Friday, May 31, 2013

Pepsi Best of the Preps awards ceremony coming June 7

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

The 44th BOP high school awards show is an Academy Awards-style presentation that 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, 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.

All athletes earning All-Metro honors are invited to the free show. No tickets are required.

There will be a reception after the awards presentation for athletes, coaches and parents in the lobby.

Womens College Basketball Daily News - May 31, 2013

American: American Athletic Conference Unveils Logo
Arizona: Women's Basketball Prepares for Summer
Brown: Burr Invited To WBCA Center For Coaching Excellence Session
Truman State: Amy Eagan Returns toTruman as Head Women's Basketball Coach
WBCA: Announces Selections to 2013-14 Board of Directors

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Journey to Memphis' Next Top Baller Episode 12

The video below is from the training session on May 18, 2013. There were players from ages 6-16 in attendance. The players went through ball handling, defensive and shooting drills.

In the video, you will see players participating in speed dribbling, speed dribbling/stack/unstack cones/retreat, 2 ball pound/alternate, zig zag defensive slide and some basic shooting.

The players got a lot of work in during such a short period of time.



Don't miss out on the Girls Basketball Summer Kick Off Camp this Saturday, June 1 from 9am-11am. Get more info here.

Womens College Basketball Daily News - May 30, 2013

ACC: Announces 2013-14 League Home and Away Opponents
Alabama: Kristy Curry Completes Women's Basketball Staff
Colorado: Names former women’s basketball coach Ceal Barry interim AD
Dominican University of California: Chambers to participate in NCAA Women Coaches Academy
Hawai'i Pacific: Women’s Basketball Gets Big in Post
Illinois State: Hayden Joins ISU Women's Basketball Staff
Ole Miss: Signees Report For Summer Classes
UCLA: Maylana Martin Douglas Named to UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Basketball Camps benefiting Memphis Beat the Odds Foundation

Over the next 12 months, I will be hosting a series of girls basketball camps. Not only will the participants in the camp learn fundamental basketball skills. They will also be helping other youth in our community. For each registration I receive to the camps, I will donate $5 to the Memphis Beat the Odds Foundation.

The Memphis “Beat the Odds” Foundation (MBTO) provides a positive message that young people can overcome tremendous obstacles to achieve their goals. To learn more about how I plan to help the foundation, watch the video below.



The first basketball camp in the series is the Summer Kick off Camp. It will be held June 1. Click here for more details and to register.

Womens College Basketball Daily News - May 28, 2013

Alabama A&M: A&M Head Women's Coach Semeka Randall
Arizona State: Diverse Experience Helps Strengthen Arizona State Women's Basketball Program
Davidson: Aleksandravicius Caps Off Record-Setting Career with SoCon Female Athlete of the Year Award
Holy Cross: Women’s Basketball Announces 2013-2014 Freshman Class
IUPUI: Kristin Drabyn Named To IUPIU Women's Basketball Staff
Milwaukee: Panthers Round Out Incoming Class With Third Signing
UCLA: Inks Paulina Hersler to Complete 2013 Recruiting Class
USA: USA Basketball Names 2013 Women’s U16 National Team

Friday, May 24, 2013

Memphis Future Stars win 2013 AAU 6th Grade Girls Division II State Championships

The Memphis Future Stars, an AAU program based out of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, won the State AAU 6th Grade Girls Division II Championships in Franklin, TN on May 12, 2013 by defeating TN Team Pride 47 to 38. The Memphis Future Stars capped off an undefeated season by defeating all 5 opponents in the tournament. In addition, this team also has an AAU 9th place 2013 6th grade Division II Preseason National Power Ranking.


Back Row (Left to right): Taalor Fondren, Teaya Oyinatumba, Jamelya Booker, Hadley Horner, Kaylan Morris, Jacaila Davis, Nevaeh Tot, LaTavia Jones, Keyanna Logan, Alaina Price, Madison Griggs, Melisa Carter, and Madison Moore. Front Row (Left to right): Helen Darling and Cassandra Price

