Willow Run's Kierra Rolax plays with a chip on her shoulder, and one out of her ankle

Shortly after the opening tip against in a recent game against River Rouge, Willow Run High School senior Kierra Rolax puts her shoulder down and violently drives the lane.

A trio of River Rouge defenders grab Rolax’s arms and jersey, and crash into her from the side. It’s as if their pushing, pulling and prodding are attempts to plead, “Slow down, we’re just getting started.”

Just 10 seconds removed from the opening whistle another had already blown, sending Rolax where she’s most comfortable: The free-throw line.

“I look to pass, but if my teammates aren’t open I look to drive, at least to get to the foul line. Most of the time I drive,” says Rolax, who’s listed at the three spot, but plays more of a point forward in the Flyers’ offense. “That’s a main aspect (of the gameplan) is to get to the free-throw line.”

Most players who shoot 61 percent from the line wouldn’t be champing at the bit to get fouled. But most players don’t shoot 15 free throws per game.

“I shoot sometimes, but that’s not really my strength,” says Rolax. “I think get to the basket, get a foul.”

For taking shots not being her strength, Rolax drains her fair share. She’s averaging a Washtenaw County-best 21.4 points per game and scored half of her team’s points in five of the 10 games she’s played. She also averages 8.5 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Flyer coach Anthony Davis knows that how Rolax goes, so too does his team.

“They tend to play with more confidence when Kierra’s out there,” says Davis, recalling when Rolax had to sit out with an ankle injury against Ecorse back on Jan. 18. The Flyers scored seven points in the first half.

“The game she didn’t play, our first half was really bad and I believe it was because they were kind of missing her,” Davis says. “Not just what she does on the court, but mentally having her and what she brings as a leader.”

The ankle injury was originally thought to be serious, maybe even season-ending. Though she did chip the bone, Rolax missed just one game, and dropped 32 points in her first game back. It was the third time she’s scored more than 30 points this season.

“It really doesn’t affect me,” says Rolax of the injury. “When I get home after my games I’ll ice it. If I don’t, it’ll be hurting and I can’t really move and it’ll swell up, but it doesn’t hurt too much and when I play it doesn’t hurt.”

Rolax’s ankle isn’t all that’s been chipped this season. Davis says that she plays with one on her shoulder after averaging 16 points per game as a junior and being named to the third-team of the 2009 Ann Arbor News All-Area Team.

“She was a little upset that she made third team all area last year, so it inspired her,” says Davis, before breaking out his best upset teenage girl impression. “She was like, ‘Third team!? Coach!? Third teeeeeam!?’”

Minutes before a game, postseason accolades, scoring, rebound and assist averages are far from Rolax’s mind. She’s focused on what really matters: The pregame warmup music.

“Most of the time it’s either Lil' Wayne or some dancing music, because my girls, they like to dance. If it’s something they can dance to, they’ll like it,” says Rolax as “Ice Cream Paint Job” blares over the Willow Run High School gym sound system. Her focus quickly shifts back to the game at hand.

“(Scoring points) I expect it from myself because I believe in myself,” she says. “When I go out there and play, it don’t seem like all those points that add up. I just play hard and do what I can for my team.

“At the end of the game I’ll be like, 'Are you serious? Did I really have that many points?' And people will be like, 'Yeah, you really did.'”

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. You can reach him at 734-623-2561 or via e-mail at petercunningham@annarbor.com.