Streakin’ Lions

Tony Altobelli

Athletes and coaches are VERY superstitious.

Especially coaches.

Two wins or losses in a row is called a “streak” and depending on

which one you’re on, athletes will do the weirdest things to either keep

it going or to get rid of it.

During a winning streak it is common practice to not wash the winning

uniforms until there is a loss. While this tactic is great for the water

conservation of this area, it is not the greatest fragrance in the whole,

wide world, that’s for sure.

Not shaving is another common result of constant winning. Anything

from head hair to facial hair to even leg hair, the shaving cream

companies take a serious beating at the hands of a winning streak.

For Vanguard University women’s basketball program, the Lions have won

41 straight games at The Pit and look to make it 42 in the Vanguard

Classic Dec. 29-30.

Needless to say there are some rather quirky behavior over in

Vanguard-land whenever there is a home game. For proof, just keep an eye

on Coach Russ Davis.

“I’ve been parking in the same parking spot for every home game,”

Davis said. “I always wear blue socks and I always wear a sweater. I make

sure to sit in my usual spot during our pregame meal and I make sure I

put my keys in the same spot.”

Anything else, coach?

“Actually, there’s probably at least 30 little ‘routines’ that take

place before each home game. Fortunately, I’m not superstitious or

anything,” Davis said with a laugh.

According to Davis, “the streak” is more known outside the hustle and

bustle that turns Orange County sports into one big blur.

“We went to go play at Montana State and folks out there were saying,

‘Y’all doin’ pretty good at home aren’tcha.’ so we hear more about it on

the road than in our own backyard. In some places of the country, NAIA

basketball is as big as NCAA Division I hoops, so our streak is a pretty

hot topic,” Davis said.

The last time the Lions lost at home was Feb. 25,1997 against Point

Loma Nazarene, 85-84, in overtime.

Concordia, Evangel and La Sierra colleges look to try to put an end to

the Lions’ reign at home.

So far this year, VU is 5-0 at home, 6-1 overall, with a majority of

wins leaning toward the blowout category.

In fact, only one of the Lions’ wins occurred by less than 10 points

(66-57, against Montana State University). The other five have been by an

average margin of 52 points!

“I’ve been pleased with how everyone’s been playing,” Davis said.

“We’re coming around a lot quicker than I anticipated. I’ve been very

happy with all their efforts.”

Leading the Lions’ domination has been the play of Laura Lee. Coming

off the bench, the freshman point guard, leads the team in scoring,

averaging nearly 15 points a game, while shooting a whopping 46 percent

(25 for 54) from three-point range.

As a team, the Lions are shooting the lights out, hitting on nearly 46

percent from the field and over 41 percent from three-point range.

Another freshman, Robbin Dittenbir, is heading the Lions’ rebounding

brigade, averaging nearly nine boards a contest.

“We were fortunate to be able to get a couple of Division I freshmen

to play on our team,” Davis said. “They have a ton of natural talent and

they’re only going to get better.”

Don’t let the numbers of these two freshman fool you. Vanguard U

thrives on total team support on the offensive and defensive side of the

ball.

The Lions have four players, Lee, Marisa Emde, Kelly Boeke and Becki

Huddle, averaging double figures in scoring, while Dittenbir is hovering

close at 9.9 points a game.

Boeke, who averaged 14 points and 13 rebounds a game was named the VU

Thanksgiving Classic’s Most Outstanding Player, while Lee, who knocked in

22 points in the final game against Patten College, was named to the

tournament’s all-star team.

“Our juniors have really stepped up and have done a good job of

teaching the younger players how to play at this level,” Davis said. “Our

team chemistry has really been great during this early part of the

season, but our biggest test is during conference play when everyone is

gunning for us.”

On defense, with four players averaging over five rebounds a game, the

Lions are outrebounding their opponents by an average of 11 each game.

With quickness and tenacity, the Lions are also creating more

turnovers per contest. Five players have more than 10 steals for the

Lions, leading to a 109-62 steal advantage.

You put all those ingredients and that turns into a 605-339 advantage

on the scoreboard and a 6-1 overall record.

Needless to say, with two conference titles, two trips to the NAIA

Championships, and a 41-game home winning streak the senior-less Lions

not only have a lot to defend, but also have a very bright future ahead

of them.

“We’re working for a national championship for this program,” Davis

said. “And I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

Just keep those blue socks coming, coach.