Destined For Greatness? Herbert Has Genes, Skills And Desire To Be State’s Best

Much of Lindsay Herbert’s basketball abilities are no doubt linked to her genes.

After all, her grandfather, Rolly Williams, had a stellar prep and college career before settling in for 35 years as men’s coach at North Idaho College. And her father, Gordie Herbert, played for Williams and at the University of Idaho before undertaking a professional career in Europe.

Lindsay Herbert, a two-year starter at Lake City and top reserve on the school’s state championship team in 1994-95, was born to play basketball.

Genetics aside, though, she counts the greatest influence on her career from somebody outside the bloodline - stepfather Greg Crimp, the NIC women’s head coach.

“Greg’s my teacher; I owe everything to him,” the 5-foot-11 junior guard said.

Crimp coached and taught Herbert from fifth grade through her freshman year. For that matter, Crimp continues to teach his stepdaughter - at least from the bleachers.

In the span of two days last week, Herbert went from playing one of her worst games to one of her best. Lake City was upset by Class A Lakeside (53-49) of Nine Mile Falls, Wash., on Friday before the T-Wolves clobbered Post Falls (73-24) on Saturday.

Knowing her teacher would have a few choice words about the loss, Herbert didn’t go home. She spent the night at a friend’s home.

“I thought it was almost my fault that we lost,” she said.

But before going to bed, she called Crimp. The conversation lasted 30 minutes.

“I really let her have it,” Crimp said. “Sometimes when the game is on the line, she’ll back off. Sometimes she needs to contribute more instead of being one-fifth of the team.”

The next night, Herbert scored a game-high 22 points and added six rebounds, five blocked shots and five assists.

“I had to pour on the praise (Saturday),” Crimp said. “That might have been her best game ever. She created, made some unbelievable passes and shot well. That’s what she’s capable of doing night in and night out.”

Although Herbert respects Crimp’s advice - among several pet comments, he frequently reminds her that a shooter has no conscience - she knows there’s a fine line between doing more for the team and playing within a team concept.

She’s concerned about the perception of being a ballhog. So, if she’s going to err, she’ll take the conservative route.

“I know I need to create more for my team,” she said. “I guess I haven’t found the groove where I’m helping the team more and doing more at the same time.”

One thing is obvious, however. Herbert is having a lot more fun this year. She played with a stone face the past two years, rarely expressing emotion. This year, a smile frequently sneaks between her cheeks.

Teammates have plenty of reason to smile, too. Herbert’s shooting touch is art in motion and she drives baseline and finishes better than any player since former CdA standout Corissa Yasen. She can score from anywhere on the court - from point to post.

“She’s without question one of the best players in the state,” Borah High coach Jim Pankratz said.

Top player honors were vacated when Sandpoint’s Alli Nieman graduated. Some would suggest Herbert is poised to step to the head of the class.

“I haven’t seen all the players in the state, but Lindsay is knocking on the door,” LC coach Dave Stockwell said. “She’s in the waiting room anyway. They could call her name any minute.”

Herbert slam dunks such talk.

“I’m not where I want to be or where I should be right now,” said Herbert, who is averaging 15.9 points, four rebounds, three steals and three assists per game. “I need to push myself more. Best player in the state? I need to pick my game up to where I should be. But not the way I’m playing now.”

Crimp remembers watching Herbert’s father play. He believes the most striking similarity between father and daughter is their knowledge of the sport.

“That’s not something you can teach. She has as much savvy for the game as any person I’ve been around,” Crimp said. “And I don’t know if it’s genetic, but both have a nice stroke.”

Crimp deflects credit for influencing his stepdaughter.

“I have to definitely take a back seat to what she’s done,” Crimp said. “She’s done it on her own. Whether it’s in the driveway or in the gym, she’s dedicated herself to playing basketball.”

Herbert’s idol is Kate Starbird, Stanford’s All-America guard from Tacoma. And it’s been Herbert’s dream since sixth grade to play at Stanford.

“The way I’m playing now, I’ll never be able to play there,” Herbert said.

Stanford or not, it’s almost a forgone conclusion that Herbert will end up playing at an NCAA Division I school.

Before she finishes at Lake City, she’s also likely to go down as one of the best players in Coeur d’Alene prep history.

Neither issue, however, is what inspires her. Herbert wants to lead LC to another state title before she graduates, say as soon as this year.

“I think we can beat anybody in the state,” she said. “The key is putting it all together and playing together. I don’t think we’ve done that yet, but I think we will.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo