Diamond Sweats wants to be an autopsy technician for her career.

Meanwhile, she has developed a knack for bringing an offense back to life during basketball games.

"When I watch the shows on TV, it really looks interesting. It's kind of scary, I suppose, but I find it really fascinating," the freshman Lady Coyote said. "It seems cool to be the person who can tell those investigating a crime how someone died, help them bring people to justice."

While that may be her future, Sweats currently plays a key role in helping the Weatherford College Lady Coyotes enjoy another fine season. Through the first 18 games the guard from Dallas Lincoln was coming off the bench to average more than 11 points, three rebounds, an assist and one steal.

"Sometimes the second group comes in and gets a spark to keep it going. I like that," she said. "I just want to be a player who can be counted on to come through when I'm called on."

Sweats found her niche on the basketball court in the eighth grade when she realized she was a 3-point shooter.

"I was a little fat kid. I thought I was supposed to be in the post," she said. "Then, they put me outside and I made a couple of 3s, and I just kept getting better."

Lady Coyotes Head Coach Bob McKinley said, "Five 3s in a game three straight games convinced me she should be playing for us."

Sweats had seven 3-pointers in a Texas-Oklahoma All-Star Game this past summer in which she was named an MVP. She was also selected to participate in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star Game.

Her Lincoln teams advanced deep in the postseason each of her four years in high school, including reaching state her final season when she was also named all-state and district MVP. They reached the third round in each of the previous three years, and in all four years they were eliminated by perennial power Argyle.

"It was great to have that much success, and frustrating that they took us out each year," she said. "But I learned a lot from that experience."

Though college defenses have made it more challenging, Sweats made at least one 3-pointer in 14 of the first 18 games.

"She's a spark," McKinley said.

Sweats' season high is 21 points in a 91-56 victory at Cedar Valley College. She also scored 18 in a 91-54 win at Southwestern Christian College, and 18 in an 81-70 home win over Panola.

"She's just one of our best players," McKinley said.

Sweats' father played basketball in high school and at Mountain View College. Her mom played in high school, as did her older brother (at Lincoln), with whom she sometimes trains. Her sister ran track.

Sweats said she plans on returning to WC for her sophomore season and then hopes to go on to play at a NCAA Division I program.

"One with a good criminal justice program," she said.

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