As Tennessee begins a new era in women's basketball, perhaps it's only fitting that a freshman is leading the way.
The emergence of freshman forward Bashaara Graves has helped the 16th-ranked Lady Vols win five consecutive games in Holly Warlick's debut season as coach. Graves headed into the weekend as the Southeastern Conference's third-leading scorer (15.8) and sixth-leading rebounder (7.8). No other freshman ranked among the conference's top 18 scorers or top 14 rebounders.
Graves' rapid rise hasn't surprised anyone at Tennessee.
Her coaches and teammates knew all along she'd be a major factor. Even Graves herself believed she could contribute right away. She remembered what Warlick told each of the freshmen before the season.
''She basically told us that we don't have time to be freshmen, which is understandable because we're a younger team,'' Graves said. ''Being freshmen, we don't have that option. We had to come in and make an impact immediately.''
Tennessee (5-1) needs Graves to continue making an impact as it enters the toughest portion of its schedule. The Lady Vols host No. 22 North Carolina (7-0) on Sunday in the first of four consecutive games against currently ranked teams. After taking two weeks off, Tennessee travels to No. 13 Texas on Dec. 16 and No. 3 Baylor on Dec. 18 before hosting top-ranked Stanford on Dec. 22.
The 6-foot-2 freshman seems ready for the challenge.
Graves had just finished the second game of her career - an 18-point, 12-rebound performance in a 71-54 victory at Georgia Tech - when sophomore forward Cierra Burdick referred to her as a ''beast.'' Junior guard Meighan Simmons calls Graves a ''silent assassin'' because the freshman doesn't talk much but delivers big performances. Simmons also says Graves is ''like another Glory,'' which may be the greatest compliment of all.
Glory Johnson closed her Tennessee career last season with 1,218 career rebounds, the second-highest total in school history. She averaged 14.2 points and 9.9 rebounds as the SEC defensive player of the year in her senior year. Johnson went to the Tulsa Shock with the fourth overall pick in the most recent WNBA draft. By comparing Graves to Johnson, Simmons is letting the freshman understand her extraordinary potential.
''It just reminds (her), 'You can be an All-American just like Glory Johnson was,' '' Simmons said.
That's quite a responsibility to place on a newcomer, but the Lady Vols believe Graves has the personality and the game to handle it.
Graves certainly has backed up her teammates' faith in her so far. She recorded her second double-double Wednesday by collecting 15 points and 12 rebounds in an 88-81 overtime triumph over Middle Tennessee.
''Bashaara is a workhorse,'' Warlick said. ''She's old-school. She works hard she works on every possession. She competes. She's not the tallest. She's not the fastest. She just gets it done.''
That's apparent from Graves' consistency.
Graves isn't the typical newcomer who offers glimpses of potential while also making freshman mistakes. Graves instead has the steady approach of a senior. She has scored in double figures in every game and hasn't wilted under pressure.
''She's just one of those girls who doesn't speak as much, but she does put her best foot forward and gives 100 percent every day, whether it be a workout with (associate strength coach) Heather (Mason), in the classroom, on the floor or off the floor,'' Simmons said.
Graves adopted that work ethic long before she arrived in Knoxville.
The former Clarksville (Tenn.) High star developed into one of the nation's top five recruits in her class by constantly working to get better. She adopted a well-rounded game by focusing on rebounding and passing as much as scoring. Early in her high school career, Graves even began eating and opening doors with her left hand in an attempt to feel equally comfortable with both hands each time she stepped on the court.
''She's just one of those kids who's always looking for ways to better herself,'' Clarksville coach Brian Rush said. ''She has such a competitive nature on the court. She always wants to win in the worst way.''
She also wants to represent her home-state team in the best way possible. During the Lady Vols' 2008 national championship season, Graves watched just about every game that was televised. She remained committed to Tennessee even after former coach Pat Summitt announced last year she had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
''I always wanted to be a Lady Vol,'' Graves said. ''Even if Pat wasn't here, you're still a Lady Vol. You still carry on her tradition. It makes it even better because I committed under her, so I continue the tradition with her. Holly's a great coach and I (am playing for) Holly, but I'm still carrying on the tradition.
''I'm still part of the legacy.''
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
Marquette to Host `We Back Pat' Night on Dec. 15
Join the Marquette women's basketball team and legendary coach Pat Summitt on Saturday, Dec. 15 when the Golden Eagles host Toledo at 7 p.m. for `We Back Pat' night in support of the Pat Summitt Foundation.
Marquette will begin selling `We Back Pat' t-shirts at the Fordham game on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. The price of a t-shirt is $15, which includes a general admission ticket to `We Back Pat' night on Dec. 15.
The Golden Eagles will be selling wristbands and giving out information about Alzheimer's and early onset dementia at the Toledo game. All proceeds will go to the Pat Summitt Foundation.
MU's assistant coach, Tyler Summitt, will be speaking at halftime and be joined by his mother, Pat Summitt, who will be in attendance.
For more information on the Pat Summitt foundation visit www.patsummitt.org
Marquette will begin selling `We Back Pat' t-shirts at the Fordham game on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. The price of a t-shirt is $15, which includes a general admission ticket to `We Back Pat' night on Dec. 15.
The Golden Eagles will be selling wristbands and giving out information about Alzheimer's and early onset dementia at the Toledo game. All proceeds will go to the Pat Summitt Foundation.
MU's assistant coach, Tyler Summitt, will be speaking at halftime and be joined by his mother, Pat Summitt, who will be in attendance.
For more information on the Pat Summitt foundation visit www.patsummitt.org
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
No. 16 Tennessee outlasts Middle Tenn. 88-81 in OT
Bashaara Graves recorded a double-double and reserve guard Kamiko Williams made several huge plays down the stretch Wednesday night as No. 16 Tennessee erased an 11-point, second-half deficit in an 88-81 overtime victory over Middle Tennessee.
Middle Tennessee (4-2) had forced overtime on Icelyn Elie's 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left in regulation. Elie led all scorers with 21 points.
The Blue Raiders were seeking their first victory over the Lady Vols in 20 attempts and had lost 82-43 to Tennessee last year, but their poor history in this rivalry certainly didn't bother them for most of the game.
After trailing all night, Tennessee finally took its first lead at 64-63 when Williams got a steal and made a 10-footer with 4:26 left. Williams added a 3-pointer in the final minute of regulation and made a steal and drew a charge in overtime.
Once the Blue Raiders tied the game at the end of regulation, Tennessee used its depth to wear down a Middle Tennessee team that barely substituted all night and was playing its third overtime game of the season. Middle Tennessee's Elie, Ebony Rowe and Korni Jones each played all 45 minutes. Starting point guard Shanice Cason also had played the entire game before fouling out in overtime.
Meghan Simmons scored 19 points for Tennessee (5-1). Graves collected 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Ariel Massengale also scored 15 points.
Rowe recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds for Middle Tennessee. Laken Leonard added 17 points while shooting 5-of-8 from 3-point range, and Cason tallied 13 points.
The contest was Middle Tennessee's fourth in a five-game road trip that will require the Blue Raiders to travel 5,000 miles. Middle Tennessee had lost 69-63 at Iowa in overtime and had beaten Tennessee Tech 65-59 in overtime and Louisiana-Lafayette 72-45 in the three games leading up to this one. The Blue Raiders next play Saturday at South Dakota State.
Tennessee will carry a five-game winning streak into the toughest portion of its schedule. The Lady Vols host No. 22 North Carolina on Sunday, then take two weeks off before playing at No. 13 Texas on Dec. 16 and at No. 3 Baylor on Dec. 18. Tennessee returns home to face No. 1 Stanford on Dec. 22.
Middle Tennessee (4-2) had forced overtime on Icelyn Elie's 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left in regulation. Elie led all scorers with 21 points.
The Blue Raiders were seeking their first victory over the Lady Vols in 20 attempts and had lost 82-43 to Tennessee last year, but their poor history in this rivalry certainly didn't bother them for most of the game.
After trailing all night, Tennessee finally took its first lead at 64-63 when Williams got a steal and made a 10-footer with 4:26 left. Williams added a 3-pointer in the final minute of regulation and made a steal and drew a charge in overtime.
Once the Blue Raiders tied the game at the end of regulation, Tennessee used its depth to wear down a Middle Tennessee team that barely substituted all night and was playing its third overtime game of the season. Middle Tennessee's Elie, Ebony Rowe and Korni Jones each played all 45 minutes. Starting point guard Shanice Cason also had played the entire game before fouling out in overtime.
Meghan Simmons scored 19 points for Tennessee (5-1). Graves collected 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Ariel Massengale also scored 15 points.
Rowe recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds for Middle Tennessee. Laken Leonard added 17 points while shooting 5-of-8 from 3-point range, and Cason tallied 13 points.
The contest was Middle Tennessee's fourth in a five-game road trip that will require the Blue Raiders to travel 5,000 miles. Middle Tennessee had lost 69-63 at Iowa in overtime and had beaten Tennessee Tech 65-59 in overtime and Louisiana-Lafayette 72-45 in the three games leading up to this one. The Blue Raiders next play Saturday at South Dakota State.
Tennessee will carry a five-game winning streak into the toughest portion of its schedule. The Lady Vols host No. 22 North Carolina on Sunday, then take two weeks off before playing at No. 13 Texas on Dec. 16 and at No. 3 Baylor on Dec. 18. Tennessee returns home to face No. 1 Stanford on Dec. 22.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
No. 20 Tennessee trounces Alcorn State 90-37
Meighan Simmons scored 12 points and five of her teammates also reached double figures Sunday as No. 20 Tennessee defeated Alcorn State 90-37 in Lady Braves coach Tonya Edwards' return to her alma mater.
Edwards played on Tennessee's first two national championship teams in 1987 and 1989. She was named the most outstanding player of the 1987 Final Four. The Alcorn State coach received a loud ovation from the Thompson-Boling Arena crowd during pregame introductions.
Tennessee has won four straight games since opening the season with an 80-71 loss at Chattanooga in Warlick's head coaching debut.
Bashaara Graves, Isabelle Harrison, Jasmine Jones, Nia Moore and Taber Spani scored 10 points each for Tennessee (4-1). Tierro Frost scored a team-high nine points for Alcorn State (0-4).
Tennessee never trailed and put the game out of reach by going on a 17-0 run that started in the final minute of the first half and lasted through the first four minutes of the second half.
The Lady Volunteers showed they still have plenty of room for improvement as they get ready to host Middle Tennessee on Wednesday and No. 25 North Carolina next Sunday.
Tennessee committed 19 turnovers and only outrebounded the winless Lady Braves 38-35 after heading into the game with a plus-9 rebound margin.
But the Lady Volunteers also shot 55.7 percent, including 61.8 percent in the second half. The performances of Spani and Jones provide particular reason for optimism.
Spani, one of two seniors on the Lady Volunteers' roster, entered the season with 57 career starts to rank second on the team. But she fell out of the starting lineup after struggling against Chattanooga and had averaged just 4.8 points and 19.5 minutes through the Lady Volunteers' first four games.
She showed signs of turning the corner last week by shooting 3-of-5 and scoring nine points in a 79-67 victory at Miami. Spani continued her progress Sunday by shooting 4-of-5 and scoring 10 points, even though she didn't take a single shot in the second half. She reached double figures for the first time since a 14-point performance in an 85-64 rout of UCLA on Dec. 17.
Spani made 15 starts for the Lady Vols last season and averaged 12.2 points through her first nine games that year before a knee injury limited her effectiveness the rest of the way.
Jones, a promising 6-foot-2 freshman forward, bounced back in a big way Sunday after picking up four fouls in only three scoreless minutes against Miami. Jones reached double figures for the first time in her young career and also pulled down seven rebounds.
Edwards played on Tennessee's first two national championship teams in 1987 and 1989. She was named the most outstanding player of the 1987 Final Four. The Alcorn State coach received a loud ovation from the Thompson-Boling Arena crowd during pregame introductions.
Tennessee has won four straight games since opening the season with an 80-71 loss at Chattanooga in Warlick's head coaching debut.
Bashaara Graves, Isabelle Harrison, Jasmine Jones, Nia Moore and Taber Spani scored 10 points each for Tennessee (4-1). Tierro Frost scored a team-high nine points for Alcorn State (0-4).
Tennessee never trailed and put the game out of reach by going on a 17-0 run that started in the final minute of the first half and lasted through the first four minutes of the second half.
The Lady Volunteers showed they still have plenty of room for improvement as they get ready to host Middle Tennessee on Wednesday and No. 25 North Carolina next Sunday.
Tennessee committed 19 turnovers and only outrebounded the winless Lady Braves 38-35 after heading into the game with a plus-9 rebound margin.
But the Lady Volunteers also shot 55.7 percent, including 61.8 percent in the second half. The performances of Spani and Jones provide particular reason for optimism.
Spani, one of two seniors on the Lady Volunteers' roster, entered the season with 57 career starts to rank second on the team. But she fell out of the starting lineup after struggling against Chattanooga and had averaged just 4.8 points and 19.5 minutes through the Lady Volunteers' first four games.
She showed signs of turning the corner last week by shooting 3-of-5 and scoring nine points in a 79-67 victory at Miami. Spani continued her progress Sunday by shooting 4-of-5 and scoring 10 points, even though she didn't take a single shot in the second half. She reached double figures for the first time since a 14-point performance in an 85-64 rout of UCLA on Dec. 17.
Spani made 15 starts for the Lady Vols last season and averaged 12.2 points through her first nine games that year before a knee injury limited her effectiveness the rest of the way.
Jones, a promising 6-foot-2 freshman forward, bounced back in a big way Sunday after picking up four fouls in only three scoreless minutes against Miami. Jones reached double figures for the first time in her young career and also pulled down seven rebounds.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
No. 24 Tennessee 79, No. 23 Miami 67
One basket into the second half, Tennessee had a stunning 27-point lead over Miami.
The Lady Vols nearly wasted it all before snapping the Hurricanes' 41-game home winning streak.
Bashaara Graves scored 20 points, Andraya Carter added 16 and No. 24 Tennessee held on to top No. 23 Miami 79-67 on Sunday, becoming the first road team to win on the Hurricanes' home floor since Feb. 21, 2010.
''We didn't want to lose the lead the way we did, but we finished with a 'W,''' said Tennessee's Cierra Burdick, who had 10 rebounds. ''And that's what matters. This was a big-time win against a big-time opponent, on the road, so I'm nothing but proud of my team.''
Ariel Massengale added 14 points and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line for the Lady Vols (3-1).
Tennessee shot 42 percent, compared with only 32 percent by the Hurricanes.
The Lady Vols nearly wasted it all before snapping the Hurricanes' 41-game home winning streak.
Bashaara Graves scored 20 points, Andraya Carter added 16 and No. 24 Tennessee held on to top No. 23 Miami 79-67 on Sunday, becoming the first road team to win on the Hurricanes' home floor since Feb. 21, 2010.
''We didn't want to lose the lead the way we did, but we finished with a 'W,''' said Tennessee's Cierra Burdick, who had 10 rebounds. ''And that's what matters. This was a big-time win against a big-time opponent, on the road, so I'm nothing but proud of my team.''
