Sara Puckett has played in 137 games in four seasons at Tennessee.

Even after all of her days in Knoxville, the Muscle Shoals native remembers all of her favorite spots in north Alabama: Ricatoni’s Italian Grill in nearby Florence is atop of the list.

“I also like to hang out with my family and go to the gym some, be back there, but also get some work in,” Puckett said. “I love Casa Mexicana, the Mexican restaurant; yeah, I love that.”

Representing her hometown of Muscle Shoals, Puckett is set to return to her home state in orange and white as her Tennessee Lady Vols take on a Sweet 16 matchup against Texas in the Birmingham Regional.

Tipoff is set for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. inside Legacy Arena.

“It’s really fun. It’s good to be back,” Puckett told AL.com. “I’ll have several family members be here in support of me and my team. Also, I’ve never been able to play in the BJCC, because that’s where the state tournament is held and I only made it to the Sweet 16 in high school.

“To be back here for my last year in the Sweet 16 and be able to go to the Elite Eight, that’s really cool to me. I can’t wait to get out there and have fun with my team.”

Puckett has played in all 33 games for Tennessee this season, averaging 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists, and making 23 shots from beyond the arc.

A career average of 6.4 points per game across four seasons, she said playing basketball both at Muscle Shoals and at Tennessee has been “a long journey, but a fun one.”

“I definitely will take it all in,” she said. “It just sometimes hasn’t hit me that I’m a senior, even though it’s win or lose and go home type situation now. Like you said, taking in every moment and not really taking it for granted, because it could be my last.”

Puckett was a dominant high school player at Muscle Shoals, claiming Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year honors in 2021 after averaging 21.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game for the Trojans as a senior.

Puckett played varsity at Muscle Shoals for six years and finished her career with 2,349 points and 1,215 rebounds, signing with Tennessee over other offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Texas and more.

“I had a lot of fun with my teammates as well,” she said of playing at Muscle Shoals under coach Blair Woods. “I was very competitive in high school, still am. I will never forget playing for my coach there and how there were certain games where she says, ‘You’re gonna be fine.’ It was fun.

“It was some fun times, and it got me where I was today.”

Puckett is one of two players from the state of Alabama in Birmingham for the Sweet 16, with the other being former Hoover star Reniya Kelly, now with North Carolina.

Ahead of a matchup with SEC champion Texas on Saturday, Puckett looks forward to another chance to represent all of those who have had an impact on her.

“It means the world, just because a little girl from a town in Alabama is doing big things at Tennessee,” Puckett said. “I’m glad I get to represent my community, my town and Alabama in general. Being back here, hopefully, Tennessee will make a statement in Alabama.”