Friday, September 30, 2011

Memphis Braggin Rights Hoop Fest Schedule

@ Briarcrest Christian High School

Session I, Friday, December 2nd, 2011

4:00 PM Christian Brothers (boys) vs Houston
5:30 PM Briarcrest (girls) vs Nashville Ensworth
7:00 PM Briarcrest (boys) vs Northside
8:30 PM Evangelical Christian (boys) vs Craigmont

Session II, Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

11:30 AM Briarcrest (girls) vs Arlington
1:00 PM Southwind (girls) vs Nashville Ensworth
2:30 PM Christian Brothers (boys) vs Cordova
4:00 PM White Station (boys) vs Houston
5:30 PM St. Benedict's (boys) vs Southwind
7:00 PM Briarcrest (boys) vs Melrose

Penny Hardaway's Hoopfest Schedule

@ White Station High School

Session I, Friday, January 20th, 2012

3:00 PM Memphis Central (TN) vs Manassas (TN) - Girls
4:30 PM White Station (TN) vs Ensworth (TN) - Girls
6:00 PM Our Savior New American (NY) vs Ensworth (TN)
7:30 PM Oak Hill Academy (VA) vs Craigmont (TN)
9:00 PM White Station (TN) vs Montverde Academy (FL)

Session II, Saturday, January 21st, 2012

10:00 AM Arlington (TN) vs Ensworth (TN) - Girls
11:30 AM Ensworth (TN) vs Memphis Central (TN)
1:00 PM Memphis East (TN) vs Our Savior New American (NY)
2:30 PM White Station (TN) vs Briarcrest (TN)
4:00 PM Christian Brothers (TN) vs Dyer County (TN)
5:30 PM Ridgeway (TN) vs Montverde Academy (FL)
7:00 PM Melrose (TN) vs Oak Hill Academy (VA)
8:30 PM Southwind (TN) vs Chicago Simeon (IL)

Admission: Adult - $12 and Student - $10

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Jasmine James, Hasina Muhammad College Career Update

Both junior Jasmine James (Bartlett/Georgia) and freshman Hasina Muhammad (Ridgeway/Auburn) have been receiving some nice publicity leading up to this upcoming season.

Jasmine James led Georgia in scoring, assists and steals last season. She has been nominated Sporting News Pre-Season College Women’s Basketball Third Team All American. In June, Peach State Hoops had Jasmine ranked 13 in their Top 25 Class of 2013 College rankings.

As a freshman, Hasina Muhammad is learning about basketball on the college level with pre-season training, individual work outs, and of course school work. She has even went through her first year of team pictures. You can check out the video here: http://auburntigers.cstv.com/allaccess/?media=264075 Word is she has been looking good during practices and just may break the starting line up as a freshman.


If you know of any Memphis Girls Basketball College players news, please email the information to popo@girlsbasketballtrainer.com.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Fall Exposure League Week 2 Recap

Week 2 of the Fall Exposure League featured a player putting on a show, a shooting fest, and some of the younger players stepping up their game. Dodge City Community College out of Kansas was also in the building to check out the talent.

JoAnna Smith with Lay Up
Southaven's junior guard, JoAnna Smith (N.M.B. Hoop Dreams), came today to prove a point. She is not only athletic as displayed last week. She is agressive and powerful. Scoring in a variety of ways: off steals, in transition, behind the 3 point line. She finished with 22 points and 5 steals. She is a very entertaining player to watch. Southaven has so many weapons and will be on my list of teams to watch this season.

Victoria "Torri"  Lewis,  2015 ESPN Watch List












Nationally-known Victoria Lewis (MHEA/Team Tennessee Glory), freshman guard, put up 23 points from 10 of 15 shooting from the field. This young lady is not only a gifted shooter. She is smart with the ball and will shock opponents with her blocking abilities. Two more freshman to keep an eye on is Emanye Robertson and Breanna Cowans. Freshman combo guard Emanye Robertson (White Station/TEAM TEnnessee Glory) is going to be something special. She has a motor that keeps going. She is great at getting up the floor fast with the ball. She likes to distribute the ball first but can score. Breanna Cowans (Germantown/TEAM Tenness Glory) can shoot the cover off the basketball. Going 3 for 5 behind the 3 point line and 2 for 2 at the free throw line for 13 total points.