Ariel Massengale added 14 points and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line for the Lady Vols (3-1).
Tennessee shot 42 percent, compared with only 32 percent by the Hurricanes.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
All About Holly Warlick's first signing class
Holly Warlick's first signing class as the Lady Vols Head Coach has a very Pat Summitt-like feel to it.
Warlick's three players are rated the second best signing class in the nation for 2013, and the best in the SEC.
6-6 Mercedes Russell was a major acquisition for Warlick. Russell is the top ranked high school player in the country according to many recruiting services.
Here is more on the Lady Vols recruiting class from the University of Tennessee:
With Pat Summitt stepping away from the head coaching position last spring and her long-time assistant Holly Warlick taking the reins, the Lady Volunteer coaching staff has insisted that the standard and pursuit of excellence has not changed. Their reminder that the torch has carefully been passed can be seen repeatedly in the Twitter hash tag #StillTennessee.
Warlick and company have proven on the recruiting front that things are very much operating on the same level in Knoxville, as the Big Orange women pulled in their typically-impressive haul during the early signing period. The first-year skipper and her staff received National Letters of Intent from the No. 1, No. 8 and No. 42 players on the 2013 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - ESPNU 100. Blue Star Basketball has the same players rated No. 2, No. 4 and No. 53, while Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report tabs them No. 1, No. 5 and No. 16 for the highest cumulative scores yet.
Olson has Tennessee ranked with the No. 2 recruiting class in the land with that trio of signees, coming in behind only North Carolina with four top-20 signees. Kentucky, at No. 8, is the only other SEC school in Olson's top 10. Blue Star Basketball regards UT's class as the sixth-best for 2013.
Signing with the Lady Vols on Wednesday, as expected, was versatile 6-foot-6 post Mercedes Russell of Springfield, Ore. (Springfield H.S.). Russell is rated No. 1 by HoopGurlz/ESPNU and No. 2 by Blue Star Basketball, making her the highest-ranked signee by Tennessee since Candace Parker inked in 2004. She averaged 26 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks a game last season and is a two-time Oregon Class 5A Player of the Year.
"We had three signees," Warlick said. "Mercedes Russell, 6-6, a young lady from Springfield, Ore. Number one player in the country. She is just so versatile, plays inside, can handle the ball and is a huge sign for us."
The Lady Vols also picked up the No. 8 player by HoopGurlz/ESPNU, No. 4 by Blue Star and No. 5 by Olson in Jannah Tucker on Wednesday. A 6-0 guard from Randallstown, Md., and New Town High School, Tucker averaged 30 points per game as a junior and 26.2 as a sophomore. The class of 2013's fifth-ranked guard was the first player in this signing period to commit to UT in the Holly Warlick era.
"Jannah Tucker is out of Maryland," Warlick said. "Athletic combo guard, great knowledge, great skills and is a huge sign for us."
Tennessee's third signee is 5-11 guard Jordan Reynolds of Portland Ore./Central Catholic High School. Reynolds, whose paperwork was certified on Friday, is rated No. 42 by HoopGurlz/ESPNU, No. 53 by Blue Star and No. 16 by Olson. She was the Oregon Class 6A Player of the Year last season, averaging 18.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, five assists and 4.9 steals per contest. She is rated the No. 10 guard in the country by ESPNU and a four-star recruit by that organization.
"Jordan Reynolds - point guard out of Oregon," Warlick continued. "Quick, tall, fast. Sees the whole floor, knows the game. Another huge sign for us."
This class, which hasn't been assigned a final rank by HoopGurlz/ESPNU, comes on the heels of the No. 5 class in 2012 (No. 5 Bashaara Graves, No. 21 Andraya Carter, No. 39 Jasmine Jones, NR Jasmine Phillips, NR Nia Moore) and the No. 3 group in 2011 (No. 3 Cierra Burdick, No. 4 Ariel Massengale, No. 29 Isabelle Harrison).
"We had three big, big signees, and I'm excited about all of them," Warlick said. "They all bring so much to our program. We signed a post player, point guard and a 2-3 player. All three are athletic. All three can play the game, know the game and we're all thrilled about it."
MERCEDES RUSSELL
6-6 * Post
Springfield, Ore./Springfield H.S.
• Ranked No. 1 on 2013 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - ESPNU 100
• Rated as a five-star recruit on that list
• Rated No. 1 by Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
• Rated No. 2 by Blue Star Basketball
• Oregon Class 5A Player of the Year (2011, 2012)
• Averaged 26 points, 15 rebounds, six blocks and five assists per game as a junior
• Produced 24.5 points, 15.0 rebounds and five blocks per contest as a sophomore
• Led Springfield H.S. to back-to-back 5A state titles (2011, 2012)
• Won gold medal with USA Basketball in August at the 2012 FIBA Women's U17 World Championships, with former Lady Vol Jill Rankin Schneider as her head coach
• Also helped U16 squad to 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship, teaming with fellow Tennessee signee Jannah Tucker under the tutelage of coach Rankin Schneider
• Played AAU basketball with Jordan Reynolds on Team Concept
• Russell's heroine is former Lady Vol and current Los Angeles Sparks WNBA player Candace Parker
• Russell's size, skill and ball-handling ability have been compared to that of Parker
• She is the top-rated player to sign with Tennessee since Parker in 2004
• Committed to Tennessee on Oct. 30
JANNAH TUCKER
6-0 * Guard
Randallstown, Md./New Town H.S.
• Ranked No. 8 on 2013 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - ESPNU 100
• Rated as a five-star recruit on that list
• Fifth ranked guard in the nation's 2013 class
• Rated No. 4 by Blue Star Basketball
• Rated No. 5 by Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
• Baltimore Sun All-State First Team (2011) and All-Metro (2011).
• Averaged 30 points per game as a junior at New Town High School
• Set school single-game record with 39 points vs. Southside Academy (2010-11)
• Sophomore year numbers included 26.2 ppg., 12.0 rpg., 8.0 spg. and 6.1 apg.
• Played freshman season at Western High School, where she averaged 11.3 ppg., 4.7 rpg., and 2.5 apg. in helping her team to the 3A state title game
• Was first high school player to commit to UT during the Holly Warlick era
• Noted as a pure scorer and consistent shooter from three-point range
• Played up a year on 2012 U18 FIBA Americas U18 Championship Team, teaming with current Lady Vol Bashaara Graves to win a gold medal
• Also won a gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA Americas U16 Championships, teaming with fellow Lady Vol signee Mercedes Russell under USA head coach and former Lady Vol Jill Rankin Schneider
• Comes from a basketball family, including father Robert, who played collegiately at Richmond and Loyola College and sister Amirah, who played at Maryland-Baltimore County.
• Committed to Tennessee on June 18, 2012
JORDAN REYNOLDS
5-11 * Guard
Portland, Ore./Central Catholic H.S.
• Ranked No. 42 on 2013 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - ESPNU 100
• Rated as a four-star recruit on that list
• 10th-ranked guard in the nation's 2013 class
• Rated No. 16 by Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
• Rated No. 53 by Blue Star Basketball
• Oregon Class 6A Player of the Year as a junior (2012)
• Averaged 18.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, five assists and 4.9 steals per contest as a junior at Portland Central Catholic
• Reynolds averaged 21.5 points in the last 13 games for the Rams, leading them to the Class 6A semifinals last season
• Transferred to CCHS after playing previously at Jefferson High School
• Reynolds was an Oregon Class 5A All-State Second Team selection as a sophomore (2010)
• Played AAU basketball with Mercedes Russell on Team Concept
• Committed to Tennessee on Nov. 2, 2012
Warlick's three players are rated the second best signing class in the nation for 2013, and the best in the SEC.
6-6 Mercedes Russell was a major acquisition for Warlick. Russell is the top ranked high school player in the country according to many recruiting services.
Here is more on the Lady Vols recruiting class from the University of Tennessee:
With Pat Summitt stepping away from the head coaching position last spring and her long-time assistant Holly Warlick taking the reins, the Lady Volunteer coaching staff has insisted that the standard and pursuit of excellence has not changed. Their reminder that the torch has carefully been passed can be seen repeatedly in the Twitter hash tag #StillTennessee.
Warlick and company have proven on the recruiting front that things are very much operating on the same level in Knoxville, as the Big Orange women pulled in their typically-impressive haul during the early signing period. The first-year skipper and her staff received National Letters of Intent from the No. 1, No. 8 and No. 42 players on the 2013 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - ESPNU 100. Blue Star Basketball has the same players rated No. 2, No. 4 and No. 53, while Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report tabs them No. 1, No. 5 and No. 16 for the highest cumulative scores yet.
Olson has Tennessee ranked with the No. 2 recruiting class in the land with that trio of signees, coming in behind only North Carolina with four top-20 signees. Kentucky, at No. 8, is the only other SEC school in Olson's top 10. Blue Star Basketball regards UT's class as the sixth-best for 2013.
Signing with the Lady Vols on Wednesday, as expected, was versatile 6-foot-6 post Mercedes Russell of Springfield, Ore. (Springfield H.S.). Russell is rated No. 1 by HoopGurlz/ESPNU and No. 2 by Blue Star Basketball, making her the highest-ranked signee by Tennessee since Candace Parker inked in 2004. She averaged 26 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks a game last season and is a two-time Oregon Class 5A Player of the Year.
"We had three signees," Warlick said. "Mercedes Russell, 6-6, a young lady from Springfield, Ore. Number one player in the country. She is just so versatile, plays inside, can handle the ball and is a huge sign for us."
The Lady Vols also picked up the No. 8 player by HoopGurlz/ESPNU, No. 4 by Blue Star and No. 5 by Olson in Jannah Tucker on Wednesday. A 6-0 guard from Randallstown, Md., and New Town High School, Tucker averaged 30 points per game as a junior and 26.2 as a sophomore. The class of 2013's fifth-ranked guard was the first player in this signing period to commit to UT in the Holly Warlick era.
"Jannah Tucker is out of Maryland," Warlick said. "Athletic combo guard, great knowledge, great skills and is a huge sign for us."
Tennessee's third signee is 5-11 guard Jordan Reynolds of Portland Ore./Central Catholic High School. Reynolds, whose paperwork was certified on Friday, is rated No. 42 by HoopGurlz/ESPNU, No. 53 by Blue Star and No. 16 by Olson. She was the Oregon Class 6A Player of the Year last season, averaging 18.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, five assists and 4.9 steals per contest. She is rated the No. 10 guard in the country by ESPNU and a four-star recruit by that organization.
"Jordan Reynolds - point guard out of Oregon," Warlick continued. "Quick, tall, fast. Sees the whole floor, knows the game. Another huge sign for us."
This class, which hasn't been assigned a final rank by HoopGurlz/ESPNU, comes on the heels of the No. 5 class in 2012 (No. 5 Bashaara Graves, No. 21 Andraya Carter, No. 39 Jasmine Jones, NR Jasmine Phillips, NR Nia Moore) and the No. 3 group in 2011 (No. 3 Cierra Burdick, No. 4 Ariel Massengale, No. 29 Isabelle Harrison).
"We had three big, big signees, and I'm excited about all of them," Warlick said. "They all bring so much to our program. We signed a post player, point guard and a 2-3 player. All three are athletic. All three can play the game, know the game and we're all thrilled about it."
MERCEDES RUSSELL
6-6 * Post
Springfield, Ore./Springfield H.S.
• Ranked No. 1 on 2013 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - ESPNU 100
• Rated as a five-star recruit on that list
• Rated No. 1 by Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
• Rated No. 2 by Blue Star Basketball
• Oregon Class 5A Player of the Year (2011, 2012)
• Averaged 26 points, 15 rebounds, six blocks and five assists per game as a junior
• Produced 24.5 points, 15.0 rebounds and five blocks per contest as a sophomore
• Led Springfield H.S. to back-to-back 5A state titles (2011, 2012)
• Won gold medal with USA Basketball in August at the 2012 FIBA Women's U17 World Championships, with former Lady Vol Jill Rankin Schneider as her head coach
• Also helped U16 squad to 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship, teaming with fellow Tennessee signee Jannah Tucker under the tutelage of coach Rankin Schneider
• Played AAU basketball with Jordan Reynolds on Team Concept
• Russell's heroine is former Lady Vol and current Los Angeles Sparks WNBA player Candace Parker
• Russell's size, skill and ball-handling ability have been compared to that of Parker
• She is the top-rated player to sign with Tennessee since Parker in 2004
• Committed to Tennessee on Oct. 30
JANNAH TUCKER
6-0 * Guard
Randallstown, Md./New Town H.S.
• Ranked No. 8 on 2013 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - ESPNU 100
• Rated as a five-star recruit on that list
• Fifth ranked guard in the nation's 2013 class
• Rated No. 4 by Blue Star Basketball
• Rated No. 5 by Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
• Baltimore Sun All-State First Team (2011) and All-Metro (2011).
• Averaged 30 points per game as a junior at New Town High School
• Set school single-game record with 39 points vs. Southside Academy (2010-11)
• Sophomore year numbers included 26.2 ppg., 12.0 rpg., 8.0 spg. and 6.1 apg.
• Played freshman season at Western High School, where she averaged 11.3 ppg., 4.7 rpg., and 2.5 apg. in helping her team to the 3A state title game
• Was first high school player to commit to UT during the Holly Warlick era
• Noted as a pure scorer and consistent shooter from three-point range
• Played up a year on 2012 U18 FIBA Americas U18 Championship Team, teaming with current Lady Vol Bashaara Graves to win a gold medal
• Also won a gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA Americas U16 Championships, teaming with fellow Lady Vol signee Mercedes Russell under USA head coach and former Lady Vol Jill Rankin Schneider
• Comes from a basketball family, including father Robert, who played collegiately at Richmond and Loyola College and sister Amirah, who played at Maryland-Baltimore County.
• Committed to Tennessee on June 18, 2012
JORDAN REYNOLDS
5-11 * Guard
Portland, Ore./Central Catholic H.S.
• Ranked No. 42 on 2013 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - ESPNU 100
• Rated as a four-star recruit on that list
• 10th-ranked guard in the nation's 2013 class
• Rated No. 16 by Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
• Rated No. 53 by Blue Star Basketball
• Oregon Class 6A Player of the Year as a junior (2012)
• Averaged 18.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, five assists and 4.9 steals per contest as a junior at Portland Central Catholic
• Reynolds averaged 21.5 points in the last 13 games for the Rams, leading them to the Class 6A semifinals last season
• Transferred to CCHS after playing previously at Jefferson High School
• Reynolds was an Oregon Class 5A All-State Second Team selection as a sophomore (2010)
• Played AAU basketball with Mercedes Russell on Team Concept
• Committed to Tennessee on Nov. 2, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Chamique Holdsclaw Arrested
Former WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw has turned herself into police after an alleged domestic incident.
Holdsclaw, who played in the WNBA for 12 seasons after four years playing for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, got into a fight with ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lacy, who is also a WNBA player.
According to the incident report, Holdsclaw found Lacy working out at her Atlanta church around noon Tuesday. She asked Lacy for her keys so she could put something in the car.
When Lacy left the church, she reported smelling gasoline in her 2010 Range Rover. She said she noticed Holdsclaw following her and called a friend because she was scared.
