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

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Clockwise from above: The winning energy is apparent in Cotton Blossoms fans. Walker exhibits her winning style. Energy levels were high this year, even on the bench. Linda McDougald stretches out to block an opponent. Center: Coach Alvy Early issues instructions from the sideline. Athletics 225 ecesacrnsegeeeenunlaae nein coors premrersnecronepnrnase eerste

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Terri Grmes looks for a way out of a difficult situa- tion. 224 Athletics BASKETBALL Blossom’s 6-1 center, Gwen Walker, dribbles around an opponent. BLOSSOMS FINISH SEASON WITH 14-6 CONFERENCE RECORD Gwen Walker was clearly out of place. With the finals of the Arkansas Women’s Intercollegiate Sports Association basket- ball tournament about to begin, the great- est player in the league’s history was standing at the edge of the court in street clothes. Walker’s UAM Cotton Blossoms had been eliminated from the tournament in the semifinal round, and all that remained for her was to be introduced as part of the 1979-80 All-AWISA team before an appreciative crowd in Jeff Farris Center at the University of entral Arkansas. As the 6-1 senior from Humnoke walked to center court for the introduc- tions, an era ended. For four years, Gwen Walker had dominated women’s basket- ball in Arkansas. Although AWISA re- cords are incomplete, Walker is recog- nized as the greatest scorer, shooter and rebounder in league history. Her career totals read 2,378 points; 1,423 rebounds, and an amazing 62 per- cent shooting touch from the field. Her 45-point performance against Henderson State in 1979 is an Arkansas women’s collegiate record. Walker closed out her career at UAM by averaging 22.8 points per game as a senior. She scored over 30 points six times (41 against UA-Pine Bluff in the AWISA tournament) and earned her fourth straight selection to the All- AWISA team. She was also named to the AIAW All-America second team. Walker was the catalyst for the Cotton Blossoms in 1979-80, a team in transition

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BASKETBALL with a new coach, new players and a tougher schedule. | In his first season at UAM, Alvy Early | coached the Cotton Blossoms to a 20-9 | overall record, 14-6 in conference play. | Early brought in six freshmen, and started | three, a major factor contributing to the Blossoms’ up-and-down season. “I think considering we starte three freshen who had never played the full- court game before, we had a good sea- | son,”’ said Early. ‘‘When you play fresh- | men, no matter how talented they are, they’re going to make mistakes, and ours did. That’s why we weren’t consistent. You can chalk this year up to a learning | experience. We were building for the fu- ture. That’s why we played so many freshmen. They’re the ones who'll be the foundation of our program for the next few years.” The three freshmen who broke into the starting lineup were Teresa Summerford, a hot-shooting forward from Star City; Teresa Williams, a strong rebounding for- ward from Fayetteville; and Angenette Mitchell, a cat-quick guard from Dumas. They were joined by Walker in the pivot and point guard Dena Dennis, both sen- iors. Vivian Cooper takes advantage of an open end zone, for an easy two points. 226 Athletics