Wednesday, October 31, 2012

How to Use Online Newspapers to Get Recruited by a Womens College Basketball Coach

I was visiting the Clarion-Ledger online newspaper High School sports page and noticed a request for High School coaches, statisticians or whoever involved with the basketball team to submit team schedules and rosters.

 Click here for complete GirlsBasketballRecruiting.com article

Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 31, 2012

Arkansas Monticello: WOMEN'S HOOPS PICKED TO FINISH 7TH
Arkansas State: A-State Women’s Basketball Tops Ouachita Baptist 86-46
Memphis: University of Memphis women's basketball has faith in Hope
Ole Miss: Additional Women's Hoops Game Picked Up For TV
Penn State: Guard Adds to Speed of Fast Paced Lady Lions Attack
UConn: Hartley & Mosqueda-Lewis Selected Honorable Mention Preseason All-Americans
Tennessee: Mercedes Russell picking Lady Vols important start for Holly Warlick
Tennessee: No. 1 recruit Mercedes Russell picks Tennessee
Tennessee: Lady Vols grab hold of the baton under Holly Warlick

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 30, 2012

K-State: K-State WBB to Have Every Home Game on TV
Memphis: McFerrin, Tigers’ eyes on season
Northwestern: Wildcats tune up for 2012-13 opener with dominant exhibition victory
Oregon State: Meet The Beavers: ShaKiana Edwards-Teasley
UC Davis: Women's Basketball: Introducing Kelsey Harris and Heidi Johnson
Wake Forest: Deacons Roll Past Anderson 88-53 In Exhibition Action

Monday, October 29, 2012

Top 5 Sneakers Worn During 2012 NBA Preseason

The NBA preseason wrapped up last night with a handful of games around the country. With that said, Complex decided to take a look at the Top 50 sneakers that hit the hardwood before things get official. Here is the Top 5.




1. Air Jordan Retro XI "Bred"

Worn By: Louis Williams
Date: 10/19/2012, 10/26/2012

2. Air Jordan Retro XI "Concords"

Worn By: Gerald Green
Date: 10/20/2012





3. Nike LeBron X

Worn By: LeBron James
Date: 10/16/2012





4. Air Jordan Retro IV "Black Cats"

Worn By: DeMar DeRozan
Date: 10/17/2012

 









5. Air Jordan Retro XII "Playoffs" 
Worn By: DeMar DeRozan 
Date: 10/22/2012

2012-2013 MIAA Middle School Basketball Jamboree Schedule

November 3rd 2012
 Kate Bond Middle School Gym 
Colonial Middle School Gym 

2012 Southwind High School Play Day Schedule

2012 Southwind Play Day
 November 3
 Admission: $7 

9:00am Germantown vs St. Benedict
9:30 Harding vs Southwind
10:00 Manassas vs St. Benedict
10:30 Germantown vs Harding
11:00 Southwind vs St. Benedict
11:30 Covington vs Germantown
12:00pm Manassas vs Southwind
12:30 Covington vs Harding
1:00 Harding JV vs Southwind JV
1:30 Manassas vs Covington       

Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 29, 2012

Auburn: Beyond The Arc: Auburn Senior Najat Ouardad
Evansville: 10 Questions With...Taylor Ware
Depaul: Women's Hoops Ranks No. 25 in the Preseason AP Poll
Georgia: Lady Bulldogs Tabbed No. 10 By AP
Hawaii at Hilo: Evaluating and learning
Iowa: Bluder Thrilled to Depth
Kentucky: UK Hoops Ranked No. 6 in Preseason AP Poll
Northeastern: Women's basketball adds Michayla Mathis from Team IMPACT
Saint Joseph's: Women's Basketball Dominates Philadelphia University in Exhibition, 93-55
Santa Clara: Women's Assistant Basketball Coach Rich Brown Draws Focus to Details, Discipline
Oklahoma: Sooners Unsatisfied after Scrimmage
Stanford: Stanford Women Ranked Fourth In Preseason AP Poll
Tennessee: Lady Vols Open At No. 20 In AP Poll
Tennessee: Mercedes Russell to announce Tuesday; count Jannah Tucker for Lady Vols again
Vermont: Niki Taylor and Kayla Burchill Lead Vermont Past Saint Michael's in Preseason Women's Basketball Action
West Virginia: Mike Carey: Big 12 Will Be Learning Experience

Friday, October 26, 2012

Chamique Holdsclaw's Breaking Through: Beating The Odds Shot after Shot

Chamique Holdsclaw and I have a special connection that only a few people know about. The connection happened during my sophomore year of college. I don't believe I have ever spoken publicly about this. Chamique probably don't even remember this because she is "Chamique Holdsclaw".

Chamique is the reason for my one and only ESPN highlight. I was going up for a lay up and out of no where-- Chamique blocked my shot. When my teammates saw that on ESPN, you know they teased me.