Womens College Basketball Daily News - May 23, 2013

Alabama State : Freda Freeman-Jackson D-1 Basketball Camp
Boston: Women's Basketball Celebrates Class of 2013
Farleigh Dickinson: Adds Katie Buskey to 2013-14 Roster
Grand Valley: State Women's Basketball Lands Bowling GreenTransfer Bailey Cairnduff
Houston: Women's Basketball Announces Staff Changes
Northern Arizona: Young Joins Northern Arizona Women’s Basketball from New Mexico State
Oregon State: Mark Campbell Promoted To @OregonStateWBB Associate Head Coach
Penn State: Washington Elected Vice President of WBCA Executive Committee
Pittsburgh: Kathy McConnell-Miller Named to Pitt Women's Basketball Coaching Staff
Purdue: Mingo to Receive Honda Inspiration Award
San Diego State: Clements Makes Atlanta Dream Final Roster
Saint Francis: Murphy added to SFU women's basketball class

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Monday, May 20, 2013

Deja Foster (Wooddale) Returns To Georgia Tech As Graduate Manager





Click here for complete Georgia Tech story

Womens College Basketball Daily News - May 20, 2013

Auburn: Melinda Brimfield Inks NLI With Auburn Women's Basketball
Butler: Women's Basketball Adds Loryn Goodwin
DePaul: A Championship Vision Sparks Excitement for the Future
Eastern Michigan: Women's Basketball Adds JC Transfer Sashana Bucknor
Fresno State: Women's Basketball Brings in Well-Rounded Recruiting Class
Georgia Tech: Deja Foster Returns To Georgia Tech As Graduate Manager
LIU Brooklyn: Women's Basketball Signs Brown to National Letter of Intent
Missouri: Morgan Eye Leads Nation with 3.5 Three-Pointers per Game
Old Dominion: Women's Hoops Set to Kickoff Summer Camps
Saint Joseph's: Women's Basketball Inks Lisanne de Jonge To National Letter Of Intent
Temple: Women's Basketball's Victoria Macaulay Graduates With the Class of 2013
Tennessee: Riverdale's Alexa Middleton commits to Tennessee
UCLA: Signs Luiana Livulo to a National Letter of Intent
UConn: Husky Newcomer Saniya Chong Named Parade Magazine National Player of the Year
USA: Seven USA Gold Medalist Return To Lead 2013 USA Basketball Women’s World University Games Team
West Virginia: Reaves Named Assistant Coach
Quinnipiac: Women’s Basketball Finishes Seventh in College Insider Mid-Major Final Poll

Melissa McFerrin Hoops School Announces Summer Dates

The Melissa McFerrin Hoops School will offer three camps again this summer, beginning with Team Camp June 19-20, Elite Camp June 22-24, and concluding with Day Camp June 24-27. Registration is online at www.CoachMcFerrin.com. All three camps have an early registration discount if registration is complete by Wednesday May 15.

TEAM CAMP will be held June 19-20 on the campus of the University of Memphis is open to teams 13U and older (varsity, JV, AAU, church, youth, etc.) and includes a two-game per day guarantee, participation in the "Nerves of Steel" pressure situation tournament, chalk talks by the University of Memphis coaching staff and a camp t-shirt for all players. The cost to attend team camp for both days is $315 (if register before May 15) and $365 (after May 15). Contact Team Camp Director Coach Michael Wholey with any questions at mwholey@memphis.edu.

ELITE CAMP will be held June 22-23 on the campus of the University of Memphis and is open to all individuals entering grades 9-12 as of the Fall of 2013 and is geared toward those aspiring to play college basketball. Elite Camp focuses on individual skill instruction, team concepts and high intensity workouts. Players will be grouped by position (guards, wings, and posts) and all instruction will be from the University of Memphis coaching staff and players. For those campers choosing the overnight option, the cost to attend elite camp is $140 (before May 15) and $165 (after May 15). For commuters, the cost to attend elite camp is $90 (before May 15) and $115 (after May 15). All campers will receive NIKE practice jerseys and shorts. Contact Elite Camp Director Coach Erin Grant with any questions at erin.grant@memphis.edu.  

DAY CAMP will be held at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse and is open to girls entering grades 3-9 in the Fall of 2013. The four-day camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, June 24-27. The objective of day camp is to provide a fun, safe, and educational environment for basketball instruction. Each camper will develop individual basketball skills with a focus on the fundamentals of the game through station and position work taught by the University of Memphis players. In addition, a member of the University of Memphis coaching staff will give a daily lecture of a specific skill. The cost to attend DAY CAMP is $175 (if register before May 15) and $225 (after May 15). Contact Day Camp Director Donease Smith with any questions at dmsmth12@memphis.edu.

Registration for the Melissa McFerrin Hoops School is available online at www.CoachMcFerrin.com under the Camps/Events tab. All three camps have an early registration discount if register by Wednesday May 15 as well as an additional fee if register as a walk up on the day of camp. 