Tennessee squad defeated Connecticut 49-25 (l to r) Sidney Smith (10 pts), Raylan Starks (14 pts), Taylor Harmon (8pts), Sam McColgan (7 pts), Emanye Robertson (9 pts)

The sophomores put on a show also. Amber Braxton (Collierville/Lady Bobcats) was a complete surprise for me. She is a 5'10 combo forward. She can play inside and out. She has three point shooting range, ball handling abilities and just has a gift for being in the right place at the right time to score. Guard Aysha Harris (Houston/Lady Bobcats) gets into the paint over and over and over again and to the free throw line. She absolutely loves to penetrate into the lanes. She lead her team with 13 points. Post Brittney Becton (Collierville/Lady Bobcats) went up against a senior today and she showed no fear. She battled against one of the most versatile post players in the city, senior Jasmine McAllister (Southwind/Memphis Bobcats -Platinum). Jasmine is a very mobile post. She can face up and shoot and also take a defender off the dribble.

Check out Week 2 Team and Individual Statistics

Click here for Week 3 Schedule

Friday, September 23, 2011

Lauren Avant transfers to Rhodes College

The freshman guard from Memphis who played for Tennessee for one season in 2010-11 – and rescued the Lady Vols from what appeared to be a defeat at Vanderbilt last February to keep intact the undefeated run through the SEC – announced her decision to leave the program a few days after the season ended.

“I tried to make the best decision for me looking at the long run and trying to pursue my goals of being a doctor while maintaining my health,” Lauren Avant said in a phone interview with Inside Tennessee. “I still love the program. I keep in touch with my teammates so I still feel a part of the team, and everyone is supportive.”

When the spring semester ended, Avant returned to Memphis to consider her options – the standout student was a junior in terms of credit hours when she left Knoxville because of Advanced Placement credits that she had earned in high school at the prestigious Lausanne prep school – and she decided to enroll at Rhodes College, a private school that competes in Division III in her hometown.

Since Avant transferred to a smaller division instead of Division I, she doesn’t have to sit out an NCAA transfer year and after getting medical clearance – she has sustained concussions in the past, among other issues – she can suit up this fall for Rhodes.

“Yes ma’am, if my health permits,” Avant said. “I visited a neurologist and I am still seeing my physician about my ankle.”

Avant will major in biology on a pre-med track with a minor in psychology. The intense focus on academics combined with the physical pain from a litany of injuries – she endured a serious shoulder injury in a car wreck prior to her arrival at Tennessee that took her off the court for most of her senior year of high school and then had serious hand and ankle injuries while at Tennessee – led her to the decision to try to play basketball at a smaller school and commit more time to her medical ambitions to strike a better balance between the two.

Read complete Scout.com article

Memphis Girls Basketball Fundamental Friday : Grinding Sessions with Brandon Jennings , Kemba Walker and More

Top Basketball Players do not magically show up at the games and dominate. They work on their skills when others are not. Early in the morning. Late at night.

Check out Brandon Jennings and Kemba Walker working out. Notice how Brandon and Kemba hit the gym and work on agility and strength before they touched a basketball. I also have an extra video of Jay Williams and other trainers working out a camp of players.



Wednesday, September 21, 2011

If Division 1 does not Work Out

Aubrey is in the process of transferring from D1 to D2.

“I never thought it would go this way,” she told me, “but it is what it is…”

She was one of the best shooters in basketball mad Indiana. She was all-state at Oregon-Davis High School and helped the Bobcats claim the Indiana Class 1-A state championship in 2007. Aubrey set a state record for three-pointers and was the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,606 points. Incapable of burning out on the sport, she grew up shooting 1000 shots every day, doing High School and AAU, and doing personal training. When she got an offer from D1 Murray State she accepted a full athletic scholarship. Aubrey red shirted her first year and played in just five games this past season, scoring one basket. She has decided to transfer to Division Two University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, IN.

“I want to play,” Aubrey told me. “The Coach here at Murray State didn’t think I could play with a foot injury (originally suffered in High School) so I got my release and looked at a lot of D2′s. To go D1 I would have had to sit out a year and I didn’t want to do that again. USI plays in a Conference that has many D1 caliber players.”

When an athlete transfers from D1 to a lower level, they can be eligible the next season, so she will have three seasons left.