Oh well, when I read that Chamique had written a book about her life and her struggles with depression, I had to get it. She entered Tennessee as a freshman the same year I entered at Memphis. This was the time frame Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team was on fire winning back-to-back-to-back national championships. So getting this book meant I could learn what was going on behind the scenes at the college program.




Boy did I learn so much more. I learned just how much Chamique Holdsclaw and I related and how she went from a New York kid living in the projects to a super star at Tennessee and the WNBA and then disappearing from the scene and why.

This is an AWESOME book for every girls basketball player, fan, and coach!

Breaking Through: Beating The Odds Shot after Shot (Volume 1)

Walking On a Womens College Basketball Team Tips

What is a walk-on? A walk-on is a rostered player, who does not receive an athletic scholarship freshman year. A tryout is typically involved once on campus as well.

What is a recruited/preferred walk-on?
A recruited/preferred walk-on is a commonly used term for an athlete who is recruited by a college coach, but is not offered an athletic scholarship freshman year. These athletes typically have a lot of communication with the coaching staff and are usually offered a roster spot before tryouts.

 Click here for complete GirlsBasketballRecruiting.com article

Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 26, 2012

Cincinnati: Women's Basketball Season Tip Off Reception
Cornell: Women's Basketball Chosen Sixth In Preseason Ivy League Poll
Elon: Kelsey Evans Makes Headway Off the Court with Research
Fordham: Atlantic 10 Announces Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Georgia Tech: Sasha Goodlett, Fever Win WNBA Title
Harding: Women's Basketball Voted GAC Preseason Favorites
Hawaii: Women's Hoops Picked Sixth in Preseason Poll; Kamilah Martin Earns Preseason Honors
Illinois: New Approach Working Just Fine for Karisma Penn
McNeese: Cowgirls Picked To Win Southland Title In Preseason Polls
Miami: Courtney Osborn Ready for Big Season
Northeastern: Deanna Kerkhof wins Ontario Basketball award
Northwestern State: Lady Demons volunteer at Women's Resource Gala
Northwestern State: Lady Demon basketball head coach to be honored by alma mater
Oregon State: Meet The Beavers: Deven Hunter
Penn State: Defending Champion Lady Lions Picked to Claim Big Ten Title
Saginaw Valley: SVSU Women's Basketball 'Get to Know': Sam Zirzow
Siena: A Look At Women's Sophomore Saints
Stanford: Stanford Women's Basketball's Six Pack, Episode Four - Summer At Stanford
Southern Miss: Lady Eagle Basketball Visits The Children's Center
Tennessee: Lady Vol Report: Eight Days Out
UC Davis: Introducing the 2012-13 Women's Basketball Team
Utah State: USU Women's Basketball Picked First in Both the WAC Preseason Coaches' and Media Polls
UConn: Geno Auriemma Awarded NIAF's Special Achievement Award in Sports
Washington: Unleashed: What Will Heather Corral Bull Through Next

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Memphis Womens Coach Melissa McFerrin appeared on Fox13 Good Morning Memphis

University of Memphis women's basketball head coach Melissa McFerrin  appeared on FOX13's Good Morning Memphis today.

McFerrin  talked about the Fastbreak Club's annual benefit for the team, the Heels and Hoops Gala presented by Evolve Bank & Trust on Saturday night as well as the team's upcoming season.

The Tigers play an exhibition against Rhodes College on November 3 before starting the season at home against Grambling State on November 9 in the Preseason WNIT.

The Heels and Hoops Gala is scheduled for Saturday, October 27th at the Holiday Inn on the University of Memphis campus. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. and entertainment will be provided by The Fabulous Steeler Band. Activities for the evening include a silent wine auction, door prizes and a skit performed by the women's basketball players.

Tickets for the event can be Purchased Online Here . Tickets are $100 per person (or $50 per person for Fast Break Club members), or a table for 10 can be purchased for $1,000. Proceeds from the evening benefits the University of Memphis women's basketball program.

Previous proceeds paid for the team's trip to Italy in August of 2011 and have assisted in the renovation of the locker room area in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Future proceeds will assist with the phase two renovations in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse's strength and conditioning and athletic training facilities, which will begin this fall.

For more information on the event, please contact the women's basketball office at 901-678-4532.

Getting to Know: Georgia Tech's Aaliyah Whiteside

Aaliyah Whiteside is a six foot wing player from Memphis Central High School Memphis, Tenn. She played four years of basketball under head coach Niki Bray and was a two-time team captain. Whiteside led her team to a 39-9 record and the TSSAA AAA State Championship in 2011, which she lists as her best sports memory. She was selected to the 2009 and 2011 Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class AAA All-State teams and earned MVP honors of the 2011 TSSAA Regional Tournament.

