GC Women’s Basketball Bids Farewell 
to Seniors Clendenin and McMillan

The 2002 Greensboro College women’s basketball team finished the year with a 7-18 record. The Pride went 3-9 in Dixie Conference games.

Under first-year Head Coach Ann Payne, The Pride had a season filled with both highs and lows. In the conference opening game, GC beat Methodist, 55-49. The Monarchs would eventually win the DIAC Tournament and a bid in the NCAA playoffs.

Greensboro also had a convincing road win at Shenandoah, 65-38, and a Senior Day triumph over Averett, 44-43.

Yet the game many will remember most is the contest at Meredith. Senior guard Whittney Clendenin had a career game that November night. The Southeast Guilford High School graduate scored 37 points—good enough for third on the all-time list. Clendenin also set a Dixie and Pride record with 10 three-point goals in the game. She was 10-13 from long range against the Angels.

“That was a game—and an individual performance—that will always be a part of my career coaching highlights,” said Payne. “Whittney was in a zone that night.”
 Clendenin closed her career with 230 assists and 633 points.

The Pride had two other seniors on the 2001-02 GC roster. LaTonya Hickenbotham played two years for GC after arriving from Bullard-Havens Technical Community College. Although she did not get a lot of minutes at GC, Payne noted her enthusiasm and dedication to the basketball program.

In addition, Tineta McMillan closed her career for the green, silver and white. The 5-7 forward led GC in rebounding (7.0 average) for the second consecutive year. She closed with 577 points and 531 rebounds. For the past three years, McMillan averaged seven boards a contest. The Laurinburg, N.C. native closed her career with double-doubles in points and rebounds in her last four games.

The Pride’s roster, however, was comprised of primarily underclassmen. Save junior Stephanie Philip, Greensboro’s lineup was all freshmen and sophomores.

The team made steady progress throughout the year. Not coincidentally, young players like freshman Amanda Currie and sophomore Ali Thompson improved their games. With nine players expected to return next year, the building blocks are in place for Coach Payne and crew to have an improved outlook for the 2002-03 season.

--PRIDE--