Oct. 12, 1999
SAN DIEGO - Aztecs Return to the Hardwood
The San Diego State women's basketball team (7-19, 4-10 Western Athletic Conference), begins laying down a foundation for what coaches believe will be a turnaround-season on Montezuma Mesa when practice officially opens this Saturday, Oct. 16 at 12:30 p.m. The Aztecs' inaugural session of the year on the hardwood at Cox Arena is open to the media. Coaches and players will be available for interviews following the practice, which ends at 3:30 p.m.
They?re Back
San Diego State returns four starters from last years squad, including WAC All-Newcomer Team honoree Claire Swinbank and All-Defensive team selection Shannon Lee.
Senior Looks for Big Year
Shooting guard Sophia Sledge returns for her final season at SDSU in 1999-2000. The Aztecs? leading scorer from a year ago with 10.7 points per game, Sledge sank 36 three-pointers during the ?98-99 campaign, the seventh-most three-point goals ever in a single season at San Diego State. For her career, Sledge ranks No. 2 on SDSU?s all-time three-point field goal made list with 70. Falisha Wright (1992-95) is the Aztecs all-time leader with 206.
Aztecs Like the Outside
The Aztecs set a school record for both three-point shots taken and made last season, connecting on 120-of-389 attempts from beyond the arc. SDSU?s previous records of 99 made and 327 taken were each set during the 1995-96 season.
Spreading the Wealth
San Diego State spread the wealth fairly evenly as far as point production in 1998-99, with nine different Aztecs registering team-high scoring honors in at least one game. Of the nine, six return for the 1999-2000 campaign, including Sophia Sledge, who led SDSU in scoring in eight games.
Bundage on the Boards
In addition to returning last year?s top scorer, the Aztecs also return their leading rebounder, junior forward Anita Bundage, who averaged 6.5 boards a game. Bundage also led SDSU in starts last season, as she was on the floor for the opening tip in 23-of-26 games.
And They?re Smart, Too
The Aztec women?s basketball team had the highest average G.P.A. of any varsity team on campus at San Diego State last spring.
Smith to Host Coaches Clinic
As a kickoff to the 1999-00 season, San Diego State Head Coach Barb Smith is hosting a two-day coaches clinic for local high school coaches on the SDSU campus, Friday, Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 16. In addition to Smith, featured speakers include Aztec men's head coach Steve Fisher along with Rancho Bernardo girls coach Peggy Brose and Bishop's girls coach Fentriss Winn. The cost is $45 and the clinic begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. For more information Call the SDSU women's basketball office at (619) 594-4095.
On the Air
For the second straight season, all Aztec women?s basketball home games will be aired live on KCBQ (1170 AM). In late September, San Diego inked a three-year deal with the local station to serve as the radio home of the Aztecs. Bill Early will call the play-by-play with SDSU alum Tammy Blackburn providing the color analysis.