‘Favorite’ and ‘Matadors’ Starting to Go Together

The word “favorite” takes a bit of getting used to when describing the Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team.

Only two years ago, Northridge was coming off a 4-23 season and had won only 21 games over six seasons, including a 1-26 mark in 1994-95.

To be sure, the Matadors were one of the worst teams in the nation. But another season under Coach Frozena Jerro should solidify Northridge’s growing reputation as a power in the Big Sky Conference.

The Matadors (6-4) begin conference play tonight at Northern Arizona in the unprecedented role of preseason favorite to repeat as Big Sky champion. Coaches and media gave the Matadors as a slight edge over Montana, providing a consensus that last season’s success story, though hard to believe, was no fluke.

Northridge took the Big Sky by storm, soaring to its first title and first berth in the NCAA tournament with a 21-8 overall record. An amazing performance, considering Jerro, a former assistant with no experience as a college head coach, took the helm after former coach Michael Abraham was arrested on federal drug-trafficking charges only days before the season began.

The story is still talked about--by everyone except Jerro and her players, who long ago put the ugly incident behind them. A year later, perhaps everyone will stop focusing on history and start focusing on the Matadors.

“People are going to be gunning for us a little bit now,” Jerro said. “I’m sure there are some teams out there thinking that [last year was a fluke]. That’s the thing we’re out to prove this year. We did what we did last year because we were talented.”

The Matadors still are. The nucleus of the team has returned, including point guard Edniesha Curry, the Big Sky’s second-leading scorer last season and most valuable player of the Big Sky tournament. Also back is forward Lynda Amari, another all-conference selection.

The Matadors were 12-1 at home last season, not including tournament victories over Northern Arizona and Portland State. Before losing to No. 21 Mississippi State, 98-64, last Friday, Northridge had won 16 consecutive games at home.

A look at the conference’s other teams, with their record in parentheses:

Cal State Sacramento (2-8): The Hornets have won only 16 games in the last three seasons and figure to have another tough go after a 1-15 conference mark last season. Guard Kerri Dunn scored 52 points in consecutive games last season. Newcomer Sephora Scoubes is leading the team in scoring, averaging 11 points.

Eastern Washington (3-6): Forward Tracy Ford, an all-conference selection, ranks among the Eagles’ career leaders in three-point shooting statistics. Ford scored in double-figures in 15 games last season. Forward Allie Bailey led the Eagles in rebounding last season as a freshman. Bailey has recorded consecutive double-doubles this season.

Idaho State (2-9): Guard Angela Munger led the Big Sky in steals last season, averaging 2.8 a game. With 157 steals, Munger ranks 18th on the Big Sky career list. Munger, among four returning starters, is an excellent three-point specialist. Center Ashley Wiseman averaged 8.7 points last season.

Montana (7-4): Forward Lauren Cooper was named most valuable player of the Montana tournament after scoring 73 points and getting 34 rebounds in four games. Cooper ranks third in the conference in scoring, averaging 15 points. Forward Linda Weyler led the Big Sky in scoring last season, averaging 19.8 points and ranked second in rebounding, averaging 8.5.

Montana State (4-7): The Bobcats, picked to finish fourth, are the Big Sky’s most dangerous team from three-point range. Among three returning starters, guard Amy Meckling made 49 three-pointers last season. Center Kelly Martin averaged 5.7 rebounds. Jennifer Curl, who averaged 10.2 points, was the first Montana State player selected Big Sky freshman of the year.

Northern Arizona (4-8): The Lumberjacks slipped to 7-9 in conference last season after a 15-1 mark in 1997-98. Guard Kristi Forman averaged 10.6 points and forward Bridjette Wickham averaged 4.5 rebounds. Sophomore center Anna Sturing has 29 career blocked shots in 33 games.

Portland State (2-9): Guard Karrin Wilson moved to fourth this season on the Big Sky’s career three-point list with 140. Wilson, second on the Portland State career three-point list, averaged 10.3 points last season. Among four returning starters, forward Shannon Spies averaged 6.0 points. The Vikings are picked to finish third.

Weber State (2-9): Guard Shelley Olson averaged 11.1 points and led the Wildcats in scoring last season. She was an all-conference selection. Forward Meghan Geddes averaged 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds. Newcomer Crystal Howe is averaging 11.7 points. The Wildcats enter conference play at Portland State having lost six in a row.