Whiteside began playing basketball at age seven while living in Greenville, S.C. She was ranked No. 24 nationally in the class of 2012 by ESPN HoopGurlz and was rated as the fourth-best wing player in the class. Whiteside earned Women's Basketball Coaches Association honorable mention All-America in 2012.

 Read complete Georgia Tech Profile

Should you send back every Questionnaire you Receive from a Womens College Basketball Coach?

The more you play basketball in front of college coaches. The more opportunities you have to start receiving letters in the mail from them. One of the first pieces of mail you receive is a Prospective Student Athlete Questionnaire.

Click here for the full article from GirlsBasketballRecruiting.com

Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 25, 2012

Auburn: Women's Basketball To Host Season Tipoff On Nov. 4
Duquesne: Women's Basketball Picked Fourth in A-10 Preseason Poll
Georgia Tech: Special Events Planned For Tennessee Game
Georgia Tech: Getting To Know: Aaliyah Whiteside
George Washington: GW Women's Basketball Picked Eighth in A-10 Preseason Poll
Harvard: Women’s Basketball Ranked Second in Ivy League Preseason Poll
IUPUI: 2012-13 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW - FORWARDS
LATech: Techsters Tabbed Second in WAC Preseason Polls
Long Beach State: Long Beach State women's hoops set to host open practice and clinic on Saturday
Ole Miss: Ole Miss Names Brett Frank Acting Head Women's Basketball Coach
Saint Joseph's: Women's Basketball Picked to Finish Sixth in Atlantic 10
St. Bonaventure: Bonnies Tabbed For Seventh In A-10 Preseason Poll
Tennessee: Jannah Tucker drops Lady Vols, reopens recruitment
Temple: Women's Basketball Picked to Finish Fifth in the 2012-13 Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll
Wake Forest: Women's Basketball Season Ticket Special
Xavier: Women's Basketball Picked to Finish 10th in Atlantic 10 Standings
UMass: A-10 Releases Preseason All-Conference Teams, Poll Selections

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

2012 Center Hill High School Play Day Schedule

Saturday, October 27

 Teams:
 1 Lewisburg
2 Hernando
 3 Southaven
 4 H.W. Byers
 5 Center Hill

 1pm 1 vs 2 Girls
1:45 1 vs 2 Boys
2:30 1 vs 5 girls
3:15 3 vs 5 Boys
4:00 2 vs 3 Girls
4:45 2 vs 3 Boys
 5:30 3 vs 5 Girls
 6:15 1 vs 4 Boys
 7:00 4 vs 5 Girls
7:45 4 vs 5 Boys

Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 24, 2012

Eastern Illinois: Three Panthers Earn All-OVC Preseason Honors
Eastern Kentucky: Women's Basketball Picked to Finish Second in OVC East Preseason Poll
Florida: Jennifer George Named Preseason First Team All-SEC
Florida Atlantic: Chenise Miller Named Second-Team Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference
Fresno State: Fresno State Pegged 2nd In MW Women's Preseason Poll
Georgia: Lady Bulldogs Tabbed Second; Anne Marie Armstrong, Jasmine Hassell Named All-SEC
Harford: Hawks Picked Third in League Poll, Ruthanne Doherty On Preseason Team
Jacksonville State: JSU Women's Hoops Picked Sixth In OVC East Division
Kentucky: UK Hoops Selected by Media to Repeat as SEC Champions
LMU: Basketball Part of NCAA Concussion Research Study
Memphis: 2012-13 Memphis Women's Basketball Fact Book
Stanford: Stanford Women Top 13th Straight Pac-12 Preseason Coaches' Poll
South Carolina: Ieasia Walker Named Preseason All-SEC
Tennessee: Lady Vols picked to finish fourth in SEC
Vanderbilt: Dores picked third in SEC
Washington: Kevin McGuff, Kristi Kingma Represent UW At Pac-12 Media Day
UNLV: Lady Rebels Tabbed Third in 2012-13 MW Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

Monday, October 22, 2012

Final 2012 Fall Exposure League Recap

The second Fall Exposure League featured over 50 players from Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and even Alabama. It was a great environment for basketball players to get a jump start on the 2012-13 season.

 Undefeated 

UConn finished the league undefeated going 4-0. The team members were Kyra Pryor (Schilling Farms, 2017, not pictured), Amber Holmes (Overton, 2014, not pictured ), Katie Conner (St. Agnes, 2013), Karneisha Trent (Wooddale, 2014), Rachelle Parks (Middleton, 2015), Deja Faulkner (Middleton, 2015), Chrishona Reddix (Olive Branch, 2016), Tatiana Love (St. Agnes, 2015), Kaylan Pugh (St. Mary's, 2015, not pictured ) and Jayla Hemingway (Schilling Farms, 2019, not pictured ).

Who's That Girl 
It was hard to not notice her and the energy she plays with. She was always around the basketball - getting rebounds, making plays to score and getting to the free throw line. Jamie Crum is an 8th grade point guard for MHEA. She averaged 11 points with a game high of 19 during week 3.

