By the time Leona Gerber (Wilhelm) came to West Texas State University in 1987-88, she was already a three-time state champion under legendary Coach Joe Lombard at Nazareth, Texas. At South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, she was all-District and all-Region and was known as an outstanding free throw shooter. She averaged 14.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.3 steals per game as a senior in 1986-87.
Lady Buff Coach Bob Schneider knew a good basketball player who was molded in the team concept. The 1987-88 WT media guide stated she was "expected to back up Angela Seay at point guard"
Little did Lady Buff fans know that the former Naz Swiftette would be part of a juggernaut team that included future Hall of Champion inductees, Vanessa Wells, Von Tucker, and Teresa Tinner, as well as Seay. That quintet started all but six games, and the Lady Buffs ripped off 33 straight wins before losing to Hampton, 65-48, in the Division II national championship game at Fargo, N.D. on March 26, 1988. They were ranked first in all polls taken during the season and at the end of the regular season.
Gerber started all 34 games that season, averaging 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.4 steals.
In her two seasons at WT, Gerber started all 63 games, compiling an incredible 59-4 mark. Although a frontcourt player, she shot 59.3 pct. from the field in two seasons (33-of-48 three-point shots for 68.8 pct.) and 84.3 pct. from the line (second in Lady Buff annals), dished out 4.3 assists per game, and averaged 2.1 steals per game; Gerber shot 87.6 percentage (106-of-121) from the free-throw line in 1988-89 is the best single-season record in Lady Buff history.
