Northridge Team Captain Crouse Quits : Women’s basketball: Matadors’ scoring leader blames Coach Kim Chandler, saying she is “fed up” with program that is 1-24.

Team captain Shannon Crouse, the leading scorer on the Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team, has quit because of a dispute with Coach Kim Chandler.

Crouse averaged 13.6 points and 6.5 rebounds for Northridge, which has won only one of 25 games.

“I am fed up with the whole program,” Crouse said. “(Chandler) questioned my work ethic and intensity in games and that really bothered me.”

Northridge, a Division I team, opened the season with 22 losses before posting its first victory, a 78-74 decision over Division II Cal State Los Angeles.

Chandler took over as coach at Northridge in December, 1991. Her overall record is 12-82.

Crouse started 24 games for the Matadors but said that Chandler continually amazed her with her coaching decisions.

“By the end of the year (Chandler) just gives up,” Crouse said. “She plays all the freshmen and then when we lose she uses that as an excuse.

“It’s not fair to the upperclassmen,” Crouse added. “Instead of laying down and quitting she should play the best people she has.”

On Monday, Crouse and Chandler exchanged words at practice. Afterward, Crouse walked off the court without practicing and has not spoken with Chandler since.

“The three years that I have been here, things like this have happened,” Crouse said. “Every year three or four players quit because of the coaches. It is frustrating to play in the Northridge program.”

Chandler could not be reached for comment.