Washington State is the sacrificial lamb of the inaugural Pacific-10 Conference Tournament.
But when you really think about it, the Cougars belong to Edniesha Curry and Shaquala Williams.
The Ducks’ superstar backcourt duo has finally begun to mesh to their full ability, giving Oregon a lethal one-two punch unchallenged by any school in the conference. And with the tournament coming this weekend, their ability to gel could not have come at a better time.
“It took a lot of time,” Curry said about gelling with Williams. “You have two great backcourt players and it took time for us to get used to each other and what each other’s strengths are on the court.
“I think we’re coming together as one at the right time.”
The right time begins tonight, when Oregon and Washington State meet at 6:30 p.m. to kick off the first-ever women’s Pac-10 Tournament at McArthur Court.
Williams, a junior from Portland, has not disappointed this season. After sitting out last season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered before last season, she has knocked down jumpers with precision. Her 17.4 points per game were good enough for second in the conference, and with 18.4 during Pac-10 play, she is unmatched.
Curry, on the other hand, has been a breath of fresh air for a program in need of some renewal.
A transfer from Cal State Northridge, the senior sat out last season, a requirement for all transfers. Given a starting role this year, Curry has taken every opportunity to impress, placing in the top 10 in the Pac-10 in steals (1.79 per game) and assists (3.29).
“They’re two great guards, they’re two great individuals and they have two great personalities,” first-year Oregon head coach Bev Smith said. “Personally, I give them a lot of credit because had they been on another team, by just themselves, they’d be an outright leader.”
It has been said that opposites attract. In Williams and Curry’s case, it’s the law.
Curry is the fire, and Williams is the ice. Curry is the “energizer bunny,” and Williams is the stoic presence. However you slice it, the two have come to understand that they balance each other out.
“During the game, she probably shows more emotion and I’ve got more of the straight face, but behind closed doors, she’s probably a little more calm than I am,” Williams said. “On the court we’re a little bit different. She’s definitely more of an emotional leader and I am someone who will lead by example.
“I think it’s good to have that
balance.”
Against Washington State last week, the two were on target. Williams hit 9-of-9 shots from the field, and knocked down four treys. Curry, on the other hand, scored only six points, but assisted on nine Oregon baskets.
“I take different aspects to the game,” Curry said. “Whether the team needs me offensively or defensively, that’s the thing I have to judge being the point guard of this team. Shaquala was on and it’s my job to make sure she gets the ball.”
When these two are on, there’s no stopping them.
“They certainly played great basketball when they came to Pullman last week,” Washington State head coach Jenny Przekwas said. “The combination of the two has been outstanding and they shot the ball very well.”
Because Williams, the 2000 Pac-10 Player of the Year, has been with the Ducks for two full seasons and one redshirt year, Duck fans knew very well coming into the season what to expect from the 5-foot-6 sensation. What they didn’t know, however, was how well she would respond after having surgery last season.
Their questions have been
answered.
“With Shaquala, everyone knows she is pretty much on an even keel,” Smith said. “They look for her in moments where we might need something to happen in the game and she’s able to do that,
particularly in the last few games.”
Curry, on the other hand, was a wild card, and to Pac-10 opponents, still is.
No one really knows what she’s going to do next, and neither does she. The one thing Curry does know is that it will be with a ton of energy.
Upon her return to the lineup in early January after missing three games because of a foot injury, Curry brought the McArthur Court fans to their feet.
The only thing was, it wasn’t with her precision shooting or sweet passing. It was with her defensive intensity.
“It’s a great feeling, and that’s why I’m so happy that the conference tournament is here,” she said, smiling when discussing the mystique of Mac Court. “I love it. It’s great to be out there.”
What happens when the tournament starts?
“I’ll be so hyped for us,” Curry said. “You’ll see it on Friday when I get out there and play. I think our whole team has the sense of a new energy, but for me, my energy is always high. When I’m high, our team is a different team, and I know that.”
If the Ducks are to win the conference tournament — and they will most likely have to do so to earn an NCAA Tournament berth — Williams and Curry will have to play at the top of their game.
Stanford, the No. 2 team in the country, is the undisputed favorite to win the conference tournament. Stanford’s bigger guards give the Ducks some matchup problems, but Oregon can give everyone problems when Williams is knocking down her jump shots and Curry is full of energy.
Of course, the two have to be up to it.
“I don’t think any teams really match up well against us, because I don’t think there’s any team that can match our speed,” Williams said. “The only reason Stanford can match up is because they are bigger than we are. Beyond them, I don’t think there is anyone that can match up with us.”

On Tap
Who: Oregon vs. Washington State
What: Pac-10 Tournament
When: Today, 6:30 p.m.
Where: McArthur Court
TV: KEZI (Ch. 9)

E-mail sports reporter Hank Hager
at [email protected].