Waves’ Lindquist Makes Most of Her Shot

With several top players out because of injuries and foul problems, and a big game on the line, a desperate coach scans the bench for someone to give the team a lift. Not only does the coach find a spark plug, but the marginally talented player has the game of his/her life while leading the team to victory.

That scenario is a favorite of anyone who roots for underdogs. And although it has been presented countless times by Hollywood, it happens less frequently in real life.

Tricia Lindquist, however, is one of the lucky few who has experienced the moment.

Lindquist, a walk-on sophomore point guard at Pepperdine, lived the fantasy of every seldom-used reserve on Dec. 19. She helped the short-handed Waves to a 78-64 victory over Cal State Sacramento in a tournament at Northern Arizona.

The fourth guard in a three-guard rotation, Lindquist played 24 minutes and scored 10 points with four assists, three rebounds and no turnovers. Lindquist, an all-league shooting guard at Ocean View High, inspired Pepperdine with her competitiveness and unflappable play despite rarely appearing unless the Waves have big leads.

“That was the first time I got into a game in the first half, before that it was all garbage time for me,” she said. “I think everyone was kind of surprised. Everybody made a big deal about it after the game. It was kind of embarrassing.”

Said Pepperdine Coach Mark Trakh: “I went up to her and said, ‘Can you do it?’ She said, ‘Yeah.’ ”

Lindquist got a shot because two Wave guards were out with leg injuries and another was in foul trouble. Still, Lindquist entered the game thinking the same way she has every other time: she did not expect to play.

“It was weird, I never thought I would get the opportunity,” she said. “(During the game) I kept thinking, ‘He must be saving our other point guard for later.’ But then I looked up at the clock when he took me out and there were only a few minutes left.”

Lindquist (5 feet 6) already has played in eight games for the Waves (5-5), and started twice, after appearing in only seven last season. In about 20 minutes per appearance, Lindquist is averaging 3.6 points, two assists and is shooting 62.5% from the field.

“I think she can help us as a role player, now and then, in emergency situations,” Trakh said. “(Sacramento State) was pressing all over the place and she handled it.”

Not that Lindquist is devoid of skills, mind you.

“She came out of a great program at Ocean View,” Trakh said.

Lindquist, 19, was selected second-team All-Sunset League as a senior, but she didn’t receive any scholarships offers.

“I have pretty good ballhandling skills, but my speed isn’t what it needs to be for a Division I level,” she said.

Getting the chance to contribute is Lindquist’s bonus for her tireless work during practice.

“When you just keep practicing over and over, you need some encouragement,” she said. “I knew this was going to be my role coming in, but when something like this happens you see it just wasn’t for nothing.”

Her 15 minutes are almost up, though.

Pepperdine’s injured guards will soon return. One is a sophomore and the other is a junior. What’s more, one of Pepperdine’s top recruits is a talented guard.

“I don’t think I’ll ever battle for a starting position, but I’m fine with that,” she said. “I got an opportunity and I just didn’t let it go by. If the situation arises again I know I can help out.”

*

Another honor: Missy Clements ended her outstanding volleyball career at Cal State Northridge by being selected second-team All-West Region by the American Volleyball Coaches Assn.

Nothing new here.

Clements, an outside hitter and arguably the best player in the Matadors’ history, began accumulating awards while leading La Habra High to titles. The Matadors’ all-time kill leader (1,464), Clements led La Habra to State Division II titles in 1989 and ’90.

She was named the Cal-Hi Sports player of the year in 1990.

*

Changing uniforms: California reserve freshman forward Tony Gonzalez (Huntington Beach High) is averaging 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds.

A tight end on the football team, Gonzalez had eight catches for 62 yards and one touchdown. He was all-county in both sports.

Keeping Track is a regular column in The Times following the progress of former Orange County athletes competing for colleges elsewhere.