MTSU Lady Raiders Stay Busy amid Summer

MTSU women's basketball coach Rick Insell has become accustomed to hearing a net swish from the Murphy Center main floor at all hours of the day in the summer.

Though he'd like to take a peek onto the court at the player, NCAA rules prohibiting such summer evaluations calm his curiosity. But such players eventually reveal their identity when practice resumes in the fall semester.

"All we can do as far as basketball is help them lay out a plan for their summer, but it's up to them what they do with it," Insell said. "We can't observe them, and they won't be penalized if they don't do anything. But if they work hard, they'll be a better player and that will show when they get back on the court (in team practices).

"It's all up to them. It takes a passion for the game and it's a chance for those young ladies to be responsible for their own structure."

As most college coaches do, Insell and his staff present players with an optional offseason program in April. It's up to each player to choose the degree of their summer work.

Click here for complete Middle Tennessee State BlueRaiders.com story

Motivation Monday

"The men who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed." -L.Jones

Memphis 2012 Class ESPN Hoopgurlz Rankings by Position

I received a breakdown of Top Tennessee 2012 player position rankings by ESPN Hoopgurlz. Several Memphis players are recognized and ranked on the list.

Combo Guards
Danielle Ballard (Central) #7
Cornelia Fondren (Overton) #23
Destiny James (Bartlett) #79
Ariel Hearn (Arlington) #147

Point Guards
Alicia Payne (White Station) #40

Wing
Aaliyah Whiteside (Central) #3
Lauren Douglas (Briacrest) #23

Where will Memphis Teams be in July?

Check Back - will be updated regularly

Memphis Elite- Daniels:

July
6th Fila Top Ten All American Camp (Suwanee,GA)
{Players participating are Danielle Ballard, Alicia "Red" Payne, Lauren Douglas, Kelsey Briggs}
7th - 9th Fila Girls Nationals (Suwanee,GA)
9th- 11th AAU Showcase (Suwanee,GA)
11th- 15th AAU 11th Grade National Championship (Orlando, FL)
27th- 30th Fila Juniors (Louisville,KY)

Memphis Elite- Holmes:

July
7th - 9th Fila Girls Nationals (Suwanee,GA)
27th- 30th Fila Juniors (Louisville,KY)

Team Memphis Elite - Little

July 6th Southern Super Showcase in Memphis
July 8th-10th AAU 11th Grade/16U Gold Super Showcase in Orlando
July 11th-15th AAU 16U National Championship in Orlando
July 22nd -25th Nike - Music City Madness in Nashville

Memphis Elite- Wade:

July
6th Fila Top Ten All American Camp (Suwanee,GA)
{Players participating are Chelsea Owens, Erica Sisks}
7th - 9th Fila Girls Nationals (Suwanee,GA)
13th- 16th Battle of the 'Borro (Murfreesborro,TN)
27th- 30th Fila Juniors (Louisville,KY)

Team Memphis Elite – Williams:

July 6th, 7th and 8th – AGSE Tip Off Classic – Bishop Byrne High School, Memphis, TN
July 10th -15th AAU 11th Grade Nationals, Orlando, FL
July 28th, 29th and 30th – Patosha Jeffery's End of Summer Shoot Out, Memphis, TN

Team Po Po:

July 28-30 Patosha Jeffery's End of Summer Shoot Out (Memphis, TN)

THE G7 MEMPHIS BOBCATS PLATINUM - WILSON

JULY 5-8 MARQUES JACKSON BIG STATE FLAVA JAM - MANSFIELD, TX
JULY 9-11 RUN FOR THE ROSES - LEXINGTON, KY
JULY 22-25 USJN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - WASHINGTON, DC
JULY 26 EA SPORTS NATIONAL ELITE CAMP (INDIVIDUAL) - ATLANTA, GA
JULY 27-28 EA SPORTS SUMMER SHOWCASE - LITHONIA, GA
JULY 28-30 COAST 2 COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS - LITHONIA, GA

THE G7 MEMPHIS BOBCATS SELECT - JONES

JULY 5-8 MARQUES JACKSON BIG STATE FLAVA JAM - MANSFIELD, TX
JULY 9-11 BATTLE IN THE BORO - MURFREESBORO, KY
JULY 22-25 MUSIC CITY MADNESS - FRANKLIN, TN
JULY 26 EA SPORTS NATIONAL ELITE CAMP (INDIVIDUAL) - ATLANTA, GA
JULY 27-28 EA SPORTS SUMMER SHOWCASE - LITHONIA, GA
JULY 28-30 PATOSHA JEFFERY'S END OF SUMMER SHOOT OUT - MEMPHIS, TN