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Womens College Basketball Daily News - May 16, 2013

Eastern Kentucky: Senior Year Updates from Eastern Kentucky Women's Basketball's Class of 2013
East Tennessee: Ezell announces signing of guard Jasmine Hotchkins
LSU: Women's Basketball Adds Two Transfers to Roster
NC State: NC State Women's Hoops Adds Arkansas Transfer Dominique Wilson
Nebraska: Postseason Teams Fill Big Ten Home Slate
Northern Iowa: Playing Overseas: Jacqui Kalin Final Blog Entry
Purdue: Versyp to be Inducted into New England Basketball Hall of Fame
San Diego State: Stacie Terry Named #AztecWBB Head Coach
South Carolina: JUCO Player of the Year Signs with Gamecocks
UMass: University of Massachusetts Women's Basketball Releases Team Newsletter
USA: 2013 USA Basketball Women's World University Games Team Trials Set To Begin With 33 Collegians
VCU: Women’s Basketball Lands Auburn Transfer Chadarryl Clay

Ann Jones (Liberty Tech) transfers to LSU


Click here for complete LSU story

Journey to Memphis' Next Top Baller Episode 11

It has been an extremely busy past few weeks for me in and out of town participating in tournaments with Team Po Po. In between the traveling and tournaments, I have continued to host training sessions.

Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the training from May 11, 2013. During this training session, the players went through a lot of ball handling drills. It forced them to make adjustments with their hands and body.

Here is the list of ball handling drills:

2 Ball Pound
2 Ball Alternate
2 Ball Stop and Go
2 Ball Zig Zag
1 Ball Speed Dribble - Left Hand/Right Hand
1 Ball Speed, Then Retreat - Left Hand/Right Hand

The players also went through agility, defensive, and shooting drills.

Check out the video:



If you are interested in participating in training session, visit http://www.girlsbasketballtrainer.com/miniregistration.htm

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Memphis Area 2013 Class Signings

Please email popo@girlsbasketballtrainer.com signing updates.

Kahdeja Howell


Quinnesha Farmer


Candice Davis, Shereese Moore

Shadae Nolen

Shenequa Foster


Jasmyne Hurley


Katie Conner

Madison Luckett

Tiffany Jones


Kelsey Briggs, Overton (Georgetown)
Tierra Caldwell, Millington (UT-Martin)
Katie Connor, St. Agnes (Millsaps College)
Jasmine Cunningham, Hillcrest (Alcorn State)
Candice Davis, Craigmont (Concordia)
Nina Davis, Central, (Baylor)
Quinnesha Farmer, Southwind (Oglethorpe)
Shenequa Foster, Craigmont (Volunteer State)
Shunice Herron, Bolivar (Tenn Tech)
Kahdeja Howell, Central (Rust)
Jasmyne Hurley, Olive Branch (Mercy)
Tiffany Jones, Manassas (UT Martin)
Jasmine Joyner, Southaven (Tennessee-Chattanooga)
Kaylah Keys, Harding (High Point)
Madison Luckett, St. Benedict (Christian Brothers)
Aliyah Miller, Southaven (Providence)
Asia Carnes-Mitchell, East (Kennesaw State)
Brianna Mitchell, Germantown (SE Missouri)
Shereese Moore, Craigmont (Concordia)
Shae Nelson, Cordova (East Carolina per Northwest Florida St. College/Ole Miss)
Shadae Nolen, HW Byers (Mississippi Valley)
Odegua Oigbokie, Ridgeway (Old Dominion)
KiKi Patterson, Columbus (Mississippi State)
Joanna Smith, Southaven (Buffalo)
Henrietta Wells, Catholic (Alcorn State)
Janeka Williams, East (Texas-Arlington)
Erin Wilson, Overton (Christian Brothers)

Eryn Foster, Kaylan Pugh on Full Court 2015 Fresh 50 Watchlist

This spring and summer a handful of talented young ladies will begin to separate themselves from the pack as the best rising juniors in the country.  With that in mind, Full Court released their list of more than 100 players (listed alphabetically) in the 2015 class who are must-see hoopers.

Players on the 2015 Full Court Fresh 50 Watchlist will be evaluated during the AAU season and are being considered for the 2015 Full Court Fresh 50 player rankings, which will be released in September.

Ridgeway's Eryn Foster and St. Mary's Kaylan Pugh made the list.

