Two guards' work ethics shine
Longworth still queen of the court

By DAMIAN DOBROSIELSKI
Collegian Sports Writer

In the summer of 1990, Mohr Construction Company in Kokomo, Ind., planted a basketball court 20 feet from Mike and Melanie Longworth's back door.

Don Mohr, owner of the company, donated the blacktop court to the Longworth's community.

Once built, all the neighborhood kids used the court. But one kid in particular was seen on the court more than anyone else. Eventually, Tiffany Longworth --Mike and Melanie's daughter -- became a legend in her own backyard.

"Everbody called it Tiff's court," said Melanie with a chuckle.

When Tiffany wasn't playing on her court, she practiced at the local high school gym. Each morning at 5:30 a.m., she would make her way to the gym to work on her shot until school began.

"Before long, the janitors were rebounding for her," her mother said. "She would devote all of her time to basketball."

That work ethic has paid off for Longworth, who is currently starting at guard for the No. 8 Lady Lions.

The 5-foot-8 sophomore averages 10.3 points, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game.

Her long-range shooting ability is just one of the reasons Penn State is once again in the hunt for a Big Ten championship.

"I think we've dug ourselves out of a hole," Longworth said Friday after Penn State's 73-62 victory over Iowa. "We were seventh at one time and we're moving up."

Longworth moved into the starting lineup on Dec. 2 at Providence after guard Katina Mack suffered a concussion against Vanderbilt three days before. Longworth has started ever since.

"I was ready to start," she said. "I didn't think about filling Katina's shoes. I just wanted to contribute."

Last year, Longworth came off the bench in all 31 games. She contributed by averaging 4 points, 3 assists and 1.5 steals in the last 11 games.

Although her numbers were admirable for a freshman, Longworth wasn't pleased with her all-around game.

"Last year, I was playing not to make a mistake," she said. "I was a step behind. I ran around with my head cut off."

So this past summer, Longworth worked toward improving her game. She conditioned herself by bicycling, in-line skating and jogging.

And she also spent countless hours on her court.

"She knew what she had to do and she pushed herself," Longworth's mother said. "Tiffany's more relaxed this year, and she's tickled with the opportunity to help the team."

Although Longworth's game has improved this season, there have been games when the guard hasn't played up to her standards. In 32 minutes against Wisconsin, Longworth was 0-for-8 from the floor and committed three turnovers.

"Tiffany was out to lunch for a while there," Lady Lion Coach Rene Portland said.

Even Longworth admits that, at times, she has been inconsistent.

"Lately, I'm really on or really off," she said. "I've tried to pick it up on defense, and when I rush my shot, I go back to the basics."

Longworth came to Penn State after completing a stellar career at Kokomo High School in Indiana.

She became Kokomo's first female basketball player to eclipse the 1,000-point mark with 1,936.

As a result of her accomplishments, Longworth was named the 1992 High School Player of the Year by the Women's Basketball Association, and was the runner-up for the 1993 Miss Basketball in Indiana.

Now, she has her sights set on another Big Ten championship.

"We have two more games to get those rings."