The afternoon following Girls and Women in Sports Day, Lady Lions coach Rene Portland talked about how far women's athletics have come during the nearly 22 years she has amassed her 500 career victories.

"Some days you look at the glass and say it's getting there and other days you look at the glass and say 'Why is it still not full? " Portland said at her weekly press conference yesterday.

The coach was candid about many subjects, including the expansion of the program's budget, her slow advancement in salary, the ever-growing radio coverage her sport receives, and perks, such as the players receiving a new pair of shoes every seven games and chartered flights.

Despite this, Portland is worried about the direction that some programs are headed in, as coaches become more concerned with their own programs and stop working to promote the sport in general.

"We're still looked at as a political statement rather than a sport," Portland said.

She likes what she sees with her own players, such as guard Kelly Mazzante, who spent Monday in her hometown of Montoursville speaking at two local schools and being honored by her high school.

"The situation with what happened to Kelly in Montoursville is really exciting, on Monday, to see a community of boys and girls just appreciating talent," Portland said.

Still, after years in the coaching game, Portland has a few things she wants to accomplish.

"I still have some goals," Portland said. "The Jordan Center still has to be sold out, the national title still has to be won."

Defensive Stopper

After early season full of defensive lapses, the Lions believe they have found a solution: guard Tanisha Wright.

"She really hooked onto this defensive thing, she really has. It's made a difference for us," Portland said.

Wright had her breakout game in the Jan. 17 defeat of Wisconsin, in which she held Badger guard Tamara Moore to eight points. Portland said Wright's defensive effort has inspired her backcourt teammates to step up.

"That kind of attitude is really contagious," Portland said. "You're seeing 'Trena (Carr) play better defense, you're seeing Jess Strom play defense, Rashana's (Barnes) doing some stuff."

Giving Back

The women's basketball team receives many things from Portland, including but the team made a point to start giving back Monday night.

Monday afternoon, the team gave their coach a collage of pictures that Carr drew freehand of scenes throughout her career. Mazzante picked the pictures out, some of which Portland jokingly said she wished her team never saw.

"They had a team meeting, and they took the time, and that's a good thing," Portland said.