Everybody connected with the LeTourneau University LadyJackets basketball program knew a spectacular season was on the horizon. The expectations were high, to say the least, but to foresee what transpired throughout the 1996-97 campaign could not have been predicted.
In the program's third year of existence, the LadyJackets used a high-powered offense en route to a NCCAA Division I national championship and a 30-4 overall record.
LeTourneau led the NAIA in scoring margin (+27.1) and won 20 consecutive games, still a program record. LeTourneau ranked No. 1 in the NCCAA and vaulted to No. 23 in the NAIA. The LadyJackets averaged 87.3 points per game and scored 100-plus points seven times, including a program-record 132 in a win over Southwestern Adventist.
The LadyJackets cruised through Big State Conference play with a 12-0 record -- including winning games by 111, 92, and 91 points – and captured a second straight conference tournament title.
LeTourneau entered the NCCAA Tournament with a 17-game winning streak and continued that in the tournament hosted by Lee College in Cleveland, Tenn.
The LadyJackets opened with a 31-point win over Olivet Nazarene (93-62) in the first round and then knocked off Oakland City 71-56 in the semifinals.
In the championship game vs. Emmanuel (Ga.), LeTourneau capped its season with the program's first national title with an 80-71 victory. Kim Chatman led the way with 19 points and 15 rebounds, while Teresa Denton had 18 points with 10 rebounds. Tracey Pepper finished with 17 points and Olivia Smith added 12 points.
Head coach Mary Ann Otwell was named NCCAA Coach of the Year and Pepper earned NCCAA Tournament MVP honors.
Pepper was the NCCAA Player of the Year and was joined by Chatman as first team NCCAA All-Americans. Pepper, also an NAIA All-American, averaged 18.3 points and 6.4 rebounds on the year while Chatman had 15.0 points and 9.3 boards per game.Â
LeTourneau earned trips to both the NCCAA and NAIA national tournaments in 1997. After winning the NCCAA crown, the LadyJackets faced No. 11 seed Xavier (La.) in the NAIA Tournament in Jackson, Tenn., and fell 77-52 to end the remarkable season.
The record books were re-written throughout the year. LeTourneau set 28 team or individual records during the season, many of which still stand today.
Team members: Shannon Greenhouse, LaDarla Sanders, Kim Chatman, Erin Lioret, Teresa Denton, Olivia Smith, Tracey Pepper, Allison Pepper, Stephanie Cook, Patricia Ball, Wendi Gibbs (Assistant Coach), Vicki Sheafer (Assistant Coach), Mary Ann Otwell (Head Coach)
