Five favorites for Cleveland
1. Maryland. Everybody's back from last season's title team, led by guard Kristi Toliver and forward Crystal Langhorne. But only three teams have repeated since 1982. The challenges? Continuing to win when everyone's gunning for you and adding Tennessee transfer Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood to the mix at guard without disrupting the chemistry that was a strength last spring.
2. Oklahoma. Courtney Paris made a name for herself as a freshman alongside twin Ashley, and the Sooners add freshman Abi Olajuwon (Hakeem's 6-foot-3 daughter) to what is now easily the nation's most dominant frontcourt.
3. Stanford. The never-ending War on Tara continues, though VanDerveer has won six Pac-10 titles in a row. With senior Brooke Smith and junior Candice Wiggins leading the way, the Cardinal can end a run of three straight losses in a region final.
4. Tennessee. We'll say Candace Parker is the best player in college basketball, and Pat Summitt's backcourt gets a boost from 5-2 junior college transfer Shannon Bobbitt. After a rare year off, expect the Vols to return to the Final Four.
5. North Carolina. The Tar Heels' only two losses were to Maryland, and they might have three or four shots at avenging those this season. Senior Ivory Latta is the reigning ACC player of the year with Erlana Larkins and Camille Little a strong 1-2 punch inside.
Five Cinderellas
1. Baylor. The Bears are ranked 18th in the preseason poll and have only two players left from the 2005 NCAA champion. But watch out: Former Florida star Bernice Mosby transferred and joins, perhaps, the nation's top recruiting class, led by 6-3 Danielle Wilson, who averaged 29 points and 20 rebounds as a high school senior.
2. Kentucky. Picked to finish fifth in the SEC by league coaches, the Wildcats should surprise, coming off a 22-9 season and their first NCAA appearance in seven years. All five starters are back led by sophomore point guard Carly Ormerod.
3. Virginia. Debbie Ryan hasn't made a Sweet 16 in seven years, but a strong recruiting class, led by freshman guard Monica Wright and junior center Aisha Mohammed, could make the Cavaliers this season's Maryland of the ACC.
4. Purdue. Former Indiana coach Sharon Versyp returns to her alma mater and leads the Big Ten's best challenger to Ohio State. Senior Katie Gearlds is one of the nation's top point guards.
5. Bowling Green. Winning the MAC, even going undefeated, only goes so far: The Falcons are 1-8 in the NCAA Tournament. This season's squad has enough back to be the Mid-Major to Watch, led by senior forward Ali Mann.
Five super seniors
1. Ivory Latta, guard, North Carolina. Returning from a left knee injury sustained in NCAA semifinal loss.
2. Jessica Davenport, center, Ohio State. Led Big Ten in scoring (18.7) and rebounding (8.9) last season.
3. Brooke Smith, center, Stanford. Teams with guard Candice Wiggins for perhaps best inside-outside combo.
4. Tiffany Jackson, forward, Texas. Can 6-3 frontcourt star get Longhorns back to prominence?
5. Jessica Dickson, guard, USF. Third in nation in scoring last season has led Bulls' rise over past three years.
Five newcomers to watch
1. Tina Charles, center, Connecticut. The 6-foot-4 standout went 82-2 in high school, earned Gatorade national player of the year honors and has dunked.
2. Epiphanny Prince, guard, Rutgers. Great name, and she scored 113 points in a game last season.
3. Abi Olajuwon, center, Oklahoma. Bio on Sooners' site says her father is "NBA legend Hakeen Olajuwon."
4. Brittainey Raven, guard, Texas. Jody Conradt raves about her speed; could spark Longhorns' resurgence.
5. Jayne Appel, center, Stanford. Part of stellar recruiting class, she's 6-4 with great hands and range.
Five coaches under pressure
1. Brenda Frese, Maryland. Like Billy Donovan, she's a defending champ with everyone back, so any loss is a disappointment. Final Four or bust!
2. Carolyn Peck, Florida. Four seasons in Gainesville and she still hasn't made a Sweet 16 appearance.
3. Jody Conradt, Texas. The legend went 13-15 last season, but expectations are high for a quick recovery.
4. Kay Yow, N.C. State. Another coaching mainstay, but her teams haven't won an NCAA Tournament game since 2001.
5. Pokey Chatman, LSU. The Tigers must find success without Seimone Augustus, the two-time Wade Trophy winner as the nation's top player.
Five must-see early games
1. Tennessee. How about just the Vols' top five? We'll give you at No. 8 Connecticut on Jan. 6, vs. No. 4 Stanford on Nov. 24, at No. 2 North Carolina on Dec. 3, at No. 12 Arizona State on Nov. 19 with your pick of the SEC schedule for the fifth game.
2. Connecticut at North Carolina, Jan. 15. You'll know who freshman Tina Charles is before the Huskies go to Chapel Hill.
3. No. 7 Ohio State at No. 3 Oklahoma, Dec. 20. Frontcourt battles don't get much bigger than Jessica Davenport vs. Courtney Paris.
4. No. 4 Stanford at No. 22 USC Dec. 20, at No. 23 UCLA Dec. 22. Six straight Pac-10 crowns are on the line, facing two of the West Coast's top challengers in a span of three days.
5. No. 1 Maryland vs. No. 6 Duke. Is there a better rivalry? They meet in Durham on Jan. 13, in College Park on Feb. 18, and, to be sure, in the ACC tourney, if not the Final Four.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Lady Vols Fifth In USA Today/ESPN Preseason Poll
Knoxville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Lady Vol basketball team will debut in tonight’s exhibition contest against Carson Newman as the fifth-ranked team in the country, according to the preseason poll released Wednesday by USA Today/ESPN.
During the 2005-06 campaign, Tennessee was ranked No. 1 for the first 13 weeks, third the next, fifth for four weeks, ninth on Feb. 27, sixth three times and fifth in the final poll. The Big Orange have been ranked in the top-five of the final poll every year since the first poll of the 1985-86 season.
Tennessee led all Southeastern Conference schools with 648 points. Georgia is ranked ninth (487), LSU 10th (454), Vanderbilt 15th (262) and Kentucky 16th (255).
Ten of the teams ranked in the top 25 are on the Lady Vol schedule for 2006-07, including top 10 squads North Carolina, Stanford, Duke, Connecticut, Georgia and LSU.
During the 2005-06 campaign, Tennessee was ranked No. 1 for the first 13 weeks, third the next, fifth for four weeks, ninth on Feb. 27, sixth three times and fifth in the final poll. The Big Orange have been ranked in the top-five of the final poll every year since the first poll of the 1985-86 season.
Tennessee led all Southeastern Conference schools with 648 points. Georgia is ranked ninth (487), LSU 10th (454), Vanderbilt 15th (262) and Kentucky 16th (255).
Ten of the teams ranked in the top 25 are on the Lady Vol schedule for 2006-07, including top 10 squads North Carolina, Stanford, Duke, Connecticut, Georgia and LSU.
Lady Vols look good in first exhibition
LADY VOLS ROUT CARSON-NEWMAN, 104-49
Alexis Hornbuckle Scores 21 In 29 Minutes
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball team opened the season with a 104-49 exhibition win over Carson-Newman at Thompson-Boling Arena on Wed., Nov. 1.
Junior Alexis Hornbuckle was among six Lady Vols in double-digit scoring as she tossed in a team-leading 21 points and added seven assists and five steals, all in 29 minutes of action. Senior Dominique Redding added 20 points on nine of 11 shooting, while Nicky Anosike dropped in 18 and Candace Parker added a dozen. Junior college transfer Shannon Bobbitt and sophomore Alex Fuller added 11 each.
All dressed Lady Vols saw playing time and nine different athletes scored. Former manager Elizabeth Curry scored in her first game in a Lady Vol uniform.
The Lady Vols forced 36 Lady Eagle turnovers, six shy of the all-time record of 42.
The Big Orange were a smoking 43-of-73 from the field, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.
"I told our team that we did a lot of good things tonight," said Lady Vol head coach Pat Summitt. "Shannon did a great job at the point, pushing the tempo. We established our inside game and that was a priority for us. It was good to see our team be as aggressive defensively as we thought we would be. I liked what I saw, but we can still get better."
Tonight's win marked the 16th consecutive victory over an exhibition opponent. Tennessee is now 30-3 in home exhibition tilts. The Lady Vols have crossed the century mark the last three years in exhibition games against Carson-Newman.
Tennessee improves to 17-2 all-time against the visitors from Jefferson City, Tenn. Three of those wins have come in exhibition contests.
Alexis Hornbuckle Scores 21 In 29 Minutes
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball team opened the season with a 104-49 exhibition win over Carson-Newman at Thompson-Boling Arena on Wed., Nov. 1.
Junior Alexis Hornbuckle was among six Lady Vols in double-digit scoring as she tossed in a team-leading 21 points and added seven assists and five steals, all in 29 minutes of action. Senior Dominique Redding added 20 points on nine of 11 shooting, while Nicky Anosike dropped in 18 and Candace Parker added a dozen. Junior college transfer Shannon Bobbitt and sophomore Alex Fuller added 11 each.
All dressed Lady Vols saw playing time and nine different athletes scored. Former manager Elizabeth Curry scored in her first game in a Lady Vol uniform.
The Lady Vols forced 36 Lady Eagle turnovers, six shy of the all-time record of 42.
The Big Orange were a smoking 43-of-73 from the field, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.
"I told our team that we did a lot of good things tonight," said Lady Vol head coach Pat Summitt. "Shannon did a great job at the point, pushing the tempo. We established our inside game and that was a priority for us. It was good to see our team be as aggressive defensively as we thought we would be. I liked what I saw, but we can still get better."
Tonight's win marked the 16th consecutive victory over an exhibition opponent. Tennessee is now 30-3 in home exhibition tilts. The Lady Vols have crossed the century mark the last three years in exhibition games against Carson-Newman.
Tennessee improves to 17-2 all-time against the visitors from Jefferson City, Tenn. Three of those wins have come in exhibition contests.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Lady Vols show off speed
Alexis Hornbuckle could tell this summer that there was something different about this Tennessee women’s basketball team.
“We were playing pick-up with the guys,” Hornbuckle said. “And, for once, we were keeping up with them.”
The Lady Vols showed their newfound speed early and often in their preseason opener Wednesday night, using a suffocating full-court press to breeze past Division II Carson-Newman for a 104-49 win at Thompson-Boling Arena.
A crowd of 5,935 watched Tennessee force 23 first-half turnovers and hold the Lady Eagles to two field goals in the first 13 minutes on the way to a 52-16 halftime lead.
Coach Pat Summitt credited junior-college transfers Shannon Bobbitt and Alberta Auguste for the Lady Vols’ increase in speed from last year, when the transfer of Sa’de Wiley-Gatewood and an injury to Alexis Hornbuckle left UT without a true point guard down the stretch.
“Last year’s team, we were limited in terms of just our speed and quickness on the perimeter at times,” Summitt said. “This team can be a lot more disruptive.”
But it might be hard to top what the Lady Vols did in their debut.
They forced 36 Carson-Newman turnovers and held the Lady Eagles to 33.3-percent shooting for the game. They also had six scorers in double figures, led by Hornbuckle’s 21 points and seven assists.
“I think for the most part, they played well together both offensively and defensively,” Summitt said. “ … They really understand how good they can be if they play together.”
“We were playing pick-up with the guys,” Hornbuckle said. “And, for once, we were keeping up with them.”
The Lady Vols showed their newfound speed early and often in their preseason opener Wednesday night, using a suffocating full-court press to breeze past Division II Carson-Newman for a 104-49 win at Thompson-Boling Arena.
A crowd of 5,935 watched Tennessee force 23 first-half turnovers and hold the Lady Eagles to two field goals in the first 13 minutes on the way to a 52-16 halftime lead.
Coach Pat Summitt credited junior-college transfers Shannon Bobbitt and Alberta Auguste for the Lady Vols’ increase in speed from last year, when the transfer of Sa’de Wiley-Gatewood and an injury to Alexis Hornbuckle left UT without a true point guard down the stretch.
“Last year’s team, we were limited in terms of just our speed and quickness on the perimeter at times,” Summitt said. “This team can be a lot more disruptive.”
But it might be hard to top what the Lady Vols did in their debut.
They forced 36 Carson-Newman turnovers and held the Lady Eagles to 33.3-percent shooting for the game. They also had six scorers in double figures, led by Hornbuckle’s 21 points and seven assists.
“I think for the most part, they played well together both offensively and defensively,” Summitt said. “ … They really understand how good they can be if they play together.”
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Size Matters To Lady Vols' Shannon Bobbitt
As the newest University of Tennessee Lady Vol point guard said during Monday’s Media Day in Knoxville, “It’s not about the size, it’s about the heart.”
The 5’2” junior transfer from Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College won’t only be making steals on the court this season, she will undoubtedly be capturing the hearts of the Lady Vol faithful when she makes her debut at Thompson Boling Arena Wednesday night when fifth ranked UT hosts Carson-Newman in a 7 p.m. exhibition game.
The only Lady Vol shorter than Bobbitt was 5’1” Joy Scruggs of Cleveland who was a member of UT’s then rookie head coach Pat Summitt’s team 32 years ago.
Bobbitt’s height didn’t deter her from being named the 2006 WBCA (Women’s Basketball Coaches Association) Junior/Community College Player of the Year for leading her former Cardinals team to a regional championship with a 30-2 overall record and a perfect 18-0 in conference play.
The Bronx, N.Y., native will be wearing jersey “00” for the Lady Vols, but her statistics at Trinity Valley were anything but zeroes.
Her 211 assists ranked third nationally with an average of 7.53 per game while scoring 16.4 points which attracted the attention of Summitt who was in desperate search of a point guard to replace the graduated Shanna Zolman with no successor in sight.
Summitt had not signed a player from the junior college ranks in almost three decades, the last being Cleveland’s Zandra Montgomery in 1977.
Now she has two. In addition to Bobbitt, Alberta Auguste of Central Florida Community College in Ocala has joined the Lady Vols. While Auguste is expected to be a key forward/guard reserve for UT, Bobbitt has cemented a spot in the starting lineup.
Off the court, Bobbitt is soft-spoken, but much to Summitt’s delight, her Texas transfer has quickly developed into a vocal leader on the court.
“Shannon has really done an outstanding job of coming in and being a take-charge person.” Summitt told reporters during Monday’s Media Day in Knoxville.
“She always takes responsibility for what happens on the floor whether it’s her fault or not.” she continued. “She is a true point guard. I have seen enough to know that we’re going to able to score more points in transition and on and off our defense because of her presence.”
Bobbitt said the transition from the tranquil junior college atmosphere to imminent Lady Vol prestige has been so far been seamless.
“It has been what I expected.” the psychology major said. “I know it’s going to be tough mentally and physically because of Pat’s style and coaching, but being the type of person I am, I’m well adjusted to that and so far it is going well.”
She had special words of praise for her new coach.
“She means business on the court, but off of it, she loves you like a daughter.”
Bobbitt was already acquainted with one of her new teammates. She has known fellow New Yorker Nicky Anosike since the two of them played against each other in seventh grade. Bobbitt said the Lady Vols have made her feel very welcome.
“We have connected well so far.” She said. “Everybody has a great chemistry and they make me laugh. We are bonding and we are going to make things happen.”
Bobbitt is also ready for the imminent fame in Knoxville and the endless lofty expectations that accompany being a Lady Vol.
“I’m just going to be Shannon.” She said. “I’m going to do whatever Pat needs me to do. I’m going to be myself, have fun and enjoy it.”
“We are going to have a great team this year.”
As for her height being a handicap….Bobbitt summed it up best.
“Don’t underestimate anyone.” she said. “Good things come in small packages.”
Summitt and her teammates know it already and soon so will everybody else.
The 5’2” junior transfer from Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College won’t only be making steals on the court this season, she will undoubtedly be capturing the hearts of the Lady Vol faithful when she makes her debut at Thompson Boling Arena Wednesday night when fifth ranked UT hosts Carson-Newman in a 7 p.m. exhibition game.
The only Lady Vol shorter than Bobbitt was 5’1” Joy Scruggs of Cleveland who was a member of UT’s then rookie head coach Pat Summitt’s team 32 years ago.
Bobbitt’s height didn’t deter her from being named the 2006 WBCA (Women’s Basketball Coaches Association) Junior/Community College Player of the Year for leading her former Cardinals team to a regional championship with a 30-2 overall record and a perfect 18-0 in conference play.
The Bronx, N.Y., native will be wearing jersey “00” for the Lady Vols, but her statistics at Trinity Valley were anything but zeroes.
Her 211 assists ranked third nationally with an average of 7.53 per game while scoring 16.4 points which attracted the attention of Summitt who was in desperate search of a point guard to replace the graduated Shanna Zolman with no successor in sight.
Summitt had not signed a player from the junior college ranks in almost three decades, the last being Cleveland’s Zandra Montgomery in 1977.
Now she has two. In addition to Bobbitt, Alberta Auguste of Central Florida Community College in Ocala has joined the Lady Vols. While Auguste is expected to be a key forward/guard reserve for UT, Bobbitt has cemented a spot in the starting lineup.
Off the court, Bobbitt is soft-spoken, but much to Summitt’s delight, her Texas transfer has quickly developed into a vocal leader on the court.
“Shannon has really done an outstanding job of coming in and being a take-charge person.” Summitt told reporters during Monday’s Media Day in Knoxville.
“She always takes responsibility for what happens on the floor whether it’s her fault or not.” she continued. “She is a true point guard. I have seen enough to know that we’re going to able to score more points in transition and on and off our defense because of her presence.”
Bobbitt said the transition from the tranquil junior college atmosphere to imminent Lady Vol prestige has been so far been seamless.
“It has been what I expected.” the psychology major said. “I know it’s going to be tough mentally and physically because of Pat’s style and coaching, but being the type of person I am, I’m well adjusted to that and so far it is going well.”
She had special words of praise for her new coach.
“She means business on the court, but off of it, she loves you like a daughter.”
Bobbitt was already acquainted with one of her new teammates. She has known fellow New Yorker Nicky Anosike since the two of them played against each other in seventh grade. Bobbitt said the Lady Vols have made her feel very welcome.
“We have connected well so far.” She said. “Everybody has a great chemistry and they make me laugh. We are bonding and we are going to make things happen.”
Bobbitt is also ready for the imminent fame in Knoxville and the endless lofty expectations that accompany being a Lady Vol.
“I’m just going to be Shannon.” She said. “I’m going to do whatever Pat needs me to do. I’m going to be myself, have fun and enjoy it.”
“We are going to have a great team this year.”
As for her height being a handicap….Bobbitt summed it up best.
“Don’t underestimate anyone.” she said. “Good things come in small packages.”
