When Katelyn Loper told her high school coach Chris Johnson that she was excited to play defense, all he could do was chuckle.
In high school, Loper liked to shoot from the three-point line. To this day, she is Post Falls High School’s all-time scoring leader. But she had never been defensive-minded.
Under Oregon head coach Kelly Graves, though, that changed.

“It kind of blew me away,” Johnson said. “It shows how she’s grown up and she understands what it takes to win.”

After two years at Hofstra University and two years with Paul Westhead at Oregon – both utilize the run-and-gun offense – Loper has been asked to fundamentally change her game by Graves.

The senior is taking fewer shots and has embraced the fundamentals that Graves has demanded. Loper has also continued to ask questions, something that she says is important, even as the oldest player in the program.

“I was really set on two coaches, that’s it,” Loper said. “When (Graves) came, I was obviously very excited, but I was like. ‘Gosh, I already got accustomed to one the last two years.’”

Loper was always making headlines when she was growing up in Post Falls, Idaho. She started the first game of her freshman year in high school and eventually left Post Falls High after racking up 1,377 points. In 2010, she was named Idaho’s Gatorade Player of the Year.

“She was just such a contrast, because she had that infectious smile, she makes people laugh and is fun to be around,” Johnson said. “And then she steps out on the floor and gets that look on her face, just a total competitor.”

Loper described northern Idaho as conservative, saying things were more black and white. Johnson said opposing teams and fans targeted Loper, but she never let that bother her. She enjoyed the different cultures and backgrounds and beliefs that Hofstra, located in New York City, afforded her.

“That was so awesome for me,” Loper said. “That’s what I miss most.”

Guard Jordan Loera, whom Loper played with growing up on the AAU Spokane Stars, said that Loper has gone above and beyond to make adjustments to her game.

“From the freedom she had last year to more kind of strict system here, it’s been a challenge for everyone,” Loera said. “Kate especially has done one of the best jobs of making smarter decisions for the whole team.”

Loper’s signature shot has always been the three-pointer. Through Jan. 22, 17 games, Loper is 31-of-98 from three-point range (31.6%) for the Ducks. Through the first 17 games last year, she was 49-of-186.

“You try not to feel bad for yourself because you try to think about the team because that’s more important, but obviously you want your individual successes for when you graduate,” Loper said. “But you still have to think about it.

“… It’s rewarding to see that people see what you’re going through but are still appreciative that you try your best and you give it all you have.”

In the end, however, Loper has embraced the change, just like she’s done again and again.

“I think the coaches expect a lot from me,” Loper said after the season opener against Utah State. “I like that. … I feel different because I am accountable.”

Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne