Lamb Sheerly A Prep Wonder She’s Been A Star From Start At St. John-Endicott

“Tricia Lamb?” the newspaper reader asked in mock anger.

“What is this, her seventh year in high school?”

Few can appreciate that recent comment as much as Lamb, who said, yes, it often feels like she’s a four-year senior at St. John-Endicott.

If Lamb feels that way, imagine how her Whitman County League rivals feel.

Since Lamb’s freshman season, the Eagles are 29-1 against Whitman opponents, including 28 consecutive league wins. SJE’s last league loss came three years ago against Garfield-Palouse.

No league rival came closer than 17 points against SJE last year, when the Eagles won the State B title with a 26-0 record. SJE had won 38 consecutive games until Tuesday’s non-league loss to Wilbur-Creston.

SJE is 83-9 during Lamb’s tenure. Lamb has surpassed 1,500 career points, including 238 at state tournament games - the sixth-best in history.

Lamb may be a constant, but the Eagles’ roster isn’t. Lamb and fellow senior Brooke Bafus are the lone returning starters from last season. At times, coach Lorin Carlon plays three raw, but talented, freshmen at the same time.

“It’s kind of a challenge,” Lamb said, “but I kind of enjoy it because it’s fun to see (the freshmen) learn.”

Lamb said she tries hard to remain patient because she remembers being told what to do during her freshman season.

Apparently, the older players were telling her to score. Lamb averaged 17.5 points per game as a ninth-grader.

Her scoring average as a sophomore and junior also hovered around 17. This year, with high-scoring Andee Schmick and Staci Garrett off to college, Lamb’s average has risen to better than 24. She has four times scored 28 or better.

The Lamb sweepstakes ended before the season. Tricia, of Endicott, selected Washington State University over Pepperdine, Portland and Idaho for her college basketball career.

“A lot of people sign later, but I think that’s really stressful,” Lamb said.

“… I wanted to go to WSU because a lot of (family and friends) would be able to come watch.”

Lamb realizes there’s something bizarre about preparing for Division I basketball by playing another season of Class B, but the challenge of bringing along her teammates should prepare her for anything.

“Probably through the first half of league I can help get them comfortable,” Lamb said, “and hope to get them ready for tournament time.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: WHITMAN BASKETBALL The Whitman County League begins its season Friday. Defending league champions: Boys - Garfield-Palouse. Girls - St. John-Endicott. Defending district champs: Boys - Gar-Pal (sixth at state). Girls - SJE (state champs). Strange truth: Just one boys team from competitive District 9 (Whitman and Blue Mountain leagues) will advance to state. The District 9 girls, with four fewer teams, get two to state. All-league returners: Boys - First team: Troy Nealey and Clint Ledbetter, LaCrosse-Washtucna; Jeremy Fox, Gar-Pal. Second team: Jeremy Daniel, L-W; Nick Strader, SJE; Ben Scheele, Rosalia; Logan Coles, Gar-Pal. Girls - First team: Tricia Lamb, SJE. Second team: none. Projected champs: Boys - Gar-Pal/ L-W (tie). Girls - SJE.