious and really ready to just get it started and take what we’ve learned and put it on the court.”

The Roland graduate said she is meshing well with her new team.

“They’re kind,” Medicine Bird said. “We just want to be one big family.”

After being such an important player for the Lady Rangers for the last few years, Medicine Bird knows her role as well as her amount of time on the court on game days and nights will be different.

“I do know my role as a freshman,” she said. “I know that my time hasn’t yet come, but I know my role as a team player. Playing or not, I’m just cheering on my team.” However, she said she will be ready at a moment’s notice.

Medicine Bird said she does have some goals she would like to achieve her freshman year with the Bronchos.

“I just want to learn new skills and build my skills as much as I can,” the former Roland Lady Ranger said. “High school and college are so different, basketball wise. Hopefully, I can build my skill level and knowledge of basketball.”

So far, Medicine Bird said college life has been all she had hoped.

“I am enjoying it, for sure,” she said. “There’s so much college life here. I go to school and basketball, then I start all over again. Basketball is like a full-time job. I’m not too far from home. Things started out a little rocky, but by now I surely should be getting the hang of it.”

Medicine Bird is anxious to see what lays in store for her in her college basketball career.

“I’m excited to continue my four years of playing (college) basketball,” the UCO freshman said. “I’m just going to take it as I go.”