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BU women’s hoops dream team
LADY BEARS POLL
Believe it or not, Baylor’s basketball history didn’t begin with Kim Mulkey.
No question that Mulkey has taken the Lady Bear program to unprecedented heights over the past eight-plus seasons. But Baylor has had dozens of great players over the years, even before the coach I once affectionately dubbed “the Kimmer” started recruiting them.
Without further ado, here is my all-time women’s basketball team for Baylor, tipping off a series of all-time teams from all the various varsity sports.
Steffanie Blackmon (2002-05): A three-time all-Big 12 performer, Blackmon finished her career as BU’s fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,955 points. She also was the Lady Bears’ all-time shotblocking leader when she graduated, though she’s since been passed by Danielle Wilson in that category. An intregal part of Baylor’s 2005 national title team.
Danielle Crockrom (1998-2002): Crockrom earned consensus first-team all-Big 12 honors in each of her final two years, closing our her stellar four-year run with 1,803 points and 999 rebounds, numbers that rank fifth on both of BU’s all-time lists. The now-defunct Utah Starzz selected Crockrom with the 11th pick of the 2002 WNBA Draft.
Maggie Davis-Stinnett (1986-91): One of only three BU players to tally 2,000 points in her career, Davis-Stinnett is the only player in Southwest Conference history in the 2,000-1,000 club in terms of points and rebounds. A three-time all-SWC standout, she was also selected to the conference’s all-decade team for the 1980s.
Sheila Lambert (2000-02): Undoubtedly the best ballhandler in school history, Lambert possessed what the kids like to call “mad handles.” Lambert averaged 20.9 points and 5 assists in her two seasons in the green and gold, winning the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as a senior as the nation’s best player 5-8 or under. The Seattle native was BU’s first WNBA draftee, getting taken seventh by the Charlotte Sting in ‘02.
Mary Lowry (1992-94): One of four Baylor players to finish her career with a scoring average of 20 or better points, Lowry could definitely fill up the basket. She holds the school’s single-game record for scoring, with 54 against Texas in 1994. That same year, she became Baylor’s first — and only — player to win SWC Player of the Year recognition.
LaNita Luckey (1988-92): The Lady Bears were fortunate to have Luckey back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, as she averaged 16.4 points over her career for a total of 1,721, sixth-best all-time. Thrice she was recognized as an all-SWC performer.
Debbie Polk (1980-82): A nominee for the Wade Trophy as a senior, Polk ranks second in school history with a 21.1 scoring average. She’s the only Baylor player to score 40 or more points in a game twice, and holds the single-game record for steals with 12 against Texas Tech in January of 1981.
Lynnell Pyron Pilgrim (1974-77): Playing before the shot clock, Pyron scored a hefty 1,709 points, good enough for seventh on Baylor’s all-time scoring chart. Her 237 free throws made in 1974-75 remain a school record, and her 869 points that year are the fourth-best single-season effort in BU history.
Carol Reeves-Brandenburg (1977-81): Reeves-Brandenburg was an interior force, averaging 17.2 points and 7.7 rebounds over the course of her career. She’s the only player from the decade of the 1970s to rank in BU’s all-time top 10 in blocked shots. A two-sport star, she also played softball for Baylor, and joined BU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
Suzie Snider Eppers (1973-77): How’s this for an impressive tidbit? Snider Epper’s 3,861 points is not only Baylor’s high total by nearly 1,400 points, but it’s believed to be the highest point total in women’s college basketball history. Former Kansas great Lynette Woodard (the first female Harlem Globetrotter) scored 3,649 in the AIAW days, while Missouri State’s Jackie Stiles holds the NCAA record with 3,393. A phenomenal athlete, Snider Eppers averaged 24 points and 13.4 boards over her career, both of which are BU bests. In 1977, she became Baylor’s first-ever All-American in women’s hoops, and her No. 23 jersey has rightfully been retired.
Lara Webb (1997-99): A two-time all-Big 12 standout, Webb ranks seventh among BU letter-winners in scoring average (17.6) and second in assists (5.0). The Dallas Morning News honored Webb as the Big 12’s Newcomer of the Year in 1998.
Sophia Young (2002-06): Some may say I saved the best for last, but if you were paying attention, the players are listed alphabetically. However, “So” can certainly stake her claim as Baylor’s best all-time player. The Big 12’s all-time leading scorer (2,480) and rebounder (1,316), Young ranks second only to Snider Eppers on BU’s all-time lists. A sensational athlete, she also picked up 303 assists, 315 steals and 131 blocks. The two-time Big 12 Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the ‘05 NCAA tournament is now one of the WNBA’s best players for the San Antonio Silver Stars.
Coach: Kim Mulkey. Who else? Mulkey’s .776 winning percentage is eighth-best among active coaches. She’s won 20 games in each of her eight seasons, and Baylor’s 2005 national title is the only women’s basketball championship for a Big 12 team since the league began.
- Introducing the all-time Baylor football team
- Baylor soccer's all-time squad
- The Best of Quarter-Miler U
- Nothing but aces for Baylor golf
- Baylor baseball's field of dreams
- Catching up to BU's swiftest cross country runners
- Introducing BU's all-time volleyball all-stars
- BU's all-time tennis teams
- These Bears could ball
- Baylor softball's all-time lineup
- BU women's hoops dream team
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment | Categories: Baylor's all-time teams
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Comments
By Brazosdog
December 22, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
As a loyal Robinson Rocket, I’ll have to vote for “Super Suzie” !
