Griffith's Role Expanding at LBSU
by Jim McCue, Auburn Journal
December 22, 2005 As a history major at Long Beach State, Meghan Griffith thrives on learning from the past. And the senior forward/center has extended her classroom lessons to the basketball court to become a better player and teammate.
After logging lots of minutes and enjoying the playing time she saw as a starter at Del Oro High and Sierra College, Griffith played limited minutes and a limited role as a junior at Long Beach State in the 2004-05 season. But, rather than get down and bring the team with her, she decided to learn from the experience.
"It was tough going from having the responsibilities of a team leader to being a role player getting fewer minutes," Griffith said of her first year at Long Beach. "I was able to see the other side of things and it turned out to be a tough, but invaluable experience that made me a better basketball player and a better person. I think I am a better teammate and am better equipped to lead the team as a senior this year."
Griffith is playing a larger role for the 49ers this season, starting six of nine games thus far and becoming the team's second-leading rebounder, pulling down six boards per game. She is averaging just 4.1 points per contest, but Griffith knows that her role on the team this year is to rebound and do the "dirty work" in the paint.
"Rebounding is definitely my main goal," she said. "We have our scorers, so my first priority is to rebound at both ends and work hard in the post."
Long Beach State is currently 5-4 (the 49ers had a late game Wednesday night against Pepperdine that was not reported before press time), but Griffith and the 49ers are still working out their starting rotation in preparation for Big West Conference play, which begins on Saturday, January 7 at home against defending conference champion UC Santa Barbara.
Off the basketball court, Griffith is on schedule to earn her History degree in June 2006. From there, Meghan has thoughts of traveling through Europe before possibly pursuing a master's degree in history or obtaining a teaching credential. Regardless of her immediate plans after graduation, Griffith said she is likely to remain in Southern California, and possibly at Long Beach State, for a while.
"I love it here," said Griffith, who was born in Long Beach and lived in the area until the family moved to Newcastle when she was four years old. "The ocean is close by and I have been having a great time."
Griffith's father, Rick, also attended Long Beach State, and she still has some extended family in the area. That doesn't mean she does not miss the foothills and her family and friends in the Sacramento region, who she regularly remains in contact with.
One person that she keeps in touch with is her former coach at Sierra College, Roz Goldenberg, whom she considers a mentor and advisor. It was Goldenberg that helped Griffith understand that basketball offers from schools such as Long Beach State, UC Riverside, and Gonzaga would still be available to her if she spent two years at the Rocklin campus to improve her game and herself.
"It was a real tough decision," Griffith said of turning down offers at four-year school to attend Sierra College. "I needed the time there to develop mentally and physically and it felt right."
After two solid years on the hardwood at Sierra, Long Beach State was still interested in Griffith and she returned to her roots to complete her education and basketball career.
Griffith will enjoy time at her Northern California home over a short holiday break before the 49ers resume play on December 30 against South Dakota State. Griffith will get another opportunity to see friends and family from the foothills when Long Beach State plays its final non-conference game on January 2 at UC Davis.
"It will be fun," Griffith said of the chance to see old friends when she plays at Davis. "After that, we get into conference play where we think we can have a breakout season and take (UC Santa Barbara) this year."
If Griffith and the 49ers can continue to learn from the past, the immediate future could be bright at Long Beach State. |