Action Packed


Three of the most exciting players to watch during the league all come from the same summer travel team, Team Memphis Elite-Holmes. All are juniors and all consistently play at a high level. A'Queen Hayes and Olivia Cunningham are dynamic duo guards from Southaven (MS). They play at a fast pace up the floor and off the floor as they jump up for rebounds, loose balls and deflections. Both are ball handlers, have 3 point range and can easily get by defenders to make buckets in the paint. A'Queen averaged 16.5 points during the league and Olivia averaged 18.








Karneisha Trent at 5'9 is listed as a forward for Wooddale, however, she displayed during the league that transitioning to the guard position should not be a problem. She is one of the most athletic and agile players with abilities to slash and maneuver through traffic. She has a nice stroke and can make the 3 point shot. She averaged 15.5 points per game.

Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 22, 2012

HBU: Cameron Tucker Named Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
Iowa: The Blowout Is Back
Lipscomb: Women's basketball making strides in practice
Oklahoma: Kaylon Williams Suffers Season-Ending Injury
Oakland: Bethany Watterworth Named Player of the Year, Oakland Picked Third
Ole Miss: Personnel Changes Announced With Women's Basketball
Ole Miss: Marbra Has High Hopes For Senior Season
Oregon State: Meet The Beavers: Alyssa Martin
Purdue: Drey Mingo Receives Giant Steps Courageous Student-Athlete Award
Stanford: Stanford Women Wow Fans At Friday Frenzy
South Alabama: LADY JAGS' ANNUAL "TALKING JAGS" PROGRAM TO GET UNDERWAY NEXT WEEK
Temple: Former Women's Basketball Standout Shey Peddy Now Playing for Hapoel Rishon in Israel
Tennessee: No. 1-ranked prospect Mercedes Russell part of Lady Vols' basketball recruiting crowd
Tennessee: Tennessee Fund Hosts Women's Hoops Event
Wagner: Meet Seahawk Freshman Center Emily Adams

Friday, October 19, 2012

University of Memphis women's basketball freshmen ready to thrive

article from CommercialAppeal.com 

It wasn't long after Arlington's loss in the TSSAA Class AAA sectionals last March that point guard Ariel Hearn began preparing for her career at the University of Memphis.

Her father, Sultaire Hearn, told her she needed to bulk up to handle the rigors of college basketball. So Hearn immediately jumped in the weight room.

"I started lifting weights on my own and I gained a couple of pounds," Hearn said.

She wasn't alone. The Tigers' five freshmen all reported to campus this summer in shape and prepared to handle whatever strength and conditioning coach Mike Jenkins threw at them.

"All of them pretty much came in every day for the voluntary 6:30 a.m. workout and really worked hard all summer," Jenkins said. "The new girls I'm really excited about because they're a good, hardworking crew. This is the best, hardest-working group of ladies that we've had since we've been here, for sure. They show up on time, and they work hard and have put themselves in position to where they're going to do well on the court."

Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 19, 2012

Alabama A&M: Jasmine Sanders named preseason second team
Alabama State: WBB Predicted to Finish Fourth, Alford Preseason 2nd Team
Georgetown: Rodgers Earns Third-Consecutive Preseason All-BIG EAST Honors
Georgia Tech: Getting To Know: Brittany Jackson
Idaho State: Defending Big Sky Champions Top Preseason Polls
IPFW: Women's Hoops Picked Eighth in Preseason Poll
IUPUI: 2012-13 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW - GUARDS
LIU Brooklyn: Davis Named to Preseason All-NEC Women's Basketball Team by College Sports Madness
Louisville: Women's Basketball Picked to Finish Third in Preseason BIG EAST Poll
Notre Dame: Notre Dame Picked Second In 2012-13 BIG EAST Preseason Women's Basketball Poll
Northwestern State: Lady Demons look for competitiveness, toughness for 2012-13
Oakland: Bethany Watterworth to Miss Start of 2012-13 Season with Injury
Portland State: Vikings Selected Fifth and Seventh in Big Sky Coaches and Media Polls
Rutgers: Rutgers Women’s Basketball Tabbed Fifth in Preseason BIG EAST Coaches’ Poll
Siena: Siena Freshman: Symone Kelly
Siena: Siena's Intensity Impresses New Coach
Tennessee: Lady Vol Report: Kicking It Up A Notch
Tulane: Women's Basketball Adresses Media During Preseason Press Conference
Vanderbilt: Kristen Gaffney's turn as the countdown to basketball season hits 24 days.
Villanova: Wildcats Picked 10th in Preseason Poll
Wagner: Meet Seahawk Freshman Center Emily Adams
UConn: Women's Hoops Selected to Win BIG EAST Regular Season Title
UNLV: Rise 'N' Shine Saturday With The Lady Rebels

