Katie Walker decided it was time to get physical.
Before this season, Walker, Towson's 6-foot-2 senior center, had relied primarily on her height advantage in becoming an All-Baltimore County selection.
Over the summer, however, Walker began a weight-training program in an effort to strengthen her upper and lower body.
She also started playing pickup games in her backyard with boys in her neighborhood, some of whom were members of Towson's varsity basketball team.
The results of the summer workouts have been evident this season. Opponents are seeing a more aggressive and confident Walker.
They also are seeing a player who has become a dominant inside force at both ends of the court.
Walker is averaging 18.1 points, 15.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks for the 12th-ranked Generals.
"Lifting weights has helped my offensive game as well as my defensive game, and it's helped me be more aggressive in rebounding," said Walker, who plans to play both basketball and softball at Messiah College.
"I also learned a lot from playing against the guys in my backyard. It's made me more physical."
Walker, who averaged 12.7 points and 11.3 rebounds last season, also attended a basketball camp at Towson State during the summer at which she learned some new post moves that have been added to her repertoire.
"She's just a much more skilled player," Towson coach Bev Snyder said. "She used to be unable to catch the ball. Now she's catching it and keeping it in position where no one can get to it. She's also got a nice turnaround jumper."
Led by Walker, the Generals (13-0 overall and Baltimore County 1A-2A League) haven't lost a step from last season, when they were the Baltimore County champion; this, despite the graduation of second-team All-Metro point guard Sarah Weaver.
The Generals practically assured themselves the division title after Wednesday's 60-57 victory over second-place Loch Raven.
Towson also defeated the Raiders in its season-opener and has beaten third-place Catonsville in two meetings.
While both Walker and Snyder emphasize overall team effort, the opposition is fully aware of how instrumental Walker has been to the Generals' success.
In a 55-43 victory over Catonsville last Friday, Towson led by 12 points late in the third quarter when Walker sat down after picking up her fourth foul.
With Walker on the bench, the Comets were able to pull within two. But when Walker returned, the Generals scored eight consecutive points and put the game out of reach.
"She was just unstoppable," Catonsville guard Meghann Mohler said after the game. "When she plays like that, there is no way to stop her."
Although Walker undoubtedly has become a more complete player, she is also still the tallest player in the county, which allows her to score many of her points in the paint off rebounds.
But even that aspect of her game has improved.
"Her role hasn't changed," Snyder said. "She's always been able to get the rebound and put the ball back up. But this year, she's been in better position than ever."
And with Walker leading the way, the same is true for the Generals.