Picking an all-America team is like picking your favorite foods -- you just like some better than others, and therešs really no other explanation. But we can almost all agree about the few, the wonderful, the special, and so most of these names wonšt stir much controversy. But in the third and fourth teams, itšs who you like, just as you can concede that though calamari has its charms, the taste of scallops just works better on your tongue.
So dig in -- and remember that everything tastes better with a grain of salt.
Guard: Ticha Penicheiro, Old Dominion, 5-11 senior -- A pure point guard who returned to Old Dominion despite the blandishments of the pros. Of course, word is that if Coach Wendy Larry had moved on, Ticha wouldn't be running the show for ODU this year -- but both are back, Penicheiro wants an NCAA title and she should only be better than she was last season. And she was the best college point guard then too.
Forward: Holdsclaw
Forward: Tracy Reid, North Carolina, 5-11 senior -- You can say she's too small, and if height is all that matters, you might be right. Of course, Reid scored 20.8 points a game and averaged just over 10 rebounds in the tough ACC, so the numbers tell a different story. She also is a great defender and a leader on a team that's thinking Final Four.
Center: Alisa Burras, Louisiana Tech, 6-3 senior -- Burras only played 28 minutes a game last year as LaTech coasted through the Sun Belt schedule -- and beat Tennessee twice. In that short span, though, Burras averaged 18.2 points and 9.5 rebounds a game while shooting 60% from the field. The Lady Techsters want a national title, and Burras is the bus that will carry them home.
Guard: Nykesha Sales, Connecticut, 6-1 senior -- No longer the role player, Sales must step up and be a star for the young Huskies. The problem is she came down with mono and it's impossible to say when she'll be back at full strength. If she struggles, so will UConn ...
Forward: Adia Barnes, Arizona, 5-10 senior -- Doesn't look like a player. Not a leaper. No jumper. Not very big. Not chiseled. But she gets where she wants to go and has more inside moves than Kevin McHale. If you sag off just a bit, she takes this awkward little set shot that looks shaky but goes down. All she does is beat you.
Forward: Alicia Thompson, Texas Tech, 6-1 senior -- A monster down low, Thompson will carry Tech a long way this year. Then she'll sit down and sort through the offers from the ABL and WNBA. Easily could wind up on the first team at year's end.
Center: Olympia Scott, Stanford, 6-2 senior -- The boundlessly athletic Scott has improved every year at Stanford, and with Tara VanDerveer back in charge, backsliding is unlikely. Scott can jump and run, has a bit of a mean streak and has learned to control her urge to try to do too much.
Guard: Becky Hammon, Colorado State, 5-8 junior -- Hammon is an unlikely looking offensive force. She can shoot, pull up or drive. Did I mention she can shoot? 39.7% from three-point distance, 46% overall -- and everyone in the gym knows she's going to put it up. But play her too close and she's on her way to the basket.
Forward: Dominque Canty, Alabama, 5-10 junior -- Canty is an inside force for the Tide despite her size, but she can deal from the outside as well. The junior might be ready to step up into Holdsclaw territory this year, especially on an Alabama team that lost a lot of firepower.
Forward: Kristin Folkl, Stanford, 6-2 junior -- The men's intramural league at Stanford must be awfully tough, because when Kristin Folkl decided to give up on her men's team and play for real, she didn't miss a beat. In her 10 games after deciding to suit up for the Cardinal, she shot 70.7% from the field and averaged 8.2 rebounds in just 19.8 minutes. Volleyball may be fun, but Folkl's future is in basketball.
Center: Murriel Page, Florida, 6-2 senior -- Page averaged a double-double in the toughest league around, and she did it while sharing inside duties with Delisha Milton, who's starting for Portland in the ABL. The Gators will go as far as Page can take them.
Guard: Jamie Redd, Washington, 5-10 junior -- Redd is the leading returning scorer in the Pac-10, and she's an incredible athlete. She'd be rated higher but she's still recovering from knee surgery. Maturity is all that stands between her and elite status.
Forward: Payton Black, Duke, 6-4 junior -- With Kira Orr and Tyish Hall gone, the Blue Devils belong to Black this year -- and we predict that she'll improve dramatically on her 13.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Forward: DeMya Walker, Virginia, 6-2 junior -- The depleted Cavaliers will rely on Walker even more than they expected to, but that will prove to be no problem. Walker can shoot, score and defend.
Center: Nyree Roberts, Old Dominion, 6-3 senior -- Roberts played in the shadow of Clarisse Machanguana last year and still averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks a game. Oh, and she also shot 65% from the floor.
11/12/97