THE G7 MEMPHIS BOBCATS WHITE - HARRIS

JULY 5-8 MARQUES JACKSON BIG STATE FLAVA JAM - MANSFIELD, TX
JULY 9-11 BATTLE IN THE BORO - MURFREESBORO, KY
JULY 26 EA SPORTS NATIONAL ELITE CAMP (INDIVIDUAL) - ATLANTA, GA
JULY 27-28 EA SPORTS SUMMER SHOWCASE - LITHONIA, GA
JULY 29-31 COAST 2 COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS - LITHONIA, GA

THE G7 MEMPHIS BOBCATS BLUE - MASON

JULY 5-8 MARQUES JACKSON BIG STATE FLAVA JAM - MANSFIELD, TX
JULY 26 EA SPORTS NATIONAL ELITE CAMP (INDIVIDUAL) - ATLANTA, GA
JULY 27-28 EA SPORTS SUMMER SHOWCASE - LITHONIA, GA
JULY 28-30 PATOSHA JEFFERY'S END OF SUMMER SHOOT OUT - MEMPHIS, TN

THE G7 MISSISSIPPI BOBCATS 601 - CREDIT

JULY 5-8 MARQUES JACKSON BIG STATE FLAVA JAM - MANSFIELD, TX
JULY 9-11 BATTLE IN THE BORO - MURFREESBORO, KY
JULY 22-25 MUSIC CITY MADNESS - FRANKLIN, TN
JULY 26 EA SPORTS NATIONAL ELITE CAMP (INDIVIDUAL) - ATLANTA, GA
JULY 27-28 EA SPORTS SUMMER SHOWCASE - LITHONIA, GA

Tri-State Elite Schedule:

July 6-8, Big State Flava Jam - Arlington,TX
July 13-15, Battle in the Boro - Murfreesboro, TN
July 22-25, Music City Madness - Franklin, TN

2011 Summer NCAA Womens Basketball Certified Events by State

CLICK HERE

Aaliyah Whiteside committs to Georgia Tech

from ESPN Hoopgurlz On The Trail

Aaliyah Whiteside the No. 21 ranked prospect in the ESPNU HoopGurlz 100, told ESPN HoopGurlz she has verbally committed to Georgia Tech. She chose the Yellow Jackets over finalists Kentucky and Miami.

The 5-foot-11 wing from the 2012 class helped lead Memphis (Tenn.) Central High School to a 3A state title as a junior.

Whiteside made her commitment while attending Georgia Tech's elite camp this weekend. Georgia Tech finished last season 24-11, reaching the second of the NCAA tournament, falling to Ohio State in Columbus.

Read Commercial Appeal story

Pat Summitt inducted into Tennessee Women's Hall of Fame

image from govolsxtra.com

The Tennessee Economic Council on Women inducted University of Tennessee basketball coach Pat Summitt as the third member of its Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame in ceremonies Friday afternoon.

A sold-out gathering at the Airport Marriott in Nashville was on hand to honor the winningest coach in women’s basketball. The award, which celebrates women whose lives reflect exceptional accomplishments and devotion to improving the economic status of women and girls in Tennessee, was the fifth such Hall of Fame for Summitt. She joins previous inductees Jane Eskind and Martha Craig “Cissy” Daughtrey.

Read complete volsxtra.com article here

Read more about Pat Summitt's impact beyond the court here

University of Memphis women's baskeball coach Melissa McFerrin gets 1-year extension

Since coming to the University of Memphis in 2008, women's basketball coach Melissa McFerrin has helped turn a foundering program into a Conference USA contender in just three seasons, including last season's run to the conference tournament semifinals.

For that, McFerrin received a one-year contract extension through the 2015-16 season. Her base pay will remain at $180,000.....

.....McFerrin has compiled a 53-45 record in her three seasons at the UofM. The Tigers are coming off a 21-13 campaign that included wins over Southern Miss and No. 3 seed Rice in the C-USA tournament and a bid to the WNIT, where the Tigers lost a first round game to Alabama.

Read the complete Commercial Appeal article here

Tamara Bates signs with Philander Smith College

Over the weekend, Tamara Bates (Ridgeway) held a signing party. She will be attending Philander Smith College this fall on an athletic scholarship.

Congratulations Tamara!!

A Day in the Life of a Women's College Basketball Player

It is Summer time. How are you spending your time?

If you were a college basketball player, you would be preparing for next season.

Check out this story on how Vanderbilt's team is spending their summer.

Click here

TEAM Tennessee Glory's All Americans

TEAM Tennessee Glory's 15U 2014 squad is really making their mark this summer.