Summitt and her teammates know it already and soon so will everybody else.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Lady Vol Quotes On Media Day
LADY VOL HEAD COACH Pat Summitt
General comments on the Team: "Right now, I think our team is just making that needed improvement. That's what you want to do. Just make a little bit of progress each day. We had a good scrimmage on Sunday. That was the first time we put different combinations on the floor. We learned a lot, so it was good. Some of it wasn't all that impressive, but it gives us a gauge of where we are and what we need to do. We'll go back today and try to really tighten up our transition defense. Playing against practice squads was great experience because they really pushed the tempo on us and really spread the floor, so that was challenging. I thought that for the most part, we did some good things offensively. Our defense has to get a lot better. Rebounding in particular. We were very inconsistent on the boards. I like the quickness of our team. Shannon Bobbitt has really done an outstanding job of coming in, being vocal and being a leader, and just being a take-charge person. With Cait out right now, that is really important. Alexis [Hornbuckle] is going to back up Shannon at the head point guard position. She'll obviously be starting in the number two spot. That gives us two good point guards that understand how to push tempo and can also bring some pressure for us defensively."
On the starting lineup this year: "I would say our starting five would obviously be Shannon and Alexis in the backcourt, [Candace] Parker and [Nicky] Anosike inside and [Sidney] Spencer at the three. I think the good combination there with the three-four-five is that you have Parker who can play on the wing. Spencer looked great at the four. I think we have some options there in terms of how we play offensively and defensively. I like Sidney at the four. Obviously, Candace is a three, four, and five. She can play multiple positions, so I think that gives us a good front line look."
On Cait McMahan's progress: "She's doing great. You don't ever have to worry about her working hard. You would be more concerned that she would over train and that is something she has to be very mindful of. She has been great in her rehab. Jenny Moshak went with her for her check-up today and she is right on schedule. We don't want to try to push her to get ready for these exhibition games, but hopefully she will be ready for our opener against Chattanooga. "
On Parker: "I think Candace has been much more assertive at both ends, and defensively that would be huge for us. I think this team has the chemistry early. They know that they are going to face some adversity. I do think Candace is providing a better example in her play on both ends of the floor. With her experience with the World Championship Team, she has gotten a lot better. She has every reason to have tremendous confidence, and I think that filters throughout our team."
On defense: "We'll definitely hit defense hard and stay on it. This team has the speed and quickness to be very disruptive with their defense. It has to be a priority. With Shannon and Alberta [Auguste], I think the look of our team has changed defensively. In my opinion, Alex Fuller is the most improved basketball player and she's going to help us more defensively this year because she's a lot more mobile and wider on her feet. Again, you have to give her credit for the off-season she's had. You take that look and then, obviously with Candace and Nicky, we cover a lot of ground. We are just a quicker basketball team. I like the speed and the quickness because with that you can do a lot more things defensively and be a lot more creative and hopefully create more opportunities."
On the team's speed last year: "What we saw at the end of last season wasn't something I would describe as speed. I think we knew we were handicapped with Alexis' wrist. Shanna had to play the point and Candace had to play out of position and run the point as well. We just didn't have the overall speed. But you have to give this team credit for what they accomplished having to really adjust our philosophy from how we would like to play the game to how we needed to play the game to be successful. That is what great teams should do. Adjust when they have to adjust. When I look back, I think it was outstanding that they could go down and win that Southeastern Conference tournament. That was a tough run for us. I thought that really gave us some momentum going into postseason. We didn't exactly play the way we wanted to play. We couldn't extend our defense. We had to be a lot more creative in the half court, both offensively and defensively. "
On Parker as a team leader: "I definitely think Candace will step up. She has been more vocal in practice. I think she has certainly demonstrated what she can do on the floor, but I think she can also influence her teammates with just staying in touch with them. Whether it's from the bench or on the court, she certainly provides that kind of leadership. It brings a lot of stability to our basketball team. I think she and Shannon have really connected, which is a good thing. "
On Parker's Summer Experience: "I think, without question, Candace came back more confident in her game, more assertive and more physical in the paint. She had always been one to initiate contact. It's great to see her really post up and get on the block. It's tough for anyone to defend her one-on-one inside. She's going to draw a lot of double-team situations. She can really pass well out of that. In the college game, I would expect her to be double-teamed a tremendous amount in the post."
On the team's attitude this year versus last year: "I'll say this about the team's attitude, I think that the off-season pretty much told the tale about how they responded to not going to a Final Four. They got in the gym and worked really hard as a basketball team. That's when you win championships. This team really got a lot of workouts, took a lot of time to play pick-up and worked on their offensive skills. I thought that was a good indication that they will not take a Final Four for granted. We had been to four consecutive. Sidney and Dominique [Redding] didn't know what it was like not to go until we got beat in the Regional Finals last year. I think that really opened our eyes. There is no guarantee that it is going to happen every year. You have to make it happen. Your plan of attack should be to get better in the off-season."
On the pressure on Parker as a freshman last year: "I thought Candace handled it very well. You hope great players want to be in that position. Clearly, Candace wants to be in that position. She wants to be the go-to player. She's not a player that is going to do anything but step up. I like having a player like that. When you have one on your team, it really gives you an opportunity to make everyone around you better because of the attention she'll receive. Just like late in the SEC Championship game, there was no doubt she wanted that ball. When she came to the huddle I knew she wanted the ball. Obviously, she made the big shot at the end."
On the concern for Candace over the summer: "You're always concerned. When they go away for the summer you are concerned about the injuries and when they come you're concerned about them "hitting the wall," so to speak. That is why we gave her the time off. Candace is the type of player who loves the game and will take time off, but doesn't want to take a lot of time off. Just because of how she approaches the game, I feel good about where she is right now. I feel good about her going through this season and being challenged, but still being motivated. "
On the junior college transfers: "I think Shannon Bobbitt has been really impressive in her willingness to take on a vocal leadership role for our team. She always takes responsibility for what happens on the floor whether it's her fault or not. She is a true point guard. I have seen enough to know that we're going to be able to score more points in transition and off of our defense because of her presence. Same goes for Alberta Auguste. Alberta's the type of player that likes to play defense and has an aggressive mindset on the offensive end. I think the two of them have made a big difference already in what we want to do in terms of our defensive scheme and up-tempo basketball. I'm excited about what both Alberta and Shannon bring to our team. It's going to be a different look for us from a year ago just in terms of the pace of the game and the way we extend our defense and get after people and hopefully generate offense off of our defense."
SENIOR Elizabeth Curry
On the transition from a manager to a player: "It is obviously two different worlds, but at the same time it's something I got to see the last few years. I definitely respect the girls coming into it. I know the work they put in, but now I get to see it from a different side. It's definitely a challenge, but I'm excited. I'm looking forward to whatever the team and coach asks of me."
On the thought of playing for the Lady Vols when choosing to come to UT: "I had thought about it when I was in junior high school, but when I was in high school I was looking into Division III schools. I looked at UT for pre-veterinary medicine or basketball, but definitely from just the manager's standpoint."
On being a Lady Vol: "It's a dream come true, but it's a dream I hadn't thought about and hadn't seen. I am definitely excited and it's going to be a fun challenge."
SENIOR Dominique Redding
On taking on a leadership role as a senior: "Obviously I'm in a leadership position. I just have to go out there and work hard everyday to set a good example. My personal goal this season is to play real hard. The last three years I have underachieved in my eyes. I had a great summer working out, so I just want to go out and prove to myself that I can play. My goal for this team this season is to win every game; just play each game one game at a time and not to look ahead. I've learned not to take anything for granted. I have learned a lot."
SENIOR Sidney Spencer
On being a senior: "Being a senior is different because I'm looked to more as a leader and to serve in that role. I have more responsibility off the court as well. I have to make sure I know when practice is, and stuff like that, so I can help my teammates do the things we all need to do to be successful. I'm just trying to lead by example and go hard every play in practice to prepare for the season."
On missing the 2006 Final Four and how it will affect the attitude of the team this season: "Well, from the get-go this season we have to focus on taking each game one game at a time. We can't overlook any team, not that we do anyway, because a loss here or there can have a great effect in our conference and in who appears in our NCAA bracket to get to the Final Four. Every game matters, and we need to make sure we go out and take care of business each and every time."
On the newcomers: "Something we were missing last year was a true point guard. Alexis is awesome, but should be allowed to create more as a shooting guard. Having Shannon and Cait come in frees her up more to do just that. They've both done really well being the quarterback of our team. They all are always watching film and trying to get better. Alberta brings great effort, gets to the rim, rebounds well and gets steals. Nicci will be a great 3-4 player and provides us with a versatile presence at that position."
JUNIOR Nicky Anosike
On her expanded role after the graduation of Tye'sha Fluker: "We definitely miss Tye, she was getting 10 points and several boards a game. I know I need to pick up the slack and pick up where she left off. Hopefully I can do a little more. I had the defense going last year, but if I could just find the offense, I think I could help the team out a whole lot."
On how she feels going into the season: "I feel good. I feel like I'm in great shape. Last year I felt like I was in pretty good shape too, but I think I was able to work on more of my individual game this summer. Last summer I played international ball and didn't get a chance to do that as much."
On the areas she has worked on the most: "Definitely my face-up game and extending my range as far as my jump shot, and just working on getting as many easy points as I can. Basically that means free throws and easy layups, stuff like that."
On the increased speed of the team: "We definitely added some speed and quickness on the perimeter. That's definitely going to change the tempo. It's going to change my role. Last year I had to step out and guard on the perimeter. We have other people who can do that now. It's definitely going to change our style of play."
JUNIOR Alberta Auguste
On preparing for the season: "Over the summer, I did a lot of conditioning. I came here in June and took some summer classes. I worked out with the other transfer, Shannon Bobbitt, and Alexis Hornbuckle. I'm just ready for it now. I feel like I put a lot work into conditioning so now its time to play basketball."
On a game she is particularly excited about: "I really don't care about who we play or in what month. It doesn't really matter to me, I'm just ready. I take it one game at a time. "
On team chemistry: "The team chemistry is good. We get along with each other really well. We just have to bring it on the court. Off the court we have good chemistry and on the court we have good chemistry. We just gel together. If we keep it like that through the season, we won't have any problems this year."
JUNIOR Shannon Bobbitt
On the upcoming season: "I'm definitely excited about this year. Being a junior college transfer, it is definitely an honor for me to be here. I'm looking forward to every single game that we play, starting on Wednesday. This year, we are going to have quickness and speed so we will have a chance to win it all. "
On being a Lady Vol: "I'm playing at one of the top programs and playing for Pat [Summitt]. That shows that there is a great future for me."
On preparing: "We've been communicating with each other on and off the court, getting familiar with each other, forming a bond. We've just been enjoying each other. The chemistry is great. Everyone plays their own type of style, but everyone gives whatever they can to the whole team. We're going to be great."
On the preseason rankings: "I really don't care about being the underdog as long as we finish on top."
JUNIOR Alexis Hornbuckle
On the change in her role with the increased speed on the team: "I think we've got a lot more quickness across the board with Shannon and Bird. Their quickness and tenacity is going to help us a lot. I'm a little bit happier to be playing on the wing. It's challenging being a point guard for Pat Summitt. But at the same time, it brings so much character out of you that you didn't even know was a part of you. It helps you out in many ways, but the wing position is my natural position. I like playing the wing because I can get out and run. I don't have to worry about coming to the ball necessarily. I'm looking forward to seeing how different of a player I am this year."
On playing point guard for Tennessee: "It puts you in check because you have to think about every move. At point guard for Pat Summitt, you are the floor coach. So everything that happens falls back on you whether it's your fault or not. You have to be mentally tough and prepared to take it. It's constructive criticism, but at the same time, if you're not used to it, it could easily break you down."
On what the team learned last season: "We definitely learned that nothing is guaranteed. I know when I was younger, you'd always say, `Oh, Tennessee's automatically going to be in the Final Four.' Last year put everything into perspective as far as knowing that you have to work for everything you want. I think this year we took that into consideration in the summer and especially in the preseason, just getting in the gym and working on individual games and trying to pull everybody together as a team."
On avoiding overconfidence: "It's not that we walked on the floor knowing that the win is guaranteed, we knew we had to go out there and work for it. But in the end, no matter how we played, we might have thought we were going to come out on top. This year, we know that we can't take possessions off, we can't have that mentality."
On her wrist: "My wrist is doing pretty well. It doesn't quite feel the same, but I can go out there and play without a brace. Sometimes if I fall wrong or if a ball is thrown too hard and I catch it a certain way, it stings a little bit. But it will be interesting to see how it holds up throughout the season."
SOPHOMORE Candace Parker
On the end of last season: "Our goal is to win a national championship. We definitely had a great team. One thing I learned from last year is that every possession and every game is important."
On working hard in the off-season: "Training has been in the back of our mind since we lost to North Carolina. We've been working on putting up shots, working on our positions and putting ourselves in game situations."
On the work-out routine with the U.S. team: "I learned a lot. (Former Lady Vol Tamika) Catchings and I used to go lift. International games are a lot more physical."
SOPHOMORE Alex Fuller
Thoughts on the upcoming season: "I'm really excited about this season. I think we're a quicker team this year, so we'll be able to push the ball more. I like playing with the newcomers."
On the newcomers: "Shannon and (Alberta) bring quickness, they're both quick guards that like to push the ball. Nicci is a body inside and a good rebounder. Cait is a leader at the point, and she is very physical."
On working hard during the offseason: "I was here for a month, but I did most of my offseason work at home. I didn't really have a set plan. I just shot a lot, played some pick-up games. It's made me feel more comfortable with my shot, and it has me comfortable handling the ball and doing things that I'm not used to doing."
FRESHMAN Cait McMahan
On how she feels going into the season: "(The knee) is doing great. I'm ready to go for the season. I am very excited. It's probably the most excited I've ever been to play basketball in my life."
On being a Lady Vol: "It means a lot for me to be a Lady Vol. It means even more to me because I grew up so close to UT."
On the biggest surprise so far at UT: "It's taken a lot of effort to get used to the speed difference. It's a tough adjustment going from high school to college, but I'm getting used to it."
FRESHMAN Nicci Moats
On college life: "It has been a very big adjustment. I was really home sick at first but it's really been great. The team and coaches have really helped me feel comfortable down here. I think the biggest adjustment has been the pace of the game because the last game I played was a high school game. Playing in college at a big school was probably the biggest adjustment."
On being on a team with a legendary coach: "I love it. It's been my dream, and right now, I am honored to be on this team."
On what she has learned since being at UT: "I've learned a lot of mental things. A lot of the little things, like rebounding and boxing out, I've just realized are a big part of the game. I'm not just focusing on scoring and the points."
On her strengths as a player: "I definitely think rebounding will be a big thing for me, using my size. I know that is one of the reasons the coaches recruited me and hopefully I can just live up to my expectations and potential."
On being at Tennessee: "At first, I was intimidated by a big school, but then once I came down here, I was so comfortable with the fans and just the support that you have. I think I will play so much better with the loud fans and crowds, so I am excited."
General comments on the Team: "Right now, I think our team is just making that needed improvement. That's what you want to do. Just make a little bit of progress each day. We had a good scrimmage on Sunday. That was the first time we put different combinations on the floor. We learned a lot, so it was good. Some of it wasn't all that impressive, but it gives us a gauge of where we are and what we need to do. We'll go back today and try to really tighten up our transition defense. Playing against practice squads was great experience because they really pushed the tempo on us and really spread the floor, so that was challenging. I thought that for the most part, we did some good things offensively. Our defense has to get a lot better. Rebounding in particular. We were very inconsistent on the boards. I like the quickness of our team. Shannon Bobbitt has really done an outstanding job of coming in, being vocal and being a leader, and just being a take-charge person. With Cait out right now, that is really important. Alexis [Hornbuckle] is going to back up Shannon at the head point guard position. She'll obviously be starting in the number two spot. That gives us two good point guards that understand how to push tempo and can also bring some pressure for us defensively."
On the starting lineup this year: "I would say our starting five would obviously be Shannon and Alexis in the backcourt, [Candace] Parker and [Nicky] Anosike inside and [Sidney] Spencer at the three. I think the good combination there with the three-four-five is that you have Parker who can play on the wing. Spencer looked great at the four. I think we have some options there in terms of how we play offensively and defensively. I like Sidney at the four. Obviously, Candace is a three, four, and five. She can play multiple positions, so I think that gives us a good front line look."
On Cait McMahan's progress: "She's doing great. You don't ever have to worry about her working hard. You would be more concerned that she would over train and that is something she has to be very mindful of. She has been great in her rehab. Jenny Moshak went with her for her check-up today and she is right on schedule. We don't want to try to push her to get ready for these exhibition games, but hopefully she will be ready for our opener against Chattanooga. "
On Parker: "I think Candace has been much more assertive at both ends, and defensively that would be huge for us. I think this team has the chemistry early. They know that they are going to face some adversity. I do think Candace is providing a better example in her play on both ends of the floor. With her experience with the World Championship Team, she has gotten a lot better. She has every reason to have tremendous confidence, and I think that filters throughout our team."
On defense: "We'll definitely hit defense hard and stay on it. This team has the speed and quickness to be very disruptive with their defense. It has to be a priority. With Shannon and Alberta [Auguste], I think the look of our team has changed defensively. In my opinion, Alex Fuller is the most improved basketball player and she's going to help us more defensively this year because she's a lot more mobile and wider on her feet. Again, you have to give her credit for the off-season she's had. You take that look and then, obviously with Candace and Nicky, we cover a lot of ground. We are just a quicker basketball team. I like the speed and the quickness because with that you can do a lot more things defensively and be a lot more creative and hopefully create more opportunities."
On the team's speed last year: "What we saw at the end of last season wasn't something I would describe as speed. I think we knew we were handicapped with Alexis' wrist. Shanna had to play the point and Candace had to play out of position and run the point as well. We just didn't have the overall speed. But you have to give this team credit for what they accomplished having to really adjust our philosophy from how we would like to play the game to how we needed to play the game to be successful. That is what great teams should do. Adjust when they have to adjust. When I look back, I think it was outstanding that they could go down and win that Southeastern Conference tournament. That was a tough run for us. I thought that really gave us some momentum going into postseason. We didn't exactly play the way we wanted to play. We couldn't extend our defense. We had to be a lot more creative in the half court, both offensively and defensively. "
On Parker as a team leader: "I definitely think Candace will step up. She has been more vocal in practice. I think she has certainly demonstrated what she can do on the floor, but I think she can also influence her teammates with just staying in touch with them. Whether it's from the bench or on the court, she certainly provides that kind of leadership. It brings a lot of stability to our basketball team. I think she and Shannon have really connected, which is a good thing. "
On Parker's Summer Experience: "I think, without question, Candace came back more confident in her game, more assertive and more physical in the paint. She had always been one to initiate contact. It's great to see her really post up and get on the block. It's tough for anyone to defend her one-on-one inside. She's going to draw a lot of double-team situations. She can really pass well out of that. In the college game, I would expect her to be double-teamed a tremendous amount in the post."
