When it comes to college sports, players have to make the transition from high school expectations to the fast pace of collegiate athletics. While some freshmen do not get the opportunity to see significant minutes on the court during their first season, not all is lost from spending time on the sidelines.
Many athletes use their first year as a learning experience, adapting to the speed of the college game while developing the skills necessary to contribute in future seasons.
Emily Buitron is a former Alexander High School multi-sport standout who excelled in both volleyball and basketball. For 13 years, Buitron worked toward the goal of earning a college scholarship, and she achieved that dream when she signed to play basketball for St. Mary’s University in 2025.
Although her freshman season did not feature extensive playing time, Buitron embraced the opportunity to learn every aspect of collegiate basketball and gain valuable experience at the next level.
“I learned way more about the game than I ever have,” Buitron said. “New lingo, new plays, just a whole different version of basketball for sure.”
The jump from high school to college athletics was noticeable immediately. Buitron discovered that preparation away from the court is just as important as performance during games. Film study, scouting reports and understanding opponents became a major part of her routine.
“Everything is a lot more fast paced, yet still very controlled and scheduled,” Buitron said. “We’re a very scout-heavy team so we watch a lot of film not only on opponents but on ourselves to see what we could work on or build off of. I was for sure trying to soak everything in as much as I could so I could be ready whenever my coach gave me an opportunity.”
Buitron was the lone freshman on the roster, which added another challenge as she adjusted to college life and basketball. Despite being the only newcomer, she found support from veteran teammates who helped guide her through the season.
“I was really nervous, especially since I was the only rookie on the team, so I had to really adjust on my own,” Buitron said. “My teammates were welcoming, which I was grateful for. They were great role models to take after and coaches were always pushing us to do our best.”
The Rattlers finished 11-9 in Lone Star Conference play and earned a berth in the conference tournament, giving Buitron a firsthand look at the intensity of postseason basketball.
As she heads into her sophomore season, Buitron believes the lessons learned during her freshman campaign will pay dividends. After spending a year learning the system, studying opponents and adjusting to the college game, she enters next season with confidence and a stronger understanding of what it takes to compete at the collegiate level. The foundation has been built, and Buitron is ready to take the next step in her basketball journey.