LaToya Howell Suspended from Women's Basketball Team
1/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 31, 2003
Air Force sophomore LaToya Howell has been suspended indefinitely from the women's basketball team for a violation of Academy rules. The suspension begins immediately and Howell will not be in action this Saturday when Air Force hosts Mountain West Conference foe San Diego State. The suspension will end the season for the Chicago, Ill., native.
Howell leads the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and assists. She averages 17.4 points per game, which ranks third in the Mountain West. She is second in the league in assists (7.0) and steals (3.2) per game.
The 5-foot-4 point guard has twice been named conference player of the week. She has set several Academy records this season, including the single-game assists record with 15 last night in Air Force's win over UNLV. Howell's career-high 15 assists vs. UNLV give her 119, which is a single-season school record.
"We still have quite a few games left to play this season, so this gives someone else a chance to step up. Hopefully, a bunch of people will step up," Air Force head coach Ardie McInelly said. "LaToya meant a lot to our team, but life goes on. She'll continue to lead our team every day in practice. She's an awesome person who just made a mistake."
"I made a mistake. It happens. People make mistakes all the time, unfortunately, mine was a big one, but I'll learn from it," Howell said.
Air Force is 7-10 overall and 1-3 in the conference. The team's next game is Saturday, Feb. 1, at 2 p.m. vs. San Diego State.
