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.
Friday, November 09, 2012
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.
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