Courtney Banks (White Station), Jasmine Cincore (Briarcrest),  Ashley Jackson (Ridgeway) and Torri Lewis (MHEA) have received invitations to attend the Boo Williams Jr. All-American Camp.

The camp will be held July 14-15, 2011 in Hampton, VA.

Ex-WNBA Players spreading through College Coaching

Former WNBA players are helping develop the women's game through college coaching.

As the league enters its 15th season, there are 17 former WNBA players serving as college head coaches and another two dozen working as assistants. As their numbers continue to increase, so will the WNBA's influence on the game.

Ex-WNBA players spreading through college coaching

Jennifer Azzi, San Francisco
Tricia Binford, Montana State
Itoro Coleman, Clemson
Cara Consuegra, Charlotte
Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, North Carolina-Wilmington
Sylvia Crawley, Boston College
Beth Cunningham, VCU
Kellie Harper, N.C. State
Amber Jacobs, Baptist Bible College
Suzie McConnell-Serio, Duquesne
Wendy Palmer, North Carolina-Greensboro
Raegan Pebley, Utah State
Semeka Randall, Ohio
Jennifer Rizzotti, Hartford
Dawn Staley, South Carolina
Coquese Washington, Penn State
Teresa Weatherspoon, Louisiana Tech

Click here for complete Standard-Examiner story

Motivation Monday

“Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them.”
-Orison Swett Marden

ESPN HoopGurlz's Class of 2013 Terrific 25

ESPN Hoopgurlz just released their initial 2013 rankings. Here is the Top 10

1 Kaela Davis 6'2" Buford H.S. (GA)
2 Diamond DeShields 6'2" Norcross H.S. (GA)
3 Taya Reimer 6'2" Hamilton Southeastern H.S. (IN)
4 Mercedes Russell 6'5" Springfield H.S. (OR)
5 Kailee Johnson 6'3" Central Catholic HS (OR)
6 Tyler Scaife 5'8" Hall H.S. (AR)
7 Kendall Cooper 6'3" Saint Anthony H.S. (CA)
8 Jannah Tucker 6'0" Western HS (MD)
9 Linnae Harper 5'6" Whitney Young H.S. (IL)
10 Rebecca Greenwell 6'1" Owensboro Catholic H.S. (KY)

Click here for the complete Terrific 25

Nina Davis, Hasina Muhammad win Best Of Preps Awards

Nina Davis and Hasina Muhammad

Congratulations to Nina Davis (Central) for winning Commercial Appeal Best of Preps Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Hasina Muhammad (Ridgeway/Auburn) MIAA Athlete of the Year, Christal Porter (Germantown) Shelby Suburban Athlete of the Year, Julie Eckel (St. Benedict) Private Athlete of Year .

Click here to read Commercial Appeal article
Click here for a list of all BOP winners

2011 Pepsi Best of the Preps Athlete of the Year Annoucements

The Commercial Appeal's Pepsi Best of the Preps awards show is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre.

There is a chance several basketball players will be receiving awards on tomorrow.

MIAA Athlete of the Year Finalist are:
 Laquaris Harris ( B. T. Washington)
 Hasina Muhammad (Ridgeway)
 Bre’anna Ridgell (White Station)
Brinika Shephard (Westwood)
Amber Terry (Douglas)

Shelby Suburban Athlete of the Year Finalist:
Shaniqua Katchens (Southwind)
Samantha Laplante (Houston)
Alyssa Montague (Bartlett)
Hannah Northam (Arlington)
Christal Porter (Germantown)

Private School Athlete of  the Year Finalist
Sophie Davidoff (Hutchison)
Julie Eckel (St. Benedict)
Kellie Kosar (St. George's)
Taylor Pugh (Briarcrest0
Sloan Scott (Harding)

MIAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year Finalist:
Khadija Beavers (Trezevant)
Laquaris Harris (B.T. Washington)
Ashwini Joshi (White Station)
Bianca Lee (Douglass)
Eliza Roberts (Ridgeway)


Shelby Suburban Scholar-Athlete of the Year Finalist:
Katelyn Dagen (Millington)
Bridget Hutchinson (Bartlett)
Celia Leatherwood (Arlington)
Tori Robinson (Houston)
Mil'tonique Williams (Southwind)

Private Schools Scholar-Athlete of the Year Finalist:
Julie Eckel (St. Benedict)
Anna Irvine (ECS)
Hunter Mitchell (St. Mary's)
Amy Pickens (Hutchison)
Kyle Weaver (St. Agnes)

Click here for complete list of Athlete of the Year Finalist

2011 ESPN HoopGurlz Summer Tentative Evaluation Schedule

Here is a tenative list of the upcoming events during the 2011 summer evaluation period that HoopGurlz will be attending. The list is subject to change as tournament information, dates and participants are confirmed.

