University of Arkansas Monticello - Boll Weevil Yearbook (Monticello, AR)

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Camille Clay amidst a tussle. Pogo Griffin shoots for two. Blossoms from 12th to seventh in the poll and also assured them of the top seed in the state playoffs at Jonesboro. The squad prepped for the tournament with a closing 87-60 victory over Arkansas College. It was the last home appearance for sen- iors McChristian, Pogo Griffin and Barbara Seymour. The Blossoms downed Southern Arkansas for the third time in their first game of the state tourney, but then dropped a hard-fought 62-60 decision to ASU in the finals. UAM still qualified for the regionals in Fort Worth, TX. UAM disposed of Oklahoma Chris- tian College in its first game as five players finished in double figures. The Cotton Blossoms controlled the tempo in the first half against Texas Wesleyan, but the Texans rallied in the second half as Walker fouled out with 1:17 left. Free throws provided the five-point difference in the final minute. Monticello went on to finish sev- enth in the meet, posting another win over SAU and losing again to ASU in the consolation bracket. It was not the finish the women had hoped for at the start of the year, but it certainly wasn’t disappointing and the team had nothing to be ashamed of. Dena Dennis ties up a Tech opponent. Athletics 179

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178 Athletics Wild scramble as Cotton Blossoms and opponents fight for the ball. Blossoms Reach Regionals There were a lot of ups and downs for the Cotton Blossoms during the 1978-79 basketball season, but the UAM women's basketball team did post an 18-6 overall record, finished second in the AWISA conference, claimed second in the state playoffs and made a fifth consecutive trip to the regionals. It's hard to call that a disappoint- ing season, but it only seemed to be because of the '77-78 performance. All five starters returning plus good depth and new recruits, made the pre-season outlook extremely bright. The Cotton Blossoms fin- ished second in the AWISA again, but were playing the type of ball neces- sary in the clutch situations. The team qualified for the regionals with a second place in the state playoffs. The Monticello women only need- ed to win three games to make a return visit to the nationals. They came up two short as Texas Wesley- an rallied to eliminate those hopes in the quarterfinals. Head coach Mary Jane Lavender announced her resig- nation the following week. It wasn’t all arrant as the Cotton Blossoms laid claim to a seventh place ranking in the national small- college poll toward the end of the season. Probably the biggest high- light came when the team ripped through AWISA champion Arkansas Tech 91-66. Then there's the presti- gious 45-game home winning streak UAM kept in tact, to boast about. The team also fell to a couple of opponents’ home courts, particular- ty UA-Pine Bluff and Arkansas State. UAPB ruined the Blossoms season opener with a 76-72 win, overcom- ing a four-point lead in the last three minutes. Steady-shooting Anita McChristian canned 10 or 12 shots to keep the Blossoms on top before the Lionettes rallied. UAM rolled up seven straight vic- tories following the loss to UAPB. The most pleasing of the group had to be the 72-44 thumping of rival Southern Arkansas. It was the first home court loss for the Riderettes in six years. Other victims included UCA, UALR, Ouachita, Arkansas State, Arkansas College and Hender- son. The Cotton Blossoms ran into a hot-shooting Tech squad in Russell- ville next and broke for the Christ- mas holidays with a 7-2 mark. The squad got revenge at home against UAPB, posting a lopsided 84-57 tri- umph, and also claimed easy victo- ries over UCA, SAU, UALR and Oua- chita. The team’s title plans vanished in Jonesboro the following contest as Arkansas State hung on for a 53-52 win. A questionable foul on Gwen Walker nullified the winning points in the last three seconds. The Blos- soms bounced back to trounce Hen- derson as Walker poured through a record 45 points before tackling Tech at home. The Golden Suns carried a 21-2 mark into the contest and a fifth- place ranking in the small-college poll. What expected to be a nip and tug battle never developed as UAM shot 55 per cent from the field and all five starters scored in double fig- ures. The triumph moved the Cotton

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LAVENDER’S REIGN ENDS Women’s athletics at UAM have risen to the epitome of success since its existence in the AWISA in 1973. There is a myriad of reasons, but heading the top of the list is the women’s basket- ball coach, Mary Jane Lavender, who resigned at the end of a phenomenal six-year tenure. A surprise to many, Lavender’s resignation stemmed from a desire to earn her doctorate. This desire to achieve her goals has been preva- lent in her coaching as well. She has brought the women’s basketball program at UAM to local, state and national attention in six years, including an 111-41 record with two conference titles and one state championship. Success has only enhanced Lavender's pro- gram. With large fan support, the Cotton Blos- soms have compiled a home record of 46-2. The team never finished below second place in the AWISA. Lavender credits her remarkable record to the abundance of exceptional players. However, guid- ing the squad to post-season play each of the six years leaves much of the responsibility of success on the coach's shoulders. Of the six years, the 1977-78 season prevailed as the highlight. The team started slow, but closed with 13 consecutive wins and a spot in the regional finals as well as a berth in the national AIAW tourney. The Cotton Blossoms finished as the seventh best in the nation of small colleges. Lavender and UAM hoped to return to the na- tional limelight in the '78-79 season with all five returning starters, but it was not to be. That dream vanished in the quarterfinals of the region- al. Mary Jane Lavender has brought nothing but success to women’s athletics at UAM. She has laid the groundwork for a powerhouse, if it can only be followed. Anita McChristian pivots to Camille Clay struggles to retain a ball. avoid an opponent. 180 Athletics