On the team's attitude this year versus last year: "I'll say this about the team's attitude, I think that the off-season pretty much told the tale about how they responded to not going to a Final Four. They got in the gym and worked really hard as a basketball team. That's when you win championships. This team really got a lot of workouts, took a lot of time to play pick-up and worked on their offensive skills. I thought that was a good indication that they will not take a Final Four for granted. We had been to four consecutive. Sidney and Dominique [Redding] didn't know what it was like not to go until we got beat in the Regional Finals last year. I think that really opened our eyes. There is no guarantee that it is going to happen every year. You have to make it happen. Your plan of attack should be to get better in the off-season."
On the pressure on Parker as a freshman last year: "I thought Candace handled it very well. You hope great players want to be in that position. Clearly, Candace wants to be in that position. She wants to be the go-to player. She's not a player that is going to do anything but step up. I like having a player like that. When you have one on your team, it really gives you an opportunity to make everyone around you better because of the attention she'll receive. Just like late in the SEC Championship game, there was no doubt she wanted that ball. When she came to the huddle I knew she wanted the ball. Obviously, she made the big shot at the end."
On the concern for Candace over the summer: "You're always concerned. When they go away for the summer you are concerned about the injuries and when they come you're concerned about them "hitting the wall," so to speak. That is why we gave her the time off. Candace is the type of player who loves the game and will take time off, but doesn't want to take a lot of time off. Just because of how she approaches the game, I feel good about where she is right now. I feel good about her going through this season and being challenged, but still being motivated. "
On the junior college transfers: "I think Shannon Bobbitt has been really impressive in her willingness to take on a vocal leadership role for our team. She always takes responsibility for what happens on the floor whether it's her fault or not. She is a true point guard. I have seen enough to know that we're going to be able to score more points in transition and off of our defense because of her presence. Same goes for Alberta Auguste. Alberta's the type of player that likes to play defense and has an aggressive mindset on the offensive end. I think the two of them have made a big difference already in what we want to do in terms of our defensive scheme and up-tempo basketball. I'm excited about what both Alberta and Shannon bring to our team. It's going to be a different look for us from a year ago just in terms of the pace of the game and the way we extend our defense and get after people and hopefully generate offense off of our defense."
SENIOR Elizabeth Curry
On the transition from a manager to a player: "It is obviously two different worlds, but at the same time it's something I got to see the last few years. I definitely respect the girls coming into it. I know the work they put in, but now I get to see it from a different side. It's definitely a challenge, but I'm excited. I'm looking forward to whatever the team and coach asks of me."
On the thought of playing for the Lady Vols when choosing to come to UT: "I had thought about it when I was in junior high school, but when I was in high school I was looking into Division III schools. I looked at UT for pre-veterinary medicine or basketball, but definitely from just the manager's standpoint."
On being a Lady Vol: "It's a dream come true, but it's a dream I hadn't thought about and hadn't seen. I am definitely excited and it's going to be a fun challenge."
SENIOR Dominique Redding
On taking on a leadership role as a senior: "Obviously I'm in a leadership position. I just have to go out there and work hard everyday to set a good example. My personal goal this season is to play real hard. The last three years I have underachieved in my eyes. I had a great summer working out, so I just want to go out and prove to myself that I can play. My goal for this team this season is to win every game; just play each game one game at a time and not to look ahead. I've learned not to take anything for granted. I have learned a lot."
SENIOR Sidney Spencer
On being a senior: "Being a senior is different because I'm looked to more as a leader and to serve in that role. I have more responsibility off the court as well. I have to make sure I know when practice is, and stuff like that, so I can help my teammates do the things we all need to do to be successful. I'm just trying to lead by example and go hard every play in practice to prepare for the season."
On missing the 2006 Final Four and how it will affect the attitude of the team this season: "Well, from the get-go this season we have to focus on taking each game one game at a time. We can't overlook any team, not that we do anyway, because a loss here or there can have a great effect in our conference and in who appears in our NCAA bracket to get to the Final Four. Every game matters, and we need to make sure we go out and take care of business each and every time."
On the newcomers: "Something we were missing last year was a true point guard. Alexis is awesome, but should be allowed to create more as a shooting guard. Having Shannon and Cait come in frees her up more to do just that. They've both done really well being the quarterback of our team. They all are always watching film and trying to get better. Alberta brings great effort, gets to the rim, rebounds well and gets steals. Nicci will be a great 3-4 player and provides us with a versatile presence at that position."
JUNIOR Nicky Anosike
On her expanded role after the graduation of Tye'sha Fluker: "We definitely miss Tye, she was getting 10 points and several boards a game. I know I need to pick up the slack and pick up where she left off. Hopefully I can do a little more. I had the defense going last year, but if I could just find the offense, I think I could help the team out a whole lot."
On how she feels going into the season: "I feel good. I feel like I'm in great shape. Last year I felt like I was in pretty good shape too, but I think I was able to work on more of my individual game this summer. Last summer I played international ball and didn't get a chance to do that as much."
On the areas she has worked on the most: "Definitely my face-up game and extending my range as far as my jump shot, and just working on getting as many easy points as I can. Basically that means free throws and easy layups, stuff like that."
On the increased speed of the team: "We definitely added some speed and quickness on the perimeter. That's definitely going to change the tempo. It's going to change my role. Last year I had to step out and guard on the perimeter. We have other people who can do that now. It's definitely going to change our style of play."
JUNIOR Alberta Auguste
On preparing for the season: "Over the summer, I did a lot of conditioning. I came here in June and took some summer classes. I worked out with the other transfer, Shannon Bobbitt, and Alexis Hornbuckle. I'm just ready for it now. I feel like I put a lot work into conditioning so now its time to play basketball."
On a game she is particularly excited about: "I really don't care about who we play or in what month. It doesn't really matter to me, I'm just ready. I take it one game at a time. "
On team chemistry: "The team chemistry is good. We get along with each other really well. We just have to bring it on the court. Off the court we have good chemistry and on the court we have good chemistry. We just gel together. If we keep it like that through the season, we won't have any problems this year."
JUNIOR Shannon Bobbitt
On the upcoming season: "I'm definitely excited about this year. Being a junior college transfer, it is definitely an honor for me to be here. I'm looking forward to every single game that we play, starting on Wednesday. This year, we are going to have quickness and speed so we will have a chance to win it all. "
On being a Lady Vol: "I'm playing at one of the top programs and playing for Pat [Summitt]. That shows that there is a great future for me."
On preparing: "We've been communicating with each other on and off the court, getting familiar with each other, forming a bond. We've just been enjoying each other. The chemistry is great. Everyone plays their own type of style, but everyone gives whatever they can to the whole team. We're going to be great."
On the preseason rankings: "I really don't care about being the underdog as long as we finish on top."
JUNIOR Alexis Hornbuckle
On the change in her role with the increased speed on the team: "I think we've got a lot more quickness across the board with Shannon and Bird. Their quickness and tenacity is going to help us a lot. I'm a little bit happier to be playing on the wing. It's challenging being a point guard for Pat Summitt. But at the same time, it brings so much character out of you that you didn't even know was a part of you. It helps you out in many ways, but the wing position is my natural position. I like playing the wing because I can get out and run. I don't have to worry about coming to the ball necessarily. I'm looking forward to seeing how different of a player I am this year."
On playing point guard for Tennessee: "It puts you in check because you have to think about every move. At point guard for Pat Summitt, you are the floor coach. So everything that happens falls back on you whether it's your fault or not. You have to be mentally tough and prepared to take it. It's constructive criticism, but at the same time, if you're not used to it, it could easily break you down."
On what the team learned last season: "We definitely learned that nothing is guaranteed. I know when I was younger, you'd always say, `Oh, Tennessee's automatically going to be in the Final Four.' Last year put everything into perspective as far as knowing that you have to work for everything you want. I think this year we took that into consideration in the summer and especially in the preseason, just getting in the gym and working on individual games and trying to pull everybody together as a team."
On avoiding overconfidence: "It's not that we walked on the floor knowing that the win is guaranteed, we knew we had to go out there and work for it. But in the end, no matter how we played, we might have thought we were going to come out on top. This year, we know that we can't take possessions off, we can't have that mentality."
On her wrist: "My wrist is doing pretty well. It doesn't quite feel the same, but I can go out there and play without a brace. Sometimes if I fall wrong or if a ball is thrown too hard and I catch it a certain way, it stings a little bit. But it will be interesting to see how it holds up throughout the season."
SOPHOMORE Candace Parker
On the end of last season: "Our goal is to win a national championship. We definitely had a great team. One thing I learned from last year is that every possession and every game is important."
On working hard in the off-season: "Training has been in the back of our mind since we lost to North Carolina. We've been working on putting up shots, working on our positions and putting ourselves in game situations."
On the work-out routine with the U.S. team: "I learned a lot. (Former Lady Vol Tamika) Catchings and I used to go lift. International games are a lot more physical."
SOPHOMORE Alex Fuller
Thoughts on the upcoming season: "I'm really excited about this season. I think we're a quicker team this year, so we'll be able to push the ball more. I like playing with the newcomers."
On the newcomers: "Shannon and (Alberta) bring quickness, they're both quick guards that like to push the ball. Nicci is a body inside and a good rebounder. Cait is a leader at the point, and she is very physical."
On working hard during the offseason: "I was here for a month, but I did most of my offseason work at home. I didn't really have a set plan. I just shot a lot, played some pick-up games. It's made me feel more comfortable with my shot, and it has me comfortable handling the ball and doing things that I'm not used to doing."
FRESHMAN Cait McMahan
On how she feels going into the season: "(The knee) is doing great. I'm ready to go for the season. I am very excited. It's probably the most excited I've ever been to play basketball in my life."
On being a Lady Vol: "It means a lot for me to be a Lady Vol. It means even more to me because I grew up so close to UT."
On the biggest surprise so far at UT: "It's taken a lot of effort to get used to the speed difference. It's a tough adjustment going from high school to college, but I'm getting used to it."
FRESHMAN Nicci Moats
On college life: "It has been a very big adjustment. I was really home sick at first but it's really been great. The team and coaches have really helped me feel comfortable down here. I think the biggest adjustment has been the pace of the game because the last game I played was a high school game. Playing in college at a big school was probably the biggest adjustment."
On being on a team with a legendary coach: "I love it. It's been my dream, and right now, I am honored to be on this team."
On what she has learned since being at UT: "I've learned a lot of mental things. A lot of the little things, like rebounding and boxing out, I've just realized are a big part of the game. I'm not just focusing on scoring and the points."
On her strengths as a player: "I definitely think rebounding will be a big thing for me, using my size. I know that is one of the reasons the coaches recruited me and hopefully I can just live up to my expectations and potential."
On being at Tennessee: "At first, I was intimidated by a big school, but then once I came down here, I was so comfortable with the fans and just the support that you have. I think I will play so much better with the loud fans and crowds, so I am excited."
Spencer: "Lady Vols Are A Work In Progress"
Spencer: "Lady Vols Are A Work In Progress"
When Tennessee Lady Vol senior forward Sidney Spencer was asked about the prospects of her 2006-07 basketball team, she responded by stating that the team was "a work in progress, but nobody should push us aside."
Of course, with five newcomers on the roster this season including the first two junior college transfers (forward Alberta Auguste and 5'2" point guard Shannon Bobbitt) in almost three decades combined with the task of replacing five players from last season - Tye'sha Fluker and Shanna Zolman to graduation and the decisions by Sybil Dosty, Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood and Lindsey Moss to transfer to other universities, the Lady Vols will indeed have a different look when the team makes their season debut Wednesday night hosting Carson-Newman College in an exhibition game at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Nevertheless, the off season changes didn't prevent the Lady Vols from being a unanimous choice to win the Southeastern Conference championship during last week's media gathering in Birmingham.
It was also no surprise that sophomore All-American Candace Parker, the youngest member of Team USA that won the bronze medal at the recent world championships, was unanimously acclaimed the Player of the Year.
After the season ended in a loss to eventual national runner-up North Carolina at March's Cleveland Regional Final, Spencer and her remaining teammates - fellow senior Dominique Redding, juniors Nicky Anosike and second team All-SEC selection Alexis Hornbuckle as well as Parker and her classmate Alex Fuller wasted little time in preparing for the upcoming season.
From informal practices in April, gym workouts in June and pickup games in July that sometimes included members of the men's team, the ladies held each other accountable for being prepared for the official workouts that began earlier this month.
Spencer, the 6'3" forward from Hoover, Ala., who established herself as a Lady Vol sharpshooter last season with her career high 21 point performances against heated rival Connecticut and conference foe Louisiana State, revealed that UT coach Pat Summitt has conducted practices a bit differently this go-around.
"She wants us to pay attention to details," Spencer said. "We have been working on game situations instead of drills. We haven't done a lot of that in the past, but now I think we are going to be a couple of steps ahead defensively."
Spencer has a warning for Lady Vol opponents who were at wit's end last season on how to cope with Parker who rewrote the NCAA and Tennessee record books by becoming the first female to perform two slam-dunks in a tournament game, scoring in double figures in 33 of 36 games and placing 13th in all-time UT career blocks with 86 for starters.
"She's improved on her turnaround jump shot and that was something she really wanted to work on," Spencer stated.
"I definitely would not want to play against her. I am so glad she's on my team," she added.
Spencer is also excited about the additions of Bobbitt ("She is quick and I like her leadership and communication") and Auguste ("A great defender") as well as freshmen Cait McMahan from Maryville's Heritage High and Nicci Moats along with senior walk-on Elizabeth Curry, who was head manager last season.
Bobbitt, who joins the Lady Vols from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Tex., was the 2006 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Junior/Community College Player of the Year and a Kodak All-American.
She averaged 7.53 assists per game to rank third in the nation with a total of 211 and averaged 16.4 points per game in leading Trinity Valley to a 30-2 record.
Auguste, a 5'11" guard/forward, was the nation's second leading NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) scorer averaging 23.6 points per game at Central Florida Community College in Ocala and third in steals with an average of just over five per outing.
McMahan, who is currently sidelined for an unannounced period due to recent knee surgery, scored a record 2,315 points in her career at Heritage while racking up numerous national, state and district honors.
Despite having knee surgery during her senior season at Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville, Virginia, the 6'2" Moats averaged 15.4 points and 11.3 rebounds throughout her playing days.
Spencer is ready for her final season as a Lady Vol, but said that while she will miss the presence of her best friend Zolman on the court, she also knows that the newlywed is nearby for advice.
"Having her at my access has been being a phone call or a short drive away," she said.
"It's been good to see how I've grown with her and to be now applying it by myself. She has helped me so much."
Spencer also has the greatest praise for her head coach Summitt, the legend who will be starting her 33rd season at the Lady Vol helm on the court named in her honor.
"She has taught me what it means to be a real woman of character. On the court you learn all the aspects of being a great team player and what it means to have communication, discipline and accountability. Off the court, she has taught us to be respected women and that is something I cherish."
However, when all is said and done, Spencer, who wears jersey number one and is a devout Christian who traveled to Belize, Brazil and the Dominican Republic this summer, knows her priorities.
"The most important thing I have learned is that it is not all about basketball and winning," she said. "It's about me playing for God and basketball is a platform for Him."
When Tennessee Lady Vol senior forward Sidney Spencer was asked about the prospects of her 2006-07 basketball team, she responded by stating that the team was "a work in progress, but nobody should push us aside."
Of course, with five newcomers on the roster this season including the first two junior college transfers (forward Alberta Auguste and 5'2" point guard Shannon Bobbitt) in almost three decades combined with the task of replacing five players from last season - Tye'sha Fluker and Shanna Zolman to graduation and the decisions by Sybil Dosty, Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood and Lindsey Moss to transfer to other universities, the Lady Vols will indeed have a different look when the team makes their season debut Wednesday night hosting Carson-Newman College in an exhibition game at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Nevertheless, the off season changes didn't prevent the Lady Vols from being a unanimous choice to win the Southeastern Conference championship during last week's media gathering in Birmingham.
It was also no surprise that sophomore All-American Candace Parker, the youngest member of Team USA that won the bronze medal at the recent world championships, was unanimously acclaimed the Player of the Year.
After the season ended in a loss to eventual national runner-up North Carolina at March's Cleveland Regional Final, Spencer and her remaining teammates - fellow senior Dominique Redding, juniors Nicky Anosike and second team All-SEC selection Alexis Hornbuckle as well as Parker and her classmate Alex Fuller wasted little time in preparing for the upcoming season.
From informal practices in April, gym workouts in June and pickup games in July that sometimes included members of the men's team, the ladies held each other accountable for being prepared for the official workouts that began earlier this month.
Spencer, the 6'3" forward from Hoover, Ala., who established herself as a Lady Vol sharpshooter last season with her career high 21 point performances against heated rival Connecticut and conference foe Louisiana State, revealed that UT coach Pat Summitt has conducted practices a bit differently this go-around.
"She wants us to pay attention to details," Spencer said. "We have been working on game situations instead of drills. We haven't done a lot of that in the past, but now I think we are going to be a couple of steps ahead defensively."
Spencer has a warning for Lady Vol opponents who were at wit's end last season on how to cope with Parker who rewrote the NCAA and Tennessee record books by becoming the first female to perform two slam-dunks in a tournament game, scoring in double figures in 33 of 36 games and placing 13th in all-time UT career blocks with 86 for starters.
"She's improved on her turnaround jump shot and that was something she really wanted to work on," Spencer stated.
"I definitely would not want to play against her. I am so glad she's on my team," she added.
Spencer is also excited about the additions of Bobbitt ("She is quick and I like her leadership and communication") and Auguste ("A great defender") as well as freshmen Cait McMahan from Maryville's Heritage High and Nicci Moats along with senior walk-on Elizabeth Curry, who was head manager last season.
Bobbitt, who joins the Lady Vols from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Tex., was the 2006 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Junior/Community College Player of the Year and a Kodak All-American.
She averaged 7.53 assists per game to rank third in the nation with a total of 211 and averaged 16.4 points per game in leading Trinity Valley to a 30-2 record.
Auguste, a 5'11" guard/forward, was the nation's second leading NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) scorer averaging 23.6 points per game at Central Florida Community College in Ocala and third in steals with an average of just over five per outing.
McMahan, who is currently sidelined for an unannounced period due to recent knee surgery, scored a record 2,315 points in her career at Heritage while racking up numerous national, state and district honors.
Despite having knee surgery during her senior season at Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville, Virginia, the 6'2" Moats averaged 15.4 points and 11.3 rebounds throughout her playing days.
Spencer is ready for her final season as a Lady Vol, but said that while she will miss the presence of her best friend Zolman on the court, she also knows that the newlywed is nearby for advice.
"Having her at my access has been being a phone call or a short drive away," she said.
"It's been good to see how I've grown with her and to be now applying it by myself. She has helped me so much."
Spencer also has the greatest praise for her head coach Summitt, the legend who will be starting her 33rd season at the Lady Vol helm on the court named in her honor.
"She has taught me what it means to be a real woman of character. On the court you learn all the aspects of being a great team player and what it means to have communication, discipline and accountability. Off the court, she has taught us to be respected women and that is something I cherish."