When Lacy arrived at her friend’s house, she said Holdsclaw smashed her driver’s side and rear passenger windows with a baseball bat. She then stuck a pistol into the rear driver’s side window, shooting across the SUV at the other door, before speeding away.
Lacy was still in the driver’s seat when Holdsclaw fired the gun, but was not injured. Police recovered a spent 9 mm shell casing from the vehicle.
Holdsclaw is being charged with aggravated assault, reckless conduct and second-degree criminal damage to property. She was jailed in Fulton County, Georgia, on $10,000 bond.
Twenty-nine-year-old Jennifer Lacy, who currently plays for the Tulsa Shock, played for the Atlanta Dream with Holdsclaw in 2009.
The 35-year-old Holdsclaw helped the University of Tennessee win three consecutive national championships from 1996 to 1998. She is a six-time WNBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist. She initially retired in 2007 before returning to play for the Dream in 2009.
In her biography, Breaking Through: Beating The Odds Shot after Shot, Holdsclaw revealed her battle with depression while she was playing in the WNBA. She wrote that she attempted suicide while playing for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2006.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
No. 24 Lady Vols 101, Rice 48
Meighan Simmons scored 22 points to lead four Lady Vols in double figures Thursday night as No. 24 Tennessee trounced Rice 101-48 in the first home game of the post-Pat Summitt era.
Bashaara Graves added 18 points for Tennessee. Isabelle Harrison scored 16 points with 12 rebounds, and Kamiko Williams added 12 points.
Summitt, who led the Lady Vols to eight national titles in 38 seasons, stepped down in April after announcing last year she has early-onset dementia. She watched Thursday's game from a midcourt seat as the Lady Vols delivered the type of dominant performance they produced so often during her tenure.
Since getting stunned 80-71 at Chattanooga in Holly Warlick's head coaching debut, the Lady Vols (2-1) have had two straight one-sided victories. Tennessee followed up the Chattanooga game Sunday by winning 71-54 at Georgia Tech, which was ranked 22nd at the time.
Tennessee led 45-27 at halftime and ran away from Rice in the final 20 minutes. The Vols went on an 11-0 run early in the second half and reeled off 16 consecutive points later in the game. Simmons scored 15 points in the first eight minutes of the second half, and the Lady Vols shot 65.7 percent (23 of 35) after the intermission.
After shooting 9-of-14 to start the game, Rice went 9-of-43 the rest of the way. Rice was helpless once Tennessee turned up its defensive intensity.
Tennessee outscored Rice 32-0 on points off turnovers and 20-0 on fast-break points. The Lady Vols dished out 24 assists and committed only seven turnovers, while Rice had 22 turnovers and only four assists.
Bashaara Graves added 18 points for Tennessee. Isabelle Harrison scored 16 points with 12 rebounds, and Kamiko Williams added 12 points.
Summitt, who led the Lady Vols to eight national titles in 38 seasons, stepped down in April after announcing last year she has early-onset dementia. She watched Thursday's game from a midcourt seat as the Lady Vols delivered the type of dominant performance they produced so often during her tenure.
Since getting stunned 80-71 at Chattanooga in Holly Warlick's head coaching debut, the Lady Vols (2-1) have had two straight one-sided victories. Tennessee followed up the Chattanooga game Sunday by winning 71-54 at Georgia Tech, which was ranked 22nd at the time.
Tennessee led 45-27 at halftime and ran away from Rice in the final 20 minutes. The Vols went on an 11-0 run early in the second half and reeled off 16 consecutive points later in the game. Simmons scored 15 points in the first eight minutes of the second half, and the Lady Vols shot 65.7 percent (23 of 35) after the intermission.
After shooting 9-of-14 to start the game, Rice went 9-of-43 the rest of the way. Rice was helpless once Tennessee turned up its defensive intensity.
Tennessee outscored Rice 32-0 on points off turnovers and 20-0 on fast-break points. The Lady Vols dished out 24 assists and committed only seven turnovers, while Rice had 22 turnovers and only four assists.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Fans Petition NCAA for the Pat Summitt Championship Trophy
Megan Netland, a Lady Vols fan in Minneapolis, is petitioning the NCAA to name the Women's College Basketball Championship Trophy after Pat Summitt.
More than 1,000 people have already signed the petition, but a few thousand more signatures are needed. Please consider signing the petition today.
More than 1,000 people have already signed the petition, but a few thousand more signatures are needed. Please consider signing the petition today.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Tyler Summitt making his mark at Marquette
Tyler Summitt grew up with a basketball, celebrating championships, and meeting presidents.
As the son of the legendary Pat Summitt, Tyler grew up in front of thousands and thousands of orange-crazed fans.
If you could see the younger Summitt today, you'd see that he's all grown up.
"That's not loud enough! There's 4,000 people in those stands," Summitt barked out to his players during a practice, reinforcing the need for his team to communicate better.
Now 22 years old, Summitt is in his first college coaching job. He accepted a position at Marquette University in April.
It's a completely new life for Summitt, one he's still adjusting too.
"It's different not to have orange on," Summitt said.
The toughest part?
Summitt says, it's being so far away from the two women most important to him: his legendary mom and his fiance, whom he proposed to in September.
What's not so tough, Summitt says, is worrying about those who feel he landed a division one position because of the famous last name.
"It doesn't matter what I do in my career. I could be 70 years old and still coaching and people will say, 'Oh, he's just being successful because of his last name.' There's gonna be critics. My mom always told me to just have a thick skin. And if I'm confident it doesn't matter what the critics say."
Terri Mitchell is the head coach at Marquette. Tyler believes she had no intentions of hiring of him, that she simply called him as a courtesy to Pat Summitt.
But once Tyler was on the phone, landing the job was a slam dunk.
"He has said many things to me, but this one thing has stood out," Mitchell said.
"He said, 'there's only one environment I know. It's a championship environment and I will bring that to practice and to work and to games every single day.' He has absolutely delivered on that promise."
Mitchell has been the head coach at Marquette for 17 years. She knows the importance of surrounding herself with capable assistants. With Summitt, she recognized a unique quality.
"He may be young in years, but he is not young in his thought process," she continued. "He is not young in being a coach. His mom is the greatest living basketball coach ever, and he embraced that."
Leaving home is never easy. Now, imagine you're 21 years old and offered a job 640 miles away from home. A job ten hours from your mom. A mom that's battling a horrible disease. This was the decision facing Summitt. As it turns out, the young coach says it wasn't a difficult one to make.
"If my mom was struggling in her health and going downhill, I wouldn't have left. But she's not," Summitt said with a smile.
"Anybody that's seen her lately knows that she's fine. Nothing is getting worse. She has a great support circle in Knoxville. I felt comfortable going away."
And now at Marquette, Summitt is making his presence felt, and doing so with a coaching style that resembles his famous mom's. One filled with passion, intensity, and in constant pursuit of perfection.
"He's very demanding," Marquette freshman guard Brooklyn Pumroy said.
"He knows what it takes. He focuses on the little things."
And if you don't focus on the little things, then don't expect to find yourself on his court. Summitt will routinely snap "get off!" when a player doesn't show effort or focus during a drill.
"If you don't hold them accountable, nothing else matters," Summitt said.
"I'm not here to be their friend. I told them that. I said, 'there's 11,000 students at Marquette that can be your friend. I'm not your friend. I'm your coach.' I'm here to make them better."
And he's here making his first step.
Another women's basketball season has tipped off, and for a 39th straight year, a Summitt takes to the court.
As the son of the legendary Pat Summitt, Tyler grew up in front of thousands and thousands of orange-crazed fans.
If you could see the younger Summitt today, you'd see that he's all grown up.
"That's not loud enough! There's 4,000 people in those stands," Summitt barked out to his players during a practice, reinforcing the need for his team to communicate better.
Now 22 years old, Summitt is in his first college coaching job. He accepted a position at Marquette University in April.
It's a completely new life for Summitt, one he's still adjusting too.
"It's different not to have orange on," Summitt said.
The toughest part?
Summitt says, it's being so far away from the two women most important to him: his legendary mom and his fiance, whom he proposed to in September.
What's not so tough, Summitt says, is worrying about those who feel he landed a division one position because of the famous last name.
"It doesn't matter what I do in my career. I could be 70 years old and still coaching and people will say, 'Oh, he's just being successful because of his last name.' There's gonna be critics. My mom always told me to just have a thick skin. And if I'm confident it doesn't matter what the critics say."
Terri Mitchell is the head coach at Marquette. Tyler believes she had no intentions of hiring of him, that she simply called him as a courtesy to Pat Summitt.
But once Tyler was on the phone, landing the job was a slam dunk.
"He has said many things to me, but this one thing has stood out," Mitchell said.
"He said, 'there's only one environment I know. It's a championship environment and I will bring that to practice and to work and to games every single day.' He has absolutely delivered on that promise."
Mitchell has been the head coach at Marquette for 17 years. She knows the importance of surrounding herself with capable assistants. With Summitt, she recognized a unique quality.
"He may be young in years, but he is not young in his thought process," she continued. "He is not young in being a coach. His mom is the greatest living basketball coach ever, and he embraced that."
Leaving home is never easy. Now, imagine you're 21 years old and offered a job 640 miles away from home. A job ten hours from your mom. A mom that's battling a horrible disease. This was the decision facing Summitt. As it turns out, the young coach says it wasn't a difficult one to make.
"If my mom was struggling in her health and going downhill, I wouldn't have left. But she's not," Summitt said with a smile.
"Anybody that's seen her lately knows that she's fine. Nothing is getting worse. She has a great support circle in Knoxville. I felt comfortable going away."
And now at Marquette, Summitt is making his presence felt, and doing so with a coaching style that resembles his famous mom's. One filled with passion, intensity, and in constant pursuit of perfection.
"He's very demanding," Marquette freshman guard Brooklyn Pumroy said.
"He knows what it takes. He focuses on the little things."
And if you don't focus on the little things, then don't expect to find yourself on his court. Summitt will routinely snap "get off!" when a player doesn't show effort or focus during a drill.
"If you don't hold them accountable, nothing else matters," Summitt said.
"I'm not here to be their friend. I told them that. I said, 'there's 11,000 students at Marquette that can be your friend. I'm not your friend. I'm your coach.' I'm here to make them better."
And he's here making his first step.
Another women's basketball season has tipped off, and for a 39th straight year, a Summitt takes to the court.
Graves Named SEC Freshman of the Week
Freshman of the Week
Bashaara Graves • Tennessee
Forward/Center • Clarksville, Tenn.
• Through two games, Graves leads Tennessee in scoring (16.0) and rebounding (10.0), averaging a double-double.
• Getting her first career start on the road at Georgia Tech on Sunday, Graves helped UT topple the #22/20 Yellow Jackets, 71-54, as GT played its first-ever game in McCamish Pavilion.
• Became the 20th freshman in Lady Vol history to record a double-double, producing team-leading and career-high totals of 18 points and 12 rebounds (seven of them offensive) in 27 minutes as Tennessee improved to 1-1 on the season.
• Her early play was key to UT getting off to a good start, as she had totaled 14 points and eight boards in 16 first-half minutes, hitting seven of 12 shots from the field.
• Graves also added four steals and helped the Big Orange employ an effective 2-3 zone that led to a 45-30 halftime lead and 24-point second-half advantage over a program that went to the Sweet 16 last season.
• In her college debut, Graves came off the bench to finish with 14 points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes of play in the loss to Chattanooga on Friday night.
Bashaara Graves • Tennessee
Forward/Center • Clarksville, Tenn.
• Through two games, Graves leads Tennessee in scoring (16.0) and rebounding (10.0), averaging a double-double.
• Getting her first career start on the road at Georgia Tech on Sunday, Graves helped UT topple the #22/20 Yellow Jackets, 71-54, as GT played its first-ever game in McCamish Pavilion.
• Became the 20th freshman in Lady Vol history to record a double-double, producing team-leading and career-high totals of 18 points and 12 rebounds (seven of them offensive) in 27 minutes as Tennessee improved to 1-1 on the season.
• Her early play was key to UT getting off to a good start, as she had totaled 14 points and eight boards in 16 first-half minutes, hitting seven of 12 shots from the field.
• Graves also added four steals and helped the Big Orange employ an effective 2-3 zone that led to a 45-30 halftime lead and 24-point second-half advantage over a program that went to the Sweet 16 last season.
• In her college debut, Graves came off the bench to finish with 14 points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes of play in the loss to Chattanooga on Friday night.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
No. 20 Lady Vols defeat No. 22 Georgia Tech 71-54
Bashaara Graves scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds Sunday, and fellow Tennessee forward Cierra Burdick added 16 points as the No. 20 Lady Volunteers beat No. 22 Georgia Tech 71-54 to spoil the Yellow Jackets' debut in McCamish Pavilion.
The Yellow Jackets (0-1) trailed 45-30 at halftime before starting the second half with a 13-0 run. The Lady Vols (1-1) bettered that with an 18-0 knockout streak to even their record in their second game since legendary coach Pat Summitt stepped down.
Junior Tyaunna Marshall scored 18 and Dawnn Maye added 12 for Georgia Tech in its new on-campus arena.
The second game of the post-Summitt era went a lot better for Tennessee than the first.
Tennessee lost 80-71 Friday at Chattanooga after the Mocs broke a halftime tie with a 52-point second half in which they shot 56.3 percent. The Lady Vols had 26 turnovers and just six assists in that game.
Sunday, the Lady Vols had 17 of each, and it was the Yellow Jackets who were loose with the ball in their first game. Tech had 20 turnovers and just eight assists.
Summitt, who announced last year that she has early-onset dementia before stepping down in April, sat five rows behind the Tennessee bench at the game with Chattanooga, but was not at Georgia Tech.
Lady Vols coach Holly Warlick, who played for Summitt and then was an assistant for her for 27 seasons, said after the Chattanooga game that her inexperienced team did not yet appreciate the importance of playing earnest defense.
Without a starter back from the team that lost an NCAA regional final to eventual national champion Baylor last spring, Tennessee defended more passionately at Georgia Tech.
The Lady Vols also dominated the paint in the first half. They led 45-30 at intermission on the strength of 15 points by Burdick and 14 points and eight rebounds from Graves.
Georgia Tech starting power forward Danielle Hamilton-Carter and starting center Nariah Taylor, meanwhile, were each scoreless in the first half without attempting a shot.
The Yellow Jackets, however, rallied furiously at the start of the second half. Marshall got to the rim for seven points during their 13-0 run, and Maye's layup with 15:25 remaining pulled Georgia Tech within 45-43.
Then, the Lady Vols snapped back to life.
A jumper by Jasmine Jones ended Tennessee's scoreless streak a minute later and started an 18-0 run for the visitors.
When Georgia Tech coach MaChelle Joseph called for a timeout with 9 minutes left, the Lady Vols led 60-43 after Ariel Massengale's layup off of Tennessee's ninth steal of the game.
The Yellow Jackets to that point had seen Marshall, Maye and Wallace - two returning starters and a sophomore who become a starter late last season and then made 19 3-point shots in Tech's three NCAA tournament games - take 40 of their team's first 51 shots and score 38 of the first 43 points.
