Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 1998)
8 TT ie CI ac I< amas P rìnt Clackamas stumbles, regroups JOHN THORBURN Sports Editor The women's basketball team is feeling the pressure that comes with being the best squad in Oregon. After bolting into first place in the South ern Division of the Northwest Athletic As sociation of Community Colleges [NWAACC], the Cougars [5-1,15-4] were upset by Portland Communtiy College last Wednesday. Portland [3-3,6-13], a traditionally weak team in the region, shocked the league with its 63-62 victory over Clackamas. "Portland's a respectable team," said Head Coach Karen Twain. "I don't think we underestimated them, we just played really poorly and they played really well." The Cougars, accustomed to getting 40- 50 rebounds per game, were held to 32 while the undersized Panthers had 36. In a game that Clackamas looked lethar gic and slow, the Cougars had 24 turnovers and only took 47 shots to Portland's 65 at tempts. "I think we were pretty tired," said Twain. "We had come off four pretty strenuous games so our practices have been a little lighter. "A lot of people were thinking that we were in the lighter part of our schedule," added Twain. "They put great pressure on us, they played really well and I don't want Cougar I Sidelines^ | Hometown athlete honored Oregon City native and women's basketball star Michelle McKinney was given the Southern Region's Player of the Week award for her perfor mances on Jan. 14 and 17. McKinney, a sophomore for ward, scored eight points and collected 10 rebounds in the Cougars' 83-60 victory over the powerhouse Chemeketa Chiefs. She then improved on her perfor mance against Linn-Benton, recording 17 points and eight rebounds, in a 76-55 Clackamas win. McKinney, a member of this year's Southern Region cham pion volleyball team as well, also had four assists, four steals, and two blocked shots between the two league games. This award is the second straight week in which a Clacka mas player has received the honor. The Player of the Week award is nominated by the coaches of the Southern Region of the NWAACC. Wednesday, January 28, 1998 to take anything away from that. We just weren't able to handle the pressure. "All season our bread and butter has been our defense and our rebounding," added Coach Twain, "and against Portland, we played lousy defense and they outrebounded us. Every team has a night like that and when that happens you just hope that you can escape with a win but unfortunately we didn't." Robbie Nix led Clackamas with 22 points and eight rebounds while Michelle McKinney added 13 points and six re bounds for the Cougars. On Saturday, Clackamas let out a little frustration against Lane Community Col lege. The Cougars exploded in the first half on 56% shooting to take a 37-12 halftime lead. "To come back from the Portland loss andholdLanetoonly 12pointsatthehalf," said Twain, "shows that we can do it when we want to do it That's all we wanted to know. It's reassuring." Clackamas never faltered in the 72-53 win over the Titans [2-4,10-9] from Eu gene. The win sent a loud message to the rest of the Southern Division on the talent of this year’s squad. There's talent on this team and alot of it Sophomore reserve player Denise Bean came off the bench to lead all scorers with a career high 21 points, seven rebounds and six steals. "Atleastrightnow, said Twain, "we like Bean coming off the bench to the extent that she gives us a big spark. Any time that a sixth man or seventh man can come off the bench and have 21 points, it shows the kind of depth that we have. "To have somebody like Bean or Michelle [McKinney] that can come off the bench and score a lot it really shows how deep this team really is," added Twain. 