However, when all is said and done, Spencer, who wears jersey number one and is a devout Christian who traveled to Belize, Brazil and the Dominican Republic this summer, knows her priorities.
"The most important thing I have learned is that it is not all about basketball and winning," she said. "It's about me playing for God and basketball is a platform for Him."
Friday, October 27, 2006
Lady Vols Picked First In SEC
The Tennessee Lady Vol basketball team was selected to finish first in the conference in a unanimous vote by the media on Thursday at the Southeastern Conference Media Days in Birmingham, Ala. Sophomore hoopster Candace Parker led the way for the Big Orange with a selection as the unanimous choice for SEC Player of the Year.
Nineteen media voted in Thursday's preseason SEC picks. Georgia and Louisiana State were tabbed to finish second and third, respectively, behind the Orange and White.
Parker garnered preseason SEC Player of the Year honors and was also named to the preseason All-SEC First Team, after receiving first team accolades from the league's coaches on Monday. The Naperville, Ill., native and Sylvia Fowles (LSU) were the only two unanimous first team selections, according to the media.
Already chosen to the coaches All-SEC second team, Alexis Hornbuckle - the Lady Vols top defensive player - returns for her junior campaign with a spot on the media's preseason All-SEC second team.
Six-time SEC Coach of the Year Pat Summitt has guided Big Orange to 13 SEC regular season crowns and 12 SEC Tournament Championships, including victories over regular season titlist LSU for the league tournament championship in 2005 and 2006. Tennessee claimed the regular season crown every year from 1998 to 2004.
The Lady Vols tip off the season with an exhibition contest against Carson-Newman at 7:00 p.m. on November 1 in Thompson-Boling Arena.
Team Preseason Rankings
*1. TENNESSEE 19
2. Georgia 48
3. LSU 51
4. Vanderbilt 85
5. Kentucky 91
6. Florida 126
7. Ole Miss 146
8. Auburn 150
9. South Carolina 163
10. Arkansas 182
11. Alabama 203
12. Mississippi State 218
All-SEC First Team (Listed by Vote Total)
* Candace Parker, TENNESSEE 19
Sylvia Fowles, LSU 19
Tasha Humphrey, Georgia 18
Armintie Price, Ole Miss 17
Sha Brooks, Florida 7
All-SEC Second Team (Listed by Vote Total)
Dee-Davis, Vanderbilt 6
Cori Chambers, Georgia 3
Carly Ormerod, Kentucky 2
DeWanna Bonner, Auburn 1
Alexis Hornbuckle, Tennessee 1
Carla Thomas, Vanderbilt 1
Angel Robinson, Georgia 1
Player of the Year
* Candace Parker, TENNESSEE 19
Nineteen media voted in Thursday's preseason SEC picks. Georgia and Louisiana State were tabbed to finish second and third, respectively, behind the Orange and White.
Parker garnered preseason SEC Player of the Year honors and was also named to the preseason All-SEC First Team, after receiving first team accolades from the league's coaches on Monday. The Naperville, Ill., native and Sylvia Fowles (LSU) were the only two unanimous first team selections, according to the media.
Already chosen to the coaches All-SEC second team, Alexis Hornbuckle - the Lady Vols top defensive player - returns for her junior campaign with a spot on the media's preseason All-SEC second team.
Six-time SEC Coach of the Year Pat Summitt has guided Big Orange to 13 SEC regular season crowns and 12 SEC Tournament Championships, including victories over regular season titlist LSU for the league tournament championship in 2005 and 2006. Tennessee claimed the regular season crown every year from 1998 to 2004.
The Lady Vols tip off the season with an exhibition contest against Carson-Newman at 7:00 p.m. on November 1 in Thompson-Boling Arena.
Team Preseason Rankings
*1. TENNESSEE 19
2. Georgia 48
3. LSU 51
4. Vanderbilt 85
5. Kentucky 91
6. Florida 126
7. Ole Miss 146
8. Auburn 150
9. South Carolina 163
10. Arkansas 182
11. Alabama 203
12. Mississippi State 218
All-SEC First Team (Listed by Vote Total)
* Candace Parker, TENNESSEE 19
Sylvia Fowles, LSU 19
Tasha Humphrey, Georgia 18
Armintie Price, Ole Miss 17
Sha Brooks, Florida 7
All-SEC Second Team (Listed by Vote Total)
Dee-Davis, Vanderbilt 6
Cori Chambers, Georgia 3
Carly Ormerod, Kentucky 2
DeWanna Bonner, Auburn 1
Alexis Hornbuckle, Tennessee 1
Carla Thomas, Vanderbilt 1
Angel Robinson, Georgia 1
Player of the Year
* Candace Parker, TENNESSEE 19
Friday, October 13, 2006
2006-07 Lady Vol Hoops Kicks-Off Practice
Five newcomers joined five returnees for the opening day
The 33rd edition of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball with head coach Pat Summitt at the helm took to the court tonight at Stokely Athletics Center, under the watchful eye of a contingent of fans, for its first official practice of the 2006-07 season.
Five newcomers joined five returnees for the opening day. Senior Sidney Spencer, a 6'3" forward from Hoover, Ala., was excused from practice to attend the wedding of former Lady Vol teammate Shanna Zolman, who is getting married on Saturday in Indiana. Spencer is in the wedding party.
The practice was punctuated with precision as 6'4" sophomore All-American Candace Parker returned to the court with her teammates for the first time since returning from duty with the USA team at the World Championships in Brazil.
High-energy was definitely the theme for the night as newcomers Cait McMahan, Nicci Moats, Shannon Bobbitt, Alberta Auguste and Elizabeth Curry provided the first-timers zeal on every drill.
The enthusiastic start was not lost on the head coach. "I really like the look of this group," commented Summitt. "The first thing I noticed was their fitness level. They were very crisp in every drill.
"We're mobile and quick. I think they have a good understanding of how to dial-up their intensity level. Even without Sidney's presence tonight - I thought we looked pretty good."
To one rookie, it was as if she had been waiting forever. "What an overwhelming feeling," said McMahan, a 5'4" point guard. "It's all I've thought about - getting to play in this practice tonight. After missing out my senior year in high school to an ACL injury, it's great to be back on the court.
"This is the best ever!"
Fellow point guard and newcomer Bobbitt, a 5'2" native of Manhattan, N.Y., commented "I loved the energy and intensity of this team." A junior college transfer, Bobbitt said the transition involved learning "a lot more plays and different defensive looks."
The Lady Vols will return to the practice court on Sat., Oct. 14 at 2:00 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee's first exhibition game is slated for Nov. 1.
The 33rd edition of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball with head coach Pat Summitt at the helm took to the court tonight at Stokely Athletics Center, under the watchful eye of a contingent of fans, for its first official practice of the 2006-07 season.
Five newcomers joined five returnees for the opening day. Senior Sidney Spencer, a 6'3" forward from Hoover, Ala., was excused from practice to attend the wedding of former Lady Vol teammate Shanna Zolman, who is getting married on Saturday in Indiana. Spencer is in the wedding party.
The practice was punctuated with precision as 6'4" sophomore All-American Candace Parker returned to the court with her teammates for the first time since returning from duty with the USA team at the World Championships in Brazil.
High-energy was definitely the theme for the night as newcomers Cait McMahan, Nicci Moats, Shannon Bobbitt, Alberta Auguste and Elizabeth Curry provided the first-timers zeal on every drill.
The enthusiastic start was not lost on the head coach. "I really like the look of this group," commented Summitt. "The first thing I noticed was their fitness level. They were very crisp in every drill.
"We're mobile and quick. I think they have a good understanding of how to dial-up their intensity level. Even without Sidney's presence tonight - I thought we looked pretty good."
To one rookie, it was as if she had been waiting forever. "What an overwhelming feeling," said McMahan, a 5'4" point guard. "It's all I've thought about - getting to play in this practice tonight. After missing out my senior year in high school to an ACL injury, it's great to be back on the court.
"This is the best ever!"
Fellow point guard and newcomer Bobbitt, a 5'2" native of Manhattan, N.Y., commented "I loved the energy and intensity of this team." A junior college transfer, Bobbitt said the transition involved learning "a lot more plays and different defensive looks."
The Lady Vols will return to the practice court on Sat., Oct. 14 at 2:00 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee's first exhibition game is slated for Nov. 1.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Vols Land Five-Star Center
Kelley Cain did not intend it to happen this way, but, in one sense, she did. Her heart belonged to Tennessee. And when Duke coach Gail Goestenkors asked her where she stood on Wednesday, Cain told her.
Goestenkors was hoping to land her third five-star commitment in the 2007 class. Instead, Cain informed her that Vols coach Pat Summitt was gaining her second.
Cain just hadn't told Summitt yet. That was taken care of on Wednesday evening.
"I didn't plan for this to be the day," said Cain, who is from Atlanta, Ga., and is the No. 12 prospect in the HoopGurlz National Hot 100. "It just happened. I said, 'This is going to be my moment.' "
However it happened, it was going to be good for Cain. Her other two finalists, Duke and LSU, also were powerhouse programs.
"I just felt it deep in my heart," Cain said of opting for Tennessee. "I mean, they were all great schools. ... I was looking for a place where I felt comfortable, where I had good relationships with my coaches and somewhere that would prepare me for life after college, even if it's not basketball."
Tennessee, a team essentially built around Candace Parker, a player expected to be to the women's game that Michael Jordan was to the men, will have some exceptionally good pieces to put with her in a year. The Vols already had commitments from the nation's No. 2 player, Angie Bjorklund from Spokane, Wash., widely considered the best shooter in the country, and No. 37 Sydney Smallbone of South Bend, Ind., a four-star guard who also is considered one of the country's top long-distance shooters.
Those two should be strong complements to the latest commitment, Cain, who is ranked the second-best center in 2007 by HoopGurlz, behind only Jantel Lavender of Cleveland, Ohio.
"Cain has a great attitude and the best hands of any post player in the country," said Chris Hansen, National Director of Scouting for HoopGurlz.com. "She uses her size well and has good footwork. Defensively, she uses her body and is a very good shot blocker in part due to her height and length, but she also has great timing.
"Despite being an elite player, she still got better throughout the summer. She's very good now and hasn't reached her potential which should lead to exciting times in Knoxville. She's an impact player but not a selfish player in the slightest."
Cain cut her list of schools to three leaders in August, but says the trim only made the recruiting process more difficult, sometimes " really gut-wrenching." Which school she favored, she said, depended on what day it happened to be. Wednesday was just the right day to make her decision final.
As a girl who very well may major in math, Kelley Cain is counting on that.
Goestenkors was hoping to land her third five-star commitment in the 2007 class. Instead, Cain informed her that Vols coach Pat Summitt was gaining her second.
Cain just hadn't told Summitt yet. That was taken care of on Wednesday evening.
"I didn't plan for this to be the day," said Cain, who is from Atlanta, Ga., and is the No. 12 prospect in the HoopGurlz National Hot 100. "It just happened. I said, 'This is going to be my moment.' "
However it happened, it was going to be good for Cain. Her other two finalists, Duke and LSU, also were powerhouse programs.
"I just felt it deep in my heart," Cain said of opting for Tennessee. "I mean, they were all great schools. ... I was looking for a place where I felt comfortable, where I had good relationships with my coaches and somewhere that would prepare me for life after college, even if it's not basketball."
Tennessee, a team essentially built around Candace Parker, a player expected to be to the women's game that Michael Jordan was to the men, will have some exceptionally good pieces to put with her in a year. The Vols already had commitments from the nation's No. 2 player, Angie Bjorklund from Spokane, Wash., widely considered the best shooter in the country, and No. 37 Sydney Smallbone of South Bend, Ind., a four-star guard who also is considered one of the country's top long-distance shooters.
Those two should be strong complements to the latest commitment, Cain, who is ranked the second-best center in 2007 by HoopGurlz, behind only Jantel Lavender of Cleveland, Ohio.
"Cain has a great attitude and the best hands of any post player in the country," said Chris Hansen, National Director of Scouting for HoopGurlz.com. "She uses her size well and has good footwork. Defensively, she uses her body and is a very good shot blocker in part due to her height and length, but she also has great timing.
"Despite being an elite player, she still got better throughout the summer. She's very good now and hasn't reached her potential which should lead to exciting times in Knoxville. She's an impact player but not a selfish player in the slightest."
Cain cut her list of schools to three leaders in August, but says the trim only made the recruiting process more difficult, sometimes " really gut-wrenching." Which school she favored, she said, depended on what day it happened to be. Wednesday was just the right day to make her decision final.
As a girl who very well may major in math, Kelley Cain is counting on that.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Tennessee Hosting Basketball Coaches Clinic
The University of Tennessee basketball programs will host a coaches clinic on Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28.
Head women’s basketball coach, Pat Summitt along with head men’s basketball coach, Bruce Pearl will spend time with coaches who are interested in helping their teams reach the next level of success.
Friday night’s session will begin at 5:00 p.m. with registration and include individual workouts and Q&A sessions with Pearl and Summitt, as well as a complimentary coach’s social at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Saturday’s session will include complimentary breakfast and lunch as well as men’s and women’s practice sessions.
Registration deadline is October 20. The cost of the clinic is $75 per person for both sessions or $50 per person for Friday’s or Saturday’s session only.
Each coach will also receive a special gift from Pearl and Summitt, UT clinic notes and coaching packet, promotional booklet from many leading sports companies, and attendance to a sport apparel and equipment expo.
For more information, contact UT men’s basketball office at (865) 974-8344 or Lady Vols basketball office at (865) 974-0600.
Head women’s basketball coach, Pat Summitt along with head men’s basketball coach, Bruce Pearl will spend time with coaches who are interested in helping their teams reach the next level of success.
Friday night’s session will begin at 5:00 p.m. with registration and include individual workouts and Q&A sessions with Pearl and Summitt, as well as a complimentary coach’s social at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Saturday’s session will include complimentary breakfast and lunch as well as men’s and women’s practice sessions.
Registration deadline is October 20. The cost of the clinic is $75 per person for both sessions or $50 per person for Friday’s or Saturday’s session only.
Each coach will also receive a special gift from Pearl and Summitt, UT clinic notes and coaching packet, promotional booklet from many leading sports companies, and attendance to a sport apparel and equipment expo.
For more information, contact UT men’s basketball office at (865) 974-8344 or Lady Vols basketball office at (865) 974-0600.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Renovation of UT arena includes new roof, luxury seats
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The $30 million renovation of the University of Tennessee's basketball arena is under way and scheduled to be completed by next fall, school officials say.
The $13 to $14 million in improvements and additions to Thompson-Boling Arena and $15 million changes to the Pratt Pavilion practice facility are under construction now, according to UT athletic director Mike Hamilton.
"As we enter our 20th year at the arena, we want to make sure we're properly positioned for the next 20 years. This will have a huge impact and will breathe fresh air into our basketball programs," Hamilton said.
Capacity of the arena will fall from 24,535 to an estimated 21,000, Hamilton said. Roof capacity will be increased to allow for the hanging of a $2.5 million, four-screen scoreboard over midcourt.
Other changes to the arena include 32 suites, all of which have been sold out. Half of the suites will have 16 seats each and cost $50,000 a year. The rest will be $35,000-a-year suites with 10 seats.
Beneath the skybox suites is the addition of 140 club-style seats, which are larger and have access to a small lounge behind the section. Those seats, also sold out, are $4,000 per year.
Officials are also considering replacing the facility's orange seats with black seats -- a proposal some fans are against because orange is the school color. Hamilton said the seats might be changed if enough money is left over after making other updates.
Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt said she trusts the research the athletic administration has done on the pending project but admits she's partial to orange.
"I'd like for it to be orange (seating)," Summitt said. "When you walk into that building, I think the orange is intimidating."
The $13 to $14 million in improvements and additions to Thompson-Boling Arena and $15 million changes to the Pratt Pavilion practice facility are under construction now, according to UT athletic director Mike Hamilton.
"As we enter our 20th year at the arena, we want to make sure we're properly positioned for the next 20 years. This will have a huge impact and will breathe fresh air into our basketball programs," Hamilton said.
Capacity of the arena will fall from 24,535 to an estimated 21,000, Hamilton said. Roof capacity will be increased to allow for the hanging of a $2.5 million, four-screen scoreboard over midcourt.
Other changes to the arena include 32 suites, all of which have been sold out. Half of the suites will have 16 seats each and cost $50,000 a year. The rest will be $35,000-a-year suites with 10 seats.
Beneath the skybox suites is the addition of 140 club-style seats, which are larger and have access to a small lounge behind the section. Those seats, also sold out, are $4,000 per year.
Officials are also considering replacing the facility's orange seats with black seats -- a proposal some fans are against because orange is the school color. Hamilton said the seats might be changed if enough money is left over after making other updates.
Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt said she trusts the research the athletic administration has done on the pending project but admits she's partial to orange.
"I'd like for it to be orange (seating)," Summitt said. "When you walk into that building, I think the orange is intimidating."
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Leslie begs off Team USA; Ford, Parker, Snow added
DURHAM, North Carolina - On a day when Cheryl Ford, Michelle Snow and Candace Parker were named to the 2006 Women's World Championship team, the main focus was on who is not going to Brazil.
WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie announced Wednesday she has withdrawn for personal reasons and will not play in the tournament later this month.
Leslie, 34, is a three-time Olympic and two-time World Championship gold medalist. In collecting her third MVP award, the star center of the Los Angeles Sparks averaged 20.0 points and 9.5 rebounds this season, leading the WNBA in double-doubles (17) and defensive rebounds (240).
The Los Angeles Daily News reported last week that Leslie wants to remain near the side of her uncle, Craig Simpson, who is recovering from a recent car accident.
"I really wish I could be there to help my teammates win gold at the World Championship," Leslie said. "I've been playing for USA Basketball since 1989 and I will really miss it this year. However, with everything going on right now with two close members of my family, I have to put my family first."
"Obviously it's a big disappointment that Lisa won't be with us," said Team USA coach Anne Donovan of the Seattle Storm. "Our hearts go out to Lisa and her family and we hope that her uncle recovers fully and that Lisa, emotionally, gets better and stronger every day. She will definitely be missed on this World Championship team."
Ford will be called on to pick up the slack in the paint in Leslie's absence. A three-time WNBA All-Star and the daughter of former NBA star Karl Malone, she averaged 13.8 points and 11.3 rebounds for the Detroit Shock and helped them advance to the WNBA Finals.
Snow, a 6-5 center who averaged 13.0 points and 7.9 rebounds for the Houston Comets, will help Ford in the middle. Parker, a 6-4 forward at Tennessee, is the lone college player on the roster.
"Michelle Snow and Candace Parker have both done a great job for us here in camp and both trained with us in the spring," Donovan said. "They've been working hard to fill the void that we have in the post and both will be good additions to this team in our quest to win another gold medal.