When Hamilton-Carter scored from point-blank range with 6:46 left in the game, that ended a scoreless streak of 8:38, but the Jackets trailed 63-45.
The Yellow Jackets (0-1) trailed 45-30 at halftime before starting the second half with a 13-0 run. The Lady Vols (1-1) bettered that with an 18-0 knockout streak to even their record in their second game since legendary coach Pat Summitt stepped down.
Junior Tyaunna Marshall scored 18 and Dawnn Maye added 12 for Georgia Tech in its new on-campus arena.
The second game of the post-Summitt era went a lot better for Tennessee than the first.
Tennessee lost 80-71 Friday at Chattanooga after the Mocs broke a halftime tie with a 52-point second half in which they shot 56.3 percent. The Lady Vols had 26 turnovers and just six assists in that game.
Sunday, the Lady Vols had 17 of each, and it was the Yellow Jackets who were loose with the ball in their first game. Tech had 20 turnovers and just eight assists.
Summitt, who announced last year that she has early-onset dementia before stepping down in April, sat five rows behind the Tennessee bench at the game with Chattanooga, but was not at Georgia Tech.
Lady Vols coach Holly Warlick, who played for Summitt and then was an assistant for her for 27 seasons, said after the Chattanooga game that her inexperienced team did not yet appreciate the importance of playing earnest defense.
Without a starter back from the team that lost an NCAA regional final to eventual national champion Baylor last spring, Tennessee defended more passionately at Georgia Tech.
The Lady Vols also dominated the paint in the first half. They led 45-30 at intermission on the strength of 15 points by Burdick and 14 points and eight rebounds from Graves.
Georgia Tech starting power forward Danielle Hamilton-Carter and starting center Nariah Taylor, meanwhile, were each scoreless in the first half without attempting a shot.
The Yellow Jackets, however, rallied furiously at the start of the second half. Marshall got to the rim for seven points during their 13-0 run, and Maye's layup with 15:25 remaining pulled Georgia Tech within 45-43.
Then, the Lady Vols snapped back to life.
A jumper by Jasmine Jones ended Tennessee's scoreless streak a minute later and started an 18-0 run for the visitors.
When Georgia Tech coach MaChelle Joseph called for a timeout with 9 minutes left, the Lady Vols led 60-43 after Ariel Massengale's layup off of Tennessee's ninth steal of the game.
The Yellow Jackets to that point had seen Marshall, Maye and Wallace - two returning starters and a sophomore who become a starter late last season and then made 19 3-point shots in Tech's three NCAA tournament games - take 40 of their team's first 51 shots and score 38 of the first 43 points.
When Hamilton-Carter scored from point-blank range with 6:46 left in the game, that ended a scoreless streak of 8:38, but the Jackets trailed 63-45.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Friday, November 09, 2012
Chattanooga 80, No. 20 Lady Vols 71
Tennessee's first game of the post-Pat Summitt era revealed in stunning fashion just how much has changed for one of the signature programs in women's college basketball.
Taylor Hall scored 24 points Friday as Chattanooga stunned No. 20 Tennessee 80-71 in the Lady Vols' first game under new coach Holly Warlick, who spent the last 27 seasons as an assistant on Summitt's staff. Chattanooga never trailed in the second half and beat a ranked opponent for the first time ever.
By the end of the game, a McKenzie Arena crowd of 8,468 that had seemed equally divided at the start of the night was gleefully chanting "UTC!" Several dozen fans stormed the court afterward to celebrate with the Lady Mocs.
Summitt, who announced last year she had early-onset dementia, stepped down in April after collecting 1,098 wins, eight national titles and 18 Final Four appearances in 38 seasons. She was succeeded by Warlick, a former three-time All-America guard for Tennessee who was the first athlete at the school to have her number retired.
Summitt remains on staff as head coach emeritus and attends most of Tennessee's practices. She watched Friday's game from the fifth row in a narrow section behind and to the right of Tennessee's bench. Summitt was approached for dozens of photographs and autographs by fans of both teams before the opening tip.
Warlick stood in front of the bench throughout the night with her arms folded or her hands on her hips.
The head coaching switch isn't the only change surrounding Tennessee this season. The Lady Vols don't return a single player who started an NCAA tournament game during their run to a regional final last season. Tennessee's roster includes four freshmen, four sophomores and only one junior and two seniors. Tennessee's No. 20 preseason ranking is its lowest position in the Top 25 since February 1985.
All those Tennessee underclassmen had plenty of jitters Friday.
Tennessee needed Ariel Massengale to sink a 25-footer at the buzzer just to force a 28-28 halftime tie with Chattanooga, a team that lost 90-47 to the Lady Vols last season. Chattanooga pulled ahead by making six of its first seven shots - including a trio of 3-pointers - in the second half. Chattanooga built on that lead by outhustling the Lady Vols.
In one sequence, Taylor Hall got a putback and drew a foul to give Chattanooga a 45-39 lead. Hall missed the ensuing free throw, but 5-foot-9 guard Kayla Christopher got the rebound and made a 3-pointer to extend the Lady Mocs' advantage to 48-39.
The Lady Vols turned the ball over five times in the first three minutes. They missed seven of their first eight shots. Tennessee settled down and went on a 16-2 run to take a nine-point lead late in the first half, but Chattanooga answered by reeling off 13 straight points to regain the lead. The Lady Mocs never let up in the second half.
Hall was the best player on the floor all night long. At one point in the first half, Hall was 4-of-4 from the floor while her teammates were a combined 1-of-15. Once Hall started getting more help from her teammates, Chattanooga took the lead and never looked back.
This wasn't the first time the Lady Vols struggled to leave Chattanooga with a victory. When the Lady Vols last played Chattanooga at McKenzie Arena four years ago, they also had a freshman-laden team and trailed late in the second half before squeaking out a 66-63 victory.
This time, Chattanooga closed the deal.
Taylor Hall scored 24 points Friday as Chattanooga stunned No. 20 Tennessee 80-71 in the Lady Vols' first game under new coach Holly Warlick, who spent the last 27 seasons as an assistant on Summitt's staff. Chattanooga never trailed in the second half and beat a ranked opponent for the first time ever.
By the end of the game, a McKenzie Arena crowd of 8,468 that had seemed equally divided at the start of the night was gleefully chanting "UTC!" Several dozen fans stormed the court afterward to celebrate with the Lady Mocs.
Summitt, who announced last year she had early-onset dementia, stepped down in April after collecting 1,098 wins, eight national titles and 18 Final Four appearances in 38 seasons. She was succeeded by Warlick, a former three-time All-America guard for Tennessee who was the first athlete at the school to have her number retired.
Summitt remains on staff as head coach emeritus and attends most of Tennessee's practices. She watched Friday's game from the fifth row in a narrow section behind and to the right of Tennessee's bench. Summitt was approached for dozens of photographs and autographs by fans of both teams before the opening tip.
Warlick stood in front of the bench throughout the night with her arms folded or her hands on her hips.
The head coaching switch isn't the only change surrounding Tennessee this season. The Lady Vols don't return a single player who started an NCAA tournament game during their run to a regional final last season. Tennessee's roster includes four freshmen, four sophomores and only one junior and two seniors. Tennessee's No. 20 preseason ranking is its lowest position in the Top 25 since February 1985.
All those Tennessee underclassmen had plenty of jitters Friday.
Tennessee needed Ariel Massengale to sink a 25-footer at the buzzer just to force a 28-28 halftime tie with Chattanooga, a team that lost 90-47 to the Lady Vols last season. Chattanooga pulled ahead by making six of its first seven shots - including a trio of 3-pointers - in the second half. Chattanooga built on that lead by outhustling the Lady Vols.
In one sequence, Taylor Hall got a putback and drew a foul to give Chattanooga a 45-39 lead. Hall missed the ensuing free throw, but 5-foot-9 guard Kayla Christopher got the rebound and made a 3-pointer to extend the Lady Mocs' advantage to 48-39.
The Lady Vols turned the ball over five times in the first three minutes. They missed seven of their first eight shots. Tennessee settled down and went on a 16-2 run to take a nine-point lead late in the first half, but Chattanooga answered by reeling off 13 straight points to regain the lead. The Lady Mocs never let up in the second half.
Hall was the best player on the floor all night long. At one point in the first half, Hall was 4-of-4 from the floor while her teammates were a combined 1-of-15. Once Hall started getting more help from her teammates, Chattanooga took the lead and never looked back.
This wasn't the first time the Lady Vols struggled to leave Chattanooga with a victory. When the Lady Vols last played Chattanooga at McKenzie Arena four years ago, they also had a freshman-laden team and trailed late in the second half before squeaking out a 66-63 victory.
This time, Chattanooga closed the deal.
Warlick wants Lady Vols to maintain fast-paced game
After watching her team get dismantled by Tennessee in an exhibition game last Sunday, Coker women’s basketball coach Jenny Finora was asked to compare the Lady Vols under legendary Pat Summitt to their latest incarnation led by long-time Summitt assistant Holly Warlick.
Finora had to laugh.
“Just like Tennessee,” she said. “They're always good. They're long. They're athletic, quick, aggressive. That's Tennessee basketball. It's always been that way, and it's never going to waver at all from that."
Chattanooga coach Wes Moore would concur. His team plays host to the Lady Vols on Friday night in a game that, because it will be the first without Summit on the bench in nearly 40 years, has taken on historic proportions.
Summit’s absence notwithstanding, Moore says, it will be business as usual for Tennessee.
"There’s no doubt they’re going to miss a Pat Summitt, but Holly played for her, she’s been an assistant for 20-something (27) years,” Moore said. “They’re still going to have the same Tennessee tradition, and the way they play and the style they play isn’t going to change."
“I think Holly is very deserving, and I think the way they handled the whole deal — keeping Pat involved in the program (as head coach emeritus) — I think they handled it very well.”
The way Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart saw it, there was no other way to handle replacing Summitt, who was forced from coaching by early onset Alzheimer’s disease. That stunning news was revealed before last season began. Warlick, always a vital cog in Summitt’s program, became even more indispensable to her old friend and mentor as she began making the adjustments required to confront her condition and get through the season.
“Pat and I talked regularly as the season went along about a lot of things,” Hart said last April, when Warlick officially took over the program. “There was a time late in the season when she said to me, ‘Dave, if I made the decision, and I haven't made the decision yet, but if I made the decision not to coach next year, have you given any thought to who will follow?' And I said, ‘I have, Pat. I am giving very serious consideration to Holly.’ And she said, ‘that would excite me.’ ”
Suffice it to say Warlick was excited, too.
“I love the opportunity to follow Pat Summit,” Warlick said at the Southeastern Conference media day last month. “I’ve been associated with her, I’ve played for her and I’ve worked for her. It’s a great opportunity for me. It’s a challenge, absolutely. I’m blessed to have this opportunity. I still have Pat Summit by my side. Don’t forget that. I think it’s a perfect situation for me. It’s all I know, and it’s all that I am going to continue to do.”
Though the Lady Vols’ two exhibition games were against overmatched opponents, they did offer a glimpse of things to come. Against Carson-Newman and Coker, the Lady Vols averaged 111 points, 58 percent shooting from the field and an off-the-charts 19.5 steals. Tennessee made only seven 3-pointers combined, making those point totals (104, 118) all the more impressive.
Obviously, the Lady Vols are going to try and dictate tempo by getting in passing lanes, harassing opponents with their length and turning games into track meets.
“I think there was only one other time that I have played a game that fast—it was with USA basketball my 17 and under year against Japan,” said sophomore forward Cierra Burdick after the Coker game. “All we did was run. It got to the point that I was so tired that I looked over and said to (point guard) Ariel (Massengale) can we please slow down, let me get to half court before we shoot another layup because it was that fast.
“This game was extremely high tempo, but that is what Holly wants. She wants us to get skills and just run. Everything needs to be in transition."
"That's our goal,” Warlick said. “We want to try to score in transition. Now, we've got to continue to get in shape and stay in shape. I don't think we're quite there yet, but we're getting there. But I think this group loves to play up-tempo. I want to try to take advantage of that."
If that sounds like a certain head coach emeritus, well, that’s no surprise. Summitt was always a student of the game, first and foremost. Nearly 20 years ago, Summitt realized she was able to recruit a different caliber of player, with more athleticism, more length, more stamina. And she turned the Lady Vols loose. Four of her eight national championships followed.
Warlick was at Summit’s side the entire way, earning an advanced degree in the art of coaching from the best in the history of the women’s game. It’s little wonder Warlick didn’t want to leave to take over her own program. Her place was at Tennessee, just as it was for Summitt.
"People have asked me, ‘why have you not left?” Warlick said last April. “And I said, ‘why would I?' Why would I leave a place that is rich in tradition, has an unbelievable administration that has always supported women's basketball and women's sports, and has the most incredibly supportive fans in the country? It didn't take me being a genius to stay here and love what I do. I do love this program, and I'm proud of this team.”
Finora had to laugh.
“Just like Tennessee,” she said. “They're always good. They're long. They're athletic, quick, aggressive. That's Tennessee basketball. It's always been that way, and it's never going to waver at all from that."
Chattanooga coach Wes Moore would concur. His team plays host to the Lady Vols on Friday night in a game that, because it will be the first without Summit on the bench in nearly 40 years, has taken on historic proportions.
Summit’s absence notwithstanding, Moore says, it will be business as usual for Tennessee.
"There’s no doubt they’re going to miss a Pat Summitt, but Holly played for her, she’s been an assistant for 20-something (27) years,” Moore said. “They’re still going to have the same Tennessee tradition, and the way they play and the style they play isn’t going to change."
“I think Holly is very deserving, and I think the way they handled the whole deal — keeping Pat involved in the program (as head coach emeritus) — I think they handled it very well.”
The way Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart saw it, there was no other way to handle replacing Summitt, who was forced from coaching by early onset Alzheimer’s disease. That stunning news was revealed before last season began. Warlick, always a vital cog in Summitt’s program, became even more indispensable to her old friend and mentor as she began making the adjustments required to confront her condition and get through the season.
“Pat and I talked regularly as the season went along about a lot of things,” Hart said last April, when Warlick officially took over the program. “There was a time late in the season when she said to me, ‘Dave, if I made the decision, and I haven't made the decision yet, but if I made the decision not to coach next year, have you given any thought to who will follow?' And I said, ‘I have, Pat. I am giving very serious consideration to Holly.’ And she said, ‘that would excite me.’ ”
Suffice it to say Warlick was excited, too.
“I love the opportunity to follow Pat Summit,” Warlick said at the Southeastern Conference media day last month. “I’ve been associated with her, I’ve played for her and I’ve worked for her. It’s a great opportunity for me. It’s a challenge, absolutely. I’m blessed to have this opportunity. I still have Pat Summit by my side. Don’t forget that. I think it’s a perfect situation for me. It’s all I know, and it’s all that I am going to continue to do.”
Though the Lady Vols’ two exhibition games were against overmatched opponents, they did offer a glimpse of things to come. Against Carson-Newman and Coker, the Lady Vols averaged 111 points, 58 percent shooting from the field and an off-the-charts 19.5 steals. Tennessee made only seven 3-pointers combined, making those point totals (104, 118) all the more impressive.