Click here for the complete list

Jasmine Joyner makes High School Record Book

Jasmine Joyner (Southaven) will be heading to UT Chattanooga this fall to play for newly named Hall of Famer coach, Jim Foster. That's a good look for Jasmine because Foster has mentored seven WNBA Draft picks and three All-Americans.

I was recently notified that she made the National Federation of State High School Associations Record Book for total blocks in her career. Jasmine is ranked 7th with 614 blocks. Congrats!!

You can check out Jasmine 2010 Highlights:

Shae Nelson (Cordova) signs with East Carolina


Click here for complete East Carolina story

Womens College Basketball Daily News - May 15, 2013

Akron: Women's Basketball announces addition of transfer Therany Dunnigan
Baylor: Kim Mulkey And Son Treasure Relationship, Not Just On Mother's Day
Cleveland State: Bernard Scott Promoted To Associate Head Coach
Detroit: Coach Rademacher Signs Tayla Gibb To A NLI
East Carolina: Women's Hoops Announces Signing of Shae Nelson
Florida State: Former Noles to Meet in WNBA Preseason Game Friday
Fordham: Marah Strickland Named Recipient of the Claire & Jack Hobbs Memorial Award; Stephanie Gaitley Named Coach of the Year
Grand Canyon: Women's Basketball Inks Virginia Prep Star
Hawaii Pacific : Strong Season Leads to Strong Recruiting Class for Hawaii Paciifc Women’s Basketball
Idaho State: Women's Basketball Announces Signings of Lemon and Kenyon
Oakland: Women's Basketball Season Review
MTSU: Blue Raiders sign High Point standout Parker
Portland State: Women’s Basketball Adds One More for 2013-14
Purdue: Service in South Africa
Saint Louis: Kristy Guffey Named Assistant Women
Tennessee: Will honor Pat Summitt with statue
Texas: Women's Basketball announces 2013-14 non-conference schedule Texas Tech: Lady Raider players, recruits must play waiting game
UConn: Huskies Celebrate Graduation
Youngstown State: John Nicolais Completes YSU’s Women’s Basketball Coaching Staff
Wright State: Women's Basketball Announces Three Signings for 2013-14

Thursday, May 9, 2013

2013 Summer Women’s NCAA Certified Events by State

Journey to Memphis' Next Top Baller Episode 10 - Special Edition Memphis Future Stars

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to watch part of the Memphis Future Stars practice. I was so impressed with the intensity these young ladies have at such a young age.

Former WNBA player, Helen Darling, and Cassandra Price are doing an awesome job with theses young ladies. They are learning about discipline and hard work at a very young age.

The Future looks bright for Memphis Girls Basketball.




You can learn more about the Future Stars at http://memphisfuturestars.com/.

2013 TENNESSEE AAU GIRLS' BASKETBALL STATE QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT RESULTS

 5th1st Team Swag
2nd The Way


 6th 
1st Future Stars
2nd Memphis Elite

7th
 1st Memphis Elite

8th grade
1st. Mississippi Elite
2nd Memphis Elite Gardner 

9 and 10
1st. Clarksville Sol
2nd. Bobcats Select

11th
1st Team Memphis Elite Holmes 
2nd Team Memphis Elite Williams

Danielle Ballard (Central) Invited to USA Basketball Trials


Womens College Basketball Daily News - May 9, 2013

Albany: Julie Forster Named A Nominee For America East Woman Of The Year
Cal State San Bernardino: Becker announces resignation
Central Michigan: Defending MAC Champion Chippewas Add Rikke Fabricius of Denmark
Eastern Illinois: Finalists For EIU Women's Basketball Announced
ETSU: Ezell introduced as women’s hoops head coach
Florida Atlantic: Women's Basketball Signs Former Colorado Prep Player of the Year
Fordham: Rams Sign Alina Gjerkes To National Letter of Intent
Kansas: KU Women's Hoops Non-Conference Slate Released
LSU: Ballard, Plaisance Invited to USA Basketball Trials
Memphis: Breigha Wilder-Cochran Joining Memphis Women's Basketball in 2013
North Carolina Wilmington: Seahawks Add JUCO Duo To Roster
Northwestern: Roser Invited to Canadian Senior Women's National Team Tryout
Ole Miss: Insell Announces First Signing Class
Saint Joseph's: HAWK BLOG: Chatilla van Grinsven at Connecticut Sun Training Camp
Tennessee: 14 Lady Vols On WNBA Rosters
UCLA: Fields Selected for Canadian National Team Tryouts
USA: 2013 USA Basketball Women’s World University Games Team Trials

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Do You Understand Your Level of Womens College Basketball Recruitment

This is some awesome information provided by NCSA Athletic Recruiting. This breakdown of the Levels of Recruitment will give you an eye opener of girls basketball recruiting and where you stand in the process.