Thursday, October 18, 2012

2012 Shelby County Middle School Basketball Jamboree Schedule

4TH ANNUAL SHELBY COUNTY
 MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL
 JAMBOREE OCTOBER 20, 2012 @ SOUTHWIND HIGH


Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 18, 2012

Air Force: Falcons to Hold Coaches' Clinic
Boston: Mo Moran, Rashidat Agboola and Danielle Callahan will serve as captains
California: ThisIsCalBasketball.com Countdown - Five Days
Florida State: Natasha Howard Captures Preseason All-ACC Honors
Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech Picked Third In ACC Womens Basketball Preseason
Holy Cross: 2012-2013 Holy Cross Basketball Tickets Now On Sale
Illinois State: Preseason WNIT Tickets on Sale Now
Lake Erie: Storm Women Add Prolific Rebounder Harris for Upcoming Season
Maine: Women's Basketball to Host Fan Appreciation Day and Free Kids Clinic
Memphis: Women's Basketball Heels & Hoops Gala Set for Saturday October 27th
Morehead State: Women's Basketball to Host Open House and Potluck Dinner
Oklahoma: Women's Hoops TV Broadcasts Announced
Penn State: 2012-13 Lady Lion Basketball Media Day
Siena: Midnight Madness, Siena Style
Siena: Siena Women's Coach Has High Expectations
Southern Miss: Women's Basketball to Host Education Day Nov. 9
Tennessee: Alaina Coates drops Lady Vols basketball from consideration
Texas Tech: Lady Raiders lose Cook-Taylor for season; Schneider out after thyroid surgery
UCF: UCF point guard Andrea Hines has plenty of experience to draw upon as she starts her sophomore year
Vanderbilt: A look at senior guard Gabby Smith's time volunteering at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

FILA Mississippi Girls Basketball Class of 2015 Top 40

Memphis area players ranked in the Mississippi Girls Basketball 2015 Class rankings:
#5 Abria Gulledge (HW Byers)
#12 Torri Lewis (TEAM TN Glory/MHEA)
#19 Alondrea Rush (Horn Lake)
#22 Alexyse Thomas (Horn Lake)

Click here for complete rankings

FILA Mississippi Girls Basketball Class of 2014 Top 40

Memphis area players ranked in the Mississippi Girls Basketball 2014 Class rankings:
#7 Shandricka Sessom (Mississippi Glory/Byhalia)
#8 A’Queen Hayes (Memphis Elite-Holmes/Southaven)
#16 Olivia Cunningham  (Memphis Elite-Holmes/Southaven)
#35 Kiara Golden (Memphis Elite-Holmes/Center Hill)
#36 Richenda Crutcher (HW Byers)
 Click here for complete rankings

FILA Mississippi Girls Basketball Class of 2013 Top 40 Rankings

Memphis area players ranked in the Mississippi Girls Basketball 2013 Class rankings:
#1 Jasmine Joyner (Memphis Elite - Holmes/Torriel/Southaven)
#3 Kiandria Patterson (Memphis Elite/Columbus)
#13 Justice Martin (Mississippi Glory/HW Byers)
#16 Joanna Smith (Southaven)
#20 Brittany Grant (Horn Lake)

Click here for complete rankings

Division I talent leads Southaven girls in quest for 6A hoops crown

The Southaven girls basketball program has never signed an athlete to a Division I scholarship. That will change on Nov. 15 when the senior frontcourt of JoAnna Smith, Aliyahh Miller and Jasmine Joyner sign letter of intent with various programs across the country on the first signing period of the year.

The senior trio along with talented junior guards Olivia Cunningham and Queen Hayes give the Lady Chargers five Division I prospects as they begin the season favorites to win the 6A state title a year after a 29-3 season that ended in the state semi-final in Jackson.

“I’ve been really fortunate,” Southaven head coach Dave Baldwin said. “I’ve got great bus drivers because they’ve brought me talent. It’s easy to coach good athletes.”

Read complete Desoto Times Tribune article

Memphis Dream First Season a Success

Camille Norwood has been coaching for over 3 years. She has coached middle school and high school at Power Center Academy Charter school. But this past summer, she decided to do her own thing and created Memphis Dream.

Memphis Dream kicked off its first summer with a seventh grade and eight grade team. Memphis Dream traveled through out the south and not only competed but won. Check out the pictures and tournament finishes below.