Obviously, the Lady Vols are going to try and dictate tempo by getting in passing lanes, harassing opponents with their length and turning games into track meets.
“I think there was only one other time that I have played a game that fast—it was with USA basketball my 17 and under year against Japan,” said sophomore forward Cierra Burdick after the Coker game. “All we did was run. It got to the point that I was so tired that I looked over and said to (point guard) Ariel (Massengale) can we please slow down, let me get to half court before we shoot another layup because it was that fast.
“This game was extremely high tempo, but that is what Holly wants. She wants us to get skills and just run. Everything needs to be in transition."
"That's our goal,” Warlick said. “We want to try to score in transition. Now, we've got to continue to get in shape and stay in shape. I don't think we're quite there yet, but we're getting there. But I think this group loves to play up-tempo. I want to try to take advantage of that."
If that sounds like a certain head coach emeritus, well, that’s no surprise. Summitt was always a student of the game, first and foremost. Nearly 20 years ago, Summitt realized she was able to recruit a different caliber of player, with more athleticism, more length, more stamina. And she turned the Lady Vols loose. Four of her eight national championships followed.
Warlick was at Summit’s side the entire way, earning an advanced degree in the art of coaching from the best in the history of the women’s game. It’s little wonder Warlick didn’t want to leave to take over her own program. Her place was at Tennessee, just as it was for Summitt.
"People have asked me, ‘why have you not left?” Warlick said last April. “And I said, ‘why would I?' Why would I leave a place that is rich in tradition, has an unbelievable administration that has always supported women's basketball and women's sports, and has the most incredibly supportive fans in the country? It didn't take me being a genius to stay here and love what I do. I do love this program, and I'm proud of this team.”
Monday, November 05, 2012
West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation Honors Pat Summitt with Tigrett Award
Collegiate Sports Legend and Head Coach Emeritus of the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers Pat Head Summitt is being honored with the Tigrett Award at the 23rd Annual West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation’s Charity Gala on Saturday, November 10, 2012.
The Tigrett Award, first given in 2006, was established to honor Jackson native, John Burton Tigrett. Tigrett was well known for his world renowned entrepreneurship and philanthropy. The Tigrett Award was endowed by Fred Smith of FedEx and serves to recognize a Tennessean who has greatly contributed to society through his/her talents and leadership locally, nationally, and abroad.
A consummate taskmaster, she has kept her elite program in the winner’s circle for almost four decades, producing a mind-boggling record of 1,098-208 (.840). During her tenure, the Lady Vols have won eight NCAA titles, as well as an amazing 32 Southeastern Conference tournament and regular season championships. Tennessee has made an unprecedented 31 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament and produced 12 Olympians, 20 Kodak All-Americans named to 34 teams, and 77 All-SEC performers. Along with the success on the court, Summitt’s student-athletes have tremendous productivity in the classroom. Coach Summitt has a 100 percent graduation rate for all Lady Vols who have completed their eligibility at Tennessee.
Her honors and achievements over the years number in the hundreds. The Sporting News named the 50 Greatest Coaches of All-Time. Summitt was voted the 11th best of all-time and was the only woman on the list. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in June of 1999, into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in October of 2000, and was the third member of the Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame in June of 2011.
More recently, the United States Sports Academy awarded Summitt its 2011 Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias Courage Award. Also in October of last year, The Huffington Post named Summitt a 2011 Game Changer–an innovator, leader, and role model who is changing the way we look at the world and the way we live in it. The Tennessee Communication Association selected Summitt for its most prestigious award, Communicator of the Year.
A consummate taskmaster, she has kept her elite program in the winner’s circle for almost four decades, producing a mind-boggling record of 1,098-208 (.840). During her tenure, the Lady Vols have won eight NCAA titles, as well as an amazing 32 Southeastern Conference tournament and regular season championships. Tennessee has made an unprecedented 31 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament and produced 12 Olympians, 20 Kodak All-Americans named to 34 teams, and 77 All-SEC performers. Along with the success on the court, Summitt’s student-athletes have tremendous productivity in the classroom. Coach Summitt has a 100 percent graduation rate for all Lady Vols who have completed their eligibility at Tennessee.
Her honors and achievements over the years number in the hundreds. The Sporting News named the 50 Greatest Coaches of All-Time. Summitt was voted the 11th best of all-time and was the only woman on the list. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in June of 1999, into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in October of 2000, and was the third member of the Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame in June of 2011.
More recently, the United States Sports Academy awarded Summitt its 2011 Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias Courage Award. Also in October of last year, The Huffington Post named Summitt a 2011 Game Changer–an innovator, leader, and role model who is changing the way we look at the world and the way we live in it. The Tennessee Communication Association selected Summitt for its most prestigious award, Communicator of the Year.
Past Tigrett Award recipients include: fashion designer and philanthropist Pat Kerr Tigrett, United States Senator and Ambassador Howard Baker, actress Dixie Carter, television personality Wink Martindale, legendary singer Brenda Lee, and United States Senator Lamar Alexander.
Gala proceeds will benefit Ayers Children’s Medical Center and the Kirkland Cancer Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. For reservations, contact Chris Ramey at 731-984-2142 or Chris.Ramey@wth.org.
The Tigrett Award, first given in 2006, was established to honor Jackson native, John Burton Tigrett. Tigrett was well known for his world renowned entrepreneurship and philanthropy. The Tigrett Award was endowed by Fred Smith of FedEx and serves to recognize a Tennessean who has greatly contributed to society through his/her talents and leadership locally, nationally, and abroad.
A consummate taskmaster, she has kept her elite program in the winner’s circle for almost four decades, producing a mind-boggling record of 1,098-208 (.840). During her tenure, the Lady Vols have won eight NCAA titles, as well as an amazing 32 Southeastern Conference tournament and regular season championships. Tennessee has made an unprecedented 31 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament and produced 12 Olympians, 20 Kodak All-Americans named to 34 teams, and 77 All-SEC performers. Along with the success on the court, Summitt’s student-athletes have tremendous productivity in the classroom. Coach Summitt has a 100 percent graduation rate for all Lady Vols who have completed their eligibility at Tennessee.
Her honors and achievements over the years number in the hundreds. The Sporting News named the 50 Greatest Coaches of All-Time. Summitt was voted the 11th best of all-time and was the only woman on the list. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in June of 1999, into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in October of 2000, and was the third member of the Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame in June of 2011.
More recently, the United States Sports Academy awarded Summitt its 2011 Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias Courage Award. Also in October of last year, The Huffington Post named Summitt a 2011 Game Changer–an innovator, leader, and role model who is changing the way we look at the world and the way we live in it. The Tennessee Communication Association selected Summitt for its most prestigious award, Communicator of the Year.
A consummate taskmaster, she has kept her elite program in the winner’s circle for almost four decades, producing a mind-boggling record of 1,098-208 (.840). During her tenure, the Lady Vols have won eight NCAA titles, as well as an amazing 32 Southeastern Conference tournament and regular season championships. Tennessee has made an unprecedented 31 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament and produced 12 Olympians, 20 Kodak All-Americans named to 34 teams, and 77 All-SEC performers. Along with the success on the court, Summitt’s student-athletes have tremendous productivity in the classroom. Coach Summitt has a 100 percent graduation rate for all Lady Vols who have completed their eligibility at Tennessee.
Her honors and achievements over the years number in the hundreds. The Sporting News named the 50 Greatest Coaches of All-Time. Summitt was voted the 11th best of all-time and was the only woman on the list. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in June of 1999, into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in October of 2000, and was the third member of the Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame in June of 2011.
More recently, the United States Sports Academy awarded Summitt its 2011 Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias Courage Award. Also in October of last year, The Huffington Post named Summitt a 2011 Game Changer–an innovator, leader, and role model who is changing the way we look at the world and the way we live in it. The Tennessee Communication Association selected Summitt for its most prestigious award, Communicator of the Year.
Past Tigrett Award recipients include: fashion designer and philanthropist Pat Kerr Tigrett, United States Senator and Ambassador Howard Baker, actress Dixie Carter, television personality Wink Martindale, legendary singer Brenda Lee, and United States Senator Lamar Alexander.
Gala proceeds will benefit Ayers Children’s Medical Center and the Kirkland Cancer Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. For reservations, contact Chris Ramey at 731-984-2142 or Chris.Ramey@wth.org.
Lady Vols 118, Coker 44
A 23-0 run early in the first half sealed the deal as No. 20 Tennessee routed Division II Coker, 118-44 on Sunday afternoon before 10,137 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Lady Vols finished their preseason exhibitions with two wins by a combined score of 222-88. The Holly Warlick era officially gets underway on Friday night as Tennessee travels to Chattanooga for the opener of the 2012-13 season.
Freshman Bashaara Graves led six Lady Vols in double-figures with 22 points. Junior Meighan Simmons tallied 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds along with seven assists.
Sophomore Isabelle Harrison netted 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting and snagged nine boards. Sophomore Cierra Burdick (16), senior Kamiko Williams (14) and senior Taber Spani (10) also scored in double-figures.
The defense was sensational on Sunday as Tennessee forced Coker into 31 turnovers and limited them to 26.7 shooting from the floor.
The most telling statistic was points off turnovers: Tennessee 51, Coker 5.
The taller Lady Vols also outscored Coker on points in the paint, 84-4.
The Lady Vols finished their preseason exhibitions with two wins by a combined score of 222-88. The Holly Warlick era officially gets underway on Friday night as Tennessee travels to Chattanooga for the opener of the 2012-13 season.
Freshman Bashaara Graves led six Lady Vols in double-figures with 22 points. Junior Meighan Simmons tallied 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds along with seven assists.
Sophomore Isabelle Harrison netted 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting and snagged nine boards. Sophomore Cierra Burdick (16), senior Kamiko Williams (14) and senior Taber Spani (10) also scored in double-figures.
The defense was sensational on Sunday as Tennessee forced Coker into 31 turnovers and limited them to 26.7 shooting from the floor.
The most telling statistic was points off turnovers: Tennessee 51, Coker 5.
The taller Lady Vols also outscored Coker on points in the paint, 84-4.
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Lady Vol Hall of Fame Induction
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| Pat Summitt and Michelle Marciniak were among a class of four inducted into the Lady Vol Hall of Fame. |
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Lady Vols 104, Carson-Newman 44
The No. 20 Lady Vols opened the 2012-13 season with a dominating 104-44 victory over Carson-Newman on Thursday night at Thompson-Boling Arena. The game marked the debut for longtime Tennessee assistant Holly Warlick as head coach of her alma mater before 10,647.
Junior Meighan Simmons led the Lady Vols with 24 as five players scored in double-figures.
Sophomore Isabelle Harrison scored 19 and grabbed seven rebounds.
Freshman Bashaara Graves had a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds in her first game as a Lady Vol. Fellow newcomer Jasmine Jones tallied 16 in her debut, as she made the first six of her field goal attempts.
Senior Taber Spani netted 11 points.
Sophomore Cierra Burdick had a well-rounded game with nine points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Tennessee was superior in all areas of the game. UT captured the rebounding battle, 55-32 while the Lady Vols shot 55.2% from the floor and limited Carson-Newman to just 20% from the floor. Tennessee forced the Division II Eagles into 25 turnovers and recorded 16 steals.
The Lady Vols return to action on Sunday as they play the second of two exhibition games as Coker College of South Carolina comes to Thompson-Boling Arena for a 2 pm tip-off. Tennessee officially opens the 2012-13 regular-season Nov. 9 as the Lady Vols travel to Chattanooga to take on the Mocs at 7 pm.
Junior Meighan Simmons led the Lady Vols with 24 as five players scored in double-figures.
Sophomore Isabelle Harrison scored 19 and grabbed seven rebounds.
Freshman Bashaara Graves had a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds in her first game as a Lady Vol. Fellow newcomer Jasmine Jones tallied 16 in her debut, as she made the first six of her field goal attempts.
Senior Taber Spani netted 11 points.
Sophomore Cierra Burdick had a well-rounded game with nine points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Tennessee was superior in all areas of the game. UT captured the rebounding battle, 55-32 while the Lady Vols shot 55.2% from the floor and limited Carson-Newman to just 20% from the floor. Tennessee forced the Division II Eagles into 25 turnovers and recorded 16 steals.
The Lady Vols return to action on Sunday as they play the second of two exhibition games as Coker College of South Carolina comes to Thompson-Boling Arena for a 2 pm tip-off. Tennessee officially opens the 2012-13 regular-season Nov. 9 as the Lady Vols travel to Chattanooga to take on the Mocs at 7 pm.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Same heart, same pride, same fight
HOLLY WARLICK stands behind a large mahogany desk, her gray-blue eyes scanning the office in front of her. Autographed photos and lifetime achievement awards dot the walls around her; every imaginable kind of orange Tennessee memorabilia, from Lady Vols Russian nesting dolls to a Pat Summitt bobblehead, fill the massive bookcase at her back. "What am I supposed to do with all this?" Warlick asks to no one in particular. "It's too big; it's too empty. It's just -- it's Pat's."
After 27 years as an assistant coach for the Lady Vols, Warlick always envisioned herself as the heir apparent to the legendary Summitt. Only it wasn't supposed to happen this way. "I'd often joke I would be pushing her out of here to games in her wheelchair," recalls the 54-year-old, her voice perma-hoarse from years of coaching. "Pat and I discussed it in this very room, and I was really, genuinely happy with that." Instead, Summitt's diagnosis of early-onset dementia in 2011 and subsequent retirement at the end of last season destroyed any dreams of a celebratory passing of the torch. Now, premature or not, the future of Tennessee women's basketball rests squarely on Warlick's shoulders.
It's an intimidating legacy, to put it lightly: eight national championships, 16 SEC titles and 1,098 wins under Summitt. Her teams routinely sold out home games -- a rarity in women's hoops -- and the Lady Vols' facilities and expenses ($5.89 million in 2010-11) rival those of most men's programs. Such accolades were a boon for Summitt on the recruiting trail. But now, without the program's No. 1 recruiting tool, without Coach Pat, Warlick faces an uphill battle to ensure that the University of Tennessee remains a powerhouse going forward. And as the 2012-13 season tips off, the pressure is palpable. The college hoops world will be watching -- every triumph, every stumble -- and asking: Is Warlick coach enough to fill the shoes of the winningest coach in college basketball history?
Read the rest of the story by Sarah Turcotte.
After 27 years as an assistant coach for the Lady Vols, Warlick always envisioned herself as the heir apparent to the legendary Summitt. Only it wasn't supposed to happen this way. "I'd often joke I would be pushing her out of here to games in her wheelchair," recalls the 54-year-old, her voice perma-hoarse from years of coaching. "Pat and I discussed it in this very room, and I was really, genuinely happy with that." Instead, Summitt's diagnosis of early-onset dementia in 2011 and subsequent retirement at the end of last season destroyed any dreams of a celebratory passing of the torch. Now, premature or not, the future of Tennessee women's basketball rests squarely on Warlick's shoulders.
