Published Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1998
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ATHLETE OF THE MONTH: : Erica Youngman
Slippery Rock ace has been a 4-year starter
By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer
Slippery Rock girls basketball coach John Tabisz first saw Erica Youngman on the court when she was in eighth grade.
With him was Tara Codispot, a star guard on the Lady Rockets' varsity team. Tabisz's impression of the fiery upstart? He told Codispot that Youngman was going to be a player.
``When I first saw her play in eighth grade I knew she was going to be a strong player,'' Tabisz said. ``The following year (as a freshman) she broke into the starting lineup with Tara, Heather (Kearney) and Suzanne (Street). All three were 1,000 point scorers.''
Tabisz's prophecy came true as Youngman has been a stalwart in Tabisz's starting lineup since her freshman season. And as her final season approaches its end, Youngman's progress has continued.
So far this season has been at or near the top of the Mercer County Athletic Conference scoring list. Youngman has also led the Lady Rockets to a 18-2 record as of last Saturday.
For her efforts, Youngman has been named The Herald Sports Extra Female Athlete of the Month.
Youngman recently surpassed the 1,000 point plateau and now has 1,107 for her career. As a freshman she scored 147 points as the Lady Rockets went 27-4 and made it to the PIAA western finals. As a sophomore Youngman led the team in scoring with 13.7 points per game and the Lady Rockets went 10-13.
As a junior, Youngman scored the most points (332) of her career, but was the third-leading scorer on the team at 12.8 per game. Slippery Rock went 20-6 and made the District 10 playoffs.
This season, there's no telling where Youngman and the Lady Rockets will go.
Youngman started the season on fire, scoring 36 points in the opener and she broke 30 in three of the Lady Rockets' first five games. She has been held to single-digits just four times.
Averaging 15.6 points per game, Youngman is also contributing in other areas. She is averaging just under six rebounds per game, dishing out 4.2 assists and snatching three steals per game. She holds the school record with eight 3-pointers in one game and has connected from behind the arc in every game and now has 47 on the year.
Added to her offensive duties, Youngman always guards the other team's top player while on defense.
But Youngman hasn't gotten to where she is now by taking it easy.
``Her biggest, biggest, biggest attribute is coachability,'' Tabisz said. ``I've been tough on her since day one.''
As for where Youngman has improved most since he saw her in eighth grade Tabisz said she is now more willing to take the ball to the basket.
``In ninth grade she was just a shooter,'' Tabisz said. ``Now with people getting in her face when she shoots from the outside she can take the ball to the basket. It adds another dimension.''
As her assist total shows, Youngman is in no way a selfish player. Point guard Jamie Dick is perhaps her best friend and the two are more than willing to give up a shot if it means a potential basket for the other.
``She's so team-related, sometimes I have to tell Erica and Jamie to take more shots,'' Tabisz said. ``Sometimes in big games I tell them they have to be more selfish.
``I've been blessed with guards who can score but would rather give the ball up.''
Youngman should continue her career on the next level but academics are her D 2top priority, according to Tabisz. Afterall, she's No. 1 in her class and has scored over 1,300 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test.
It's obvious her intelligence carries over onto the court.
``She's a real smart player,'' Tabisz said. ``She goes to a lot of games and watches a lot of games. I'll point things out and she'll pick them up right away. And she'll go over to Jamie's house and they'll watch game tapes.''
Tabisz expects both to become coaches someday.
``They both want to get into it,'' Tabisz said. ``They've had good role models before them.
``They just love the game.'' To put it simply.
