Freshman Center Lundquist Is Already Standing Tall for Loyola Marymount

Amy Lundquist feels uncomfortable with all the attention she has been getting lately, but she had better get used to it. Loyola Marymount’s 6-foot-5 freshman center broke an NCAA record in only her fourth collegiate game and was named West Coast Conference player of the week.

“She’s a real shy kid,” Loyola Coach Todd Corman said. “When we told her she got WCC player of the week she just looked up and said, ‘Gee. Why?’ She is not at ease with all the publicity and attention she’s getting.”

Lundquist, who grew up in the small Wisconsin town of Fredric, set a Division I record for blocked shots (15) in the Lions’ 71-52 victory over Western Illinois last week.

The previous record of 13 was held by Suzanne Johnson of Monmouth (Ill.) College and Stefanie Kasperski of Oregon.

“I was surprised, very surprised,” said Lundquist, who is spending the holiday with her family in Wisconsin. “I guess now I’m just trying to ignore all the attention and not bring unnecessary pressure. I’m just trying to go out and play my own game. I’m trying to do my own thing.”

Lundquist didn’t start in the first two games of the season because she had missed three weeks of practice with torn cartilage in her left knee. Corman thought Lundquist would take more time to recover from the injury.

“She’s coming along great,” he said. “You wouldn’t even know she has knee problems. A kid like her has a lot of ability. She just needed to get some confidence. Talk to me in three months and I guarantee she’ll be a better player. She will dominate.”

Corman added that Lundquist is one of the most dedicated athletes he has dealt with at any level.

“She is the absolute best worker on this team,” he said. “She just does everything you ask of her. She’s also a great listener.”

The Harbor College women’s basketball team has lost only once in 12 games and is ranked 11th in the state by the JC Athletic Bureau.

Harbor, which opens South Coast Conference play Jan. 6 at Mt. San Antonio College, was beaten by undefeated Howard College of Texas in the East Bay Classic earlier this month.

In their last game, the Seahawks used a fast-break offense and pressure defense to defeat San Diego City College, 94-50.

Bridgete Williams, a Morningside High grad, scored 65 points against the Knights. The 5-foot-6 sophomore guard made five three-point shots and had 11 steals.

“We’re pushing the ball up the court real well,” third-year Coach Louie Nelson said. “We have five girls that can score in double figures. I also have real good chemistry this year and I have more bodies. My bench is a lot stronger.”

Williams leads the Seahawks in scoring at 37 points a game, small forward LaKeisha Melinger averages 22 points and point guard LaTasha Burnett averages 18.

“This team has adapted to my coaching a lot faster than last year’s,” said Nelson, who guided Harbor to the final of the state championship tournament in Oakland last season. “There’s not as much resistance. Of course, winning helps.”

Freshmen Rachel Ooms (South Torrance High) and Hattie Sanders complete the starting lineup. The 5-9 Ooms starts at power forward and the 6-foot Sanders is a center.

“The main thing is that we can get the lead and make teams play hard,” Nelson said. “We wear them out in the second half because we’re better conditioned.”

Four South Bay players were named to the JC Athletic Bureau’s state team.

El Camino sophomore Latario Rachal was honored as a punt returner and wide receiver. Rachal led the state in career all-purpose yards with an average of 188 a game. He also finished third in career receptions with 91 for 1,773 yards and 14 touchdowns.

El Camino kicker Tom Dallen and defensive lineman Ken Talanoa also made the team. Dallen finished fourth in the state in career kick scoring with 126 points.

Southwest’s Anthony Haddrick was named as a punter. He finished with an average of 44 yards a kick.