Promising future for Barber Hill freshman

MONT BELVIEU, TX (KTRK) -- Barbers Hill freshman, Charli Collier, is a winner but her state championship aspirations are going to have to wait until next season.

The Lady Eagles fell to Rudder, 72-57 in the Class 5A Region III girls basketball semifinals Friday night.

For Collier, this is a new feeling. "In middle school, we didn't lose any," said Collier. "We were 36-0."

Before her playoff game on Friday night, she told ABC 13 "I hate to lose, and they (this season's losses) were against all 6A teams."

It's not often that a freshman is such a focal point for a team but Charli is no average freshman. As an eighth-grader, she verbally committed to the University of Texas.

"I's pretty rare, especially for a girl her size," said head coach, Tri Danley. "To be 6'4 and move around the basket like she does and she has pretty good strength for a freshman."

"She practices hard, we practice hard," said teammate Kimberly Carter. "She makes us better."

The off season will be difficult for the Lady Eagles but coach Danley sees a bright future for Collier.

"Her future is unlimited, probably she is going to grow an inch or two and her skills are going to develop over time," said Danley. "She is definitely a division one player."