Read complete GirlsBasketballRecruiting.com article

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Pre-Season Show Off Camp 2011 Registration Open

If you are not participating in the Fall Exposure League, you still have one more opportunity before basketball season begins to showcase your skills and talent to college coaches and local scouts. Seniors are especially encouraged to participate!!!


The only Fall NCAA-Certified Event in Memphis, TN!!

Pre-Season Show Off Camp
October 8, 2011
Ridgeway Baptist Church
3 Game Guarantee
Evaluated by College Coaches & Patosha Jeffery
Evaluation included in Patosha Jeffery Reports sent to college coaches
$50
Register Here
No registrations will be taken at the door for this event.



Danielle Ballard shows out at 2011 EBA All American Camp

Brandon Clay of Peach State Basketball held his 2nd Annual Elite Basketball Academy High School All-American Camp this past weekend in Georgia. Senior Danielle Ballard (Central/LSU Commit) was one of 38 invited players participating.

Other participants included:
*Denotes player currently ranked in the ESPN Hoopgurlz rankings or Watch List (2014/15) in their respective class.

Class of 2012
*Danielle Ballard (Memphis, Tenn./Memphis Central) - LSU
*N'Dea Bryant (Charleston, S.C./Goose Creek) - North Carolina
*Andraya Carter (Buford, Ga./Buford) - Tennessee
*Chadarryl Clay (Chattanooga, Tenn./Girls Prep)
*Bashaara Graves (Clarksville, Tenn./Clarksville) - Tennessee
*Brittany Jackson (Vero Beach, Fla./Sebastian River) - Georgia Tech
*Jasmine Jenkins (Oakwood, Ga./East Hall) - Vanderbilt
*Nariah Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central)
Jessy Ward (Clarksville, Tenn./Clarksville) - Mississippi State
*Aaliyah Whiteside (Memphis, Tenn./Memphis Central) - Georgia Tech

Class of 2013
Briana Day (Durham, N.C./Millbrook) - North Carolina
Bria Day (Durham, N.C./Millbrook) - North Carolina
*Kaela Davis (Buford, Ga./Buford) - Tennessee
Keonna Farmer (Birmingham, Ala./Erwin) - Alabama
*Kianna Holland (Seneca, S.C./Seneca)
Kaliyah Mitchell (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson)
*Kristina Nelson (Buford, Ga./Buford)
*Taya Reimer (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern)
*Kylee Smith (Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta)
*Tiffany Suarez (Miami, Fla./Lady of Lourdes)
*Peyton Whitted (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett)

Class of 2014
*Jenna Burdette (Coolville, Ohio/Eastern Reedsville)
*Courtney Ekmark (Phoenix, Ariz./St. Mary's)
Erin Garner (Philadelphia, Penn./Prep Charter)
*Taryn Griffey (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips)
*Bree Horrocks (Buford, Ga./Buford)
*Mychal Johnson (Huntington, WVa./St. Joseph's)
*Kelli Kingma (Mill Creek, Wash./Henry Jackson)
Jada Matthews (Sicklerville, N.J./Paul VI)
*Alexa Middleton (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Riverdale)
*Lauren Moses (Mount Holly, N.J./Rancocis Valley)
*Mikayla Reese (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sand Creek)
*Victoria Vivians (Hattiesburg, Miss./Scott County)

Class of 2015/16
*Te'a Cooper (Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern) - North Carolina
*Asia Durr (Atlanta, Ga./St. Pius X)
*Anna Hammaker (Knoxville, Tenn./CAK)
*Cheyenne Hooper (Knoxville, Tenn./CAK)
*Tiara Murphy (South Bend, Ind./Washington)


Danielle represented Memphis very well during the league game portion of the camp. Check out her highlights and the ESPN Hoopgurlz story Danielle highlight starts around the 1:00 mark of the video.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Breaking News: Cornelia Fondren committs to Syracuse University

Overton senior, Cornelia Fondren, decided to pick Syracuse over Memphis and Dayton, according to her AAU Head Coach, Thurman Denton, of the Memphis Lady Magic. Making the decision last night, the 2012 Hoopgurlz 31st ranked guard had both Memphis and Syracuse coaches in her home last night fighting for her services.

"The deciding factor was basically the overall resources Syracuse is putting into their program," said Coach Denton. "Money is being invested into their athletic program and they are moving to the ACC conference."

If you have every watched Cornelia play, you know she is a work horse. She is full of energy and plays to the very end. She is a raw lefty combo guard with true upside at the next level.