According to the NCAA, less than 2% of high school athletes earn college athletic scholarships. It’s important to gauge the level of attention that you’re receiving from college coaches so that you know what to expect from the recruiting process.

There are several levels of recruitment. See where you stand in the list below, and find out from NCSA the best way to move up a level or two and improve your chances of earning an athletic scholarship.

Click here for the complete article

Kendra Boone, Deja Faulkner make 2013 Gateway Challenge All Star Team

Memphis Tri-State Elite and Team Po Po traveled to St. Louis, MO to compete in the USJN Gateway Challenge.

 Tri-State Elite finished second in their pool and Team Po Po finished third.

Kendra Boone (Ridgeway/Tri-State Elite) and Deja Faulkner (Middleton/Team Po Po) made the All Star Team for the event.

Click here to see the complete All Star list

Womens College Basketball Daily News - May 8, 2013

Auburn: Sherill Baker Named To Gwinnett County Sports Hall Of Fame
Barclays Center Women’s Invitational: Features Rutgers, Texas Tech, Michigan, and LSU
Clemson: Audra Smith Rounds Out Staff with Ard, Becker
Colorado: CU Buffs' Linda Lappe nets first recruit of 2014
Florida Gulf Coast: Smesko and @FGCU_WBB Land Transfer from Butler
Green Bay: Ritchie and Sension Help Keep NetScouts Team USA Undefeated
Lake Erie: Women's Basketball Adds Shagovac and Jones to Recruiting Class
New Hampshire: Women's Basketball Adds Four Players for 2013-14 Season
Sacred Hearts: Ed Swanson Announced as New Head Coach at William & Mary
UAB: Women's Hoops Inks Two Junior College Standouts
USA: U19 World Championship Team Trials Roster

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Journey to Memphis' Next Top Baller Episode 9

I am so proud of my 10 and 6 year old nieces. I really enjoy receiving my weekly phone call or text on Friday afternoon from them asking if I will be picking them up for basketball training on Saturday morning.

My 6 year old niece was really getting frustrated because she could not make any shots on the 10 foot goal. So I asked to have the side goal at the gym lowered. That first day she hit 11 shots. She was too excited.

I have a dilemma with my 10 year old niece. It's a good dilemma. We have learned that she can shoot with both her left and right hands. That is AWESOME. This is even better when it comes to left and right-handed layups.

I'm a proud Auntie. It's just the beginning. We have a lot more work to do so I can get my 10 year old niece on the school team in the fall.

Here is the very first day I worked with my nieces:


This video has footage from the second day of working with my nieces and their latest training day:


If you are interested in training with me, join me for the Girls Basketball Fundamental Boot Camp this month. The Boot Camp is for beginners to intermediate players. Learn more at http://www.girlsbasketballtrainer.com/miniregistration.htm

Kaylan Pugh shines at Boo Williams

Full Court's Bob Corwin was in attendance at the 2013 Boo Williams Invitational NCAA-certified event. St. Mary's Kaylan Pugh (2015) caught his attention.

This is what he had to say:  

Kaylan Pugh, 5-10, F, TN Flight Silver Soph (Collierville, Tennessee)

Pugh oozes athleticism and was the best player on a talented Flight Sophomore which was eliminated in the Silver Bracket quarterfinals 55-54 by the Fairfax Stars. Early in the event Pugh was scoring by getting to the rim and as the event proceeded, she started hitting outside shots as well.

Click here for the complete recap

Womens College Basketball Daily News - May 1, 2013

Art: Knights Welcome Wichita State Transfer O'Brien
Massachusetts: Tarnachowicz Signs National Letter Of Intent To Play For The Minutewomen
McNeese State: Ashlyn and Caitlyn Baggett Named Women's Basketball Co-MVP's
Penn State: Lady Lions Add Sierra Moore to Roster
Syracuse: Orange Signs Dutch Star Slim
Utah State: Crystal Robinson Named USU Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
Utah State: Shaquita Smith Signs With The USU Women's Basketball Team
Wisconsin : Kelsey named USA Basketball Court Coach
Youngstown: Barnes Announces Three Additions to Coaching Staff