Beckley expected to be a leader

Fall 1992
Originally published by The Daily Collegian (Fresno State)

The Fresno State women's basketball team is headed in a new direction this year.

And if Tammie Beckley has anything to say about it, she'll be in on it.

Beckley, a junior, returns as a third-year starter that took the floor in all 28 games last year as a sophomore. She finished third on the team in scoring with 11.1 points per game. But what is really telling is the 5.3 assists average she had last year, and her playmaking. Beckley had 149 assists on the year last season and enters 1992-93 in seventh place on the FSU career assists list.

"This being her third year as a starter, we expect her to be a leader on the court. Tammie's looking much better than last year. She's also getting good help, especially from Sue Will and Suzanne Zahasky," Coach Bob Spencer said.

"The other two guards in our rotation aren't as experienced or game-tested as those three are, so our goal is to have all our guards capable of playing a lot. By the league season, we hope there won't be much difference in ability and pacing from starters to backups," Spencer added.

Beckley said the Bulldogs may be young, but they more than make up for it.

"We're a young team, but we're very talented,' Beckley said. "Will and Zahasky are very strong players with talent, and they've worked hard to reach that point.

"All we need is to start working together and know what to expect from each other. Then the other things will fall into place," Beckley added.

As a freshman, Beckley put together a solid year, averaging 5.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 1990-91. That was enough to name her to the Big West All-Freshman Team that season.

She was seeing action in all 29 games for the Bulldogs and started 18. It was clear the 5-foot-6 dynamite package had the quickness, speed and defensive skills to make catlike pouncing steals.

The next season, the starting guard spot was hers. Spencer said then that her main role was to be a playmaker and ballhandler to set the tone for the Bulldog offense.

"Her main responsibility will be as a ballhandler. She brings the ball up the floor and gets people involved, and she has to make the good decisions," Spencer said.

That hasn't changed to a large extent, even though her scoring average nearly doubled the next year. She finished third at FSU in scoring in '91-'92.

"I don't really want to have to worry about (scoring)," Beckley said. "I just want to penetrate and get other players open. I want to help the other teammates and get them the ball. If the shot's there, I'll take it, but that's not the only thing I can do."

She can do things like get to the line and take the ball away. Beckley goes into this season 10th on the FSU career list for free throws and free throw attempts. She also led the team with 57 steals in '91-'92, up from 33 the previous year.

Spencer said, "Though we're not looking for her to be a three-point threat, she still needs to work on her outside shot. She's our quickest player on the floor, and a good penetrator. Even though she's shorter than most guards at 5'6", she's a good rebounder with good leaping ability.

"We expect she'll put up as good numbers as last year, if not better. Going into the WAC league, we're going to need her to."

Spencer also added: "The main thing that Tammie needs is game-to-game more consistency in her play. We think that she'll be able to do that, because she's now a year older and wiser. On the fast break, she's picking her passes better than last year."

Beckley said the point-guard position is a big responsibility because she has to keep the team together.

"I think it will be exciting to get new competition (in the WAC this year). We might be new to the bigger challenges, but we'll get used to it. I don't think it will affect us.

"It'll take a whole team effort (to succeed this year). The season will depend on how long it takes us to gel together. Once that happens, I see us being a real good team."