June 2012
Georgia Tarheels Summer Showcase Atlanta, GA
 -8th grade team 1st place Champions
-7th grade team Runners up
July 2012
Hoopsplay USA Nationals, Conway, AR -
-8th grade team 3rd place finish in Silver bracket




Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 16, 2012

Christian Brothers: Lady Bucs Picked Seventh in GSC
Georgia Tech: Learning To Be Defensive
Kentucky: Shooting guard from Tennessee commits to Kentucky women's team, Jaycee Coe
Houston: Porsche Landry: "New Number, New Start"
Memphis: Pa'Sonna Hope Granted NCAA Waiver
NC State: Kaley Moser has been added to the Wolfpack women's roster for 2012-13
Oklahoma: OU head coach Sherri Coale and the Sooners met with the media Monday
Oklahoma: Coale: Who Will We Become?
Providence College: Women's Basketball Makes An Appearance At Youth Basketball Clinic
San Diego State: Four Aztecs Honored by College Sports Madness, Courtney Clements, Chelsea Hopkins, Malia Nahinu and Beth Burns
SMU: Mustangs Host Intrasquad Scrimmage Saturday At Noon In Moody
Tennessee: Jasmine Jones ready to take charge for Lady Vols
UMass: Women's Basketball Announces Annual Field Trip Day
Wagner: Women Name Tri-Captains, Compete In 3-Point Contest

Monday, October 15, 2012

Bring It Book Drive Continues Through October

The University of Memphis' Athletic Department has teamed up with Memphis City Schools and The Booksellers at Laurelwood for a "Bring It" Book Drive, which will run Oct. 15-31. Donors may give new or gently used books suitable for children in grades K-8. The goal is to collect 10,000 books.

All books collected will be donated to seven Memphis City Schools deemed "Innovation Zone" schools. These are schools with limited resources that are identified as needing help to succeed at a higher level. They include Hamilton Middle, Magnolia Elementary, Fairley Elementary, Geeter Middle, Ford Road Elementary, Chickasaw Middle, and Lucie E. Campbell Elementary.

Books can be dropped off at two sites: the Athletic Ticket Office, located in the Penny Hardaway Hall of Fame at 570 Normal Ave., and at Booksellers at Laurelwood at 387 Perkins Extended. The store will provide a 20 percent discount on any book purchased specifically for the book drive.

"Our student-athletes have done an incredible job of giving back to the Memphis community this past year with over 2,500 service hours," said Kristin Rusboldt, coordinator of Student-Athlete Development at the U of M. "Last year, at some of our athletic events, they collected over 1,000 books. This year, we wanted to do so much more.

"We are really excited about this goal. We think that, with the help of the Memphis community, we can collect 10,000 books, maybe even more. We all have books sitting around, and this is a great way to clear some shelf space and help a great cause." Miska Clay Bibbs, coordinator of Community and Volunteer Relations for Memphis City Schools, also expressed appreciation for the partnership with the PAWS (Preparing Athletes for Winning Success) program. "The partnership between the University of Memphis Athletic Department and Memphis City Schools is a great example of the kind of community involvement that helps push the future leaders of Memphis forward," said Bibbs.

Details are available from Kristin Rusboldt at 901-678-2388 or khopkins@memphis.edu.

Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 15, 2012

Davidson: Tennessee, UNC Games to Be Among 15 Broadcast by Davidson W. Basketball
Evansville: 10 Questions With...Meagan Collins
Indiana: The Full Court Press with Indiana Women's Basketball: Oct. 12
Kentucky: Mitchell and Mathies Head List of College Sports Madness Preseason Honors
Kent State: Introducing the New Faces of Kent State Women's Basketball: Amber Dunlap
LSU: Lady Tigers' Senior Guard Seeks Trip to Final Four
Marshall: Daniel Mixing Passion with Patience, Wants Preparation
Michigan State: Three Former Spartans Ink Professional Contracts Overseas
New Hampshire: Women's Basketball Announces Hires and Promotion to 2012-13 Staff
NC State: Kastanek Ready to Start Final Season at NC State
Savannah State: SSU Women's Basketball Team Ready For 2012-13 Season
Syracuse: Women's Basketball Hosts Media Day
Tennessee: Jenny Moshak, Heather Mason file discrimination lawsuit against Tennessee

Friday, October 12, 2012

University of Memphis women's basketball team welcomes eight new faces

 article from CommercialAppeal.com

For two straight seasons, University of Memphis women's basketball coach Melissa McFerrin knew who she was working with before the season began.

She knew she had one of Conference USA's best in guard Brittany Carter, the Tigers' undisputed go-to player. McFerrin also had one of the league's top post players in Jasmine Lee, last season's C-USA Player of the Year. And there was defensive specialist Ramses Lonlack.

With those key players departed, McFerrin finds herself in the unfamiliar position. The Tigers' roster features eight newcomers, including five freshmen.

"I liken this to three years ago when we really didn't know what we had," McFerrin said. "As coaches, it's our job to figure out how to put it all together and help this team be as successful as we possibly can."

The Tigers are coming off their third consecutive 20-win season and a third straight trip to the postseason. But if those streaks are to continue, it will be with the help of a vastly different cast of players.

Odequa Ogiboke Class of 2013 Recruiting Update

According to an email from her travel team coach, Eric Daniels, Ridgeway Senior Odequa Ogiboke (Memphis Elite-Daniels) has verbally committed to Old Dominion University.

