Olympic Women’s Basketball Trials : Cheryl Miller Makes the First Cut

After four days of grueling workouts at altitude, it was almost a relief that it was over for the 50 players at the Olympic women’s basketball trials. For the 21 who made the first cut Saturday night, it was relief mixed with joy.

Five Southern California players were among those picked. From USC are Cheryl Miller and Cynthia Cooper, from Cal State Long Beach are Cindy Brown and Penny Toler, and from San Diego State is Chana Perry.

Other players named were Katrina McLain and Teresa Edwards of Georgia; Suzie McConnell of Penn State; Vickie Orr of Auburn; Teresa Weatherspoon of Louisiana Tech; Sue Wicks of Rutgers; Beverly Williams, Kammie Etheridge, Clarissa Davis, Fran Harris and Andrea Lloyd of Texas; Vicki Bullett of Maryland; Medina Dixon of South Carolina; Anne Donovan of Old Dominion; Jennifer Gillom of Mississippi, and Bridgette Gordon of Tennessee.

The finalists will report to a mini-camp in Raleigh, N.C., June 3-9. Coach Kay Yow said she would probably not make the final cut, to 12, until August.

Five of the players named had not competed here. Miller, Ethridge, Davis, Gordon and Orr all had medical waivers.

The selection of Miller is no surprise. She had arthroscopic surgery on her right knee a year ago this month and is nearly back to full strength.

In any condition, Miller would have been difficult to leave out of this preliminary cut. Not only has Miller proved herself as a four-time All-American, she also has made the adjustment to international play with aplomb.

Yow, speaking on behalf of a panel of 16 selectors, said she was pleased with the players chosen, all of whom have had some international experience.

“I feel very comfortable with the players that the committee has selected,” Yow said. “I feel we have a good balance of experience and youth.” The players had a last scrimmage for the public Saturday night at the Olympic Training Center. Yow said some players who had been marginal before the scrimmage earned their spots in the game.

After hearing her name called, Cooper said she felt “relief,” adding: “I was very nervous. It’s a big relief. I’m going to take two weeks off, then play some pickup games with Cheryl.”

Brown, who like Cooper has been playing in Italy, said she was surprised to make the cut.

“I was quite shocked to hear my name called out,” Brown said. “I was so shocked, I nearly cried. I had a couple of tears. It’s been one of my dreams, as well as my mother’s.”

Toler said she had doubts she would be chosen, since the Olympic staff had emphasized defense all week.

“I guess they know what I can do on offense, and I had to show them my defense,” Toler said.

There were no controversial picks, but a couple were marginal, to say the least.

Wicks has not been impressive here. The 6-foot 3-inch forward from Rutgers came in with impressive credentials. A three-time All American, she is known as an unstoppable scorer. She averaged 25 points a game last season but has not come close to that in the three days of this camp.

Players like Wicks and Donovan present a dilemma for the selectors: What to do with experienced players, with wonderful resumes, who just don’t have it anymore?

Donovan is a veteran of the 1980 and ’84 Olympic teams and has been a fixture on most international teams. At 26, Donovan is the second-oldest player here. She has certainly had many years as a dominant inside scorer.

However, Donovan’s mobility is limited and her contribution is mostly as a shot blocker.

Current thinking has the 6-8 Donovan on the team as ‘Semanova Insurance’--a hedge if the Soviets resurrect 7-foot Iuliana Semenova.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been a major force in the offense for the United States, that’s never been my role,” a subdued Donovan said. “I contribute in all aspects.”

Trials Notes

Not making the cut were Rhonda Windham of USC and Traci Waites of Long Beach . . . Michelle Pennefather, a beefy inside player from Villanova, has to win an award for honesty. Pennefather, who has played subpar here, said before the selections were announced Saturday night, “If I make the team, I’ll have the selection committee drug tested.”