It's an intimidating legacy, to put it lightly: eight national championships, 16 SEC titles and 1,098 wins under Summitt. Her teams routinely sold out home games -- a rarity in women's hoops -- and the Lady Vols' facilities and expenses ($5.89 million in 2010-11) rival those of most men's programs. Such accolades were a boon for Summitt on the recruiting trail. But now, without the program's No. 1 recruiting tool, without Coach Pat, Warlick faces an uphill battle to ensure that the University of Tennessee remains a powerhouse going forward. And as the 2012-13 season tips off, the pressure is palpable. The college hoops world will be watching -- every triumph, every stumble -- and asking: Is Warlick coach enough to fill the shoes of the winningest coach in college basketball history?
Read the rest of the story by Sarah Turcotte.
Lady Vols Land Nation's Top Recruit
The Lady Vols basketball team landed the nation's top recruit on Tuesday.
Mercedes Russell of Springfield, Oregon, picked Tennessee over Louisville. She's listed as the top high school basketball player in the country by ESPN. The 6-5 Russell recently led her high school team to their second consecutive state title. She averages 26-points, 15 rebounds, and six blocks a game.
Said Russell,"Well Tennessee has always been my dream school since I was a little kid. After visiting several times, I just felt like it was the best fit for me. When I called Tennessee, everyone was jumping and screaming. Yelling in the phone. They were all excited." Russell plans to sign her national letter of intent in November.
Mercedes Russell of Springfield, Oregon, picked Tennessee over Louisville. She's listed as the top high school basketball player in the country by ESPN. The 6-5 Russell recently led her high school team to their second consecutive state title. She averages 26-points, 15 rebounds, and six blocks a game.
Said Russell,"Well Tennessee has always been my dream school since I was a little kid. After visiting several times, I just felt like it was the best fit for me. When I called Tennessee, everyone was jumping and screaming. Yelling in the phone. They were all excited." Russell plans to sign her national letter of intent in November.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
An evening with Pat Summitt
Clarksville, TN – Friends and family gathered at the Charles Hand farm to welcome home one of their own last night. Pat Summitt, the winningest basketball coach in the history of the game, came home.
This time, it wasn’t to generate support for her basketball team, or her university, it was to support “Sis.” You see, Pat Summitt is in the fight of her life, and where better to draw strength and encouragement than from friends and family.
Read the rest of the story by Hank Bonecutter.
This time, it wasn’t to generate support for her basketball team, or her university, it was to support “Sis.” You see, Pat Summitt is in the fight of her life, and where better to draw strength and encouragement than from friends and family.
Read the rest of the story by Hank Bonecutter.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Pat Summitt heads list of 2012 Lady Vol Hall of Fame inductees
The 12th group of inductees for inclusion in the Lady Volunteer Hall of Fame has been announced by University of Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Dave Hart.
“We are pleased and excited to announce the 2012 class of the Lady Vol Hall of Fame,” Hart said. “This distinguished group includes a legendary coach and three former student-athletes whose participation in athletics runs the gamut from the early days of varsity women’s athletics competition at Tennessee to an inductee who is being enshrined in her first year of eligibility. It is our pleasure to welcome them into an elite circle of people who have represented the University of Tennessee at the highest level.”
The four inductees in the Class of 2012 represent three different teams. The honorees include: Jane Haist (track & field), Michelle Marciniak (basketball), Pat Summitt (basketball-coach) and Young-A Yang (golf). Athletes are eligible for inclusion 10 years after they have graduated from the University, while administrators may be admitted to the Lady Volunteer Hall of Fame five years following their last service to UT.
The Lady Vol Hall of Fame selection committee made a recommendation to waive the five-year “last service requirement” for coach Summitt, making her eligible immediately for consideration. That recommendation was approved.
Enshrinement activities are scheduled for Friday evening, Nov. 2, at the Downtown Hilton, where a private induction ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 3, the inductees will be introduced during an on-field presentation at the Tennessee versus Troy football game at Neyland Stadium.
Throughout the 36-year history of Lady Vol student-athletes, 1,881 women have donned the Orange and White Tennessee uniform. With the addition of the four individuals in the 2012 class of the Lady Vol Hall of Fame, membership now has reached 71 in this very elite Hall.
“We are pleased and excited to announce the 2012 class of the Lady Vol Hall of Fame,” Hart said. “This distinguished group includes a legendary coach and three former student-athletes whose participation in athletics runs the gamut from the early days of varsity women’s athletics competition at Tennessee to an inductee who is being enshrined in her first year of eligibility. It is our pleasure to welcome them into an elite circle of people who have represented the University of Tennessee at the highest level.”
The four inductees in the Class of 2012 represent three different teams. The honorees include: Jane Haist (track & field), Michelle Marciniak (basketball), Pat Summitt (basketball-coach) and Young-A Yang (golf). Athletes are eligible for inclusion 10 years after they have graduated from the University, while administrators may be admitted to the Lady Volunteer Hall of Fame five years following their last service to UT.
The Lady Vol Hall of Fame selection committee made a recommendation to waive the five-year “last service requirement” for coach Summitt, making her eligible immediately for consideration. That recommendation was approved.
Enshrinement activities are scheduled for Friday evening, Nov. 2, at the Downtown Hilton, where a private induction ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 3, the inductees will be introduced during an on-field presentation at the Tennessee versus Troy football game at Neyland Stadium.
Throughout the 36-year history of Lady Vol student-athletes, 1,881 women have donned the Orange and White Tennessee uniform. With the addition of the four individuals in the 2012 class of the Lady Vol Hall of Fame, membership now has reached 71 in this very elite Hall.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Two Nice Tamika Stories
Tamika Catchings wins elusive title
Three-time Olympic gold medalist and former NCAA champ finally nabs WNBA crown
Just how much does Tamika Catchings appreciate finally winning her first WNBA title at age 33? To understand, you must go back to the little girl shooting baskets alone on the playground, the place she felt she had the most refuge from bullying.
You must go back to the college senior missing her last NCAA tournament at Tennessee because of a knee injury.
You must go back to the player screaming out in pain when her Achilles' tendon ruptured as the Indiana Fever's 2007 season came to an end.
You must go back to the devastated veteran having lost her closest brush to a WNBA championship, as it slipped away to Phoenix in 2009.
And you must go back to the disappointed regular-season MVP who was hobbled by a foot injury as Indiana fell to Atlanta in the 2011 Eastern Conference finals.
Read the rest of the story by Mechelle Voepel.
A true team effort and unlikely contributors bring Indiana Fever a title
This one's for Tamika Catchings, who finally filled out her trophy case with her first WNBA title to go along with all those Olympic gold medals and overseas championships. Did you catch that snapshot of Catchings standing on the victory podium, holding up the championship and MVP hardware? What a sight.
Read the rest of the story by Bob Kravitz.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Tamika Catchings and Fever win first WNBA title
Tamika Catchings finally won her long-awaited WNBA championship.
“It’s been an amazing journey,” said Catchings tearing up. “We’ve had ups and downs, ins and outs.”
Erin Phillips added 18 points and eight rebounds while Shavonte Zellous and Briann January each had 15 points.
The Fever won even though No. 2 scorer Katie Douglas missed most of the series with a severely sprained left knee. Douglas checked in with 3.2 seconds left to a loud ovation.
“We sure didn’t make it easy,” Douglas said. “We went three games with Atlanta, three games with Connecticut. This team played amazing in these Finals.”
Catchings had won three Olympic gold medals and an NCAA championships at Tennessee in 1998, but never a WNBA one. She had been in a position to clinch at home before. The Fever led Phoenix 2-1 in the best-of-five WNBA Finals in 2009, but the Mercury beat the Fever 90-77, took the series back to Phoenix and won the title at home in Game 5.
This time, Catchings took it home with college coach Pat Summitt looking on in the crowd.
Indiana led 63-58 at the end of the third quarter. Minnesota cut Indiana’s lead to 70-67 on a jumper by Maya Moore, but Phillips scored on a drive past Moore, got a defensive rebound, then found Shavonte Zellous for a 3-pointer from the left corner to give the Fever a 75-67 lead with 4:58 remaining.
Indiana led by at least five points the rest of the way. A 3-pointer by January gave Indiana an 80-72 lead with 1:18 to play. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was called for a technical with 57.6 seconds remaining, Catchings made the free throw and the Fever took an 81-74 lead. Zellous made two more free throws with 27.2 seconds to play, and Fever fans began celebrating.
Seimone Augustus, Minnesota’s leading scorer in the playoffs, was held to eight points on 3-for-21 shooting. Lindsay Whalen scored 22 points and Moore added 16 points for the Lynx, who were vying to become the first team to win consecutive titles since Los Angeles in 2001 and 2002.
Moore picked up her third foul with 6:13 left in the second quarter. Reeve, who was fined for her jacket-tossing tantrum in Game 2, became animated again while disagreeing with the call. As the crowd erupted, Reeve waved hello and made the motion for a technical foul.
This time, Reeve’s antics didn’t help much as in Game 2, when her team pulled away from a tight contest after her technical foul for a convincing win. Minnesota tied the game three times in the second quarter, but the Fever closed with a 7-2 run, including a 3-pointer by Phillips, to take a 47-42 lead at halftime. Whalen scored 14 points in the first half to keep the Lynx in the game, often scoring on uncontested drives. Minnesota hung tough, despite Augustus shooting 2-for-13 in the first half.
Indiana started the second half on a 9-4 run, including two buckets by Catchings, to take a 56-46 lead.
Minnesota came right back. A driving layup by Moore cut Indiana’s lead to 56-54 and forced the Fever to call timeout.
Minnesota tied the game on another drive by Moore, but the Fever responded with a 3-pointer by Catchings and a basket by Jessica Davenport to push the lead back to five by the end of the quarter.
October 27 will be Tamika Catchings Day in Indianapolis
Tamika Catchings is getting a day in her honor in the city of Indianapolis next week.
The city proclamation, signed by Mayor Greg Ballard, declares October 27 "Tamika Catchings Day."
The honor is connected to the Simon Youth Foundation's and the Pacer's Foundation's annual fundraiser "Masquerade," which occurs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that night.
The 11th annual Masquerade honors Catchings, the founder of "Catch the Stars Foundation," which supports programs for youth.
The city proclamation, signed by Mayor Greg Ballard, declares October 27 "Tamika Catchings Day."
The honor is connected to the Simon Youth Foundation's and the Pacer's Foundation's annual fundraiser "Masquerade," which occurs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that night.
The 11th annual Masquerade honors Catchings, the founder of "Catch the Stars Foundation," which supports programs for youth.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Elusive championship is within reach for Fever's Catchings, Douglas
They've been here previously: One win away from the WNBA title. Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas have faced it before, but not quite like this.
Catchings is at the top of her game, averaging 18.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in this postseason for the Indiana Fever. The Fever lead the WNBA Finals 2-1, so Catchings will go into Sunday's Game 4 against Minnesota trying to make it her last contest of this WNBA season.
Douglas, her teammate with the Fever since 2008, will be there to offer all the moral support possible. But it seems unlikely she'll be able to do much more. Douglas severely injured her left ankle early in the clinching game of the Eastern Conference finals on Oct. 11 and hasn't played since.
Indiana coach Lin Dunn has said the window for Douglas to get on court in this series cracks open just a little more each day, but clearly time is running short. Douglas wasn't at the Fever's workout or media availability Saturday.
"I text her every morning, and throughout the day we'll go back and forth," Catchings said. "I know it's a struggle when you're sitting on the sidelines and you want so bad to be out there. But it's life."
Catchings kind of laughed then, and added, "You know, we never do things easy, between her and I. I go out and tear my plantar fascia [last year during the playoffs], and now she's got her ankle that is black, blue, purple, orange, yellow -- a little of every color you can imagine. But I told her, 'You helped us get this far. This right here is a product of what we all started together.' "
Read the rest of the story by Mechelle Voepel.
Catchings is at the top of her game, averaging 18.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in this postseason for the Indiana Fever. The Fever lead the WNBA Finals 2-1, so Catchings will go into Sunday's Game 4 against Minnesota trying to make it her last contest of this WNBA season.
Douglas, her teammate with the Fever since 2008, will be there to offer all the moral support possible. But it seems unlikely she'll be able to do much more. Douglas severely injured her left ankle early in the clinching game of the Eastern Conference finals on Oct. 11 and hasn't played since.
Indiana coach Lin Dunn has said the window for Douglas to get on court in this series cracks open just a little more each day, but clearly time is running short. Douglas wasn't at the Fever's workout or media availability Saturday.
"I text her every morning, and throughout the day we'll go back and forth," Catchings said. "I know it's a struggle when you're sitting on the sidelines and you want so bad to be out there. But it's life."
Catchings kind of laughed then, and added, "You know, we never do things easy, between her and I. I go out and tear my plantar fascia [last year during the playoffs], and now she's got her ankle that is black, blue, purple, orange, yellow -- a little of every color you can imagine. But I told her, 'You helped us get this far. This right here is a product of what we all started together.' "
Read the rest of the story by Mechelle Voepel.
Quotes from Tamika Catchings prior to Game 4 of the WNBA Finals
Tamika Catchings hasn't forgotten how close she came to clearing the biggest hurdle of her basketball career.
Catchings is a seven-time All-Star, five time defensive player of the year and the 2011 WNBA MVP. She also has won three Olympic gold medals, but is still seeking her first league championship.
"Don't let your highs get you too high and let your lows get you too low," she said Saturday. "I felt like we celebrated too much after Game 3 in 2009 and we came out in Game 4 and had an opportunity and we let it slip away."
"I think that, for us, it's going to be a 40-minute game," she said. "We're going to have to come out and play Fever basketball for 40 minutes. We talked about that as a team, just not getting content with where we're at. We're 40 minutes away, so we have to come out and stay focused and stay ready."
"We've talked about defense, we've talked about offense, making a few changes, but really I think the biggest thing is just intensity," Catchings said.
Indiana will be without reserve guard Jeanette Pohlen for the rest of the series. The Fever announced that she tore the ACL in her left knee during Game 2 in Minneapolis. Fever guard Katie Douglas has missed the whole series with a sprained left ankle.
Catchings is a seven-time All-Star, five time defensive player of the year and the 2011 WNBA MVP. She also has won three Olympic gold medals, but is still seeking her first league championship.
"Don't let your highs get you too high and let your lows get you too low," she said Saturday. "I felt like we celebrated too much after Game 3 in 2009 and we came out in Game 4 and had an opportunity and we let it slip away."
"I think that, for us, it's going to be a 40-minute game," she said. "We're going to have to come out and play Fever basketball for 40 minutes. We talked about that as a team, just not getting content with where we're at. We're 40 minutes away, so we have to come out and stay focused and stay ready."
"We've talked about defense, we've talked about offense, making a few changes, but really I think the biggest thing is just intensity," Catchings said.
Indiana will be without reserve guard Jeanette Pohlen for the rest of the series. The Fever announced that she tore the ACL in her left knee during Game 2 in Minneapolis. Fever guard Katie Douglas has missed the whole series with a sprained left ankle.
Friday, October 19, 2012
WNBA Finals - Game 3 - Fever 76, Lynx 59
Shavonte Zellous scored a career-high 30 points to help the Indiana Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx 76-59 in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.
