Fans voted for the Purdue Women's Basketball All-Decade team for the academic years 1981-1982 to 1990-1991. Their selections, not surprisingly, were heavily weighed to later players of that era. Included members of the all-decade team by almost 800 fans were the following players:Sue Bartz, F/C, 1979-1982
Jane Calhoun, C, 1989-1992
Carol Emanuel, G/F, 1980-1983
Donna Gill, F/C, 1989-1992
Joy Holmes, G/F, 1988-1991
MaChelle Joseph, G, 1989-1992
Anne Kvachkoff, G, 1986-1989
Christa LaCroix, C, 1985-1988
Rhonda Mateen, C, 1988-1991
Teri Moren, G, 1988-1991
Cathey Tyree, F/C, 1984-1987
Sharon Versyp, G, 1985-1988
The previous information came from the Women's Basketball Media Guide for 2002-2003.
There's been no fan vote for a Women's Basketball All-Decade Team from 1991-1992 to 2000-2001, which is ironic because that was the span of Purdue's greatest team accomplishments to date. So which 12 players, who played at least one year in the decade span, are on YOUR Purdue all-decade team for that era? Here are my choices:
Camille Cooper, C, 1997-1998 to 2000-2001
The most efficient scorer in Boilermaker history, hitting almost 61% of her FG. Raw as a freshman, dominating as a senior.
Katie Douglas, G/F, 1997-1998 to 2000-2001
The only player in Purdue history to graduate in the career top-10 in scoring, rebounding, steals, blocks, and assists. The definition of versatility and a two-time Kodak All-American.
Michelle Duhart, F, 1996-1997 to 1999-2000
The glue to Purdue's championship season of 1998-1999. Excellent defender, good rebounder, and not upset to take a backseat to her more publicized teammates.
Ukari Figgs, G, 1995-1996 to 1998-1999
The fire of Purdue's teams her junior and senior seasons. Final Four MVP. Excellent rebounder for a 5'9" guard, absolute $$ at the FT line, plus a fine passer and defender.
Jennifer Jacoby, G, 1991-1992 to 1994-1995
Local high school legend who struggled her freshman year, but matured to lead the Boilers to their first Final Four appearance by making 10-12 FT v. Stanford on Stanford's home court.
Leslie Johnson, C, 1993-1994 to 1994-1995
Played only two years, but had the most dominating freshman year of any player on this team. Undersized in the post at 6'1", added a physical presence to the team & should have been Big Ten MVP. Also should have been a Purdue legend.
Tonya Kirk, F, 1992-1993 to 1995-1996
Perhaps the most overlooked player in Purdue history. Blossomed her senior year to average 12.8 ppg and more than 7 rpg. Probably the most questionable selection to this team.
Kelly Komara, G, 1998-1999 to 2001-2002
Her first collegiate shot was a 3-pointer versus Tennessee. Her sophomore and junior years were struggles as she had to play point guard, but was brilliant her senior year (especially defensively) to earn first team All-Big Ten accolades.
Stacey Lovelace, C, 1992-1993 to 1995-1996
You want a defensive presence in the middle? In Lovelace's junior year, her Kodak All-American year, her 81 blocks were more than 4 Big Ten *men's* teams. Not too bad offensively, either, ranking #9 in career points.
Jannon Roland, G/F, 1993-1994 to 1996-1997
THE most important player in Purdue basketball history: she cajoled, carried, and forced the Boilermakers into a 3-way tie for the Big Ten championship during the year of the Mass Exodus. Became a frontcourt player her senior year because that's where the team needed her. Should have been Big Ten MVP. Should be more widely appreciated by Purdue fans.
Stephanie White-McCarty, G/F, 1995-1996 to 1998-1999
State & national high school legend. Led the Boilers to a 34-1 record her senior year, showed loyalty to the program and stayed after her freshman year to play for coaches Fortner and Peck. Kodak All-American and first in Purdue fans' hearts.
Corissa Yasen, F, 1996-1997
The year of the Mass Exodus, the Purdue All-American track star donned a basketball uniform and started all 28 games her only year. For a player who probably should have been only a stop-gap player, Corissa came through with a tremendous performance to keep the Boilermakers in the Big Ten's highest echelon.
And because this is MY all-decade team, I'll add a 13th for luck:
Cindy Lamping, G/F, 1991-1992 to 1994-1995.
Solid her freshman season and lights out her sophomore year (16 ppg), something must have happened as Cindy's career faded to where she played in only 26 of 32 games her senior year and scored on 3.5 points. But brilliant her first two years.
Also worthy of consideration:
Mackenzie Curless, G/F
Nicole Erickson, G
Shinika Parks, G
Tiffany Young, G
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