The Warriors

Lewis-Clark State College Women's Basketball

1997-98 Season Outlook

Is it LCSC’s turn?

There is no such thing as "our turn" according to Mike Divilbiss, who enters his 11th season as the women’s basketball coach at Lewis-Clark State College.

Two straight appearances at the NAIA national tournament have garnered Divilbiss and the Warriors kudos for a job well done, but with eight returning players – including one redshirt – on the roster, expectations are higher than ever: The Warriors have their sights set on a national championship.

Coach Mike Divilbiss on the national championship

"Winning a national championship is a process. Two years ago we got over the hurdle and got to the national tournament. It took us a long time to do that but we did it. We didn’t like the outcome that year. Then last year, winning a game and then getting beat the way we got beat also left a bad taste in our mouths. We felt there were 10 teams right there, all the same, and we were one of those teams. We felt we were physically good enough. I hope we get the opportunity to go back and win some more games, but we’re not going to assume that."

Divilbiss speaks of longtime UCLA coach John Wooden who said success is an infection that allows you to live in the past and think that past successes automatically translate into success again and again. The Warrior coach wants to guard against that infection.

Divilbiss on this season

"Our challenge is to make sure we don’t just assume we’re going again and don’t assume we’re going to win the national championship or win the conference because it’s our turn. There’s no such thing as our turn. My role this year is to make sure we’re prepared for anything we might face and to make sure practice is tougher than any game situation. My role is to make my players believe in themselves and also to make sure we don’t assume that our successes of the past will happen again this year automatically."

The Warrior coach is working to make sure no assumptions are made. Aside from recruiting good players, he’s finding good people. That combination adds up to winning, on and off the court.

Divilbiss on the Warrior program

"We’re looking for a certain type of mentality on this team. We’re looking for people who will step up and handle challenges, challenge teammates and make sure we’re doing things the way the Warriors are supposed to do them. This program has evolved to a lot higher level than anyone ever envisioned. We’re not just winning, but it’s all the other things. Three academic all-Americans in one season and five in four years; it’s the type of kids we have. I’m proud of what we’ve done on the floor and off the floor, and I’m also proud of what the kids are doing when they leave the program."

The Warriors still haven’t won the NAIA District 1 post-season tournament, but qualifying for the national tournament with at-large berths the last two seasons has softened that disappointment.

Divilbiss on the post-season conference tournament

"Would I like to win the conference championship? Sure. Does it matter? I’ll tell you at the end of the season."

Unlike last season when LCSC played 12 of its first 15 games on the road, the schedule-maker (who is Divilbiss himself, actually) was more kind to the Warriors this season. L-C will play seven home games before Christmas, including hosting two tournaments. The Warriors will also play in a holiday tournament in California early in January. And Division I foe Idaho is on the schedule, Nov. 18 in Moscow.

Divilbiss on the schedule

"I like it. Last year, that was nuts. We’re getting some payback for that now. It’s a perfect schedule for us. It will test us and it will find us the opportunity for some success."

The Warriors, for the final time, will compete in the Pacific Northwest Athletic Conference (PNWAC) before joining the NCAA Division II Pac West Conference next season. Opponents this season are the same as last season, with the exception of Evergreen State College, which replaces Seattle University.

Divilbiss on LCSC’s last hurrah in the NAIA

"This is it. But there will be others. The NCAA Division II national championship is out there. There’s still a chance to go to the post season and play for the national championship. (Winning the NAIA) would be a great way to go out, I think. And there are five seniors who are probably thinking the same thing."

Here’s a look at each conference team:

Divilbiss on LCSC' Conference Opponents

Central Washington: "They’ll be better. They’ve had a coaching change and they should have more talent than they had last year."

Evergreen State: "They’re a brand new program; it’s their first year. It will be interesting to see how well they compete."

Simon Fraser: "They have a couple of returning starters and some others who supported them last year. They’re always well-coached and they always play hard. They’ll be near the top, as always."

St. Martin’s: "They have everybody back and they’ll be improved. Their guards will be more seasoned which will help them."

Western Washington: "They’ll be real solid as always. They’re always real athletic and they will play hard."

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Revised: January 30, 1999