Published 2005-03-09T00:00:00Z”/>

Travis Souders<br>Sports Editor

The end of the most dominant season in Chico State’s history ended in typical fashion for the women’s basketball team–with one major twist.

For the first time ever, the Wildcats are the champions of the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Following a weekend sweep of Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State L.A., the women celebrated their first division title in the school’s history and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Division II West Regional. Coach Lynne DeYoung, who has led the ‘Cats to three consecutive playoff berths, celebrated the victory with her eight-player squad, who wore “CCAA Champions” shirts around campus Sunday.

“It’s a great accomplishment. It feels incredible,” DeYoung said. “Everyone is still pretty excited over it and we can’t wait to start the playoffs.”

The ‘Cats will play No. 6 Cal Poly Pomona in the first round March 11, reviving a conference series in which Chico has won both games. Sophomore Haley Ford, who led the ‘Cats in minutes played and averaged more than 11 points and seven rebounds a game, said she is not scared to play Pomona.

“They’re a good team, obviously, because they’re in the playoffs too,” Ford said. “But we’re good, too. There’s nobody we can’t beat.”

DeYoung also said her team matches up with everyone in the regional bracket.

“Of the seven other teams, looking at the lineups, I like our chances against everybody,” DeYoung said. “If we bring it, I don’t fear anyone, and the girls feel the same way.”

The conference-clinching weekend was merely the cap to what has been a dream season for the ‘Cats, who went 22–5 over the course of the semester and managed to stay healthy despite having a roster of only eight players. In past seasons, injuries had plagued the women’s teams. But assuming center Amber Simmons recovers from an ankle sprain suffered during the weekend–DeYoung says she’s “rehabbing it like crazy”–Chico is confident that its players are as durable as anyone else’s.

“We’ve played all year long like this. We’ve been incredibly lucky that all eight of our players are quality players,” DeYoung said. “We have extremely well-conditioned athletes. We’re fine.”

Ford, who started all 27 games for Chico, said that not only are the Wildcats not in trouble when it comes to the bench, but they have an advantage.

“Our team is so balanced,” Ford said. “We don’t have a weak spot in the lineup anywhere. Everyone is vital to success.”

Both Maija Panttaja and Simmons have demonstrated that, as Panttaja has scored career-highs in two of her last three contests and Simmons has done the same on the boards. Despite the ‘Cats’ individual star power, however, DeYoung said that the team members’ ability to play together is what helped push them to the best season in Chico’s existence. She said all of her players are selfless and completely dedicated to team success.

“The cool part of this team is that every one of them has a huge game every night, and these kids just don’t care,” DeYoung said. “They’ve totally bought into the team concept. I just love coaching these girls.”

Travis Souders can be reached at

<a href= “mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected]</a>