"I think it was a good choice for her overall. I am very proud of her growth as a ball player and person," said Coach Denton.

Fall Exposure League Week 1 Recap

OMG!!! The Inaugural Fall Exposure League started with a bang. Top Talent! Great Competition! Action Packed! Spectators at the league should not have been disappointed. Two college programs were in the place checking out the talent Southwest Tennessee Community College and North Alabama.

Timmia Sanders
If you do not know who Timmia Sanders (White Station/Memphis Lady Magic) is, remember the name. This lefty sophomore guard registered 5 minutes before tip off of the first game and she came through the door shooting. This aggressive scorer lead this week in points with 27 off of 12 of 23 shooting and 3 of 11 from behind the arch. Look for her to be a big contributor at White Station this season.

Junior point guard Ayanna Muhammad (Ridgeway/Memphis Elite - Daniels) put up 14 points and displayed her quickness to the basket and 3 point shooting abilities. Shooting 2 for 3 from behind the 3 point line.

Mississippi represented today. Southaven's junior post Aliyah Miller (Memphis Elite-Wade) is like a grasshopper. She is so light on her feet and quick to the basket. She has to be a defensive nightmare because of her agile abilities and it showed because she got to the free throw line 9 times and completed 4. She finished with 8 points. Southaven has another player that put up a show today, junior guard JoAnne Smith (N.M.B. Hoop Dreams). Athletic is an understatement and she can handle the basketball and shoot. She finished with 11 points.

Shunice Herron 2013 PG
Bolivar junior point guard Shunice Herron (Memphis Lady Bobcats Platinum) always impresses me when I watch her play. She is such an aggressive player. She is a distributor first but can score if needed, especially behind the 3 point line.

Ayanna Muhammad
Speaking of distributors, senior point guard Sam McColgan (Briarcrest/Memphis Lady Bobcats Platinum) is a solid point guard. She is small in statue and uses that to her advantage. If she sees an opening to the rack, she will get through it and find team mates.

I can not leave out the shock blocking machines, senior post Jalyn Burkett (White Station/Memphis Bobcats-Select) listed at 6'1 and with a long reach, does not let anything near her go up without her deflecting it. She pretty much owned the paint. 6'2 Chyna Ellis (Arlington/TEAM Tennessee Glory) sophomore post is long and lean. She rebounds and blocks and when she gets stronger will be dangerous. She scored 10 points.

Southwind will make some noise this year under new coach Stan Gatlin. Senior guard Bianca Cage (Memphis Bobcats - Platinum) is known for her speed, defensive prowless and streaky shooting. Bianca scored 16 points today. This year she will have a side kick. Freshman Ciara Douglas (Team Po Po) is great at anticipation and just as fast up the court as Bianca. With more experience and development, she will fill the
void left by Bianca once she graduates.

Shock of the Day

The first 3 games were highly competitive and went to the wires. But game four seemed like it would be a blow out. Gonzaga had Stanford down 10 zip early. But when you have two energizer bunnies on your team, seniors Rachel Hughes (Bartlett/Memphis Elite - Wade) and Chelsea Vaughn (Melrose/Memphis Bobcats), there is hope. . Rachel is a very aggressive post. She knows how to use her body to fight and bang in the post. She will come out and defend. She will handle the ball if needed. She is going to do whats needed for her team. She had 16 points. Chelsea Vaughn is just as aggressive. Playing mostly in the paint during her days at Ridgeway High. She was out on the perimeter and taking shots today. Chelsea finished with 8 points. They lead
Stanford to victory 41-33.

Baby of the League

Breanna Bullock with Basketball
Guard Breanna Bullock (White Station) is the only 7th grader participating in the league. She was extended a special invitation to play. Although small, she is highly skilled with handles and shooting abilities, which was displayed today. Her team mates welcomed her with open arms and she scored 4 points in her debut, shooting 1 for 2 from the free throw line and 1 for 2 from behind the arch.

Check Out Week 1 Team and Individual Statistics

Click here for Week 2 Schedule

Friday, September 16, 2011

Memphis Lady Tiger Ramses Lonlack joins Cameroon in bid to make Olympics

Ramses Lonlack has spent the last three years helping build the University of Memphis women's basketball team into a contender in Conference USA.