"Cheryl Ford has proved all season long what a great player she is. It is unfortunate that we were unable to have her in our spring training period, but we feel real confident that she'll be able to help us when we get to Sao Paulo."
In addition to Ford, Parker and Snow, previously named to the 2006 USA World Championship Team were Seimone Augustus of the Minnesota Lynx, Alana Beard and DeLisha Milton-Jones of the Washington Mystics, Sue Bird of Seattle, Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever), Katie Smith of Detroit, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson of the Houston Comets and Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury.
The Americans will play an exhibition game here against Australia on Thursday before heading to Brazil. The tournament begins Tuesday and runs through September 23.
Team USA captured its record seventh gold medal and second straight gold at the 2002 World Championships in China.
WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie announced Wednesday she has withdrawn for personal reasons and will not play in the tournament later this month.
Leslie, 34, is a three-time Olympic and two-time World Championship gold medalist. In collecting her third MVP award, the star center of the Los Angeles Sparks averaged 20.0 points and 9.5 rebounds this season, leading the WNBA in double-doubles (17) and defensive rebounds (240).
The Los Angeles Daily News reported last week that Leslie wants to remain near the side of her uncle, Craig Simpson, who is recovering from a recent car accident.
"I really wish I could be there to help my teammates win gold at the World Championship," Leslie said. "I've been playing for USA Basketball since 1989 and I will really miss it this year. However, with everything going on right now with two close members of my family, I have to put my family first."
"Obviously it's a big disappointment that Lisa won't be with us," said Team USA coach Anne Donovan of the Seattle Storm. "Our hearts go out to Lisa and her family and we hope that her uncle recovers fully and that Lisa, emotionally, gets better and stronger every day. She will definitely be missed on this World Championship team."
Ford will be called on to pick up the slack in the paint in Leslie's absence. A three-time WNBA All-Star and the daughter of former NBA star Karl Malone, she averaged 13.8 points and 11.3 rebounds for the Detroit Shock and helped them advance to the WNBA Finals.
Snow, a 6-5 center who averaged 13.0 points and 7.9 rebounds for the Houston Comets, will help Ford in the middle. Parker, a 6-4 forward at Tennessee, is the lone college player on the roster.
"Michelle Snow and Candace Parker have both done a great job for us here in camp and both trained with us in the spring," Donovan said. "They've been working hard to fill the void that we have in the post and both will be good additions to this team in our quest to win another gold medal.
"Cheryl Ford has proved all season long what a great player she is. It is unfortunate that we were unable to have her in our spring training period, but we feel real confident that she'll be able to help us when we get to Sao Paulo."
In addition to Ford, Parker and Snow, previously named to the 2006 USA World Championship Team were Seimone Augustus of the Minnesota Lynx, Alana Beard and DeLisha Milton-Jones of the Washington Mystics, Sue Bird of Seattle, Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever), Katie Smith of Detroit, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson of the Houston Comets and Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury.
The Americans will play an exhibition game here against Australia on Thursday before heading to Brazil. The tournament begins Tuesday and runs through September 23.
Team USA captured its record seventh gold medal and second straight gold at the 2002 World Championships in China.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Pat and R.B.
Pat Summitt, the super coach of the UT Lady Vols basketball team, quietly separated from R.B., her husband of 26 years, earlier this year. No divorce papers have been filed in Knox County courts. A spokeswoman confirmed the split but would not comment.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Lawson has made herself invaluable
No one could convince Kara Lawson she wasn't long enough or lean enough to be a professional basketball player.
She found a way to make it work. Lawson has laughed along with the jokes about her height, knowing her skills on the perimeter made her 5-foot-9 frame obsolete. She's reshaped her body, dropping 12 pounds this season hoping for increased speed and athleticism.
And when it comes to her role on the Monarchs, Lawson continues to dig into the foundation of the franchise with each charismatic smile and buzzer-beating shot.
"I'm short. I'm slower than 95 percent of the people in this league," Lawson said. "I know this. What you have to do is find something that makes you competitive."
The innate message in that statement is what makes Lawson a fan favorite and role model to kids who will run around the arena in purple jerseys with her name across their backs today during Game 2 of the Western Conference playoffs at Arco Arena against the Houston Comets.
"I always tell myself before every game to play as hard as I can and if my shot goes in, then good," Lawson said. "If it doesn't, I know I tried my best."
Those shots have increasingly found their way through the net. Lawson has scored double digits the last six games, including a career playoff-high 18 points in the 93-78 victory in Houston on Thursday.
A Sacramento victory today will clinch the three-game series and advance the Monarchs to the second round."We have to win," Lawson said following a short practice Friday.
A Monarchs loss will force a third and deciding game Monday at 7 p.m. at Arco.
With Lawson's performance Thursday, the Comets will likely spend more time guarding her.
"Kara loves big shots," Monarchs coach John Whisenant said. "She plays better under the gun."
The secret to Lawson's success has little to do with basketball. She is what coaches call a student of the game, with an emphasis on student.
Lawson memorized the U.S. Presidents when she was 3 years old, could name NFL quarterbacks and their statistics at 4, then entered kindergarten reading at the fourth-grade level.
By the time college rolled around, Tennessee's legendary coach Pat Summitt saw in Lawson a player with the ability to make quick, smart decisions on the floor.
"If I'm ever on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,' Kara will be my lifeline," Summitt told Sports Illustrated in 2000.
Lawson has the ability to remember nearly everything she reads or hears, which comes in handy in her offseason gig as a member of the Kings' broadcast team and ESPN studio analyst for the NCAA women's basketball championships.
"She's smart, competitive and analytical, and just loves the game," Whisenant said.
Whisenant often cites Lawson's unselfish attitude as a reason she fits so well into his system. Lawson has started seven games this year and is expected to start today against Houston. Even coming off the bench, Lawson often averages the same minutes as a starter.
Lawson is averaging 8.1 points a game in 22 minutes this season. Her scoring and productivity has dramatically increased since Lawson overcame an early-season setback with an undiagnosed illness that left her fatigued. Lawson missed training camp but slowly began working out after practices and eating healthier in an attempt to regain her strength.
It's paying off. The slimmer Lawson is hitting her stride when the Monarchs need her most.
"She's done a great job for them," Comets coach Van Chancellor said. "She's got a basketball savvy about her. Most of it is a kind of belief in herself. She truly believes she is a good shooter. She thinks every shot is a big shot, from first to last."
She found a way to make it work. Lawson has laughed along with the jokes about her height, knowing her skills on the perimeter made her 5-foot-9 frame obsolete. She's reshaped her body, dropping 12 pounds this season hoping for increased speed and athleticism.
And when it comes to her role on the Monarchs, Lawson continues to dig into the foundation of the franchise with each charismatic smile and buzzer-beating shot.
"I'm short. I'm slower than 95 percent of the people in this league," Lawson said. "I know this. What you have to do is find something that makes you competitive."
The innate message in that statement is what makes Lawson a fan favorite and role model to kids who will run around the arena in purple jerseys with her name across their backs today during Game 2 of the Western Conference playoffs at Arco Arena against the Houston Comets.
"I always tell myself before every game to play as hard as I can and if my shot goes in, then good," Lawson said. "If it doesn't, I know I tried my best."
Those shots have increasingly found their way through the net. Lawson has scored double digits the last six games, including a career playoff-high 18 points in the 93-78 victory in Houston on Thursday.
A Sacramento victory today will clinch the three-game series and advance the Monarchs to the second round."We have to win," Lawson said following a short practice Friday.
A Monarchs loss will force a third and deciding game Monday at 7 p.m. at Arco.
With Lawson's performance Thursday, the Comets will likely spend more time guarding her.
"Kara loves big shots," Monarchs coach John Whisenant said. "She plays better under the gun."
The secret to Lawson's success has little to do with basketball. She is what coaches call a student of the game, with an emphasis on student.
Lawson memorized the U.S. Presidents when she was 3 years old, could name NFL quarterbacks and their statistics at 4, then entered kindergarten reading at the fourth-grade level.
By the time college rolled around, Tennessee's legendary coach Pat Summitt saw in Lawson a player with the ability to make quick, smart decisions on the floor.
"If I'm ever on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,' Kara will be my lifeline," Summitt told Sports Illustrated in 2000.
Lawson has the ability to remember nearly everything she reads or hears, which comes in handy in her offseason gig as a member of the Kings' broadcast team and ESPN studio analyst for the NCAA women's basketball championships.
"She's smart, competitive and analytical, and just loves the game," Whisenant said.
Whisenant often cites Lawson's unselfish attitude as a reason she fits so well into his system. Lawson has started seven games this year and is expected to start today against Houston. Even coming off the bench, Lawson often averages the same minutes as a starter.
Lawson is averaging 8.1 points a game in 22 minutes this season. Her scoring and productivity has dramatically increased since Lawson overcame an early-season setback with an undiagnosed illness that left her fatigued. Lawson missed training camp but slowly began working out after practices and eating healthier in an attempt to regain her strength.
It's paying off. The slimmer Lawson is hitting her stride when the Monarchs need her most.
"She's done a great job for them," Comets coach Van Chancellor said. "She's got a basketball savvy about her. Most of it is a kind of belief in herself. She truly believes she is a good shooter. She thinks every shot is a big shot, from first to last."
Friday, August 18, 2006
Lady Vols Release 2006-07 Hoops Schedule
Tennessee will tangle with a number of non-league rivals, including North Carolina, Connecticut, Texas, Duke, Stanford and Louisiana Tech
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer basketball schedule has been finalized for the 2006-07 season.
In addition to running the gauntlet of the perennial Southeastern Conference powerhouses, the Lady Vols will also tangle with a number of non-league rivals, including North Carolina, Connecticut, Texas, Duke, Stanford and Louisiana Tech.
"Our schedule for the coming season is exciting and challenging," said Lady Vol coach Pat Summitt, who is beginning her 33rd season at Tennessee and is the NCAA's all-time winningest coach, starting the season at 913-177. "As usual, we take on an aggressive schedule which allows us to prepare for post season play.
"I'm glad we'll be playing 18 home dates, including the exhibition games. Our fans have been so supportive throughout the years. I'm excited that we have been able to increase our home dates," said Summitt.
Six teams return to the Lady Vol regular season schedule after a hiatus. Tennessee will meet UCLA for the first time since 1999; UT travels to Arizona State but will play the contest indoors - in 2000 the squads faced off outside at Bank One Ballpark; Middle Tennessee State University returns to the schedule for the first time since 1984; Tennessee and North Carolina have a two-year home-and-home series slated - the last regular season meeting was in 1988, but the two teams have squared-off in NCAA tilts in 1993, 1998 and 2006; Coach Summitt's alma mater, Tennessee-Martin, is back in the line-up for the first time since 1999, and West Virginia University and Tennessee will face off after a 20-year break.
Following a pair of exhibition tune-ups (Carson-Newman on Nov. 1 and the Houston Jaguars on Nov. 5), the Lady Vols officially open the season at home with a pair of games: Nov. 12 against Chattanooga and Nov. 16 versus UCLA.
The remainder of the November slate includes a date at Arizona State (Nov. 19), home games against Stanford (Nov. 24) and Middle Tennessee State (Nov. 26) and a trip to Ruston, La., to face Louisiana Tech (Nov. 28).
Tennessee starts the December portion of its schedule on the road at Chapel Hill, taking on North Carolina in a Sunday night (Dec. 3) prime-time meeting on ESPN. The Tar Heels bounced the Lady Vols out of the 2006 NCAA Tournament in an Elite Eight match-up. The visit will mark Tennessee's first trip to Carmichael Auditorium since 1988. The Lady Vols will then entertain Tennessee-Martin (Dec. 5) and George Washington (Dec. 7) at home before taking a 10-day break for final exams. UT will be in action on Dec. 17 at Texas, Dec. 20 at home versus West Virginia, Dec. 22 at Old Dominion and back home on Dec. 30 against Notre Dame.
In January, the Lady Vols will face two additional non-conference foes before settling into the daunting SEC slate. Tennessee travels to BIG EAST foe Connecticut on Jan. 6 (CBS), and Duke makes an appearance in Knoxville on Jan. 22 in a "Big Monday" meeting on ESPN.
January is a light SEC month at home for the Lady Vols with only Alabama (Jan. 3) and Mississippi State (Jan. 18) visiting the Knoxville campus. UT will be on the SEC road, traveling to Florida (Jan. 11), Georgia (Jan. 14), Vanderbilt (Jan. 25) and Alabama (Jan. 28).
February is almost the reverse schedule for Tennessee, as the Lady Vols will enjoy five home games by taking on South Carolina (Feb. 1), Georgia on ESPN2 (Feb. 5), Kentucky in a "February Frenzy" meeting on ESPN on Feb. 11, Mississippi (Feb. 15) and Vanderbilt (Feb. 25). February road trips include jaunts to Auburn (Feb. 8), LSU on ESPN2 (Feb. 19) and to Arkansas (Feb. 22). Once again, Tennessee will play home-and-home SEC match-ups with Alabama and Georgia this season to go along with its annual home-and-home traditional rival contests versus Vanderbilt.
"It's no surprise that we've taken on another challenging schedule for the coming season," said Summitt. "I'm excited that our fans will get to enjoy such a great line-up of games in Thompson-Boling Arena.
"Once again this year, the SEC - from top to bottom -- will be as strong as it has ever been," professed Summitt. "I expect to see several SEC teams ranked among the nation's top 10. The SEC schedule will be extremely challenging."
The 2006 Southeastern Conference Tournament will venture to Duluth, Ga., March 1-4. The NCAA festivities kick-off with First/Second Round games March 17-20 and four NCAA Regionals, March 24-27. The season will culminate with the 2007 NCAA Final Four at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, April 1 & 3.
2006-07 Women's Basketball Schedule
Date Day Opponent Location TV
11/01/06 Wed Carson-Newman (EXH) Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/05/06 Sun Houston Jaguars (EXH) Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/12/06 Sun Chattanooga Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/16/06 Thu UCLA Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/19/06 Sun Arizona State Tempe, Ariz. TBA
11/24/06 Fri Stanford Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/26/06 Sun Middle Tennessee State Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/28/06 Tue Louisiana Tech Ruston, La. TBA
12/03/06 Sun North Carolina Chapel Hill, N.C. ESPN TBA
12/05/06 Tue Tennessee-Martin Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
12/07/06 Thu George Washington Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
12/17/06 Sun Texas Austin, Texas TBA
12/20/06 Wed West Virginia Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
12/22/06 Fri Old Dominion Norfolk, Va. TBA
12/30/06 Sat Notre Dame Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
01/03/07 Wed Alabama * Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
01/06/07 Sat Connecticut Hartford, Conn. CBS TBA
01/11/07 Thu Florida * Gainesville, Fla. TBA
01/14/07 Sun Georgia * Athens, Ga. TBA
01/18/07 Thu Mississippi State Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
01/22/07 Mon Duke (Big Monday) Knoxville, Tenn. ESPN TBA
01/25/07 Thu Vanderbilt * Nashville, Tenn. TBA
01/28/07 Sun Alabama * Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA
02/01/07 Thu South Carolina * Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
02/05/07 Mon Georgia * Knoxville, Tenn. ESPN2 TBA
02/08/07 Thu Auburn * Auburn, Ala. TBA
02/11/07 Sun Kentucky * (February Frenzy) Knoxville, Tenn. ESPN2 TBA
02/15/07 Thu Mississippi * Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
02/19/07 Mon LSU * Baton Rouge, La. ESPN2 TBA
02/22/07 Thu Arkansas * Fayetteville, Ark. TBA
02/25/07 Sun Vanderbilt * Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
03/01/07 Thu SEC Tournament Duluth, Ga. FSN TBA
03/02/07 Fri SEC Tournament Duluth, Ga. FSN TBA
03/03/07 Sat SEC Tournament Duluth, Ga. FSN TBA
03/04/07 Sun SEC Tournament Duluth, Ga. FSN TBA
03/17/07 Sat NCAA Tournament (1st Round) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/18/07 Sun NCAA Tournament (1st Round) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/19/07 Mon NCAA Tournament (2nd Round) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/20/07 Tue NCAA Tournament (2nd Round) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/24/07 Sat NCAA Tournament (Regional) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/25/07 Sun NCAA Tournament (Regional) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/26/07 Mon NCAA Tournament (Regional Final) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/27/07 Tue NCAA Tournament (Regional Final) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
04/01/07 Sun NCAA Tournament (Final Four) Cleveland, Ohio ESPN TBA
04/03/07 Tue NCAA Tournament (Championship) Cleveland, Ohio ESPN TBA
TV Networks: CBS, ESPN, FSN/FOX-Fox Sports
Sat.-Tues., Mar. 17-20 NCAA Tournament (1st & 2nd Rounds) Campus Sites
Eight predetermined sites: Frank Erwin Center (16,755), Austin Texas; Breslin Student Events Center (15,085), East Lansing, Mich.; Hartford Civic Center (14,913), Hartford, Conn.; Galen Center (10,280) Los Angeles, Calif.; Williams Arena (14,669), Minneapolis, Minn.; Petersen Events Center (12,500), Pittsburgh, Pa.; RBC Center (19,500), Raleigh, N.C.; Maples Pavilion (7,233), Stanford, Calif.
Sat.-Tues., Mar. 24-27 NCAA Tournament (Regionals) Campus Sites
Mideast- University of Dayton Arena (13,000) Dayton, Ohio
West- Save Mart Center (15,621) Fresno, Calif.
East- Greensboro Coliseum (12,005) Greensboro, N.C.
Midwest- Reunion Arena (17,767) Dallas, Texas
* Denotes Southeastern Conference Game
ALL DATES, TIMES AND TELEVISION SCHEDULES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer basketball schedule has been finalized for the 2006-07 season.
In addition to running the gauntlet of the perennial Southeastern Conference powerhouses, the Lady Vols will also tangle with a number of non-league rivals, including North Carolina, Connecticut, Texas, Duke, Stanford and Louisiana Tech.
"Our schedule for the coming season is exciting and challenging," said Lady Vol coach Pat Summitt, who is beginning her 33rd season at Tennessee and is the NCAA's all-time winningest coach, starting the season at 913-177. "As usual, we take on an aggressive schedule which allows us to prepare for post season play.
"I'm glad we'll be playing 18 home dates, including the exhibition games. Our fans have been so supportive throughout the years. I'm excited that we have been able to increase our home dates," said Summitt.
Six teams return to the Lady Vol regular season schedule after a hiatus. Tennessee will meet UCLA for the first time since 1999; UT travels to Arizona State but will play the contest indoors - in 2000 the squads faced off outside at Bank One Ballpark; Middle Tennessee State University returns to the schedule for the first time since 1984; Tennessee and North Carolina have a two-year home-and-home series slated - the last regular season meeting was in 1988, but the two teams have squared-off in NCAA tilts in 1993, 1998 and 2006; Coach Summitt's alma mater, Tennessee-Martin, is back in the line-up for the first time since 1999, and West Virginia University and Tennessee will face off after a 20-year break.
