COLLEGE DIVISION / ARA NAJARIAN : For Cal State L.A., ‘Mom’ Leads the Way

You couldn’t call it unexpected when Stacie Washington’s teammates started calling her “Mom.”

Some even called her “Grandma.”

Washington, 26, is the oldest member of the Cal State Los Angeles women’s basketball team. She also is the mother of 4-year-old twins.

It was too easy a nickname for them to pass up. So she doesn’t mind, especially since she emerged as a leader in what could be Cal State L.A.’s most successful season.

Washington, a senior center, leads the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. in scoring (21 points per game) and steals (11). She is rapidly moving up Cal State L.A.’s all-time lists in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, although she played only 21 games last season because of injuries.

“People have to realize, I had not played in almost six years,” she said. “So I wasn’t in condition. I had an assortment of injuries; my groin, my ankles, my knees were sore. It prevented me from exploding like I can do now.”

But she was still explosive enough to lead the Golden Eagles in scoring and rebounds last season. This season, her knees are considerably stronger after a rigorous off-season regimen, and she again is the leading the team in both categories.

She’s hardly a late bloomer. She just had to take some time off for her family.

Washington was a star at Palisades High before playing at Central Arizona College, where she was named the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference MVP for 1988. She also was named second-team junior college All-American.

“But then I had to come home and take care of some family problems,” she said. “Then I had the kids, so I thought my career was over.”

With twins, there was no time for playing basketball. So she started assisting with the women’s team at Los Angeles Trade Tech and taking classes when she could.

Then she realized something.

After scrimmaging and winning against the players she was coaching for the umpteenth time, she listened intently when Trade Tech Coach Richard Wells told her that she was probably eligible to play Division II, Division III or NAIA, even though she had not played since 1988.

“So I started recruiting for myself,” she said.

Cal State L.A. was the best situation for her--and her twins.

And it has worked out well for Cal State L.A., which is 13-5 and on course for its second 20-victory season.

The addition of power forward Lupe Nava and guards Rosa Mendez and Nicole Sanders--all transfers--has helped, too. The four have made Cal State L.A. a legitimate conference contender. That gives Washington satisfaction.

“But I’m still struggling. My scholarship was cut a little from last year, and I pay a little more rent,” said Washington, who is confident that she will graduate this spring with a degree in sociology.

“People ask me how I do it. My fiance helps so much, but it’s hard. I’m just trying to make a better life for my kids and myself. I mean, you always want to do better for your kids.”

*

Possibly the most talented women’s basketball team in the CCAA is Cal State Dominguez Hills. But so far, the school is ineligible to be ranked or participate in postseason play.

The Toros have been penalized because they failed to schedule 18 Division II or I teams as the NCAA requires. They scheduled 16 and are scrambling to find two more games.

“We were in four different tournaments and were confident that we would play Division II games in those,” said Sam Lagana, the school’s associate athletic director. “But the way it worked out, we ended up playing NAIA teams. Then Cal State Hayward pulled out of their game with us and we ended up two short.”

If Dominguez Hills can add at least one game, he said he is confident that the NCAA will look favorably at the school’s appeal. Western New Mexico and The College of Notre Dame are possible opponents.

The Toros started the season 12-1, but lost two of their next three when the scheduling problem was noticed. The losses could also be attributed to recent injuries.

Still, Faye Hagan and Pam Kirkwood form the best 1-2 punch in the conference. If the Toros can find a game and win an appeal, they could be a force in the postseason.

*

Cal Poly Pomona has dominated from the day the CCAA was organized, but with the retirement of Coach Darlene May, the Broncos have struggled. The door is open for other teams.

Paul Thomas has the unenviable task of taking over from a legend, and a 7-9 record has not brought him out of her shadow. Freshman Jessica Eggleston has been the lone star on a young, inconsistent team.

UC Riverside is the team to look out for in the CCAA. The Highlanders have overcome the internal strife of the last two seasons, and Coach Debbie Woelke was given a vote of confidence with a renewed contract last July.

Although they might be only the third- or fourth-best team in the conference, the Highlanders keep opponents off balance with constantly changing offensive and defensive looks. More importantly, they play as if they expect to win and have a 15-4 record.

College Division Notes

Cal State Los Angeles announced that it will field a women’s soccer team next season. . . . Gary Knecht has been hired as the defensive coordinator by new Azusa Pacific football Coach Vic Shealy. . . . Whittier College has named Patrick Noyes as men’s soccer coach.