Now she's on the verge of doing the same for her native Cameroon's national team. The Tigers senior leaves today to rejoin the Cameroon national team as it participates in the Afrobasket Tournament, Sept. 23-Oct. 2 in Mali, where it hopes to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

"I'm really excited about this," Lonlack said. "It's been three years that Samuel Nduku, the president of the Federation (of Cameroon basketball) has been trying to build Cameroon basketball. This is a great opportunity for us to go and represent our country and to qualify for the Olympics."

Read complete Commercial Appeal article

Memphis Girls Basketball Fundamental Friday : Speed and Agility Training Tip

When training for speed and agility, it is important to train at MAXIMUM SPEED. You get faster by training FAST! You are training your nervous system to know only fast explosive moments! Remember, TRAIN FAST, YOU WILL BECOME FAST!



SHABAZZ HEALTH AND FITNESS @ 901-644-5671

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Recruits pick colleges before high school

One of Missouri’s top homegrown basketball prospects in years is also a junior high school student.

Sophi Cunningham is not worried as much about what she will study in college — she has no idea — as she is about her first season playing for Rock Bridge this winter. It will be two years before college coaches can call, three years before she can officially visit schools and longer before senior prom.

But in the world of major women’s college basketball, the freshman is already a recruiting target. Missouri and Kansas offered Cunningham a scholarship in June, and more schools promised to follow.

Her AAU coach, Joe Erskine, considers her a can’t-miss prospect. The president of the MoKan Eclipse has seen many talented players pass through his Kansas City-based club, including former five-star recruit and Tennessee starter Taber Spani and players currently on the rosters at Oklahoma, Kansas State, Kansas and DePaul.

He places Cunningham, a versatile 6-foot guard, whom he first watched as a 12-year-old leading a club scrimmage between high school juniors and seniors, in a different class.

“After one workout, we sort of all agreed that she probably will be the best prospect that ever came through our program,” Erskine said.

Cunningham wondered if traditional powers Tennessee and Connecticut would eventually be interested. She planned to go through the age-old recruiting dance — reading piles of flattering letters, visiting distant campuses and returning a logjam of coaches’ phone messages — until her father, Jim, a facilities manager for Mizzou Sports Park, asked her where she ultimately wanted to be.

Both knew the answer.

Cunningham’s parents, aunts and uncles and grandfather are all Missouri alums, and she has worn black and gold to MU football and women’s basketball games for as long as she could remember.

“This is our college,” Jim said.

Cunningham also embraced the thought of playing alongside her sister in college. She tagged along when Lindsey, a Rock Bridge senior, visited MU earlier this summer. Meeting Coach Robin Pingeton and her staff solidified what she felt all along.

“No matter who offered me in the whole country, I was going to go to Mizzou,” Cunningham said. “That’s where I’m supposed to be.”

“So why do you want to go through all of this recruiting?” Jim asked her. “Why wait?”

She and Lindsey committed late last month.


By not waiting, Cunningham joined a growing list of women’s basketball recruits who have mapped out their college futures before entering high school and became part of a debate over how soon is too soon for a player to commit.

In the men’s game, out-of-the-womb recruiting stories are nothing new. John Feinstein’s 1986 book, “A Season on the Brink,” describes former Indiana Coach Bob Knight watching future Hoosiers star Damon Bailey as an eighth-grader.

But as the money poured into women’s basketball rises — five Big 12 coaches made at least $800,000 last year — the pressure to win has spilled over into the recruiting arena.

In the past month, Missouri has received three commitments from prospects who have played a combined 13 high school games. Cunningham was joined by Pingeton’s nieces, Bri and Cierra Porter, who gave MU verbal pledges before their sophomore and freshman years. Months earlier, Te’a Cooper committed to North Carolina in the eighth grade.

“The school has to offer to stay in the game,” said Mark Lewis, a longtime women’s college basketball assistant who writes about recruiting for ESPN.com. “It’s like poker. You may not know whether the kid’s a good student — in ninth grade, who can tell? — and there’s a lot of things you don’t know. But you’ve got to offer right out of the gate or you’re not going to be considered.”

The nationwide youth movement is unsettling to many basketball insiders.

NCAA recruiting rules are set up for recruits to make their college decisions late in high school. Athletes cannot take calls from coaches until the spring of their junior years or make their five official campus visits until their senior years. Their commitment is not binding until they sign a National Letter of Intent months before enrolling in college.