Aliyah Miller Class of 2013 Recruiting Update

Received an email from Southaven Senior, Aliyah Miller (Memphis Elite-Daniels), she has verbally committed to Providence College. Aliyah also considered Jacksonville State University, Eastern Kentucky University and University of Southern Mississippi.

Tiara Caldwell Class of 2013 Recruiting Update

Received an email from Millington Senior, Tiara Caldwell (Memphis Elite-Daniels), she has verbally committed to University Tennessee at Martin.

Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 12, 2012

Depaul: Deep and Talented Blue Demons Ready for Season of Dreams
Florida: The Next Step: Despite a Host of New Faces, Gator Women's Hoops Squad Looks to Build on Last Year
Georgetown: Georgetown Basketball Midnight Madness to Feature Doug E. Fresh
Kent State: Introducing The New Faces of Kent State Women's Basketball: Heather Bachman
Kentucky: Relationship between basketball programs, university on display at Tip-Off Luncheon
Oklahoma: Sooners Picked Second in Preseason Vote
Ole Miss: Women's Hoops Preseason Update
Penn State: Trio Named 2012-13 Lady Lion Team Captains
Pitt: Women's Basketball Guard Abby Dowd Pens An Essay On Her Summer Adventures
Rice: Women's Basketball Adds Long, Smith To Staff

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Kelsey Briggs Class of 2013 Recruiting Update

Received an email from Overton's Senior Kelsey Briggs (Memphis Elite-Daniels), she has verbally committed to Georgetown University.
I have recently made my decision to verbally commit to Georgetown University Women's Basketball program. I am so excited to play for Coach Keith Brown, his staff and with my future teammates. I have made this decision after officially visiting Georgetown University. In addition, I considered and officially visited Saint John's University, University Miami. I considered offers from University Texas and Syracuse University. But I decided on Georgetown. because of the great academics, excitement around the program, what the coaching staff and players believe we can do during my 4 years. Georgetown University, I feel is a great fit for me as a student/athlete.

2012 Fall Exposure League Week 3 - Game of the Week

This Saturday, October 13, is the last day of the Fall Exposure League. The league has served as a preview of the talented Memphis players and who to watch during this upcoming season. Check out this game from last week - a great come from behind thriller between Maryland and UConn..

Joanna Smith Class of 2013 Recruiting Update

According to her basketball trainer, Jmalo Torriel, Southaven guard Joanna Smith, has committed to the Buffalo womens basketball program. She choose Buffalo over Southern Illinois and Providence.

Here is footage of Joanna Smith participating in the 2011 Pre-Season Show Off Camp.

Jasmine James hopes to cap career with injury-free season

image and article from dogbytesonline.com
 

Preseason practice for James’ senior year began last week. This time, the senior guard hopes she can manage to pull through without a bite from the injury bug.

“You definitely try to look forward to an injury-free season,” James said. “A lot of things have been done as far as better conditioning and better nutrition and diet and different things like that to try to remain as healthy as possible. It’s a contact sport for the most part so things are going to happen. You can’t control those things for the most part, so you just try to stay as healthy as possible.”

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Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 11, 2012

Baylor: Selected for fourth consecutive year and fifth time overall.
BYU: 2012-13 women’s basketball season preview
Coastal Carolina: Women's Hoops Selected 7th in Big South Preseason Poll
Colorado: With Plenty To Build On, Lappe's Buffs Live for Today
Kansas: KU Women Tabbed Fourth in Preseason Big 12 Poll
MTSU: Learning more about freshman forward Caya Williams
Texas: Women's Basketball tabbed fifth in Big 12 preseason poll
Santa Clara: An Inside Look at SCU Women's Basketball; Team Preps for Season Opener
Quinnipiac: Women’s Basketball Announces Captain’s for 2012-13 Season
West Virginia: WVU Women’s Basketball Preseason No. 2
Winthrop: Women Picked Third In Big South Basketball Preseason Poll

Sunday, October 7, 2012

2012 Fall Exposure League Week 2 Recap

Another Exciting Day of Basketball! The match ups were competitive. The atmosphere and fan support was great.  This is Memphis Girls Basketball!

Don't Call It a Comeback

Madison Luckett
It's great to see Madison Luckett back on the court. My first introduction to Madison was in the Inaugural Pre-Season Show Off Camp in 2009. My evaluation of her was "can not be left open because she is automatic from short range". She is a 6'1 forward at St. Benedict and still automatic scoring 7 points this week.

 Last November, during the third game of the season, she injured her knee (ACL) forcing her to miss the rest of her junior year. As they say, sheeee baaaack! She participated with her summer travel team (Team Memphis Elite-Daniels) during July and now using the Fall Exposure League to further her conditioning for the high school season. Madison is already academically qualified with a 20 ACT score and working hard to be able to play at the next level. Welcome back, Madison!

