No More Mr. Nice Guy For Northridge Coach

Coach Michael Abraham, whose Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team is 9-44 in his two seasons, is finally fed up.

“I’m expecting we will not be renewing at least two scholarships, and possibly as many as four,� Abraham said. “I think some of these kids have had ample time to prove themselves at the Division I level.�

Abraham, whose team is 4-22, is currently working with 11 scholarships, and none of the players are seniors. He has already signed three new players for next year and expects to sign at least three more. The NCAA limit is 15.

“The grace period for returning athletes I did not recruit is coming to an end,� he said. “I’m mandated by (Athletic Director) Paul (Bubb) and (Associate Athletic Director) Judy (Brame) to improve, and the only way to improve is to get better players in here.�

Abraham said he came to the harsh conclusion on Monday, when he was offered a three-year contract extension (which he hasn’t yet accepted). Once he knew the program would be his if he wanted it, he decided drastic measures were necessary.

“I’ve just waited too long and been too nice,� he said. “I should have made some of these decisions sooner. . . . After this season I will never rescind someone’s scholarship unless they break rules or become ineligible. But there is a one-time housecleaning and this is it.�

Home decor: Big Sky Conference basketball teams play in facilities that cover the entire spectrum: from Northridge’s high-school caliber gym to the 21,000-seat Rose Garden the Portland Trail Blazers share with Portland State. But for originality, nothing compares to Sacramento State’s home.

Sacramento was forced by the conference to move from its tiny on-campus gym--which, believe it or not, was not as nice as Matador Gym. The Hornets now play in Memorial Auditorium, which is actually a theater, complete with balconies, chandeliers and curtains. Only now it has a basketball court in the middle.

“It’s Division I basketball meets Phantom of the Opera,� said Bill Macriss, Sacramento’s sports information director.

Doin’ the Wave: Former Chatsworth High volleyball standout Tynitra Wilson has transferred from Moorpark College to Pepperdine, where she plans to walk on to the team.

Wilson, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker, was an All-City selection in 1995 and helped lead the Chancellors to the 4-A title match.