Suzie was an amazing athlete.
By dallasbloke
December 22, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Suzi Snider Eppers was indeed a multi-talented athlete. Had she focused on a couple of field events in track/field, I am convinced that she would have likely been an all-timer on a completely different list. And she accomplished all this in an era when female athletes were generally shortchanged in every way, or were simply ignored. Many similarities between her and Babe Didrikson Zaharias, in terms of multi-talent skills and attainment of excellence.
By BaylorDan
December 23, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I have assembled an elite panel of experts to consider this question. The verdict, in order, is: Sophia Young, Suzie Snider-Eppers, Sheila Lambert, Maggie Davis-Stinnett and Mary Lowry. Case closed.
By Bob
December 23, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
It’s an intriguing toss-up as the to the best player between Suzie and Sophia. Having seen them both at their peak, I can’t really draw a distinction. They were, perhaps, the greatest basketball players in Baylor history, regardless of gender. Bob
By Michael Hooper
December 23, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
In a head to head match-up between Suzie Snider-Eppers and Sophia Young, I feel that Young would definitely be over-matched. Snider-Eppers would be able to hold her own against most of the mens basketball team.
The only reason Young is leading in the poll at this time is that most of the participants never saw Snider-Eppers play. If they had, Young wouldn’t get a vote.
By RR
December 23, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I also vote for Suzie Snider-Eppers. Great women’s basketball player, and first woman to get a full athletic scholarship to Baylor….and she definitely earned and deserved it!!
By Jay Crenshaw
December 24, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Would you want anyone else guiding the Lady Bears during this difficult time of the last few days other than Coach Mulkey? She is a class act, and I for one am glad she is at the helm for young players like Morghan Medlock and the rest. Kim, we are glad you are a Bear! I’m sure the team would say the same too! It’s a no brainer for our best coach of women’s basketball.
By Dan Taylor
December 28, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Having followed Lady Bear basketball from the start, I am amazed at the evolution of the game in general and of the Lady Bears’ program in particular. Suzie was an amazing athlete and so much fun to watch her dominate other players. However, to be fair, the level of competition and athleticism during her playing time doesn’t compare to today’s game and level of competition. That said, Sophia gets my nod … a truly amazing athlete whose will to win propelled the Lady Bear Program.
That said, I’m so proud of these two as superior players and wonderful individuals.
By James A. Moyers, CPA BU Class of 1971
December 30, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Let’s give a well deserved Honorable Mention to Coach Sonja Hogg, who will be inducted in the Women’s Basketball Hall during June ‘09.
Coach Hogg was Kim Mulkey’s coach at Louisiana Tech’s national championship, and she was the notable prelude at Baylor for Coach Mulkey. Baylor Lady Bears achieved their first two post-season playoff teams per WNIT with Coach Hogg.
In addition during spring 2000, Coach Hogg was instramental in Baylor’s hiring Coach Kim Mulkey as her successor.
By Robinson
January 5, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Watching Suzie from High School to Baylor is a memory to remember. I graduated from Midway High and do remember those basketball games playing Robinson in ‘71-‘73.
Now, I live in Robinson by her parents/sister and support this super athlete. She was and still is an all time Star for the Women’s Basketball sport.
Suzie, you got my vote!
By BJE
January 6, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
My Mom is AWSOME! I bet she could still beat Sophia and Maggie 1-on-1! How could you vote for anyone else!
By Ethan and Morgan Eppers
January 6, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
WE LOVE GRANNY! YOU ROCK!!
By AC
January 6, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
My momma rocks!
By JAS
January 6, 2009 8:56 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Suzie Snider-Eppers was the greatest I ever saw - period! She could dominate a game like no one else. What always impressed me (beyond her athletic ability) was her graciousness and demeanor - both on and off the court. A great athlete, a great lady. She has my vote!
By jso
January 7, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Suzie you will always have my vote. I am Suzanes sister. I have admired her all my life. I do remember the days when she was at Baylor playing at the Mars Mclean Gym and the colisium. She would play ball like she was the only one out there shooting… Now Sophia I have watched you play alot of games and believe you me you are great and times have changed… Suzie is my sister, was my coach straight out of College and has been there ever since. Great person and Great ball player. yes my hero SUZANNE you got my votes. love jen
By Millie Simms
January 7, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
ALTHOUGH I DID NOT SEE SUZIE PLAY IN COLLEGE HER BASKETBALL STATS SPEAK FOR HER. I DID SEE HER AS A WIFE,PROUD MOTHER,SCHOOL COUNSELOR,COACH AND AS A FRIEND WHAT A GREAT AND WELL DESERVING LADY. MY VOTE HAS BEEN CAST.
By Carrie Gutierrez
January 7, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Well my vote goes for Mrs Suzie Snider Eppers, she was my best friends mom first and then my coach and counselor and was always like a second mom to me. we Love you Mrs Eppers!
By coach lamar burks
January 13, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
my name is coach lamar burks, i was lanita luckey’s high school art teacher, and unquestionably her number one fan. i had some great times watching her defeat arkansas, had the opportunity to sit on the bench in the historic longhorn arena, w/barbara jordan, made scrapbooks of her high school, and college career as well, she was even a mentor to my daughter, they even started to look alike. luckey had mad skills, use to dominate the boys in gym class hoops, my question is can i get a jersey to hamng in my den, w/her autograph included…………..i even saw the first game in the ferrell center, drove all the way from tulsa, then had to fight snow on the way back, cherished every minute.