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Show THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY NOVEMBER 21, 1988 PACE 11 OSi LADY THUERBIRD BASKETBALL RISES TO DIVISION I COMPETITION LADY 'BIRD ROSTER 1988-8- 9 Head Coach: Clay Anderson LADY 'BIRD SCHEDULE 1988-8- 9 Head Coach Clay Anderson "sees things on the court. Coach is taking team to top BY BRENT RICHEY The biggest foe of the Lady 'Bird basketball team this year is tradition, said Head Coach Clay Anderson. "Teams that usually go to nationals believe they can go to nationals, and that's what we have to get our girls to believe," he said. d schools on this SUSC women's basketball faces a number of season the the first The schedule. day opens begins challenge year's when they face Conzaga, winner of their league the last three years, and national competitor three years running. "The first game's a good measuring stick for how well our season will go," said Anderson. "If they beat us up, it will put a damper on our season." A very physical team, Conzaga does not play with a domineering offense, but they battle tough inside. The Lady 'Birds will n and press. "That will be our mainstay defense. Well play and make them run with us," said Anderson. try to play "We'll be more successful than if we play half court post-up.- " Kim Langford, a 6' 1" junior, will start at center. "(The Lady 'Birds) have such good technique that they can overcome a lot of the physicalness," he said. Anderson's club will face several stiff opponents this season. After butting heads with Gonzaga in the Boise State tournament, the next rival will be the Lady Dawgs of Georgia in the Centrum. "Hopefully 11-or 12-- 0 going into the Georgia game. But it will be we're 10-tough to beat them," predicted Anderson. With only a weekend to recuperate after the Georgia game, the Lady 'Birds will travel to UCLA to take on the Lady Bruins. UNLV makes a trip to Cedar City Feb. 11. "I think we can get UNLV," said Anderson. If we can get them, we should be right on "We should be around 18-course to make it to nationals." As a head coach at SUSC, Andprson has a record of 15-He doesn't feel he has some mysterious coaching quality that makes him successful. Perhaps his greatest strengths are his "ability to motivate players and see talent. can see things on the court most coaches never make adjustments." see, and when see something He believes in fundamentals, but "I think can get more out of my players because of my relationship with them. have a concern for them individuals "I try to take me time necessary to make their whole experience worthwhile. don't think I'm any smarter than any other coach, but can be their friend. In my opinion, it's easier as a coach if you're their friend." That philosophy seems to have worked in the past. top-rate- All times are times at game site. Individual game times noted with an asterisk are Pacific Time man-to-ma- up-tem- 2, 4. 2. ( HI )l 1, I ;- ') ,4 4 ,w, Guard Kim Free drives around an opponent. Free will steer the Lady 'Birds this vear as well. )f l |