UA's Griffith set to return to hometown

Karen C. Tully Arizona Daily Wildcat UA freshman point guard Lisa Griffith, a Portland native, will get her first taste of the ornery Oregon fans this week when the Wildcats play in Corvallis againstOregon state on Thursday.

A chance to see the family, friends and maybe relax a little. In Lisa Griffith's case, however, she will have a few people trying to ruin the party.

This weekend's games against Oregon State and Oregon will be the first time the redshirt freshman from Portland will start in her native state, but it will be for the red and blue.

"I'm excited to play in my home state, but I don't want to overplay the importance of it, though," Griffith said. "But it definitely adds a little incentive."

As when her ex-schoolmate, Damon Stoudamire (she went to Wilson High School her freshman year as Stoudamire was preparing for Arizona), returned to the Beaver State, she knows that the fans can be unappreciative.

"If they are anything like with Damon, they will be on me," Griffith said. "When it starts I will probably laugh, though."

UA head coach Joan Bonvicini thinks it's for a good reason.

"When the fans boo, you have to take it as a compliment, because they wouldn't bother if you weren't any good."

Griffith's potential is nothing new. She was coached by Howard Avery, known as Stoudamire's trainer while he was growing up, playing on his AAU team in high school.

His knowledge has been invaluable in her progress, as well as seeing how Avery worked with Stoudamire.

"Whenever I would be working out, I would see his (Stoudamire) work ethic. I knew he was going to be good," Griffith said. "When people would knock on him, I would just laugh. It showed me how working hard can really pay off."

Avery knew she had it, taking her under his wing until she was off to college.

"Lisa doesn't play like she is a freshman, she is very mature," UA forward Adia Barnes said after Griffith was named the Copper Bowl Classic Most Valuable Player.

A three time all-state selection and a Blue Star and Street & Smith's All-American from St Mary's Academy, Griffith admits she nearly stayed home. Her twin sister, Sandy, did.

"I was really close to playing there (Oregon more so than Oregon State)." However, Arizona's style of play and Bonvicini's 10 straight NCAA Tournament appearances and two Final Four showings while at Long Beach State were too much to pass up.

"Arizona's up-tempo game, fit me as a better place to use my skills. And I identified more with Coach B than the Oregon coach (Judy Runge), which is pretty important," Griffith said.

"She's really the key to our success," Bonvicini said about her point guard. Griffith is averaging 10.6 points a game and 4.5 assists. She busted out for 24 points against San Jose State earlier this season.

"Being a freshman, teams have scouted her weaknesses and are trying to frustrate her. But she is a very coachable player and (in) each game her confidence is growing," Bonvicini said.

Her teammates know how tough it will be to play in the Gil Coliseum in Corvallis on Thursday, but they can't let it scare them.

"We will just tell her to play like she knows that she can," sophomore guard Monika Crank said.

Griffith can't wait for the home part of the trip.

"I miss the trees and the rain and the mountains. I mean, when it rains here, it's nothing like in Oregon," she said. Other things have been weirder. "It was a shock seeing Christmas lights on here and it's 80 degrees outside."

All in all, she knows she made the right decision. Convincing Oregon fans is a different story.

"My parents tell me that whatever happens, they will still love me. That will help."