She may not be the tallest player on the court, but when 5'4" guard Laura Bogota (St. Mary's '21) gets a head of steam there are very few who can contain her as a playmaker, facilitator, and as a scorer.

It was a mindset shift for Bogota that allowed her to really thrive and take off as a recruit this summer playing on the AAU circuit with the Riverside Hawks as with her confidence as high as it has ever been she has turned herself into someone most definitely on the Division 1 radar.

A solid performer for St. Mary's last season as a sophomore, Bogota wasn't content with just being someone who ok. She expected more of herself and that's why as soon as the high school year ended she said it was time to get to work.

"I knew I had to improve so I just put my head down and said I have to get better," Bogota stated. "I had constant workouts and was always punishing myself which is why I am playing the way I am now."

Believing in herself and her game, Bogota became a dominating playmaker on the ball for the Riverside Hawks, going out on the Adidas Gauntlet against some of the top players from across the country and proving that she could be a great offensive and defensive weapon against some of the better guards in the Class of 2021.

Bogota has only continued to carry that momentum into the fall as she had a blistering 28 point performance at the Rose Classic on Sunday, connecting on 7 three's as she wasn't given much space but the opposition but with her quick release a lot of space wasn't needed for her to connect.

Even though Bogota has shown to be one of the more dangerous shooters out there she still looks at herself as a point guard and floor general with her main hope to be able to make those around her better.

"I am a point guard it's just when I am feeling my shot I have to go with it. I want everyone playing well around me though and I definitely consider myself a leader out there," Bogota said.

As a junior, Bogota may still be young but she is already one of St. Mary's more veteran presences on the team which is why Gaels head coach Kevin White has put her in charge of making sure everyone is doing what they need to do on the floor with White feeling as if St. Mary's best chance for success is if Bogota is an extension of him on the floor.

A scorer and a playmaker at the highest level, Bogota took unofficial visits this fall to American, Loyola (MD), and Central Connecticut State and looks to be on path to become one of the true breakout stars of the high school season though if you ask her the only thing that matters at this point is getting St. Mary's back to the top of the basketball mountain with winning she says being what fuels her most.

"It's been a while but hopefully we can get past St. Anthony's and win the championship this year," Bogota admitted. "That's what I want most this year and hopefully that's what we can get."