Lady Apaches have rocky history
By Sean Turner
The cancellation of the women’s basketball season in January marked the first time in 23 years that the Lady Apaches did not finish a season, although a look at past seasons is a study in contrasts.
The first Lady Apache team was formed in 1975 with Ken Pyszka, as head coach. In those early years the women struggled, having records of 8 – 17 and 4 – 18 in the early 1980’s. During his last season as coach, 1985-86, the Lady Apaches were 7 – 20.
Greg Oseland, life science instructor, took the helm in 1986-87 and the women went 19-12 that season under their new head coach. For the next two seasons the Lady Apaches went over .500 with a 16-13 record in 1987-88 and 11-3 record in 1988-89.
The 1990’s seemed to bring new energy to the team. In 1989-90 the team went 27-7, and the following year 24 – 7.
In 1991-92 the season was 25 – 7 and the women found themselves in New York where they finished fifth in the National Junior College Athletic Association Championship Tournament.
The next season, the Lady Apaches would say goodbye to Greg Oseland after a discouraging 3 – 26 record.
Joe Conroy, who had been the men’s assistant basketball coach, led the Lady Apaches into the 1993-94 season. His years at the helm started with a 6 – 23 record, but things improved to 10-19 in 1994-95, 19 – 13 during the 1995-96 season.
Their 19-10 record in 1996-97 took the team to Troy, New York, again, but this time to finish third in the NJCAA Tournament.
Last year the team posted a 16-14 record. Molly Heins, a 5’9" forward and a freshman that year, was fifth in the NJCAA Division III for field goal percentage with a record of 53.7%.
This year, the team started short-handed and with injuries and eligibility problems, the season was cancelled leaving the 1998-99 team, actually the 1998 team, with an 0-14 record. Next season, a new coach will be at the helm since Conroy’s contract has not been renewed.
1/28/99 the Apache