'Tm not just looking at offensive stats either. They're some people com ing off the bench right now, Noelle [Johnson] for example, that is just play ing outstanding defense. In almost all of our games, our bench has always outscored the other teams' reserves and sometimes their starting five as well." Nix also had 20 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and three steals. With the victoiy, Clackamas has the inside track to the Southern Division title as Umpqua Community College lost to Chemeketa Community College on Saturday. The Cougars defeated both Umpqua and Chemeketa two weeks ago. The regular season is far from over, how ever. Clackamas plays host to rival Mt Hood tonight The Saints [4-2,9-9] have been on the Cougars'heels all season but with losses to both Umpqua and Chemeketa, they have slipped in the standings. "Mt Hood is a very talented team," said Coach Twain. "They may have some of the best talent in the northwest. They have an excellent point guard in Kelli Freshman Melinda Freeman has been a terror on defense for the Cougars this season causing havoc for opponents around the northwest. Hedlund and a number of good posts. They are very athletic and can do a lot of things. They're definitely a team that worries us. "They match up pretty well against us so we just need to play our game and come out more pumped up than them." Coach Twain plans to start big against the Saints with 6'1" Robbie Nix, 6* Nichole Hayden, 6' Michelle McKinney, 5'10" Lauren Mohan and 5'5" Melinda Freeman. She realizes, however, that things may change pretty quick. "We've got a number of players that de serve to start," said Twain. "[Denise] Bean, Jenny [Hansen] and Noelle [Johnson] are some of them but we only have five spots. We're doing the best we can and they all know their roles. The girls know that it's not really important who starts but who's in there at the end of the game." On Saturday, the Cougars will travel the long journey to Roseburg to take on Umpqua[4-2,18-2] in a game that could greatly change the standings in the divi sion. Clackamas holds a one game lead over both Chemeketa and Umpqua. "The way to beat Umpqua is to shut down Sarah Coleman," noted Twain. "Chemeketa did that on Saturday and they won and that's pretty much what we did as well. They have some other players but if we can keep their star under wraps that will really help. We're going to work pretty hard Women's Southern Division Standings School Clackamas Chemeketa Umpqua Mt. Hood Portland. Lane SW Oregon Unn-Benton League Season 5-1 4-2 4-2 4-2 3-3 2-4 2-4 0-6 15-4 15-6 18-2 9-9 6-13 10-9 11-9 3-14 to do that. "It's the same thing with Mt Hood as well," added Twain. "If we can shut down Hedlund then things should be okay. Those two teams are similar in that sense." The Cougars have their work cut out for them in the next few weeks. "We really enter the meat of our sched ule now," said Twain. "We've gotMt Hood, Umpqua, Chemeketa, SWOCC [South western Oregon Community College] and Portland in that order so we've got our work cut out for us. "Inmy opinion," added Twain, "wehave five must-win games and if we get through those undefeated then we should be on our way to NWAACCs." For sale: y x 16* Tractor tires on 5 X 51/2* lug pattern wheels. $250 obo/trade. Misc. early Jeep and late scout parts. Contact Nick in the Automative Dept, or call 652-5865. undefeated then we should be on oiir way to NWAACCs. _ y Karen Twain Head Permanent, part-time (.5 FTE). Wage to be determined. Open until filled. Call 722-2366 for application. Must Sell!! '85 S-10 4X4, ext. cab, V6 2.8 liter, matching canopy, For sale: 1992 Ford Explorer, bed liner, PS, CC, and much Eddie Bauer Edition, premium shape, contact Nick Miller at ext. 2320 on campus. Can be seen in Auto Department. more. $2500 O.B.O. Call 557- 3692. Room to rent West Linn - Spacious bedroom in new home. Part-time nanny needed on Fully furnished - share use of Thursdays. Sunnyside area. bath, sitting rbom, and Starting end of January. Call kitchenette. Private entry and patio. Includes utilities and cable. Chris @ 658-6613. On bus line. Female only - No Weekend Advocate, smoking - No pets. $350 per domestic violence agency. month + deposit. Call 657-7876 Support and advocacy to (Dianne). survivors of domestic violence. Permanent, part-time (.39 FTE). Wage to be determined. Closes January 12th. Women of color, survivors of violence, lesbians and bisexual women encouraged to apply. Call 722-2366 for application. Latina Advocate, domestic violence agency. Support and advocacy to Latino survivors of domestic violence. Bilingual required, biqultural preferred. Software for sale!! Microsoft Visual Java ++ Box is opened, but software seals haven't been broken. Comes with all manuals, registration card, etc. Normally retails for $50, will sell for $25. Call extension 2576 and ask for Brad. Free advertising for students in the Clackamas Print.
