As Tommie Butts took the reigns of a floundering Blanche Ely girls basketball program three years ago, a freshman guard followed through the Ely gym door with a swagger, a decidedly old-school game and an unquestioned will to win.

All Joanna Harden has done since is lead the Tigers to a 71-17 record, two undefeated district seasons and a state final four appearance.

''Joanna is the type of player a coach dreams of having,'' said coach Butts. ``She brings passion. She brings fire. She just has the ability to change a basketball game. On the high school level, that is rare.''

Harden's game is as creative as the colorful outfits she wears on game days. While Harden throws the occasional fancy behind-the-back pass and can blow by opponents with a deceptive stutter-dribble, her fundamentally sound game harkens back to an earlier era. Harden said she honed her ''old school'' skills playing pickup games for years with her uncle Bobby Lee Burley.

BACK IN THE DAY

''I learned a lot from my uncle Bobby Lee,'' said Harden. 'He used to say `I will show you how we did it back in the day.' He would beat me to an angle and put up the shot. I couldn't block it. I stole that from him. He never crossed over. Just a stutter-dribble and then full-speed.''

Some of those skills were on display against Cypress Bay in the BCAA Big 8 semifinals last season. Harden was quiet in the first half but sparked a rally with a deep three-pointer as the third-quarter buzzer sounded and finished with a game-high 26 points in a 61-53 victory.

Watching Harden will her team to victory is nothing new to South Broward girls' coach Richard Walker, who has been a part of the Bulldogs' six state girls' titles.

''Joanna makes everybody play better,'' Walker said. ``She is strong enough to take the leadership and take over a game. When the job is not getting done, she will take over the game. It is hard to get a kid to do that.''

Harden's primarily role is to score first and pass second, but if the situation arises, she is strong enough to battle inside.

With six sophomores, including Talissia Carter and Lynzey Williams, and three freshmen expected to contribute, Butts said that Harden's leadership will play a key role.

As a junior, Harden averaged a career-high 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists in leading Ely to a 25-4 record. That breakout season earned Harden her first selection to the Miami Herald's All-Broward first team.

The Tigers also return Melanie Ducott, who emerged as one of Broward's top shooting guards last season after averaging a career-high 14 points.

ATHLETICISM

In a stark contrast to Harden, Ducott's game is built around athleticism and speed. Butts said the styles complement each other.

''I call Joanna and Melanie lightning and thunder,'' said Butts. ``Joanna is the thunder. She is the more aggressive type player. She loves contact. Melanie is lightning, she is quicker. They are two different types of guards. Having them both together makes it a wonderful backcourt.''

That chemistry should help the Tigers face another tough schedule, which includes state heavyweights Dillard, Nova, Palm Beach Lakes and a highly anticipated rematch with reigning 6A state champions South Broward, which beat the Tigers in the quarterfinals last season. If the Tigers can keep things close, Butts can rest assured knowing Harden is one of the best closers.

''I share Dwyane Wade's motto,'' said Harden. ``The fourth quarter is his quarter. That is how I feel.

``When the fourth quarter comes up, it's like it is my quarter. I am going to try and win the game. I am going to close the game out.''

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