San Pasqual High's Kelsey Harbin is a high school rarity. In these days of specialization, she's a two-sport star.

Harbin helped lead the Eagles to a CIF San Diego Section Division I field hockey championship in the fall.

This winter, she's the leading scorer on the San Pasqual girls basketball team, which is 16-7 and headed to the playoffs.

Question: Are you a basketball player who plays field hockey or a field hockey player who plays basketball?

Answer: I've played basketball since kindergarten. I started playing field hockey in the sixth grade. I love both sports, but I knew my freshman year that field hockey is what I wanted to do.

Q: The sports seem totally unrelated. Is that true?

A: Field hockey is more similar to basketball than people think. Most people think field hockey and soccer are similar. But our field hockey coaches talk to us more in basketball terminology.

Q: What's your favorite part of basketball?

A: Blocking shots. The best feeling is swatting a shot.

Q: What's your favorite part of field hockey?

A: Strokes. I love the pressure of one-on-one with the goalie. In Junior Olympics, in the semifinals, we went four rounds of strokes, and I went 4-for-4. That was so exciting.

Q: You're a 4.0 student. How hard is it to balance two sports and school?

A: I'm taking five advanced-placement classes, so it's hard. You have to be organized, and you have to manage your time well. But our basketball coach (Beck Flanagan) is great about working with me on my studies.

Q: Do you have time for a social life with all you're doing?

A: My mother stresses two things ---- academics and athletics. A social life is third, but I still have time to hang out with friends and enjoy high school.

Q: Where has field hockey taken you?

A: I've been to Virginia Beach, North Carolina, Boston, Iowa, Michigan and all over California.

Q: Is there anything coming up?

A: The Under-17 national team tryouts are this week in Chula Vista. If I make the team, we'll play in Uruguay, then in Singapore in the summer. If I make it, I'll miss three weeks of school in March.

Q: How will that play with your studies?

A: I've already thought about that. Hopefully, I can video my AP chemistry and calculus classes to keep up.

Q: Have the scholarship offers started to come?

A: Yes. I've made a top-10 list. I want to make some visits in April.

Q: Who's on the top-10 list?

A: Northwestern, Stanford, Massachusetts, Louisville, Iowa, Michigan, Princeton and Harvard. I'd like to major in something in the medical field, so I'm looking for the best combination of athletics and field hockey.

Q: How big a thrill was it to win the CIF championship?

A: We've been trying to win since my freshman year, so the third time was the charm. We have a very close team. We inspire each other, so it made it that much better.

Q: Can you guys repeat?

A: We only lose three seniors and we have a lot of good, athletic players coming back. So I think we can be right there.

Q: Have you ever worked with Tiffany Snow (the former San Pasqual star and U.S. Olympian)?

A: Yes. She has helped with our weight training. And she comes to our games whenever she can.

Q: Are you looking forward to playing on the new artificial turf field at San Pasqual next season?

A: Oh yeah! But I'll miss our grass. It's special, a real home-field advantage.

Q: Have you ever been clubbed by a stick?

A: I got it twice last season ---- once in the mouth. Contact is part of the game. It's fun to have battle wounds, stitches. Honestly, there is a lot more contact in basketball. And I'm not afraid to step in and take a charge.

Q: Do your leadership skills come naturally?

A: I don't really know. But I'm honored to be a captain in both field hockey and basketball.

Kelsey Harbin

School: San Pasqual

Sports: Field hockey, basketball

Born: May 25, 1993 in San Diego

Year: Junior

Accomplishments: All-CIF in field hockey

Quick hits

I always keep my ... under lock and key: Field hockey stuff

I'd like to sing a duet with ...: I can't sing a lick.

Star I'd like to dance with: Taylor Lautner

My ... needs fine tuning: Basketball shoes

I'm obsessed with: Taylor Lautner

Favorite dinner: Dad's BBQ steaks

Favorite restaurant: Ruth's Chris

Favorite pregame meal: Spaghetti

Favorite sport on TV: College basketball

Favorite team: Tennessee and UConn women's basketball

Favorite athlete: Diana Taurasi

If I could win an award it would be ...: Most inspirational student.