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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 9, 1997)
Stanford star considered the best ■ TOP PLAYER: Cardinal forward Kate Starbird seeks a national title in final season By Mark McTyre Sports Editor Is she the best player ever to play women’s basketball? Quite possibly. She has nearly every credential to fit the billing. In just over a year, Stanford se nior Kate Starbird has been hon ored with 15 awards including Co-Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Year, the NCAA West Re gional Most Outstanding Player Award, a Kodak First Team All American selection and a 1995-96 Naismith Player of the Year Award finalist. In her three years, Starbird has collected a total of 21 honors. What makes her so good? “We have a lot of players who are considered very versatile,” said Amy Tucker, Stanford assis tant coach, “and Kate Starbird leads that group. Kate was not only our leading scorer last year, she was also our flashiest player.” Since becoming a starter for the Cardinal at the beginning of her sophomore season, the 6-foot-2 guard/forward has averaged 18 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 as sists per game. Starbird’s ability to play either the shooting guard or small forward position, and her knowledge of the game, are the as pects her coaches most admire. “Kate can play either wing po sition for us,” Tucker said. “She’s a good passer for her size and goes to the basket very well. I think she’s a heady player — somehow she finds a way to score.” With the popularity of women’s basketball on the rise across the country, Starbird’s tal ents haven’t only been noticed by coaches and award selection com mittees. One sportscaster called her the “Michael Jordan” of women’s basketball. Starbird says she is not quite sure how to re spond to the high praise she has received. “It’s flattering and a little bit scaring at the same time,” Star bird said. “I really never thought I’d end up where I am. I guess I came around at the right time for this sport.” While she keeps adding to her list of personal achievements this year, including once again being named a Naismith Award candi date, Starbird’s main goal is to help her team win a NCAA na tional title. Prior to her arrival at Stanford, the Cardinal had won two of the last four titles, but since has not been able to return to the champi onship game. During the Starbird era, Stanford has been to the Round of Eight and two Final Fours. “Definitely, this year is very im portant to us four seniors,” Star bird said. “We’ve been to the Fi nal Four and lost — we don’t want to do that again. We’re gun ning for the title.” Starbird is quick to mention, however, that for her team to go beyond the Final Four it must concentrate on the Pac-10 sched ule. “We’re going to take this Pac-10 seriously,” Starbird said, “every body is a threat. We have to come out strong each night because the minute we let down someone will beat us.” Last season, the Cardinal won all 18 of its conference games, so teams will look to knock mighty Stanford from its high post. Star bird only hopes it won’t happen in post-season play. Authentic Chinese Cuisine RESTAURANT & EjlLu 2 m 947 Franklin Blvd. 0 343-4480 After The Duck Games... CAMPUS LOCATION 18th & Willamette (Next to Blockbuster Video) 343-3330 <^n\MROARDS_ • Rossignol • K-2 • Burton . Nordica • Lange . Solomon HARVEY pox’s SKIS, . Rossignol • Solomon •K-2 • Dynastar . Northtace • Columbia • Marmot • Mtn. Hardwear SALEM ALBA MY CORVALLIS - EUGENE 199 W. 8th St. *484-7344 OREGON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL BI MART HALF-TIME ^ g $ Vash-Jof-Cash $ $ $ OREGON vs. WASHINGTON Saturday, January 11 McArthur Court • 12:30 pm 2 lucky U of 0 students will have a chance to scramble around the court and search for as many Bi-Mart dollars as they can. Bi-Mart offers everything from electronics to household items and food products. Sign up at the promotional table before the game. U0 Students admitted free with current I.D. Card. For more information call 346-5690TTY 346-5418. “33 years of Quality Service” Mercedes • BMW Volkswagen • Audi GERMAN AUTO SERVICE, INC. i€J«rm*n Auto Serwicef I VW t KtRCEDtS RCTAKS I 342-2912 2025 Franklin Blvd. Eugene, Oregon, 97402 Thursday, January 9, 1997 Oregon Basketball - Oregon Daily Emerald 9b ANDERSON'S - Ski Season is Here I Little Caesars PizzaiPizza! I
