Sports: Women's Basketball Adversary

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RESPONDS TO ADVERSITY

MSU's women's basketball team was jinxed in 1992-93 by circumstances that make Murphy (of the infamous Law) seem like an optimist. The avalanche of bad news began, ironically, after the high point of the season--MSU's upset of then No. 10-ranked Purdue at Breslin Center. Within three days, MSU lost four players.

First, senior Sheronda Mayo-Powell, the team's leading scorer and best player, suffered a season-ending knee injury. Then, junior power forward and defensive ace Annette Babers left the team for the season because she is expecting a child. Then, two freshman reserves are lost-- Tina Epps, who left school for personal reasons, and Kendra Nelson, who was ruled academically ineligible for the season. 'At that point,' recalls head coach Karen Langeland, 'I'm thinking we just need to cancel the rest of the season.'

The shell-shocked team was able to regroup and squeak by Michigan at Ann Arbor, 65-62. Although the players learned to face adversity well and responded admirably, MSU lost their next six league games. 'Adversity will bring out either the best or the worst in you, and I think it's brought out the best in this team,' notes Langeland. 'Tanya Place and Dianne Hall are now starting, and I think they've done an admirable job.'

The season began with optimism, what with the Felpausch Classic now considered one of the premier tournaments in the country--notwithstanding Langeland's run-in with the Famous Chicken. But there are good news on the horizon. Langeland and assistants Sue Guevara and Leanna Bordner have signed an excellent class for next season:

Alana Burns, a 6-1 forward from Elkhart, IN

Akilah Collier, a 5-6 guard from Port Huron

Cheri Euler, a 5-10 guard from Houghton Lake

Paula Sanders, a 6-1 forward from Detroit, a Street and Smith All-America and a leading candidate for Miss Basketball in Michigan.

Collier and Euler are both members of the National Honor Society, while Burns is a member of the honor roll and active in student affairs. Most importantly, Mayo-Powell underwent successful surgery and is back attending classes.