Following a pair of exhibition tune-ups (Carson-Newman on Nov. 1 and the Houston Jaguars on Nov. 5), the Lady Vols officially open the season at home with a pair of games: Nov. 12 against Chattanooga and Nov. 16 versus UCLA.
The remainder of the November slate includes a date at Arizona State (Nov. 19), home games against Stanford (Nov. 24) and Middle Tennessee State (Nov. 26) and a trip to Ruston, La., to face Louisiana Tech (Nov. 28).
Tennessee starts the December portion of its schedule on the road at Chapel Hill, taking on North Carolina in a Sunday night (Dec. 3) prime-time meeting on ESPN. The Tar Heels bounced the Lady Vols out of the 2006 NCAA Tournament in an Elite Eight match-up. The visit will mark Tennessee's first trip to Carmichael Auditorium since 1988. The Lady Vols will then entertain Tennessee-Martin (Dec. 5) and George Washington (Dec. 7) at home before taking a 10-day break for final exams. UT will be in action on Dec. 17 at Texas, Dec. 20 at home versus West Virginia, Dec. 22 at Old Dominion and back home on Dec. 30 against Notre Dame.
In January, the Lady Vols will face two additional non-conference foes before settling into the daunting SEC slate. Tennessee travels to BIG EAST foe Connecticut on Jan. 6 (CBS), and Duke makes an appearance in Knoxville on Jan. 22 in a "Big Monday" meeting on ESPN.
January is a light SEC month at home for the Lady Vols with only Alabama (Jan. 3) and Mississippi State (Jan. 18) visiting the Knoxville campus. UT will be on the SEC road, traveling to Florida (Jan. 11), Georgia (Jan. 14), Vanderbilt (Jan. 25) and Alabama (Jan. 28).
February is almost the reverse schedule for Tennessee, as the Lady Vols will enjoy five home games by taking on South Carolina (Feb. 1), Georgia on ESPN2 (Feb. 5), Kentucky in a "February Frenzy" meeting on ESPN on Feb. 11, Mississippi (Feb. 15) and Vanderbilt (Feb. 25). February road trips include jaunts to Auburn (Feb. 8), LSU on ESPN2 (Feb. 19) and to Arkansas (Feb. 22). Once again, Tennessee will play home-and-home SEC match-ups with Alabama and Georgia this season to go along with its annual home-and-home traditional rival contests versus Vanderbilt.
"It's no surprise that we've taken on another challenging schedule for the coming season," said Summitt. "I'm excited that our fans will get to enjoy such a great line-up of games in Thompson-Boling Arena.
"Once again this year, the SEC - from top to bottom -- will be as strong as it has ever been," professed Summitt. "I expect to see several SEC teams ranked among the nation's top 10. The SEC schedule will be extremely challenging."
The 2006 Southeastern Conference Tournament will venture to Duluth, Ga., March 1-4. The NCAA festivities kick-off with First/Second Round games March 17-20 and four NCAA Regionals, March 24-27. The season will culminate with the 2007 NCAA Final Four at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, April 1 & 3.
2006-07 Women's Basketball Schedule
Date Day Opponent Location TV
11/01/06 Wed Carson-Newman (EXH) Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/05/06 Sun Houston Jaguars (EXH) Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/12/06 Sun Chattanooga Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/16/06 Thu UCLA Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/19/06 Sun Arizona State Tempe, Ariz. TBA
11/24/06 Fri Stanford Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/26/06 Sun Middle Tennessee State Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
11/28/06 Tue Louisiana Tech Ruston, La. TBA
12/03/06 Sun North Carolina Chapel Hill, N.C. ESPN TBA
12/05/06 Tue Tennessee-Martin Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
12/07/06 Thu George Washington Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
12/17/06 Sun Texas Austin, Texas TBA
12/20/06 Wed West Virginia Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
12/22/06 Fri Old Dominion Norfolk, Va. TBA
12/30/06 Sat Notre Dame Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
01/03/07 Wed Alabama * Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
01/06/07 Sat Connecticut Hartford, Conn. CBS TBA
01/11/07 Thu Florida * Gainesville, Fla. TBA
01/14/07 Sun Georgia * Athens, Ga. TBA
01/18/07 Thu Mississippi State Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
01/22/07 Mon Duke (Big Monday) Knoxville, Tenn. ESPN TBA
01/25/07 Thu Vanderbilt * Nashville, Tenn. TBA
01/28/07 Sun Alabama * Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA
02/01/07 Thu South Carolina * Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
02/05/07 Mon Georgia * Knoxville, Tenn. ESPN2 TBA
02/08/07 Thu Auburn * Auburn, Ala. TBA
02/11/07 Sun Kentucky * (February Frenzy) Knoxville, Tenn. ESPN2 TBA
02/15/07 Thu Mississippi * Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
02/19/07 Mon LSU * Baton Rouge, La. ESPN2 TBA
02/22/07 Thu Arkansas * Fayetteville, Ark. TBA
02/25/07 Sun Vanderbilt * Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
03/01/07 Thu SEC Tournament Duluth, Ga. FSN TBA
03/02/07 Fri SEC Tournament Duluth, Ga. FSN TBA
03/03/07 Sat SEC Tournament Duluth, Ga. FSN TBA
03/04/07 Sun SEC Tournament Duluth, Ga. FSN TBA
03/17/07 Sat NCAA Tournament (1st Round) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/18/07 Sun NCAA Tournament (1st Round) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/19/07 Mon NCAA Tournament (2nd Round) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/20/07 Tue NCAA Tournament (2nd Round) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/24/07 Sat NCAA Tournament (Regional) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/25/07 Sun NCAA Tournament (Regional) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/26/07 Mon NCAA Tournament (Regional Final) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
03/27/07 Tue NCAA Tournament (Regional Final) TBA ESPN/ESPN2 TBA
04/01/07 Sun NCAA Tournament (Final Four) Cleveland, Ohio ESPN TBA
04/03/07 Tue NCAA Tournament (Championship) Cleveland, Ohio ESPN TBA
TV Networks: CBS, ESPN, FSN/FOX-Fox Sports
Sat.-Tues., Mar. 17-20 NCAA Tournament (1st & 2nd Rounds) Campus Sites
Eight predetermined sites: Frank Erwin Center (16,755), Austin Texas; Breslin Student Events Center (15,085), East Lansing, Mich.; Hartford Civic Center (14,913), Hartford, Conn.; Galen Center (10,280) Los Angeles, Calif.; Williams Arena (14,669), Minneapolis, Minn.; Petersen Events Center (12,500), Pittsburgh, Pa.; RBC Center (19,500), Raleigh, N.C.; Maples Pavilion (7,233), Stanford, Calif.
Sat.-Tues., Mar. 24-27 NCAA Tournament (Regionals) Campus Sites
Mideast- University of Dayton Arena (13,000) Dayton, Ohio
West- Save Mart Center (15,621) Fresno, Calif.
East- Greensboro Coliseum (12,005) Greensboro, N.C.
Midwest- Reunion Arena (17,767) Dallas, Texas
* Denotes Southeastern Conference Game
ALL DATES, TIMES AND TELEVISION SCHEDULES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Saturday, July 22, 2006
From hoops to altar, balance is always key
When Shanna Zolman's days on the basketball court are finished, she might want to consider joining the circus.
Considering her current situation, the former Wawasee High School star could have a bright future as a high-wire performer or even as a juggler.
Zolman is doing some kind of balancing act right now, juggling life as a WNBA rookie while planning her wedding.
Zolman, whose skills earned her a scholarship and starting role at the University of Tennessee, is in her first season as a San Antonio Silver Star.
"Being focused is difficult at times,'' admitted Zolman in a phone interview earlier this week. "But I'm able to focus on basketball and separate it from my personal life.
"Balance is crucial. I think that planning a wedding is a release for me. It gets my mind on something else.''
Zolman, the pride of Syracuse, will return home for her wedding on October 14. She will marry Andrew Crossley, who played football for the Volunteers. The two have dated for almost two years.
Focus on the court has never been a problem for Zolman. The 5-10 shooting guard holds the state scoring record (3,085 points) and went on to score 1,706 points to rank ninth all-time at UT. Zolman set career records for 3-pointers (266) and free throw percentage (.916) at Tennessee.
Now she's living her dream.
"This is definitely enjoyable,'' said Zolman. "I'm so happy and excited to be making a living playing the game I love. I feel blessed to be playing at the highest level possible.''
Zolman, who was drafted in the second round as the 16th overall pick in April, is finding her niche with the Silver Stars. She is averaging 6.0 points per game and shooting .368 from 3-point range while averaging 14 minutes a game. Zolman scored 15 points in her pro debut versus four-time league champion Houston and WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. San Antonio is battling for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"I welcome my role with this team and I'm used to coming off the bench now,'' said Zolman. "They drafted me because of my shooting ability and that's what they want me to come in and do.
"I felt rejuvenated when I came into the league. It's so different. The new level of competition drives me every day. There are many ups and downs in your first year, but I'm enjoying it.
"I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. I trust God and his plan for me. Everyone here is amazing. The chemistry on this team is great. That's why I'm enjoying it so much.''
Zolman holds NCAA records for career (.916) and single-season (.957) free throw percentage and says her collegiate experience under legendary coach Pat Summitt is coming in very handy.
"Without playing at UT, I don't think I'd be at this level,'' Zolman said. "Playing four years under coach Summitt prepared me so well for this. All the things I learned there about discipline, work ethic and being a complete player have helped make the transition so much easier. At this level, they expect you to know everything about the game. Tennessee really prepared me for that.''
Zolman still places great emphasis on the priorities in her life. Faith and family always will rank ahead of basketball.
"My family (which includes parents Kem and Lynette and older brother Josh) means everything to me,'' said Zolman. "I'm not sure where I would be without them. They're always first. That's why basketball is year to year.
"I feel so blessed to have had the upbringing I did. I talk to my Dad before every game. I talk to him about basketball and my Mom about the wedding. They're unbelievable.''
Zolman also is eager for a homecoming of sorts August 5. The Stars visit the Indiana Fever for a 7 p.m. contest at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Zolman knows her loyal following of fans, who have been behind her every step of the way, will make the trek from Kosciusko County downstate.
"Any time I'm able to come back close to home it's exciting,'' Zolman said. "The support I've received and the following has always been unbelievable. I'm very, very appreciative of that. It will be great to see some familiar faces.''
With so much on her plate, the 22-year old Zolman still sneaks a peak into the future.
"I'm not excited about playing overseas this year as my fiancee is looking into dental school,'' explained Zolman. "I may go play there for short stints, but my focus will be working out in San Antonio in the offseason and marketing opportunities.
"I honestly think I can make a huge impact in this league. Shooters are welcome in the WNBA and that's a good thing for me. I want to play the game as long as I can.
"I think I have a bright future. Knowing how much better I can be energizes and intrigues me. My competitiveness has me looking forward to that.''
Considering her current situation, the former Wawasee High School star could have a bright future as a high-wire performer or even as a juggler.
Zolman is doing some kind of balancing act right now, juggling life as a WNBA rookie while planning her wedding.
Zolman, whose skills earned her a scholarship and starting role at the University of Tennessee, is in her first season as a San Antonio Silver Star.
"Being focused is difficult at times,'' admitted Zolman in a phone interview earlier this week. "But I'm able to focus on basketball and separate it from my personal life.
"Balance is crucial. I think that planning a wedding is a release for me. It gets my mind on something else.''
Zolman, the pride of Syracuse, will return home for her wedding on October 14. She will marry Andrew Crossley, who played football for the Volunteers. The two have dated for almost two years.
Focus on the court has never been a problem for Zolman. The 5-10 shooting guard holds the state scoring record (3,085 points) and went on to score 1,706 points to rank ninth all-time at UT. Zolman set career records for 3-pointers (266) and free throw percentage (.916) at Tennessee.
Now she's living her dream.
"This is definitely enjoyable,'' said Zolman. "I'm so happy and excited to be making a living playing the game I love. I feel blessed to be playing at the highest level possible.''
Zolman, who was drafted in the second round as the 16th overall pick in April, is finding her niche with the Silver Stars. She is averaging 6.0 points per game and shooting .368 from 3-point range while averaging 14 minutes a game. Zolman scored 15 points in her pro debut versus four-time league champion Houston and WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. San Antonio is battling for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"I welcome my role with this team and I'm used to coming off the bench now,'' said Zolman. "They drafted me because of my shooting ability and that's what they want me to come in and do.
"I felt rejuvenated when I came into the league. It's so different. The new level of competition drives me every day. There are many ups and downs in your first year, but I'm enjoying it.
"I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. I trust God and his plan for me. Everyone here is amazing. The chemistry on this team is great. That's why I'm enjoying it so much.''
Zolman holds NCAA records for career (.916) and single-season (.957) free throw percentage and says her collegiate experience under legendary coach Pat Summitt is coming in very handy.
"Without playing at UT, I don't think I'd be at this level,'' Zolman said. "Playing four years under coach Summitt prepared me so well for this. All the things I learned there about discipline, work ethic and being a complete player have helped make the transition so much easier. At this level, they expect you to know everything about the game. Tennessee really prepared me for that.''
Zolman still places great emphasis on the priorities in her life. Faith and family always will rank ahead of basketball.
"My family (which includes parents Kem and Lynette and older brother Josh) means everything to me,'' said Zolman. "I'm not sure where I would be without them. They're always first. That's why basketball is year to year.
"I feel so blessed to have had the upbringing I did. I talk to my Dad before every game. I talk to him about basketball and my Mom about the wedding. They're unbelievable.''
Zolman also is eager for a homecoming of sorts August 5. The Stars visit the Indiana Fever for a 7 p.m. contest at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Zolman knows her loyal following of fans, who have been behind her every step of the way, will make the trek from Kosciusko County downstate.
"Any time I'm able to come back close to home it's exciting,'' Zolman said. "The support I've received and the following has always been unbelievable. I'm very, very appreciative of that. It will be great to see some familiar faces.''
With so much on her plate, the 22-year old Zolman still sneaks a peak into the future.
"I'm not excited about playing overseas this year as my fiancee is looking into dental school,'' explained Zolman. "I may go play there for short stints, but my focus will be working out in San Antonio in the offseason and marketing opportunities.
"I honestly think I can make a huge impact in this league. Shooters are welcome in the WNBA and that's a good thing for me. I want to play the game as long as I can.
"I think I have a bright future. Knowing how much better I can be energizes and intrigues me. My competitiveness has me looking forward to that.''
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Leslie, Swoopes to lead 2006 World team
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Continuing on its past success of building gold medal winning teams around a core group of internationally experienced players, USA Basketball, which has claimed gold at the last two FIBA World Championships and past three Olympic Games, announced today that three-time Olympic gold medalists Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks) and Sheryl Swoopes (Houston Comets), two-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Smith (Detroit Shock), 2000 Olympic gold medalist DeLisha Milton-Jones (Washington Mystics), and 2004 Olympic gold medalists Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever) Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) and Tina Thompson (Houston Comets) have been selected as the first eight members of the 2006 USA Women's World Championship Team. The selections were made by the USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team Committee and approved by the USA Basketball Executive Committee.
"USA Basketball's senior women's program has a proud history of success in international competition, including five consecutive gold medals over the past ten years," said USA Basketball President Val Ackerman. "The 2006 World Championship player roster once again represents an impressive blend of youth and veteran leadership, and with coach Donovan at the helm, we are in an outstanding position to continue our unparalled run and solidify the domination of American women in the sport of basketball,"
"These eight players have contributed to the success of the USA Basketball women's program over the past two decades," said Committee chair and WNBA Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations Renee' Brown. "You not only have three- and two-time Olympians, but you have some talented young players who are hungry to compete alongside our veterans and help continue to build upon USA Basketball's past successes. Not only have all of them have competed together in international competitions, but the Committee also knows that they all have a respect for each other's games and they are willing to collectively come together to compete and win for the USA."
"This is a tremendous group of core players, with extensive experience in bringing home the gold," said USA and Seattle Storm head coach Anne Donovan. "With this group, I know we are assured of going to battle in the World Championship with our best and most proven veterans. These players understand the drive, preparation and commitment that we need to stay on top. I am confident that these experienced Olympians will set the pace for yet another gold."
"USA Basketball's senior women's program has a proud history of success in international competition, including five consecutive gold medals over the past ten years," said USA Basketball President Val Ackerman. "The 2006 World Championship player roster once again represents an impressive blend of youth and veteran leadership, and with coach Donovan at the helm, we are in an outstanding position to continue our unparalled run and solidify the domination of American women in the sport of basketball,"
"These eight players have contributed to the success of the USA Basketball women's program over the past two decades," said Committee chair and WNBA Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations Renee' Brown. "You not only have three- and two-time Olympians, but you have some talented young players who are hungry to compete alongside our veterans and help continue to build upon USA Basketball's past successes. Not only have all of them have competed together in international competitions, but the Committee also knows that they all have a respect for each other's games and they are willing to collectively come together to compete and win for the USA."
"This is a tremendous group of core players, with extensive experience in bringing home the gold," said USA and Seattle Storm head coach Anne Donovan. "With this group, I know we are assured of going to battle in the World Championship with our best and most proven veterans. These players understand the drive, preparation and commitment that we need to stay on top. I am confident that these experienced Olympians will set the pace for yet another gold."
Monday, May 22, 2006
Lady Vols' Summitt Reaches $1 Million Mark
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Pat Summitt is the newest millionaire coach.
University of Tennessee officials said Monday they raised Summitt's salary to $1.125 million for next season and added six years to extend her contract through the 2011-12 season.
The 53-year-old Summitt leads all Division I basketball coaches — men's and women's — with 913 career wins. She will be starting her 33rd season with the Lady Vols this fall.
Her salary was $824,500 last season.
"Not only is Coach Summitt the winningest coach in college basketball, but she is a tremendous ambassador for our university and our state," school president John Petersen said. "I am proud that she will continue to represent the university for many years to come."
Summitt's base salary will increase from $300,000 to $325,000. She will get $350,000 for radio and television commitments, $300,000 for endorsements and $150,000 as a public relations fee.
Over six years, the salary package will increase each year and average $1.3 million a year. The contract calls for Summitt to be paid $1.5 million in the final year.
She is the second-highest paid coach at Tennessee behind football coach Phillip Fulmer, who makes $2.05 million annually. Men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl got a raise earlier this year to $1.1 million from $800,000.
University of Tennessee officials said Monday they raised Summitt's salary to $1.125 million for next season and added six years to extend her contract through the 2011-12 season.
The 53-year-old Summitt leads all Division I basketball coaches — men's and women's — with 913 career wins. She will be starting her 33rd season with the Lady Vols this fall.
Her salary was $824,500 last season.
"Not only is Coach Summitt the winningest coach in college basketball, but she is a tremendous ambassador for our university and our state," school president John Petersen said. "I am proud that she will continue to represent the university for many years to come."
Summitt's base salary will increase from $300,000 to $325,000. She will get $350,000 for radio and television commitments, $300,000 for endorsements and $150,000 as a public relations fee.