The National Association of Basketball Coaches said recently that scholarships should not be offered to any high school underclassmen. But enforcing that stance would be difficult. In January, the NCAA rejected a proposal that would ban scholarship offers before the summer between a prospect’s junior and senior year of high school.

Missouri Coach Robin Pingeton, who is not permitted by NCAA rule to comment on unsigned recruits, was unavailable to discuss the general issue.

The early commitments are risky for players and schools.

“You’ve got kids, they’re not who they’re going to be,” Lewis said. “Schools are recruiting players, but they’re also recruiting people. You look back on who I was in ninth grade and who I was when I graduated, they weren’t even apples and oranges. They were vegetables and fruit, they were so different.”

That means a recruit’s eyes often wander. A change of heart after an early commitment hurts not only the school that may have stopped recruiting a certain position but also the recruit, who potentially faces limited college options after once-interested schools moved on under the assumption that the player was unavailable.

Schools also run the risk that players will not develop as projected. A sure bet at 14 might be a midmajor prospect at 18.

“They may be good as an eighth grader, yeah,” said Patosha Jeffery, a former player at Memphis and now an AAU basketball coach who runs the website girlsbasketballexposure.com. “But they may not develop any more.”

Read the complete Missouri ColumbiaTribune.com article

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Southwest Lady Saluqi Basketball Players Sign With Four-Year Schools

from Southwest Athletics site

Four members of the Southwest Tennessee Community College women’s 2010-2011 basketball team signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and basketball careers at four-year universities.

Krystal Riley, a 5’4” point guard from West Memphis, Arkansas, has signed with Western Carolina University. As a sophomore, Riley averaged 9.1 points and led the Lady Saluqis with 3.8 assists per game. She was also one of the team’s top three point shooters with 40 made. Her freshman year, Riley was named to the All-TCCAA Western Division team.

Shantel Crout, a 5’7” guard from Cordova High School, has signed with Virginia State University. As a sophomore, Crout ranked second on the team with 10.5 points per game and 2.4 steals per game. Crout was named to the All-TCCAA Western Division team as a freshman.

Keturah Martin, a 5’11” guard from East High School who played for Southwest from 2008-10, has signed with Florida A & M University. Martin averaged 8.2 points per game as a sophomore and led the Lady Saluqis with 3.1 assists per game. In addition, she led the team in assists, steals and free throw percentage as a freshman.

JaLessia Davis, a 6’3” center from Ridgecrest, Louisiana, has signed with Southeastern Louisiana University. Davis led the Lady Saluqis with 1.8 blocked shots per game and was the second leading rebounder with 6.2 per game.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Exploring Junior College Option

From average grades to being inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for academic success. That is what can happen when an athlete finds the right fit to grow as a student-athlete in College!

One of the great rewards with helping families with recruiting education and exposure is when it changes lives. In December of 2008 the South Bend Schools hosted College Recruiting Simplified. Among those attending was the Sanders family, whose daughter Ashlin was a senior at Riley High School. Despite being a four year letter winner in basketball, and on her way to being a 2-time All Conference player, she was not being recruited. She ended up fifth on the school’s all time scoring list with 1091 points and averaged 18 points a game as a senior. She did AAU Ball and everything but the family was frustrated about the whole recruiting thing.

“No one was recruiting her,” said her mother, Cherrie. “I wish we had become educated on the recruiting process early because the whole thing confused us.”

Read complete GirlsBasketballRecruiting.com article

Why You are not being Recruited by Patosha Jeffery

I've been reflecting on conversations I have had with coaches, players and parents and on situations I've seen senior players be in. As late as August, I was still being contacted by college coaches looking for players for this school year. To be honest, there really is not an excuse for players that want to play basketball on the collegiate level to not have an opportunity to play. However, basketball scholarship offers do not just fall in your lap even if you are good. An average well known player has a greater chance of getting a scholarship offer over a great unknown player. Think about it.

Are you putting yourself in position to get a basketball scholarship? With the advancement of the Internet and the explosion of exposure events (camps, tournaments, leagues), there is no excuse.

Does it take work on the players and parents part? Yes. Does it require money? Possibly. Does it require time? Yes. Is it worth it? Well you tell me. Would it be worth sacrificing a couple of weekends during the spring, summer and fall or a few extra hundreds of dollars for a 'FREE' $25,000-$50,000 or more college education? Take it from me and my parents. My parents did not have to put $1 into my college education.