Tamika Catchings added 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocked shots in only 23 minutes of play.
Erlana Larkins had 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Fever, who took a 2-1 lead in the series and can clinch their first WNBA title at home Sunday night.
Rebekkah Brunson, who scored 12 points, was the only Minnesota player to reach double figures.
It had been a tense series. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was fined after a jacket-throwing tantrum in Game 2, actions that Fever coach Lin Dunn called “disrespectful.” Reeve spent most of the second half seated quietly with her hand on her chin.
The Fever’s lead of 70-33 with 1:58 left in the third quarter was the largest lead by any team in WNBA Finals history.
Tamika Catchings added 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocked shots in only 23 minutes of play.
Erlana Larkins had 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Fever, who took a 2-1 lead in the series and can clinch their first WNBA title at home Sunday night.
Rebekkah Brunson, who scored 12 points, was the only Minnesota player to reach double figures.
It had been a tense series. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was fined after a jacket-throwing tantrum in Game 2, actions that Fever coach Lin Dunn called “disrespectful.” Reeve spent most of the second half seated quietly with her hand on her chin.
The Fever’s lead of 70-33 with 1:58 left in the third quarter was the largest lead by any team in WNBA Finals history.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Pat Summitt to attend fundraiser
Pat Summitt, longtime University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach, will be participating in a meet-and-greet dinner in the Cedar Hill area next week.
The event, “An Evening with Pat,” is an Alzheimer’s awareness event that will raise funds for the Pat Summitt Foundation. Summitt will not be a speaker at the event.
“She’ll be there to visit with her fans,” said Home Instead Senior Care owner Dennis Wade, who helped organize the event.
The event will take place Thursday, Oct. 25 at the Charles Hand farm at 1816 Ross Road from 5-7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. Ticket sales are limited to 250, Wade said
To purchase a ticket, contact Home Instead Senior Care at 931-648-7800 or 615-859-2380.
The event, “An Evening with Pat,” is an Alzheimer’s awareness event that will raise funds for the Pat Summitt Foundation. Summitt will not be a speaker at the event.
“She’ll be there to visit with her fans,” said Home Instead Senior Care owner Dennis Wade, who helped organize the event.
The event will take place Thursday, Oct. 25 at the Charles Hand farm at 1816 Ross Road from 5-7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. Ticket sales are limited to 250, Wade said
To purchase a ticket, contact Home Instead Senior Care at 931-648-7800 or 615-859-2380.
WNBA Finals - Game 2 - Lynx 83, Fever 71
These WNBA Finals are not for the feeble. Seimone Augustus and the Minnesota Lynx toughened up after a rare loss and a soft performance at home in the opener by wearing down the Indiana Fever.
Tamika Catchings led the way as usual with 27 points and eight rebounds, but the Fever's defense faded after a dominant start that forced the Lynx to miss 11 of their first 14 shots.
The series now moves to Indiana. Game 3 is on Friday, and Catchings predicted an even more physical match.
''It was pretty rough out there, and we're going to have to adapt to that,'' said Fever coach Lin Dunn, who called this the most physical game she's seen in 42 years. ''We'll go home and we'll be ready.''
Tamika Catchings led the way as usual with 27 points and eight rebounds, but the Fever's defense faded after a dominant start that forced the Lynx to miss 11 of their first 14 shots.
The series now moves to Indiana. Game 3 is on Friday, and Catchings predicted an even more physical match.
''It was pretty rough out there, and we're going to have to adapt to that,'' said Fever coach Lin Dunn, who called this the most physical game she's seen in 42 years. ''We'll go home and we'll be ready.''
Catchings and Parker earn First-Team All-WNBA honors
For the tenth time in 11 seasons, Tamika Catchings is part of the All-WNBA team.
It’s the seventh time she’s earned First-Team honors.
Catchings, the league’s MVP a year ago, averaged 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals while guiding the Indiana Fever to the WNBA Finals.
The Fever will face the Minnesota Lynx Wednesday night in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The team won the first game of best-of-five series.
All-WNBA First Team
Candace Parker, forward, Los Angeles Sparks
Tamika Catchings, forward, Indiana Fever
Tina Charles, center, Connecticut Sun
Cappie Pondexter, guard, New York Liberty
Seimone Augustus, guard, Minnesota Lynx
All-WNBA Second Team
Maya Moore, forward, Minnesota Lynx
Sophia Young, forward, San Antonio Silver Stars
Sylvia Fowles, center, Chicago Sky
Kristi Toliver, guard, Los Angeles Sparks
Lindsay Whalen, guard, Minnesota Lynx
It’s the seventh time she’s earned First-Team honors.
Catchings, the league’s MVP a year ago, averaged 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals while guiding the Indiana Fever to the WNBA Finals.
The Fever will face the Minnesota Lynx Wednesday night in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The team won the first game of best-of-five series.
All-WNBA First Team
Candace Parker, forward, Los Angeles Sparks
Tamika Catchings, forward, Indiana Fever
Tina Charles, center, Connecticut Sun
Cappie Pondexter, guard, New York Liberty
Seimone Augustus, guard, Minnesota Lynx
All-WNBA Second Team
Maya Moore, forward, Minnesota Lynx
Sophia Young, forward, San Antonio Silver Stars
Sylvia Fowles, center, Chicago Sky
Kristi Toliver, guard, Los Angeles Sparks
Lindsay Whalen, guard, Minnesota Lynx
Sunday, October 14, 2012
WNBA Finals - Game 1 - Fever 76, Lynx 70
Erlana Larkins had 16 points and 15 rebounds and the Indiana Fever stunned defending champion Minnesota with a 76-70 victory over the Lynx in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday night.
Tamika Catchings added 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 4 blocked shots for the Fever, who played without leading scorer Katie Douglas because of a severely sprained left ankle.
The Fever scored 15 points off of 17 Minnesota turnovers and outscored the Lynx 38-24 in the paint to become just the second visiting team this season to win at Target Center.
Briann January added 11 points and six assists and Erin Phillips scored 13 for Indiana.
Tamika Catchings added 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 4 blocked shots for the Fever, who played without leading scorer Katie Douglas because of a severely sprained left ankle.
The Fever scored 15 points off of 17 Minnesota turnovers and outscored the Lynx 38-24 in the paint to become just the second visiting team this season to win at Target Center.
Briann January added 11 points and six assists and Erin Phillips scored 13 for Indiana.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Fever beat Sun 87-71 to advance to WNBA Finals
Tamika Catchings scored 22 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, had 4 assists and 2 steals to lead the Indiana Fever into the WNBA Finals for the second time in four seasons with an 87-71 win over the Connecticut Sun on Thursday night.
Indiana will play at defending WNBA champion Minnesota, who swept Los Angeles in the Western Conference, in Game 1 of the finals on Sunday.
Indiana will play at defending WNBA champion Minnesota, who swept Los Angeles in the Western Conference, in Game 1 of the finals on Sunday.
Jennings' suit vs. UT a nasty mess
So was she or wasn't she?
Was Pat Summitt forced out as the University of Tennessee women's basketball coach last spring, as she declared in a sworn affidavit filed this past week in U.S. District Court?
Or was her exit really "entirely my decision," as she said in a statement issued Friday that was intended to, according to the release, clear up "some misunderstandings" regarding the affidavit?
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall whenever Summitt's attorneys and UT's attorney's got together in those 48 hours from Wednesday to Friday.
Read more of Mark Wiedmer's column.
Was Pat Summitt forced out as the University of Tennessee women's basketball coach last spring, as she declared in a sworn affidavit filed this past week in U.S. District Court?
Or was her exit really "entirely my decision," as she said in a statement issued Friday that was intended to, according to the release, clear up "some misunderstandings" regarding the affidavit?
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall whenever Summitt's attorneys and UT's attorney's got together in those 48 hours from Wednesday to Friday.
Read more of Mark Wiedmer's column.
Sunday, October 07, 2012
Summitt at Lady Vols' First Practice
Summitt made an appearance Sunday at the Lady Vols' first full-scale practice for new coach Holly Warlick. Although Summitt stepped down as the Lady Vols' coach in April after winning eight national titles in 38 years, she remains on staff as head coach emeritus.
Warlick said she expects to have Summitt at every practice.
Summitt's appearance gave Sunday's practice a familiar feel, but plenty of change surrounds this team. The Lady Vols are adopting a faster tempo in hopes their athleticism compensates for their inexperience. Tennessee doesn't return anyone who started an NCAA tournament game during its run to a regional final last season.
Warlick said she expects to have Summitt at every practice.
Summitt's appearance gave Sunday's practice a familiar feel, but plenty of change surrounds this team. The Lady Vols are adopting a faster tempo in hopes their athleticism compensates for their inexperience. Tennessee doesn't return anyone who started an NCAA tournament game during its run to a regional final last season.
Pat Summitt statue unveiled during homecoming celebration in Martin
Speaking less than three minutes, Pat Summitt called her time at the University of Tennessee Martin the best thing that ever happened to her.
A hall of fame basketball coach and winner of eight NCAA basketball titles at the University of Tennessee, Summitt returned to her roots for the unveiling of statues of herself, former UTM coach Nadine Gearin and former women’s athletics director Bettye Giles on Saturday.
“What a great day,” Summitt said. “You’re here today because you love this university. You love Nadine (Gearin) and Bettye (Giles) and that’s what it’s about.”
Friday, October 05, 2012
Stepping down was 'very surprising, very hurtful'
University of Tennessee Lady Vols Head Coach Emeritus Pat Summitt says Athletics Director Dave Hart asked her to step down as head coach.
In a sworn affidavit related to a lawsuit filed against the university by former Lady Vol Media Director Debby Jennings, Summitt describes Hart's request as "very surprising to me and very hurtful."
"During this one-on-one meeting, Dave Hart indicated to me that I would not be coaching the Lady Vol Basketball Team in the next school year (2012-13)," Summitt said according to the affidavit filed Wednesday.
"This was very surprising to me and very hurtful as that was a decision I would have liked to have made on my own at the end of the season after consulting with my family, doctors, colleagues and friends and not to be told this by Mr. Hart. I felt this was wrong."
In a sworn affidavit related to a lawsuit filed against the university by former Lady Vol Media Director Debby Jennings, Summitt describes Hart's request as "very surprising to me and very hurtful."
"During this one-on-one meeting, Dave Hart indicated to me that I would not be coaching the Lady Vol Basketball Team in the next school year (2012-13)," Summitt said according to the affidavit filed Wednesday.
"This was very surprising to me and very hurtful as that was a decision I would have liked to have made on my own at the end of the season after consulting with my family, doctors, colleagues and friends and not to be told this by Mr. Hart. I felt this was wrong."
Thursday, October 04, 2012
New Summitt Memoir Titled "Sum It Up"
Pat Summitt's upcoming book, "Sum It Up," is being written by Washington Post sports writer Sally Jenkins.
Reports indicate the book will touch on her diagnosis last year of early-onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.
Hopefully it will also include her numerous miscarriages and divorce from Sevier County banker R.B. Summitt.
"Sum It Up" is due out in the spring of 2013.
Reports indicate the book will touch on her diagnosis last year of early-onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.
Hopefully it will also include her numerous miscarriages and divorce from Sevier County banker R.B. Summitt.
"Sum It Up" is due out in the spring of 2013.
Wednesday, October 03, 2012
Pat Summitt initially felt forced out by Tennessee
Pat Summitt said in an affidavit that she initially felt she was being forced to step down as the Lady Vols' basketball coach by Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart, who later told Summitt that she had misinterpreted his comments.
The signed affidavit was part of a lawsuit filed against the University of Tennessee by former Lady Vols media director Debby Jennings. In it, Summitt said Hart told her at a March 14 meeting prior to the NCAA tournament that she would have to step down at the end of the season. Summitt had revealed before the season that she was battling early-onset dementia.
"This was very surprising to me and very hurtful, as that was a decision I would have liked to have made on my own at the end of the season after consulting with my doctors, colleagues and friends and not be told this by Mr. Hart," Summitt said in the affidavit. "I felt this was wrong."
Summitt went on to say in the affidavit that Hart later told her that she had misinterpreted what he had said. The affidavit is included in an amended complaint filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Jennings' lawsuit alleges that age and sex discrimination led to her forced retirement from the school where she had worked for 35 years.
Tennessee officials had no immediate response to the amended complaint. Summitt's son, Tyler Summitt, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press Wednesday that, "We are not going to comment right now on this matter."
Summitt, whose 1,098 career wins are the most in NCAA men's or women's basketball history, retired from coaching in April after a 38-year tenure at Tennessee that included eight national championships. She remains part of the staff as head coach emeritus. Holly Warlick, Summitt's longtime assistant, was chosen to replace her.
Summitt's future as the Lady Vols coach was a season-long topic of discussion and Tennessee officials repeatedly said they would support whatever decision she made. Warlick was very emotional after the Lady Vols' season-ending defeat in the NCAA tournament on March 26. After the loss, Warlick said Summitt hadn't discussed the situation with her, or anyone else.
At the April press conference announcing her retirement, Tyler Summitt said the move was his mother's decision.
Pat Summitt said that day: "It's never a good time, but you have to find the time that you think is the right time and that is now."
Since announcing her retirement, Summitt has not indicated that she is unhappy about how her coaching career ended. She has appeared at several fundraisers for her foundation and at various events, including NFL and WNBA games, and a NASCAR race. She also has an office not far from Warlick and on Monday made an appearance during the Today Show's visit to Tennessee's campus.
When Jennings' lawsuit was originally filed Sept. 27, university spokesperson Margie Nichols denied any allegation that Summitt had been forced out.
"It's absolutely not true," Nichols said last week. "It was Pat's idea to become the head coach emeritus. I think she made that really clear at her press conference earlier this year."
Jennings' suit also argued that Hart retaliated against Jennings when she protested that Summitt's early onset dementia protected her from losing her job under the Americans With Disabilities Act. Jennings said in the original complaint that Summitt informed her of Hart's intentions after that March meeting. Jennings indicated in the suit that she sent a written protest to Hart asking him to reconsider, and that he sent her an angry email in response.
The suit indicates Hart spoke with Jennings at a May 15 meeting and gave her less than three hours to choose whether to resign, retire or be fired. The suit charges that she lost her job either due to her gender and age or out of retaliation for her advocacy of gender-equity issues, opposition to discrimination against female student-athletes and opposition to sex, disability or age discrimination.
Jennings was 57 years old when she left her job as the university worked toward consolidating the men's and women's athletic departments.
The signed affidavit was part of a lawsuit filed against the University of Tennessee by former Lady Vols media director Debby Jennings. In it, Summitt said Hart told her at a March 14 meeting prior to the NCAA tournament that she would have to step down at the end of the season. Summitt had revealed before the season that she was battling early-onset dementia.
"This was very surprising to me and very hurtful, as that was a decision I would have liked to have made on my own at the end of the season after consulting with my doctors, colleagues and friends and not be told this by Mr. Hart," Summitt said in the affidavit. "I felt this was wrong."
Summitt went on to say in the affidavit that Hart later told her that she had misinterpreted what he had said. The affidavit is included in an amended complaint filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Jennings' lawsuit alleges that age and sex discrimination led to her forced retirement from the school where she had worked for 35 years.