Sister Act

The Fall Exposure League is quite unique. In the Week 1 recap, I mentioned the variety of players participating from public schools, private schools and even home schooled. The league is also unique for the amount of siblings participating. Last season, the league had two sets of twins with Briarcrest sophomores Elise & Brynn Holden and Germantown sophomores Breanna & Brittany Cowans. Read the story here. Both sets of twins are back participating in the league this year with a season of high school basketball and another summer of travel basketball experience. Their growth and maturity as players is showing.

This season 2 sets of sisters have joined the league also. We have guard Sydney Malone, 9th grader at Houston High, and Jasmine  Malone,  an 8th grader at Schilling Farms. Sydney Malone had a great first week performance scoring 14 points in a variety of ways - running the floor for layups, off short jumpers, stick backs after rebounding. Little sister, Jasmine is an unafraid developing point guard who can score if left open.

Torri &  Gigi Lewis
Before it's all over, the parents of MHEA guards Victoria "Torri" Lewis and Gabriella "Gigi" Lewis will probably get to know quite a few college coaches. Torri Lewis is already on the ESPN Hoopgurlz Watch list for 2015 class and well known nationally as a college prospect. She has such swagger in her game and she travels with her own basketball. She is a good ball handler with deceptive 1on1 moves and has great court awareness. And don't leave her open because she is draining the outside shot. By the way, Gigi is a 7th grader and you don't want to leave her open either. You may want to add Gigi Lewis to your watch list for 2018.

No Diggity, No Doubt

St. Mary's Kaylan Pugh is a prolific scorer. She scored 45 points in a game as an eighth grader with the varsity team and scored 47 as a freshman in addition to scoring over 30 points multiple times each year. This young lady already has a strong college ready body at 5'10. She is extremely versatile with the abilities to run point and strong enough to post up in paint. She loves to use moves to get into the paint for easy buckets where she is strong enough to take contact, make the shot and get to the line. Only a sophomore. I'm eager to watch her development of the next couple of years.   

Games of the Week

The Fall Exposure League gives players an opportunity for extra conditioning in game situations, to display new skills developed during the off season and of course--bragging rights. The first thing is definitely displayed  in the Week 2 Games of the Week.

Game 1 - Stanford vs Baylor

Click here to be redirected to YouTube

Game 2 - UConn vs Notre Dame

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Top 50 Grassroots Girls Basketball People to Follow on Twitter

Kenny Kallina, of Florida Girls Basketball, has put together a list of the Top 50 people in the United States to follow on twitter when you’re looking for information about girls basketball grassroots. Despite no one from the Memphis area making the list, I find the list impressive and will use it as a resource. Click here to access the list

Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 4, 2012

Baylor: Brittney Griner - Preseason Player of the Year; Alexis Prince - Freshman of the Year.
College of Charleston: Women’s Basketball Thoughts from Seniors on Preseason Training
Duke: Blue Devils Add Hernando Planells to Staff
Eastern Michigan: EMU Women's Basketball Announces Television Dates
Florida Gulf Coast: Whitney Knight to Miss 2012-13 Season Due to Injury
Georgia Tech: Getting To Know: Roddreka Rogers
LSU: Lady Tigers Complete First Practice of the Season
Memphis: New University of Memphis women's basketball assistants settling in
Michigan: Maize & Blue to Offer Girls Clinic on Oct. 21
North Dakota: Women's hoops opens season with first official practice
Southeastern Louisiana: Young Lady Lions Begin 2012-13 Preparations
West Virginia: Big 12 Announces Women’s Hoops Preseason Honors
UCLA: Women's Basketball Holds First Official Practice
UTSA: Roadrunners begin practice on Tuesday

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Check Out Danielle Ballard's First Day of Practice at LSU



Two days into the month of October, a new-look LSU women's basketball team took the floor on Tuesday as second-year head coach Nikki Caldwell put the Lady Tigers through their first official practice of the season in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

The two-hour practice featured up-tempo drills and was the first college practice for three true freshmen - Danielle Ballard (Central), Kuaneshia "Coco" Baker and Derreyal Youngblood. NCAA legislation adopted in 2010 allows schools to begin women's basketball practice 40 days prior to the start of the regular season.

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Womens College Basketball Daily News - October 3, 2012

Central Michigan: Women's Basketball Program Adds Russell Rose as Video Coordinator
Coastal Carolina: Women's Basketball Opens Practice; Hoopla Set for Oct. 22
Florida Gulf Coast: FGCU opens practice loaded with newcomers
Memphis: Women's Basketball On the Court Monday
Mississippi State: Johnnie Harris finds her calling coaching basketball
Western Carolina: Women's Basketball Officially Begins Preseason Team Practice Today
Wright State: Women's Basketball Holds First Practice
Louisiana-Monroe: Women's Basketball Starts Practice