Over six years, the salary package will increase each year and average $1.3 million a year. The contract calls for Summitt to be paid $1.5 million in the final year.
She is the second-highest paid coach at Tennessee behind football coach Phillip Fulmer, who makes $2.05 million annually. Men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl got a raise earlier this year to $1.1 million from $800,000.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Sky not limiting McCray
McCray's latest WNBA address is Chicago, specifically a downtown apartment in the heart of the Windy City.
Surrounded by all the high-rise buildings, the former Tennessee Lady Vol All-American still has an unobstructed view. She sees a great opportunity for herself with the Chicago Sky, an expansion franchise that opened its season last night in Charlotte.
"I'm riding it,'' McCray said. "I'm loving every minute of it. I want this year to be a good year for me.
The minutes and ultimately the basketball years are beginning to dwindle for the 34-year-old McCray. The fifth WNBA stop for the two-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2000) could be the last entry on the resume. It's quite a basketball bio, considering she's also been a three-time all-star in the WNBA and was the most valuable player of the now-defunct American Basketball League.
She was a free-agent signee with the Sky after playing with San Antonio last season.
"She was cute, asking, 'Coach, how much longer do you think I can do this?' '' Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt said.
Summitt assured McCray that she had some years left, to which McCray responded: "I don't know. My body is talking to me."
McCray didn't rest her chances in Chicago on her reputation -- far from it in fact. By McCray's estimation, the Knoxville resident put her body on a workout schedule of about 10 hours a day, five days a week throughout the winter.
Her best years were based on a bedrock of athleticism, which enhanced not only her defensive skills but also her ability to run the floor in transition.
"I was really pleased to see how relentless she was,'' Summitt said. "She seemed very passionate about it."
McCray occasionally took part in Lady Vols practices and also played pick-up with the men Vols.
"They were very helpful,'' McCray said of men's coach Bruce Pearl and his staff. "I'd stay after and watch their practice and pick their brains about this and that.
"I was very inspired being back at Tennessee."
When Sky teammate Ashley Robinson, another former Lady Vol, saw McCray this spring, she said: "I can't believe how good you look."
"I wanted to come in in great shape,'' McCray said. "That's what's going to keep your longevity. I'm no stranger to the game and what it takes to be successful.''
Conversely, it hasn't hurt that McCray was a stranger to her new team. The Sky is the third league team -- Connecticut and Washington being the others -- not to partner with an NBA team. The Sky's primary owner is Michael Alter, a commercial real estate developer. The team will play its games at the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavilion.
Interestingly, the team's fledgling infrastructure has resulted in another Tennessee tie. Sara Parker, the mother of UT All-American Candace Parker, is the team's office manager.
More importantly for McCray, the team went outside the women's basketball world for its coach, hiring former Boston Celtics great/NBA coach Dave Cowens.
"He sees the game totally different than coaches in WNBA,'' McCray said. "He breaks the game down from A to Z. A lot of the coaches I've played with in the WNBA don't do that. It's an incredible amount of teaching he's done in a short period of time."
Given Cowens' lack of experience with the players, McCray and her teammates are starting with a clean slate.
"To be in a situation where you just go and play,'' McCray said. "It's like letting the cat out of the bag."
It's an exciting beginning for a player who might be nearing the end of her career.
"You want to enjoy every moment, every single day,'' McCray said. "It's something I'm going to cherish."
Surrounded by all the high-rise buildings, the former Tennessee Lady Vol All-American still has an unobstructed view. She sees a great opportunity for herself with the Chicago Sky, an expansion franchise that opened its season last night in Charlotte.
"I'm riding it,'' McCray said. "I'm loving every minute of it. I want this year to be a good year for me.
The minutes and ultimately the basketball years are beginning to dwindle for the 34-year-old McCray. The fifth WNBA stop for the two-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2000) could be the last entry on the resume. It's quite a basketball bio, considering she's also been a three-time all-star in the WNBA and was the most valuable player of the now-defunct American Basketball League.
She was a free-agent signee with the Sky after playing with San Antonio last season.
"She was cute, asking, 'Coach, how much longer do you think I can do this?' '' Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt said.
Summitt assured McCray that she had some years left, to which McCray responded: "I don't know. My body is talking to me."
McCray didn't rest her chances in Chicago on her reputation -- far from it in fact. By McCray's estimation, the Knoxville resident put her body on a workout schedule of about 10 hours a day, five days a week throughout the winter.
Her best years were based on a bedrock of athleticism, which enhanced not only her defensive skills but also her ability to run the floor in transition.
"I was really pleased to see how relentless she was,'' Summitt said. "She seemed very passionate about it."
McCray occasionally took part in Lady Vols practices and also played pick-up with the men Vols.
"They were very helpful,'' McCray said of men's coach Bruce Pearl and his staff. "I'd stay after and watch their practice and pick their brains about this and that.
"I was very inspired being back at Tennessee."
When Sky teammate Ashley Robinson, another former Lady Vol, saw McCray this spring, she said: "I can't believe how good you look."
"I wanted to come in in great shape,'' McCray said. "That's what's going to keep your longevity. I'm no stranger to the game and what it takes to be successful.''
Conversely, it hasn't hurt that McCray was a stranger to her new team. The Sky is the third league team -- Connecticut and Washington being the others -- not to partner with an NBA team. The Sky's primary owner is Michael Alter, a commercial real estate developer. The team will play its games at the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavilion.
Interestingly, the team's fledgling infrastructure has resulted in another Tennessee tie. Sara Parker, the mother of UT All-American Candace Parker, is the team's office manager.
More importantly for McCray, the team went outside the women's basketball world for its coach, hiring former Boston Celtics great/NBA coach Dave Cowens.
"He sees the game totally different than coaches in WNBA,'' McCray said. "He breaks the game down from A to Z. A lot of the coaches I've played with in the WNBA don't do that. It's an incredible amount of teaching he's done in a short period of time."
Given Cowens' lack of experience with the players, McCray and her teammates are starting with a clean slate.
"To be in a situation where you just go and play,'' McCray said. "It's like letting the cat out of the bag."
It's an exciting beginning for a player who might be nearing the end of her career.
"You want to enjoy every moment, every single day,'' McCray said. "It's something I'm going to cherish."
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Lady Vols coach to join Safe Harbor event
Pat Summitt will be guest speaker at "Raisin' the Roof," a June 9 fund-raiser for Safe Harbor, the child advocacy center.
The party will be at the Music Road Hotel & Convention Center in Pigeon Forge. It will include dinner, dancing and a silent and live auction.
Summitt, head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team, is the official spokeswoman of Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center.
Jay Adams of Mix 105.5 will be the master of ceremonies for the event. It begins at 6:30 p.m. and concludes at 11:30. Attire is dressy but not black tie. Seating is limited. Make reservations by calling 453-2638. The cost is $100 per person, with tables seating eight available.
"Proceeds raised from this event will literally be used to raise the roof on Safe Harbor's first facility to serve child-victims of severe abuse," barry Fain, board president, said. The facility will serve the 4th Judicial District, comprised of Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties
"We are very grateful for this year's sponsors," said Donna Koester, Safe Harbor's executive director. "Without their generosity, none of this would be possible."
Sponsors to date include Burchfiel-Overbay & Associates Inc., Colonial Real Estate Inc., Comfort Inn Apple Valley, Gary Woods Photography, The Mountain Press, Music Road Hotel & Convention Center, Riverside Towers, Sevier County Bank, Sevier County Bar Association and Williams Heating & Air.
In one 12-month period, the 4th Judicial District recorded 5,334 total cases of confirmed abuse/neglect. That includes 1,118 cases in Cocke, 567 in Grainger, 1,561 in Jefferson and 2,088 in Sevier. Safe Harbor's efforts will be designed to assist investigators and prosecutors in building a case against perpetrators, while following up with the family to help coordinate counseling.
Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more, visit www.SafeHarborCAC.com, call 453-2638 or e-mail to DonnaJKoester@aol.com.
The party will be at the Music Road Hotel & Convention Center in Pigeon Forge. It will include dinner, dancing and a silent and live auction.
Summitt, head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team, is the official spokeswoman of Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center.
Jay Adams of Mix 105.5 will be the master of ceremonies for the event. It begins at 6:30 p.m. and concludes at 11:30. Attire is dressy but not black tie. Seating is limited. Make reservations by calling 453-2638. The cost is $100 per person, with tables seating eight available.
"Proceeds raised from this event will literally be used to raise the roof on Safe Harbor's first facility to serve child-victims of severe abuse," barry Fain, board president, said. The facility will serve the 4th Judicial District, comprised of Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties
"We are very grateful for this year's sponsors," said Donna Koester, Safe Harbor's executive director. "Without their generosity, none of this would be possible."
Sponsors to date include Burchfiel-Overbay & Associates Inc., Colonial Real Estate Inc., Comfort Inn Apple Valley, Gary Woods Photography, The Mountain Press, Music Road Hotel & Convention Center, Riverside Towers, Sevier County Bank, Sevier County Bar Association and Williams Heating & Air.
In one 12-month period, the 4th Judicial District recorded 5,334 total cases of confirmed abuse/neglect. That includes 1,118 cases in Cocke, 567 in Grainger, 1,561 in Jefferson and 2,088 in Sevier. Safe Harbor's efforts will be designed to assist investigators and prosecutors in building a case against perpetrators, while following up with the family to help coordinate counseling.
Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more, visit www.SafeHarborCAC.com, call 453-2638 or e-mail to DonnaJKoester@aol.com.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Summitt: Hard work, good attitude pay off
Humility and hard work are the keys to success, the head coach for women’s basketball at the University of Tennessee said Thursday. Pat Summitt was the keynote speaker at the 17th annual YWCA Women of Distinction Awards dinner Thursday at Illinois State University’s Brown Ballroom in Bone Student Center.
The awards are part of a national initiative recognizing personal and professional achievements of women.
Summitt, the first female coach ever to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, has racked up a 913-177 record in more than 30 seasons.
“I wasn’t as talented as some others, but my engine was going full speed,” she told the audience of more than 600 people. “Hard work is something you can control any day of your life.”
She grew up on a dairy farm as one of five children. Her mother dropped out of school in ninth grade, but she taught Summitt life skills.
Summitt said her father didn’t talk much and had a hard time showing emotions. When she’d say, “Dad, I love you,” he’d reply, “Good.”
But she won his praise when she coached a team to a NCAA championship in 1996.
“He goes ‘Somebody knows how to coach.’ He gave me a big old hug and kiss,” she said.
“Dad told me to be humble. If you’re good enough, others will talk about your accomplishments,” she said.
The advice on being humble came in handy one time when a stranger came up to her and asked, “Don’t I know you? Don’t you work at Ace Hardware?”
She passed on the lesson about hard work to her own son.
When her son was 9 years old, she found him crying with two basketballs under his arms. He sobbed, “I got cut.”
She said she told him he didn’t work hard enough to make the team. She advised him to take those two basketballs and wear them out before the next season.
He asked her to help him. She said she would, but she told him he had to start his own engine.
A positive attitude is everything, she said.
“You only go around life one time,” she said. “Enjoy all the success and share it with all the people you possibly can share it with.”
“Laugh at yourself in your journey through life.”
Women’s sports have come a long way since she played college basketball in the 1970s, she said. Back then, the budget was so tight, players bought their own uniforms and had to attach the numbers themselves.
Now women in sports are role models, and she takes that seriously, she said.
Once a player told her she didn’t want to be a role model. The coach said she had no choice.
“You are a role model,” she told the player. “You decide what kind of role model you are going to be.”
People need to think about how they want to be remembered when they leave this earth, she said.
The awards are part of a national initiative recognizing personal and professional achievements of women.
Summitt, the first female coach ever to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, has racked up a 913-177 record in more than 30 seasons.
“I wasn’t as talented as some others, but my engine was going full speed,” she told the audience of more than 600 people. “Hard work is something you can control any day of your life.”
She grew up on a dairy farm as one of five children. Her mother dropped out of school in ninth grade, but she taught Summitt life skills.
Summitt said her father didn’t talk much and had a hard time showing emotions. When she’d say, “Dad, I love you,” he’d reply, “Good.”
But she won his praise when she coached a team to a NCAA championship in 1996.
“He goes ‘Somebody knows how to coach.’ He gave me a big old hug and kiss,” she said.
“Dad told me to be humble. If you’re good enough, others will talk about your accomplishments,” she said.
The advice on being humble came in handy one time when a stranger came up to her and asked, “Don’t I know you? Don’t you work at Ace Hardware?”
She passed on the lesson about hard work to her own son.
When her son was 9 years old, she found him crying with two basketballs under his arms. He sobbed, “I got cut.”
She said she told him he didn’t work hard enough to make the team. She advised him to take those two basketballs and wear them out before the next season.
He asked her to help him. She said she would, but she told him he had to start his own engine.
A positive attitude is everything, she said.
“You only go around life one time,” she said. “Enjoy all the success and share it with all the people you possibly can share it with.”
“Laugh at yourself in your journey through life.”
Women’s sports have come a long way since she played college basketball in the 1970s, she said. Back then, the budget was so tight, players bought their own uniforms and had to attach the numbers themselves.
Now women in sports are role models, and she takes that seriously, she said.
Once a player told her she didn’t want to be a role model. The coach said she had no choice.
“You are a role model,” she told the player. “You decide what kind of role model you are going to be.”
People need to think about how they want to be remembered when they leave this earth, she said.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Signees major factors
The Tennessee women's basketball program recently added two perimeter players to its 2006-07 recruiting class, but there was a counterpoint to Pat Summitt's decision to ink two junior college players.
At nearly the same time paperwork for Shannon Bobbitt and Alberta Auguste was arriving on Summitt's desk, the veteran coach was officially bidding farewell to two current players -- sophomore Sybil Dosty and freshman Lindsey Moss.
So much for the effort to shore up depth in a program that last season sorely needed it in the NCAA Tournament.
While the departure of Moss and Dosty may make Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood's decision to leave the program in December look like the start of a negative trend, it's actually coincidental.
Wiley-Gatewood was unhappy with the program and her role in it. Dosty and Moss simply saw the handwriting on the wall when Summitt decided to break with tradition and use the late signing period to bring junior college players on board.
As a freshman, Moss didn't get much playing time and the addition of Bobbitt and Auguste to a signing class that already includes Heritage point guard Cait McMahan and guard/forward Nicci Moats will make competition fierce for minutes on the perimeter, especially with starters Alexis Hornbuckle and Sidney Spencer returning.
Dosty's playing time was also scant, and the 6-foot-3 center's skills didn't show noticeable improvement this season, so it seems unlikely she would have increased her chances for minutes when Candace Parker is no longer needed on the perimeter next season.
Whether Bobbitt and Auguste will have an immediate impact remains to be seen. Both were junior college All-Americans, but Summitt has not had a JUCO player in the program in 29 years. The assimilation will have to be quick and the learning curve short. Adjustment for some high school players takes longer than these two have in remaining eligibility. So Summitt is taking something of a chance but one that apparently seemed necessary given the improved level of national competition this past season.
Another factor is that it's been nearly a decade since the Lady Vols won an NCAA championship. For a program and a coach who are defined by that measure, the signing of Bobbitt and Auguste indicates Summitt believes breaking with precedent may be necessary to return to that level. A corollary reduction in bench strength was undoubtedly unforeseen.
Bobbitt, the national junior college Player of the Year at point guard, and Auguste, a 5-11 wing who averaged 23 points per game at Central Florida Community College, were supposed to be insurance for Tennessee. With the loss of Dosty and Moss and the predilection to injury of players these days, they now will be major factors in how well the Lady Vols do next season.
At nearly the same time paperwork for Shannon Bobbitt and Alberta Auguste was arriving on Summitt's desk, the veteran coach was officially bidding farewell to two current players -- sophomore Sybil Dosty and freshman Lindsey Moss.
So much for the effort to shore up depth in a program that last season sorely needed it in the NCAA Tournament.
While the departure of Moss and Dosty may make Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood's decision to leave the program in December look like the start of a negative trend, it's actually coincidental.
Wiley-Gatewood was unhappy with the program and her role in it. Dosty and Moss simply saw the handwriting on the wall when Summitt decided to break with tradition and use the late signing period to bring junior college players on board.
As a freshman, Moss didn't get much playing time and the addition of Bobbitt and Auguste to a signing class that already includes Heritage point guard Cait McMahan and guard/forward Nicci Moats will make competition fierce for minutes on the perimeter, especially with starters Alexis Hornbuckle and Sidney Spencer returning.
Dosty's playing time was also scant, and the 6-foot-3 center's skills didn't show noticeable improvement this season, so it seems unlikely she would have increased her chances for minutes when Candace Parker is no longer needed on the perimeter next season.
Whether Bobbitt and Auguste will have an immediate impact remains to be seen. Both were junior college All-Americans, but Summitt has not had a JUCO player in the program in 29 years. The assimilation will have to be quick and the learning curve short. Adjustment for some high school players takes longer than these two have in remaining eligibility. So Summitt is taking something of a chance but one that apparently seemed necessary given the improved level of national competition this past season.
Another factor is that it's been nearly a decade since the Lady Vols won an NCAA championship. For a program and a coach who are defined by that measure, the signing of Bobbitt and Auguste indicates Summitt believes breaking with precedent may be necessary to return to that level. A corollary reduction in bench strength was undoubtedly unforeseen.
Bobbitt, the national junior college Player of the Year at point guard, and Auguste, a 5-11 wing who averaged 23 points per game at Central Florida Community College, were supposed to be insurance for Tennessee. With the loss of Dosty and Moss and the predilection to injury of players these days, they now will be major factors in how well the Lady Vols do next season.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Two Lady Vols will transfer
Tennessee Head Coach Pat Summitt announced Friday that center Sybil Dosty and guard Lindsey Moss will leave the program.
Dosty is a sophomore who played in 35 of 36 games in the 2005-2006 season. She averaged 10.3 minutes, 2.9 points, and 2.9 rebounds per game. Dosty led the Lady Vols in field goal percentage with 61.5 percent.
Moss just finished her freshman season. She spent much of the year nursing a broken nose. Moss played in 28 games averaging 2 points per game.
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said in a statement, "We wish them success in all of their future endeavors."
Neither player has announced where they intend to transfer.
Dosty is a sophomore who played in 35 of 36 games in the 2005-2006 season. She averaged 10.3 minutes, 2.9 points, and 2.9 rebounds per game. Dosty led the Lady Vols in field goal percentage with 61.5 percent.
Moss just finished her freshman season. She spent much of the year nursing a broken nose. Moss played in 28 games averaging 2 points per game.
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said in a statement, "We wish them success in all of their future endeavors."
Neither player has announced where they intend to transfer.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Summitt Has Successful Shoulder Surgery
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee coach Pat Summitt had arthroscopic surgery on her right shoulder Monday, school officials said.
The 31-year coaching veteran, who is Division I's winningest coach with a record of 913-177, had the procedure to clean up adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder.