Players also really need to evaluate what level of player they are. Everyone is not a Tennessee, Connecticut, or Stanford type of player. There are other divisions of basketball other than who you see playing on ESPN. For example, Union University which is currently a NAIA school and right up the road in Jackson, TN. They have won 5 National NAIA Championships with 4 in the past 6 years. It is also ok to attend a Junior College especially if you need to get your grades in order or want to continue your basketball career at the next level.

There is no one way to get a basketball scholarship. But the main way---is to be known. People, meaning college coaches or individuals that college coaches use as resources, have to know who you are and your abilities as a player.

I am a product of Memphis. An alumni of Newberry Elementary, Sherwood Junior High School, Hamilton High School and the University of Memphis. I bleed Memphis Girls Basketball. That is why I created an online venue, MemphisGirlsBasketball.com, to document our players in this area. That is why I host exposure events, like the Fall Exposure League and Pre-Season Show Off Camp, to provide a venue in the area where I can evaluate players and other scouts and college coaches can also. Giving all levels of players an opportunity to display their skills and an opportunity to obtain a scholarship.

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”
-Michael Jordan

If you are interested in learning different ways to get a college coach to notice you and to get recruited, visit GirlsBasketballRecruiting.com

If you are interested in participating in the Fall Exposure League or Pre-Season Show Off Camp, visit GirlsBasketballExposure.com

Monday, September 12, 2011

2011 Fundamental Intensity Camp Recap


 The Inaugural Girls Basketball Fall Fest kicked off on Saturday with the Fundamental Intensity Camp.

35 players went through 3 hours of drills focusing on agility, passing, ball handling, and defense. The players also learned several ways to move without the ball as a post and guard.

Players in attendance represented schools and areas from all over the mid-south including St. Francis of Assisi School, Tipton Rosemark Academy, Gosnell Junior High (AR), Southaven High, Kirby High, White Station Middle, Mt. Pisgah, Whitehaven High, MHEA, St. Mary's, Woodstock, Cedarville Middle, Germantown High, Brighton High, and Southwind High.

This weekend will kick off the Fall Exposure League. The schedule and teams will be announced tomorrow. Spots are still available. Register Here.

Tayshana Murphy, Top 16 PG, killed in New York

article from ESPNNewYork.com

A highly touted girl's prep basketball player was shot to death in a New York apartment building early Sunday morning.

Tayshana Murphy, 18, was shot in the head by a gunman in a hallway of her home, a housing project in Harlem's Morningside Heights neighborhood.

According to media reports, Murphy, a senior at Murry Bergtraum High School who previously attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, may have been the victim of mistaken identity.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Jasmine Cincore, Torri Lewis highlighted at Elite Basketball Academy

images from Hoopgurlz

Labor Day Weekend was a good one for Memphis Girls Basketball. The younger class of players are taking advantage of opportunities and continuing to get early recognition nationally.

Jasmine Cincore (Briarcrest 2014) and Victoria "Torri" Lewis (MHEA 2015) traveled to Georgia this past weekend to participate in the Elite Basketball Academy camp and left quite an impression.

Here is Mark Lewis' evaluation from ESPN Hoopgurlz:




Jasmine Cincore (Arlington, Tenn.), Briarcrest Christian): Having spent her freshman high school season working more as a small forward, it was nice to see the growth and versatility that this 5-9 power player brings to the floor. She's showing the ability to create off the dribble with some impressive side-to-side action and an explosive first step. Her weak hand needs some immediate attention or defenders are going to figure out her limitations and not even have to break a sweat. When she does get an edge on an opponent she utilizes her solid build and strength by actually creating contact herself and keeping them at bay as she penetrates. Finishing among the bigs isn't an issue for her and she gets more than her share of trips to the line. The perimeter stroke is sound but there's a tendency to turn her shoulders that could lead to some consistency issues if not addressed. Cincore is one of those players who has plenty of quickness but may giving up some ground in the speed department. She compensates with physical play and a willingness to mix things up. An important year lies in front of her.

