11.1

SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon
April 8, 2004

Women's basketball looks ahead to next year after great season

By Adrian Ackles
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Steve Lanpher came to Norwich University two years ago, after spending a year at Lamar University as an assistant coach, to take a job as the head coach of the women’s basketball team. Lanpher has coached at many other levels and colleges, including Pratt College (Kansas), and Saint Josephs in Rutland. With this experience and the players' talent, this year's team would not only make a playoff run, but achieve records while doing it.

“I think we had an outstanding season,” said Lanpher about his second season. “We don’t necessarily rate our season by wins or losses,” Lanpher continued.

However, with a 23-7 record which tied the school record for most wins in a season set in 1990-1991, the success of the team is self-evident. That success is credited to the leadership and unity that the team has gained during the season, according to Lanpher.

“The players seem to click, on and off the floor, and that is as important as talent; that’s good for a team,” said Lanpher.

The team had many venues to look towards for leadership, with five seniors: Jamie Abrams, Lisa Belmonte, Diana Monahan and Kristen Purcell (who were captains), and Heather LaBranche, who, although a senior, only joined the team this year.

“A lot of it is recruiting solid student athletes, but more than that, we try to foster a team atmosphere by doing a lot of team activities, especially in the preseason,” said Lanpher.

“The high points were the time we spent together; we had a lot of fun,” said Lisa Belmonte, 22, a physical education major from Long Island.

The team spent most of the year together on and off the court, fundraising, bowling, lifting and taking a trip to Florida during their winter vacation.

“Our team chemistry was awesome,” said Sarah Chap, 18, a freshman physical education major from Stockbridge VT. “We were really close, and I think that it had a lot to do with our success.”

Chap was one of the three freshmen on the team and was able to contribute to the team’s season.

“When I first got here, I was really nervous. I was really shy, and I didn’t talk that much, but they [the team] helped me loosen up, and now I am really good friends with everyone,” Chap said.

The team came back from the Florida trip winning eight out of their ten last games. Those games include the team’s second ECAC appearance in the school's history, after a close loss to Emmanuel in the GNAC championship game. The team entered the ECACs as a third-ranked seed; got home court advantage over Springfield College, and won, to get to the semi-finals.

“I think a turning point for the team was when we lost to Johnson & Wales, our one and only home loss after the break,” Lanpher said. “I believe that it is easy to grow when you’re winning, but it takes true character to come back after a loss.”

“I believe our highest point in the season was when we beat Springfield,” said Kim Sweeney, a criminal justice major and junior from Fair Haven, VT. “It was our first ECAC game, and we won against a team we haven’t beaten in four years.”

In addition to the great season record and the victory over long-time rival Springfield, the team had two players recognized for their quality of play throughout the season.

“I got GNAC first team all-conference, and Kim Sweeney got second team all-conference,” said Belmonte.

“At the beginning of the year, we all made our goals; mine was to become a better leader and to make the all-conference team,” Sweeney said.

The players weren’t the only ones recognized after the season for having a great season; Lanpher was awarded co-coach of the year, sharing the award with the head coach from Emmanuel.

“It's obviously pleasing to be recognized by my peers,” Lanpher said.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.