Tennessee officials had no immediate response to the amended complaint. Summitt's son, Tyler Summitt, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press Wednesday that, "We are not going to comment right now on this matter."
Summitt, whose 1,098 career wins are the most in NCAA men's or women's basketball history, retired from coaching in April after a 38-year tenure at Tennessee that included eight national championships. She remains part of the staff as head coach emeritus. Holly Warlick, Summitt's longtime assistant, was chosen to replace her.
Summitt's future as the Lady Vols coach was a season-long topic of discussion and Tennessee officials repeatedly said they would support whatever decision she made. Warlick was very emotional after the Lady Vols' season-ending defeat in the NCAA tournament on March 26. After the loss, Warlick said Summitt hadn't discussed the situation with her, or anyone else.
At the April press conference announcing her retirement, Tyler Summitt said the move was his mother's decision.
Pat Summitt said that day: "It's never a good time, but you have to find the time that you think is the right time and that is now."
Since announcing her retirement, Summitt has not indicated that she is unhappy about how her coaching career ended. She has appeared at several fundraisers for her foundation and at various events, including NFL and WNBA games, and a NASCAR race. She also has an office not far from Warlick and on Monday made an appearance during the Today Show's visit to Tennessee's campus.
When Jennings' lawsuit was originally filed Sept. 27, university spokesperson Margie Nichols denied any allegation that Summitt had been forced out.
"It's absolutely not true," Nichols said last week. "It was Pat's idea to become the head coach emeritus. I think she made that really clear at her press conference earlier this year."
Jennings' suit also argued that Hart retaliated against Jennings when she protested that Summitt's early onset dementia protected her from losing her job under the Americans With Disabilities Act. Jennings said in the original complaint that Summitt informed her of Hart's intentions after that March meeting. Jennings indicated in the suit that she sent a written protest to Hart asking him to reconsider, and that he sent her an angry email in response.
The suit indicates Hart spoke with Jennings at a May 15 meeting and gave her less than three hours to choose whether to resign, retire or be fired. The suit charges that she lost her job either due to her gender and age or out of retaliation for her advocacy of gender-equity issues, opposition to discrimination against female student-athletes and opposition to sex, disability or age discrimination.
Jennings was 57 years old when she left her job as the university worked toward consolidating the men's and women's athletic departments.
Tuesday, October 02, 2012
Fever 75, Dream 64
B. January had 16 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.
E. Larkins had 16 points and 20 rebounds.
K. Douglas had 24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and one steal.
Tamika Catchings had 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.
The Fever win the Eastern Conference semifinals two games to one. Indiana will face No. 1 seed Connecticut in the conference finals.
E. Larkins had 16 points and 20 rebounds.
K. Douglas had 24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and one steal.
Tamika Catchings had 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.
The Fever win the Eastern Conference semifinals two games to one. Indiana will face No. 1 seed Connecticut in the conference finals.
Monday, October 01, 2012
'Today' show hosts take a 'shine' to Big Orange Country
Pat Summitt was a surprise guest for NBC's 'Today' show broadcast from atop 'The Hill' on the University of Tennessee's campus in Monday, Oct. 1, 2012. The show's fourth hour, hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb carried on despite the steady rainfall. Gifford chose to wear a Peyton Manning jersey for the show, while Kotb wore a Justin Hunter jersey.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Tamika Catchings Named 2012 WNBA Defensive Player of Year
For the fifth time in her career, Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings has been named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year presented by Boost Mobile, the league announced today. Catchings previously won the award in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010.
Equally adept on the offensive end, this season Catchings finished first in the East and second overall in scoring among forwards (17.4 ppg) and third in the conference in field goals made (200). She led Indiana in rebounds (7.6 rpg), defensive rebounds (5.8 drpg), double-doubles (10), steals (2.06 spg) and blocks (0.85 bpg).
Honored as the Eastern Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile for August, Catchings ranked fourth in the league in defensive rebounds and double-doubles, fifth in steals, and sixth in rebounds.
Catchings, referred to as Indiana’s “do-everything” forward, is in her 12th season of league play. The 2011 WNBA Most Valuable Player is also a seven-time WNBA All-Star.
In honor of being named the Defensive Player of the Year presented by Boost Mobile, Catchings will receive $5,000 and a trophy specially designed by Tiffany & Co.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Former Lady Vols media director sues, claims Summitt was forced out
The University of Tennessee's former Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations is suing the university and Athletic Director Dave Hart.
Debby Jennings, the long-time coordinator who worked closely with the Lady Vols and Pat Summitt, announced her retirement in May. But a week later, Jennings' attorney claimed she was forced out, and hinted that a lawsuit could be filed.
On Thursday, the suit was filed, with Jennings claiming unlawful discrimination and retaliation. She is asking for a trial by jury along with monetary and injunctive relief.
According to attorney David Burkhalter, Jennings is specifically asking for a court order to require Hart and others in the athletics department to undergo "appropriate diversity and ethics training."
In the lawsuit, Jennings also claims that Dave Hart forced Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt to step down. She says Hart met with Summitt in March before the NCAA tournament and informed her she would no longer coach the Lady Vols.
Jennings goes on to say that Hart informed Summitt he would be hiring Holly Warlick as the Lady Vols head coach.
She says Summitt told her of the meeting and that she was "very upset and extremely hurt."
When Summitt announced her retirement, Summitt said it was her idea to step down because of her battle with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.
Tennessee Vice Chancellor for Communications, Margie Nichols, cited that press conference and said Jennings' claims are baseless, calling them "absolutely not true." She said it was Summitt's idea to become head coach emeritus.
Jennings has deferred comment to her attorney.
Debby Jennings, the long-time coordinator who worked closely with the Lady Vols and Pat Summitt, announced her retirement in May. But a week later, Jennings' attorney claimed she was forced out, and hinted that a lawsuit could be filed.
On Thursday, the suit was filed, with Jennings claiming unlawful discrimination and retaliation. She is asking for a trial by jury along with monetary and injunctive relief.
According to attorney David Burkhalter, Jennings is specifically asking for a court order to require Hart and others in the athletics department to undergo "appropriate diversity and ethics training."
In the lawsuit, Jennings also claims that Dave Hart forced Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt to step down. She says Hart met with Summitt in March before the NCAA tournament and informed her she would no longer coach the Lady Vols.
Jennings goes on to say that Hart informed Summitt he would be hiring Holly Warlick as the Lady Vols head coach.
She says Summitt told her of the meeting and that she was "very upset and extremely hurt."
When Summitt announced her retirement, Summitt said it was her idea to step down because of her battle with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.
Tennessee Vice Chancellor for Communications, Margie Nichols, cited that press conference and said Jennings' claims are baseless, calling them "absolutely not true." She said it was Summitt's idea to become head coach emeritus.
Jennings has deferred comment to her attorney.
Kara Lawson Receives 2012 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award
Connecticut Sun guard Kara Lawson was named the recipient of the 2012 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award, the WNBA announced today.
Designed to honor a player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship - ethical behavior, fair play and integrity - the award is named for the late Kim Perrot, who helped guide the Houston Comets to their first two WNBA championships, before passing away in August 1999, after a seven-month battle with cancer.
Designed to honor a player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship - ethical behavior, fair play and integrity - the award is named for the late Kim Perrot, who helped guide the Houston Comets to their first two WNBA championships, before passing away in August 1999, after a seven-month battle with cancer.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Buy Purple & Orange Pansies at Stanley's and help fight Alzheimer's
On a crisp, fall day, Lady Vols' Head Coach Emeritus Pat Summitt visited Stanley's Greenhouses and Plant Farm on Davenport Road in South Knoxville. She was there to announce the Alzheimer's Pansy Project to raise money for the Pat Summitt Foundation.
Both locations of Stanley's Greenhouses will donate proceeds from sales of orange and purple pansies (through the end of November) to the foundation named after Summitt, who announced in 2011 that she had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's.
The goal of the project is for East Tennesseans to plant purple and orange pansies at their businesses or homes. The two colors were picked because purple is the color associated with the fight against Alzheimer's and orange is for the University of Tennessee.
Stanley's is located at 3029 Davenport Road in South Knoxville. Their Secret Garden is located at 305 South Northshore Drive, near Kingston Pike and Northshore.
For more information call 865-573-9591.
Both locations of Stanley's Greenhouses will donate proceeds from sales of orange and purple pansies (through the end of November) to the foundation named after Summitt, who announced in 2011 that she had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's.
The goal of the project is for East Tennesseans to plant purple and orange pansies at their businesses or homes. The two colors were picked because purple is the color associated with the fight against Alzheimer's and orange is for the University of Tennessee.
Stanley's is located at 3029 Davenport Road in South Knoxville. Their Secret Garden is located at 305 South Northshore Drive, near Kingston Pike and Northshore.
For more information call 865-573-9591.
Friday, September 14, 2012
More honors for Pat Summitt
The Knoxville Association of Women Executives honored former Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt on Thursday as their 2012 Notable Woman Award Winner.
Summitt, who stepped down in April after 38 years as coach of the Lady Vols to become head coach emeritus for the program, was selected from a group of women nominated by the community and selected by a committee of KAWE members.
A cash award will be given to a charity of the winner's choice. Summitt, who has been diagnosed with early onset dementia Alzheimer's type, has established the Pat Summitt Foundation, which makes grants to nonprofit organizations that provide Alzheimer's education and research as well as support services.
Last Friday, Summitt was recognized by UT with a Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award, which honors alumni who have attained extraordinary distinction and success in their chosen fields.
Former UT guard Kara Lawson Barling, an analyst with ESPN and a member of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, received an Alumni Promise Award, which recognizes alumni 40 years old or younger.
Summitt, who stepped down in April after 38 years as coach of the Lady Vols to become head coach emeritus for the program, was selected from a group of women nominated by the community and selected by a committee of KAWE members.
A cash award will be given to a charity of the winner's choice. Summitt, who has been diagnosed with early onset dementia Alzheimer's type, has established the Pat Summitt Foundation, which makes grants to nonprofit organizations that provide Alzheimer's education and research as well as support services.
Last Friday, Summitt was recognized by UT with a Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award, which honors alumni who have attained extraordinary distinction and success in their chosen fields.
Former UT guard Kara Lawson Barling, an analyst with ESPN and a member of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, received an Alumni Promise Award, which recognizes alumni 40 years old or younger.
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Catchings Draws WNBA Monthly Honors
Former Lady Vol Named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month
A day after earning WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week accolades, former Lady Vol Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever was named the WNBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile on Wednesday. The award was for games played from Aug. 16 (when the league resumed play following its break for the 2012 Olympic Games) through the end of the month.
For Catchings, the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile award is the second of her career. She previously earned the award in July 2010, the first year in which the league recognized monthly performance.
In leading the Fever to a 6-1 record in August (tops in the East), Catchings helped Indiana clinch its eighth consecutive berth in the WNBA Playoffs presented by Boost Mobile, the longest active streak in the Eastern Conference. Along the way the 11th-year pro shared the conference lead in steals (2.14 spg), ranked third in scoring (16.6 ppg), tied for third in both assists (4.1 apg) and blocks (1.29 bpg), and was fourth in rebounds (7 rpg).
The WNBA career leader in steals and free throws made (827 and 1,541, respectively), Catchings also ranks in the top 10 all-time in rebounds (fourth, with 2,551), points (fifth, 5,618), assists (eighth, 1,230), three-point field goals made (eighth, 491), and total field goals made (tenth, 1,793).
Catchings' stellar effort during August came on the heels of her performance in the 2012 Olympics where she helped the United States Women's Olympic Basketball Team earn a fifth consecutive gold medal (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012), an Olympic record for traditional women's team sports.
This marks the first season that Boost Mobile - the league-wide marquee partner of the WNBA - has presented the WNBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month awards.
Highlights of Catchings' WNBA action in August included:
A day after earning WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week accolades, former Lady Vol Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever was named the WNBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile on Wednesday. The award was for games played from Aug. 16 (when the league resumed play following its break for the 2012 Olympic Games) through the end of the month.
For Catchings, the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile award is the second of her career. She previously earned the award in July 2010, the first year in which the league recognized monthly performance.
In leading the Fever to a 6-1 record in August (tops in the East), Catchings helped Indiana clinch its eighth consecutive berth in the WNBA Playoffs presented by Boost Mobile, the longest active streak in the Eastern Conference. Along the way the 11th-year pro shared the conference lead in steals (2.14 spg), ranked third in scoring (16.6 ppg), tied for third in both assists (4.1 apg) and blocks (1.29 bpg), and was fourth in rebounds (7 rpg).
The WNBA career leader in steals and free throws made (827 and 1,541, respectively), Catchings also ranks in the top 10 all-time in rebounds (fourth, with 2,551), points (fifth, 5,618), assists (eighth, 1,230), three-point field goals made (eighth, 491), and total field goals made (tenth, 1,793).
Catchings' stellar effort during August came on the heels of her performance in the 2012 Olympics where she helped the United States Women's Olympic Basketball Team earn a fifth consecutive gold medal (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012), an Olympic record for traditional women's team sports.
This marks the first season that Boost Mobile - the league-wide marquee partner of the WNBA - has presented the WNBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month awards.
Highlights of Catchings' WNBA action in August included:
- Aug. 16 vs. Washington: Double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds in an 84-66 win
- Aug. 18 vs. Atlanta: 17 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in an 86-72 victory.
- Aug. 28 vs. Washington: 17 points, five boards, five assists, two steals, and two blocks in an 83-68 win
- Aug. 30 at New York: 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals in a 76-63 win
- Sept. 1 vs. Chicago: Double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, three steals in an 81-64 win
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
Legendary Coach Pat Summitt to be Honored as 12th Titan Sunday at LP Field
Legendary Tennessee basketball coach Pat Summitt will be honored as the 12th Titan in a special ceremony prior to kickoff of the Tennessee Titans home opener against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 9. In addition, Titans owner K.S.”Bud” Adams, Jr. will donate $25,000 to the Pat Summitt Foundation in an effort to raise awareness and help find a cure to Alzheimer’s disease.
“I am very thankful for the generous support of Mr. Bud Adams and the Tennessee Titans' franchise,” said Summitt. “My son, Tyler and I have enjoyed attending Tennessee Titans games and cheering for our home state football team. I am humbled and excited that the Tennessee Titans have joined our team in fighting Alzheimer's disease through the The Pat Summitt Foundation.”
“I am very thankful for the generous support of Mr. Bud Adams and the Tennessee Titans' franchise,” said Summitt. “My son, Tyler and I have enjoyed attending Tennessee Titans games and cheering for our home state football team. I am humbled and excited that the Tennessee Titans have joined our team in fighting Alzheimer's disease through the The Pat Summitt Foundation.”
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Pat Summitt named the recipient of the Billie Jean King Legacy Award
The season of honors continued for Tennessee Lady Vols Coach Emeritus Pat Summitt as she is named the recipient of the Billie Jean King Legacy Award.
The award is presented by the US Tennis Association to a person whose courage and contributions helped change the cultural landscape.
The award is presented by the US Tennis Association to a person whose courage and contributions helped change the cultural landscape.
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