Jasmine Cincore EBA Highlights




Torri Lewis (Olive Branch, Miss.), MHEA: An instinctual player, this 5-9 guard is going to have plenty of folks keeping an eye on her progress over the next couple of years. Her individual skills are sharp and advanced for her age comfortably warranting the old cliché "she's got game." She can create off the dribble but she keeps defenders guessing if she'll take it all the way to the rim of pull up from full speed and drain the 10-footer. There's some forward body motion in her perimeter shot that will be an issue with better defenders in her face but she was able to connect several times early in the event before leg fatigue set in. Even with the forward action she's still got a quick release that's difficult for opponents to anticipate or contest. She is constantly active and isn't hesitant to get on the floor or crash the offensive glass. Defensively she's aggressive on the ball and occasionally finds herself out of position from overplaying but hustles to recover. Lewis is following in the home-school footsteps as Moriah Jefferson and Taber Spani.

Torri also made her debut on the 2015 ESPN Hoopgurlz Watch List. Click Here

Read complete Hoopgurlz Story

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

2011 Fundamental Intensity Camp 20 Spots Still Available

The Fundamental Intensity Camp will be held this Saturday, September 10 at Ridgeway Baptist Church at 10am.

In this 3 hour camp, players will learn and pick up agility, speed, shooting, ball handing, defensive, positional skills and much more.

The environment will be fun and intense.

Instruction will be lead by Patosha Jeffery, former University of Memphis Lady Tiger and current Hutchison coach.

Only 20 spots left.

REGISTER HERE

Friday, September 2, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: Tennessee Turkey Jamm goes International

The 3rd Annual Tennessee Turkey Jamm has just exploded.

1. The event has expanded from a 2 day event to a 3 day event.
2. The number of teams has increased from 16 to 23 prompting the event to change venues from Central High School to Lausanne Collegiate School's 2 court facility. The event has been moved back to Central High School
3. The event is now INTERNATIONAL. Tsinghua High Girls Basketball has just been added to the schedule. Yes. That is Tsinghua China. Unfortunately, It has been announced that Tsinghua will not be able to participate in the TN Turkey Jamm.


Updated Schedule as of October 24, 2011

November 25th

10:30 am Stone Mountain (GA) vs. St. Benedict (TN)
12:00 pm North Little Rock (AR) vs. Clyde C Miller (MO)
1:30 pm Jackson County (TN) vs. Hw. Byers (MS)
3:00 pm East Central (OK) vs. Hoover (AL)
4:30 pm Faith Baptist (FL) vs. Knoxville Webb (TN)
6:00 pm McEachern (GA) vs. Overton (TN)
7:30 pm Riverdale (TN) vs. Bolingbrook (IL)
9:00 pm Twinsburg (OH) vs. Memphis Central (TN)

November 26th
10:30 am Faith Baptist (FL) vs. MHEA
12:00 pm Hoover (AL) vs. Riverdale (TN)
1:30 pm Bolingbrook (IL) vs. Twinsburg (OH)
3:00 pm Knoxville Webb (TN) vs. Stone Mountain (GA)
4:30 pm Clyde C Miller (MO) vs. Jackson County (TN)
6:00 pm Overton (TN) vs. East Central (OK)
7:30 pm North Little Rock (AR) vs. Incarnate Word (Mo)
9:00 pm McEachern (GA) vs. Memphis Central (TN)


November 27th
11:00 am MHEA (TN) vs. Fairley (TN)
12:30 pm East Central (OK) vs. White Station (TN)
2:00 pm Manassas (TN) vs. Faith Baptist (FL)
3:30 pm Memphis Central (TN) vs. Incarnate Word (Mo)
5:00 pm Southwind (TN) vs. HW Byers (MS)

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Hoopgurlz 2014 Top 25 Ranking

No one from Memphis made the initial 2014 ranking. Here is the top 10.


1     Kelsey Mitchell             Princeton H.S. (OH)
2     Brianna Turner        Manvel H.S. (TX)
3     Jatarie White          Providence Day School (NC)
4     Jordin Canada              Windward School (CA)
5     Gabby Green       Saint Mary's College H.S. (CA)
6     LaJahna Drummer          St. Bernard H.S. (CA)
7     Lynee' Belton              The Bullis School (MD)
8     Recee' Caldwell          Lady Bird Johnson H.S. (TX)
9     Alyssa Rice      Reynoldsburg H.S. (OH)
10     Zaire O'Neal               John F. Kennedy High (NJ)

Click here for the complete Top 25 ESPN Hoopgurlz ranking