"Coach Summitt had surgery this morning to help regain full range of motion in both of her shoulders," head trainer Jenny Moshak said in a statement. "Dr. (Edwin) Spencer used arthroscopic surgery on the right shoulder only, but relieved adhesive capsulitis on the left shoulder as well."
Summitt will be limited for the next two months during recovery and rehabilitation.
The 31-year coaching veteran, who is Division I's winningest coach with a record of 913-177, had the procedure to clean up adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder.
"Coach Summitt had surgery this morning to help regain full range of motion in both of her shoulders," head trainer Jenny Moshak said in a statement. "Dr. (Edwin) Spencer used arthroscopic surgery on the right shoulder only, but relieved adhesive capsulitis on the left shoulder as well."
Summitt will be limited for the next two months during recovery and rehabilitation.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
WNBA Draft: Two from UT among top 16 picks
KNOXVILLE - Tennessee seniors Tye'sha Fluker and Shanna Zolman were among the 42 players picked in the WNBA draft on Wednesday.
Fluker, a center, was selected by the Charlotte Sting as the 10th pick overall, becoming the 11th Lady Vol to be chosen in the first round.
The San Antonio Silver Stars made Zolman, a guard, the second pick of the second round, 16th overall.
Since the WNBA began play in 1997, 22 Lady Vols have played in the league.
LSU's Seimone Augustus was the first pick overall by the Minnesota Lynx at the draft held in Boston, a day after the women's college national championship game.
"I am totally excited to play for Muggsy (Bogues) at Charlotte. I appreciate the Sting organization thinking that I'm the best post player in my senior class," Fluker said in a statement.
"It is bittersweet that this time in my life has come, but I think it's time to move on. I am so thankful to coach (Pat) Summitt and the University of Tennessee for allowing me the opportunity to play, grow, learn and mature over the past four years."
The Lady Vols ended their season with a loss to North Carolina in the regional final.
Fluker and Zolman went to three Final Fours and won two Southeastern Conference tournament titles.
Zolman leaves Tennessee as the school's best 3-point shooter with records for single-game (7), single-season (103) and career (266).
She also holds the NCAA records in free throw percentage at 91.6 for her career and 95.7 for a single season in 2003-04.
"I'm anxious to start a new phase in my career and go on to the next level. I'm particularly excited about San Antonio because (former Lady Vol) Shyra (Ely) will be there," Zolman said.
"Playing under Pat Summitt and all of our assistant coaches has made me a better player. All Lady Vols are greatly coached. ... I am eagerly anticipating going and starting this new part of my life, and I hope to be an impact player right off the bat."
Fluker, a center, was selected by the Charlotte Sting as the 10th pick overall, becoming the 11th Lady Vol to be chosen in the first round.
The San Antonio Silver Stars made Zolman, a guard, the second pick of the second round, 16th overall.
Since the WNBA began play in 1997, 22 Lady Vols have played in the league.
LSU's Seimone Augustus was the first pick overall by the Minnesota Lynx at the draft held in Boston, a day after the women's college national championship game.
"I am totally excited to play for Muggsy (Bogues) at Charlotte. I appreciate the Sting organization thinking that I'm the best post player in my senior class," Fluker said in a statement.
"It is bittersweet that this time in my life has come, but I think it's time to move on. I am so thankful to coach (Pat) Summitt and the University of Tennessee for allowing me the opportunity to play, grow, learn and mature over the past four years."
The Lady Vols ended their season with a loss to North Carolina in the regional final.
Fluker and Zolman went to three Final Fours and won two Southeastern Conference tournament titles.
Zolman leaves Tennessee as the school's best 3-point shooter with records for single-game (7), single-season (103) and career (266).
She also holds the NCAA records in free throw percentage at 91.6 for her career and 95.7 for a single season in 2003-04.
"I'm anxious to start a new phase in my career and go on to the next level. I'm particularly excited about San Antonio because (former Lady Vol) Shyra (Ely) will be there," Zolman said.
"Playing under Pat Summitt and all of our assistant coaches has made me a better player. All Lady Vols are greatly coached. ... I am eagerly anticipating going and starting this new part of my life, and I hope to be an impact player right off the bat."
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Zolman looks to make most of her shot at WNBA career
BOSTON -- From rural baskets that baby-sat burgeoning stars like Larry Bird and Steve Alford, to city rims that watched over Oscar Robertson and Glenn Robinson, basketball has long reigned supreme in Indiana.
It's a place where kids really do fire off jump shots at baskets moored on barns until long past dusk on dusty dirt courts, and a place where whole towns still shut down on weekend nights to fill gyms like the one used in "Hoosiers" as the home of the fictional Hickory High School.
Shanna Zolman, a sweet-shooting guard from tiny Syracuse, Ind. (a Hickory-esque town with just more than 3,000 residents), lived the myth, earning Miss Basketball honors in high school before moving on to an illustrious career at the University of Tennessee. Unquestionably, she fits snugly into the stereotype of Hoosiers bred from birth to shoot the ball.
In fact, as Zolman embarks on her professional career after the San Antonio Silver Stars made her the second pick of the second round (16th overall selection) in Wednesday's draft, she fits all of the familiar assumptions a little too well for her own liking.
"The thing that shooters are associated with -- and I remember J.J. Redick saying this as well -- shooters are known for shooting the ball and only shooting the ball," Zolman said after Monday's WNBA predraft camp at Emmanuel College in Boston. "So you don't ever get credit for passing, you don't ever get credit for defensive work at all. It's more like we're out there to shoot the ball and that's it. As much as that is the biggest part of my game, that's not even what I work and concentrate the most on."
Zolman spoke at the end of a grueling day for WNBA hopefuls, as coaches and general managers looked on while players, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and not finishing until nearly 10 p.m., went through a variety of drills and scrimmages. For Zolman, it was a final opportunity to show that's she more than a walking, talking jump shot and is capable of playing a significant role at the next level.
It's something she has been working on since her first days in Knoxville and will have to continue working on as she heads to a team already loaded with guards such as Shannon Johnson, Marie Ferdinand and Dalma Ivanyi.
"Both defense and just ability to play off the dribble better," Zolman said of the areas where her game progressed the most at Tennessee. "Coming in, I was solely a spot-up shooter, and I've just constantly been working on different things on the floor -- trying to create my own shot, trying to create for others and go off the dribble more, as opposed to just solely spotting up from outside."
Of course, had it not been for starting point guard Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood's midseason transfer and a subsequent injury to replacement Alexis Hornbuckle, all of that work might have gone largely unnoticed. But asked to play point guard during the heat of SEC play, Zolman made the most of her opportunity. After a rocky start in a game against Georgia, she provided a steady hand and leadership as the depleted Lady Vols surprised many by winning the SEC tournament.
"I think it helped tremendously, simply because you never would have been able to see the ball-handling skills and leadership skills displayed on that level, if I hadn't been forced into the point guard position," Zolman said of her position switch. "Being a two-guard, you're looking at creating shots for yourself, and also for others. But being at the point guard position, it opens your eyes to see the floor a lot better and pass a lot better. It's getting your team into the offense, leading, and knowing where the ball needs to go in game situations."
Nobody, including Zolman herself, expects she'll earn a living at the next level as a full-time point guard, but she sounded slightly defiant talking about what the experience this season meant to her.
"I think that has helped tremendously," she said. "Whether or not they see that, I feel like I've become more of a complete player."
Of course, there is that jumper that caught everyone's attention in the first place.
Zolman hit a Tennessee career-record 269 3-pointers during her four years in Knoxville, including a school single-season record 103 on 43 percent shooting from behind the arc as a senior. All of the shots were the product of a shooting stroke that could turn her college highlights into an instructional video. And as much credit as Pat Summitt deserves for Zolman's maturation on the court, she came with one skill already well developed.
"My dad," Zolman said, her eyes lighting up, as she talked about the person most responsible for her stroke. "He's always been a coach, and he's always been the one that has helped me out the most, as far as being in the gym. Helping me with the fundamentals of it, and all aspects of the game, but especially my shot.
"And he's never forced me, never forced me to get in the gym and work, never forced me to do anything I didn't want to do. But he was always there to help, always there to rebound. He was always there to help improve my shot. He's definitely someone who is solely responsible for the foundation of my shot."
It's a foundation that has Zolman on the verge of a pro career that she has dreamed about for a decade, something no previous group of women's players has ever been able to say. As the WNBA enters its 10th season, players like Zolman are proof that the league is having an impact on young players.
"I follow the opportunity, I guess, if that makes sense," she said about the league that launched when she was just 12 years old. "I don't necessarily watch it a lot, but ever since probably late middle school years, I started thinking about that, because it's an opportunity women have to play professionally beyond your collegiate years and not have to go overseas to do it.
"A lot of us, we have a lot of talent, and being able to get paid for something, like the men are able to do, that you love to do, it's a complete blessing."
Critics will say Zolman is a step too slow on defense, or a shooting guard in a point guard's body at the WNBA level. She's heard it all before, just like so many great shooters before her.
All that matters to her now, after all those hours in the gym with her dad and all those years learning from Summitt, is that someone is giving her a shot.
And nobody knocks down a shot quite like Shanna Zolman.
It's a place where kids really do fire off jump shots at baskets moored on barns until long past dusk on dusty dirt courts, and a place where whole towns still shut down on weekend nights to fill gyms like the one used in "Hoosiers" as the home of the fictional Hickory High School.
Shanna Zolman, a sweet-shooting guard from tiny Syracuse, Ind. (a Hickory-esque town with just more than 3,000 residents), lived the myth, earning Miss Basketball honors in high school before moving on to an illustrious career at the University of Tennessee. Unquestionably, she fits snugly into the stereotype of Hoosiers bred from birth to shoot the ball.
In fact, as Zolman embarks on her professional career after the San Antonio Silver Stars made her the second pick of the second round (16th overall selection) in Wednesday's draft, she fits all of the familiar assumptions a little too well for her own liking.
"The thing that shooters are associated with -- and I remember J.J. Redick saying this as well -- shooters are known for shooting the ball and only shooting the ball," Zolman said after Monday's WNBA predraft camp at Emmanuel College in Boston. "So you don't ever get credit for passing, you don't ever get credit for defensive work at all. It's more like we're out there to shoot the ball and that's it. As much as that is the biggest part of my game, that's not even what I work and concentrate the most on."
Zolman spoke at the end of a grueling day for WNBA hopefuls, as coaches and general managers looked on while players, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and not finishing until nearly 10 p.m., went through a variety of drills and scrimmages. For Zolman, it was a final opportunity to show that's she more than a walking, talking jump shot and is capable of playing a significant role at the next level.
It's something she has been working on since her first days in Knoxville and will have to continue working on as she heads to a team already loaded with guards such as Shannon Johnson, Marie Ferdinand and Dalma Ivanyi.
"Both defense and just ability to play off the dribble better," Zolman said of the areas where her game progressed the most at Tennessee. "Coming in, I was solely a spot-up shooter, and I've just constantly been working on different things on the floor -- trying to create my own shot, trying to create for others and go off the dribble more, as opposed to just solely spotting up from outside."
Of course, had it not been for starting point guard Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood's midseason transfer and a subsequent injury to replacement Alexis Hornbuckle, all of that work might have gone largely unnoticed. But asked to play point guard during the heat of SEC play, Zolman made the most of her opportunity. After a rocky start in a game against Georgia, she provided a steady hand and leadership as the depleted Lady Vols surprised many by winning the SEC tournament.
"I think it helped tremendously, simply because you never would have been able to see the ball-handling skills and leadership skills displayed on that level, if I hadn't been forced into the point guard position," Zolman said of her position switch. "Being a two-guard, you're looking at creating shots for yourself, and also for others. But being at the point guard position, it opens your eyes to see the floor a lot better and pass a lot better. It's getting your team into the offense, leading, and knowing where the ball needs to go in game situations."
Nobody, including Zolman herself, expects she'll earn a living at the next level as a full-time point guard, but she sounded slightly defiant talking about what the experience this season meant to her.
"I think that has helped tremendously," she said. "Whether or not they see that, I feel like I've become more of a complete player."
Of course, there is that jumper that caught everyone's attention in the first place.
Zolman hit a Tennessee career-record 269 3-pointers during her four years in Knoxville, including a school single-season record 103 on 43 percent shooting from behind the arc as a senior. All of the shots were the product of a shooting stroke that could turn her college highlights into an instructional video. And as much credit as Pat Summitt deserves for Zolman's maturation on the court, she came with one skill already well developed.
"My dad," Zolman said, her eyes lighting up, as she talked about the person most responsible for her stroke. "He's always been a coach, and he's always been the one that has helped me out the most, as far as being in the gym. Helping me with the fundamentals of it, and all aspects of the game, but especially my shot.
"And he's never forced me, never forced me to get in the gym and work, never forced me to do anything I didn't want to do. But he was always there to help, always there to rebound. He was always there to help improve my shot. He's definitely someone who is solely responsible for the foundation of my shot."
It's a foundation that has Zolman on the verge of a pro career that she has dreamed about for a decade, something no previous group of women's players has ever been able to say. As the WNBA enters its 10th season, players like Zolman are proof that the league is having an impact on young players.
"I follow the opportunity, I guess, if that makes sense," she said about the league that launched when she was just 12 years old. "I don't necessarily watch it a lot, but ever since probably late middle school years, I started thinking about that, because it's an opportunity women have to play professionally beyond your collegiate years and not have to go overseas to do it.
"A lot of us, we have a lot of talent, and being able to get paid for something, like the men are able to do, that you love to do, it's a complete blessing."
Critics will say Zolman is a step too slow on defense, or a shooting guard in a point guard's body at the WNBA level. She's heard it all before, just like so many great shooters before her.
All that matters to her now, after all those hours in the gym with her dad and all those years learning from Summitt, is that someone is giving her a shot.
And nobody knocks down a shot quite like Shanna Zolman.
Alumnus gives $5 million for practice facility
KNOXVILLE — The basketball practice facility at Tennessee that both Bruce Pearl and Pat Summitt have been pushing for is about to become a reality.
A recent $5 million commitment from alumnus Larry F. Pratt means that Tennessee officials anticipate the project being fully funded by the time ground is broken in August.
Tennessee Athletics Director Mike Hamilton has said the project will cost around $15 million.
Pending formal approval by the UT Board of Trustees in June, the new building will be called "Pratt Basketball Practice Pavilion."
Pratt Pavilion will house two full-size gymnasiums, one for each of the men's and women's teams, as well as space for an athletic training room, a weight room and film study room.
Pratt, an Athens native, graduated in 1972 from UT in the college of business. He now lives in McLean, Va., and serves as president and CEO of First Savings Mortgage Corp., the largest private mortgage banker in Washington D.C.
"I have a longtime appreciation for the standard of excellence Pat Summitt has established for Tennessee, and I have confidence that Bruce Pearl is the right coach to lead the men's program to the same level," Pratt said. "We've got to make sure that they have all the tools they need to recruit the best possible student-athletes and develop their skills to a championship level."
Hamilton and other UT officials have visited practice facilities around the country, including those at Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, during the design and planning stages of Pratt Pavilion.
"Larry has been a great friend to Tennessee, and we are grateful that he is stepping forward at an important time to make this facility a reality," Hamilton said. "Pratt Pavilion will make a difference in player development and recruiting as well as give us the opportunity to have more concerts and special events in Thompson-Boling Arena."
A recent $5 million commitment from alumnus Larry F. Pratt means that Tennessee officials anticipate the project being fully funded by the time ground is broken in August.
Tennessee Athletics Director Mike Hamilton has said the project will cost around $15 million.
Pending formal approval by the UT Board of Trustees in June, the new building will be called "Pratt Basketball Practice Pavilion."
Pratt Pavilion will house two full-size gymnasiums, one for each of the men's and women's teams, as well as space for an athletic training room, a weight room and film study room.
Pratt, an Athens native, graduated in 1972 from UT in the college of business. He now lives in McLean, Va., and serves as president and CEO of First Savings Mortgage Corp., the largest private mortgage banker in Washington D.C.
"I have a longtime appreciation for the standard of excellence Pat Summitt has established for Tennessee, and I have confidence that Bruce Pearl is the right coach to lead the men's program to the same level," Pratt said. "We've got to make sure that they have all the tools they need to recruit the best possible student-athletes and develop their skills to a championship level."
Hamilton and other UT officials have visited practice facilities around the country, including those at Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, during the design and planning stages of Pratt Pavilion.
"Larry has been a great friend to Tennessee, and we are grateful that he is stepping forward at an important time to make this facility a reality," Hamilton said. "Pratt Pavilion will make a difference in player development and recruiting as well as give us the opportunity to have more concerts and special events in Thompson-Boling Arena."
Sunday, April 02, 2006
UT's Parker named to Kodak team
Candace Parker joined Tennessee's wall of fame Saturday, becoming the 19th Lady Vol to be named to the Kodak All-America team.
Tennessee's redshirt freshman forward already had an appreciation for the honor. It's been a part of her daily routine during women's basketball season.
"Every time I walk into our locker room at the arena, I pass by all of the Kodak All-America posters - players like Holly Warlick, Cindy Brogdon, Bridgette Gordon and the Three Meeks,'' Parker said. "It will be a tremendous honor for me to join such a prestigious group of Lady Vols."
Parker's joined two of the Meeks, Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings, in making the 10-player team as a freshman. The only other rookie honoree this season was Oklahoma center Courtney Paris.
"I think any time a freshman makes the Kodak team, it's very significant,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said. "With all the great players out there, many of them are upperclassmen.
"If you're a freshman and you make it, it doesn't happen that often.''
In a prepared statement, Summitt said that Parker, "has demonstrated this entire season that she may be the best player in the women's collegiate game."
The honor was part of big weekend in Boston for the 6-foot-5 Parker. She was added to the USA senior national team roster and began practicing with the team in preparation for the Opals World Challenge, April 7-12 in Australia.
Tennessee's redshirt freshman forward already had an appreciation for the honor. It's been a part of her daily routine during women's basketball season.
"Every time I walk into our locker room at the arena, I pass by all of the Kodak All-America posters - players like Holly Warlick, Cindy Brogdon, Bridgette Gordon and the Three Meeks,'' Parker said. "It will be a tremendous honor for me to join such a prestigious group of Lady Vols."
Parker's joined two of the Meeks, Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings, in making the 10-player team as a freshman. The only other rookie honoree this season was Oklahoma center Courtney Paris.
"I think any time a freshman makes the Kodak team, it's very significant,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said. "With all the great players out there, many of them are upperclassmen.
"If you're a freshman and you make it, it doesn't happen that often.''
In a prepared statement, Summitt said that Parker, "has demonstrated this entire season that she may be the best player in the women's collegiate game."
The honor was part of big weekend in Boston for the 6-foot-5 Parker. She was added to the USA senior national team roster and began practicing with the team in preparation for the Opals World Challenge, April 7-12 in Australia.
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