Photo by Doc Smith Danielle Heithoff signed with Lamar University last week, making school history. BULLARD - Little did Bullard realize what they were getting a little more than one year ago when the Heithoff family moved from Rochester, Minnesota to our sportscrazed little town, just exactly what we basketball fans were getting.

Now as a key returnee for the eighth-ranked Class 3-A team in the state, the pressures and focus of a state title needs little interruptions.

So, senor post, Danielle Heithoff took some excessive pressure off this past Wednesday as she signed a national letter-of-intent to play hoops at Beaumont's, Lamar University.

The signing marks the first-ever, Division I girl's basketball signing directly out of high school in Lady Panther program history.

Before moving to Texas Heithoff had always been playing basketball every since she can remember.

"I can't remember not playing club ball," Heithoff began. "My Dad was one of the coaches and we traveled all over Minnesota, starting in the sixth grade until high school.

Photo by Cassie Crawford Picture includes mom Dina, Danielle, and father Dan Heithoff. Back row includes brother Dalton, head coach Greg Gay and brother David. "In the eight grade we won the Minnesota State AAU summer league championship, and I later traveled to Chicago and Portland playing for the Minnesota Thunder in the 10th-grade, but last year I played wit Team Texas."

Team Texas is coached by East Texas and Longview coaching legend, Tommy Aldridge.

Next year, to be playing in a tough conference was one decision maker, but staying close enough to home for family and friends to watch also made a sway in her decision.

"I really connected with the head coach and players, plus it's closer to home than the other schools I went and visited," the 6'2, highly-touted Heithoff began. "I really liked their facilities, and the dorms were very impressive."

Other schools with offers were Drake, Colgate, TCU, Rice, Stephen F. Austin, Texas Women's University, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas State, University of Northern Illinois, and Oral Roberts University really put on the pressure.

Photo by Doc Smith Heithoff goes up to score in a win over Henderson last week. "Several schools were wanting to get her for a visit and we went back-and-forth for about a year with Oral Roberts for about a year," said her head coach, Greg Gay. "And she had several Division I's that were interested and wanted her."

Gay added that he can see big things coming for Heithoff at the next level.

"For a 6'2 girl, Danielle runs the floor really well and it's hard to find that," Gay added. "And she handles the ball well, shots the ball well, as great hands, and see's he floor really well.

"The thing about her is that she is nowhere near her potential, and there is just so much upside to her," Gay said. "A lot of kid's are as good as they are going to get in high school by in her case, I really think the best is yet to come."

Back in Rochester, Danielle ran cross-country from the eighth through the 10th grades, lettering all three years before being named All Big Nine conference at Century High School. Heithoff was a member of the Lacrosse team, and a varsity starter in basketball beginning her sophomore year when her team won the conference championship.

Upon her move to Bullard, Heithoff had immediate success raking in the postseason awards

Eithoff was named District MVP, All-Region, Tyler Morning Telegraph's, Newcomer of the Year as the Lady Panthers took the district title.

Sparked by her Dad early on when she started playing at the YMCA in the first grade, Heithoff has been your basic 'gym-rat' every since.

And now a life-long dream has come to fruition.

Heithoff plans to major in ? at Lamar, and looks forward to the challenges ahead.

"I can't wait but balancing basketball and school, and having enough time to study and play basketball I think may be the hardest transition," Heithoff said. "I'm glad this is behind me and we can focus on trying to win a state championship."