By JEFF BERLINICKE | Tribune correspondent Published: January 11, 2013 Updated: January 11, 2013 - 12:00 AM

Faith Woodard's mailbox was bursting every day with more than 30 letters from colleges all over the country asking her, practically begging her, to be the bedrock of their basketball programs.

Then things got really crazy.

Woodard, a recent transfer to Freedom High from Riverview, is a multisport athlete and every coach's dream. She won the state championship in the high jump and competed in four other events at the state track meet. She has been the Tribune's Hillsborough County Female Athlete of the Year for the past two years.

Depending on who is asked, the senior ranges anywhere from 6-foot-1 to 6-4. Woodard said it's closer to 6-2, but she won't argue with any of the projections. Either way, the height doesn't matter as much as the 21.6-point scoring average and the 16-2 record.

The college letters are still pouring in, even though she has committed to Georgetown University, and the farther the Patriots roll through the season, the more calls and letters she is likely to receive.

"It just started to get crazy when I transferred to Freedom,'' Woodard said. "I wanted academics and let everyone know that, but I also wanted to stay close to home. I love my family, and South Florida seemed like a great choice, but I just decided on Georgetown. It was tough, but I am happy with my decision and I don't plan to change.''

Woodard is looking forward to Georgetown, but first she wants to take Freedom to Lakeland, site of the state Final Four.

After transferring from Riverview, where she averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds a season ago, she had the advantage of knowing her new coach, Laurie Pacholke, through AAU basketball for several years. Pacholke said she had no doubt that Woodard would fit in.

"I've known her for a while, and I knew what she could bring to the team,'' Pacholke said. "She is hungry to get even better. You haven't even seen how good I know she can be. She likes being pushed to the limits and she never complains.''

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Freedom High's Woodard stays focused amid craziness