June 18-19: North Tartan Summer Jam -- Bloomington, Minn.
June 25-26: Atlanta Dream Challenge -- Atlanta, Ga.
June 25-26: The Event -- Newark, N.J.
July 3-9: AAU U14 Nationals, U15-16 Super Showcase -- Orlando, Fla.
July 5-8: PBR Super 64 -- Frisco, Texas
July 6-8: Marques Jackson Flava Jam -- Dallas, Texas
July 5-8: PBR Super 64 -- Frisco, Texas
July 6-9: End of the Trail -- Oregon City, Ore.
July 9-11: Run for the Roses -- Lexington, Ky.
July11-15: Nike Summer Showcase -- Elgin, Ill.
July13-16: Battle in the Boro -- Murfreesboro, Tenn.
July21-25: Battle on the Bayou -- New Orleans, La.
July22-25: USJN Nationals -- Washington, D.C.
July26-28: Jump Off Plus Elite 24 -- Augusta, Ga.
July28-31: Nike Nationals U17 and U15 -- North Augusta, S.C.

Memphis represent at Alabama Elite Camp

(l-r) Denisha Anderson (Senatobia), Logan Hammond (Arlington), Dieasha Todd (Senatobia), Jasmine Robinson (Overton/Alabama), Jalyn Burkett (Craigmont), Arkela Ware-Jones (Overton), Candice Davis (Craigmont), Essence Brinson (MAHS)

Memphis Athletic Ministries Summer Basketball League Schedule

CLICK HERE for MAM Schedule

Memphis Grizzlies Summer Hoops Basketball Camps

CLICK HERE

High School Summer League Schedule

Carver, East, Fairley, Hillcrest, Sheffield, and Whitehaven each will be hosting an evening of basketball action in a 6-team Summer Girls Basketball League throughout the month of June.

2011 HS Summer League Schedule

Memphis represent at Auburn Elite Camp

(l-r) Hasina Muhammad (Ridgeway/Auburn), Ayanna Muhammad (Ridgeway), Kelsey Briggs (Munford), Lauren Douglas (Briarcrest), Danielle Ballard (Central), Erika Sisk (Oxford)

Motivation Monday

“Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.”
-Denis Waitley

Memphis Girls Basketball Fundamental Friday : Speed and Agility Ladder Training

I was introduced to speed and agility training when I got to college. When you play basketball, you do more than shoot a basketball. You are quickly changing directions, instantly going from slow to fast back to slow again, jumping to deflect a ball, get a rebound and shoot. To make a long story short, speed and agility training is very important. That's why I incorporate it in my training sessions.

Check out this video from Alan Stein demonstrating speed and agility drills using the ladder.

Memphis represent in Adidas Memorial Day Classic

The Inaugural Adidas Memorial Day Classic took place the  Franklin, Tennessee and Memphis took care of business in 2 of the four Divisions..

Tournament Results
17U Division Champions - Memphis Lady Magic
16U Division Champions- Tri-State Elite
14U Division Champions- Team Adidas St. Louis
13U Division Champions- The Lady Rhinos

Team Memphis Elite (14U) Wildcat Memorial Showdown Champions!

Team Memphis Elite-Holmes squad traveled to Lexington, KY last weekend to particpate in the Wildcat Memorial Showdown. They went undefeated (6-0) in the 15U bracket and brought home the trophy!

The championship game was actually played against another 14U Memphis team, TEAM Tennessee Glory, winning by two points (60-58).

Congrats to: Laka Blache, Takira Clay (not pictured), Olivia Cunningham, Eryn Foster, Kiara Golden (not pictured), A'Queen Hayes, Minyone Hill, Amber Holmes, Taylor Lewis, and Kairneisha Trent.

2011 Pepsi Best of the Preps Awards Show

from CommercialAppeal.com

The Commercial Appeal's Pepsi Best of the Preps awards show is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, June 10, at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre.

The 42nd BOP high school awards show honors student-athletes, coaches and schools from the Greater-Memphis area.

Individual awards will be handed out in golf, cross country, soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, football, wrestling, bowling, track and field, baseball, softball, lacrosse and swimming/diving, as well as awards for athletes of the year and scholar-athletes of the year.

Team trophies are also given out to the schools that compile the most BOP points in the city, county and private schools divisions.

This year's athlete and scholar-athlete finalists will be announced in Saturday's newspaper.

Beginning Sunday with baseball and softball teams, we will announce finalists from the spring sports.

Boys soccer will be announced Monday.

Tennis will be announced on Tuesday, track and field Wednesday, June 8, and lacrosse Thursday, June 9.

All athletes earning All-Metro honors are invited to the free show.