Colorado University Athletics
Seniors Make Last Stand
Feb. 28, 2003
By Jody Woodman
Athletic Media Relations Student Assistant
Boulder--When Sabrina Scott, Linda Lappe and Diana Spencer take the court Saturday night they will wave goodbye to a crowd that has supported them for the entirety of their time in Buffaloes basketball gear.
But this trio of seniors has no intention of letting Saturday be their last game on their home floor - they plan to make a return three weeks from now when the NCAA Tournament once again graces the hard court at Coors.
"It's sad that it could be the last game at a place that you've put in co much for, but on the other hand, while we've been here we've had some great teams," said Scott. "I really don't expect today to be my last game at the Events Center. If it is, it's probably going to be disappointing - I haven't even thought about not being here for the NCAA."
That determination is a characteristic this senior class has carried with them through their days at Colorado. In the time since the seniors arrived on campus, Lappe in 1998 and Scott and Spencer in 1999, the Colorado program has gone from three consecutive losing seasons to three consecutive tournament contenders.
And at least for now, the three agree that the highlight of their time here was last year's Elite Eight run, but that could change before they take their final bows as Buffaloes.
"We definitely went through a lot of growing pains my first year," Lappe said. "We had problems with the chemistry on the team and then the next year we had 10 scholarship players and then went to the tournament the two years after that. Last year, it was the Elite Eight and we finally got to see all the hard work pay off."
Chemistry may have been a problem early on, but now Spencer says that's the least of the team's worries and they'd all hang out together even without the common bond of basketball.
"When we came in as wide-eyed freshmen, we got along great, which is something that our team has thrived on," Spencer said. "We have team chemistry and get along on and off the court. That really helped us through our first difficult year."
While they plan on playing through the conference tournament and beyond, the seniors will eventually say goodbye and leave their Colorado basketball careers behind.
For Scott and Lappe, diplomas await the end of their journeys this spring but neither plans to be away from basketball for long - each hoping to get into the coaching ranks.
For Lappe, the "college atmosphere and big time game" are where she hopes to head. Scott's unsure exactly which path her coaching career will take, but she may put if off until after playing some professional ball in Europe.
Spencer will remain on campus to finish up her degree next year, but don't expect to see her walking across campus - her feet are so tired from four seasons of basketball conditioning she doesn't plan to use them again.
"I would say (to underclassmen) to make sure that you enjoy every moment of it because it goes by really, really fast," Lappe said. "I've been here for five years. At times it was slow, but all in all, it goes by fast. I think you have to enjoy it as much as you can while still getting it done on the court."
Tickets are available for just $1 as it's Fan Appreciation Night! Get yours at www.cubuffs.com or by calling 303-49-BUFFS!
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