Lots of changes this week:
1 Trinity Valley Community College
2 Hutchinson Community College
3 Central Arizona College
4 Pensacola State College
5 Gulf Coast State College
6 Northern Oklahoma College-Enid
7 Arizona Western College
8 Casper College
9 Shelton State Community College
10 Monroe Community College
11 Seward County Community College
12 North Idaho College
13 Chipola College
14 Walters State Community College
15 Independence Community College
16 Otero Junior College
17 New Mexico Junior College
18 Northwest Florida State College
19 Paris Junior College
20 Jefferson College
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Is this signing day?
Whoa!
Sparks sign Alana Beard.
From Sparks HQ:
Los Angeles Sparks Sign Four-Time All-Star Alana Beard
Free Agent Guard/Forward Has Averaged
16.2 Points, 4.2 Rebounds in Six WNBA Seasons
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Sparks have signed four-time WNBA All-Star Alana Beard to a free agent contract, Vice President and General Manager Penny Toler announced Wednesday. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Beard, a 5’11” guard/forward, averaged 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds 2.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game in six seasons with the Washington Mystics before missing the 2010 and 2011 campaigns with ankle and foot injuries, respectively. Prior to her injuries, Beard appeared in 193 of a possible 204 regular-season games dating back to her rookie campaign of 2004, starting 192. She earned WNBA All-Star Game selections from 2005-07 and again in 2009 – three times as a starter – and garnered 2006 Second Team All-WNBA honors.
“I’m excited that Alana has decided to join our Sparks family,” Toler said. “Alana is healthy and motivated to return to her All-Star form, and just as important she’s hungry to help the Sparks win a Championship. Alana is a proven winner and her leadership qualities will be a tremendous asset to the Sparks.”
Beard was selected second overall by Washington in the 2004 WNBA Draft from Duke, where she became the first player in women’s college basketball history to claim the John R. Wooden, State Farm Wade Trophy and Naismith Player of the Year Awards as a senior. As a rookie with the Mystics, she earned her first of four consecutive WNBA All-Defensive Team selections and set a new franchise record for steals in a season.
Beard’s breakthrough season came in 2006 when she averaged career-highs of 19.2 points (sixth in the WNBA) and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49.5% from the floor. The following season the Shreveport, La., native was nearly as productive at 18.8 points per game, fourth-highest average in the league. She made three Playoff appearances during her Washington career, most recently in 2009.
Beard is currently playing in Israel with Elitzur Ramla.
“I am extremely thankful and grateful to Sparks owners Paula and Roosevelt Madison, Penny Toler, Coach Ross and the entire organization for this opportunity,” Beard said. “I look forward to being a part of this team and playing with some of the best frontcourt players in the game in Candace Parker, DeLisha Milton-Jones and Ebony Hoffman.”
Off the court, Beard is one of the WNBA’s most community-minded players. She serves as an ambassador for the league’s Dribble to Stop Diabetes campaign, while through the Alana Beard Foundation she fosters a "no-excuse" environment to provide the young women of tomorrow with the necessary resources critical to achieving success on or off court.
Sparks sign Alana Beard.
From Sparks HQ:
Los Angeles Sparks Sign Four-Time All-Star Alana Beard
Free Agent Guard/Forward Has Averaged
16.2 Points, 4.2 Rebounds in Six WNBA Seasons
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Sparks have signed four-time WNBA All-Star Alana Beard to a free agent contract, Vice President and General Manager Penny Toler announced Wednesday. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Beard, a 5’11” guard/forward, averaged 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds 2.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game in six seasons with the Washington Mystics before missing the 2010 and 2011 campaigns with ankle and foot injuries, respectively. Prior to her injuries, Beard appeared in 193 of a possible 204 regular-season games dating back to her rookie campaign of 2004, starting 192. She earned WNBA All-Star Game selections from 2005-07 and again in 2009 – three times as a starter – and garnered 2006 Second Team All-WNBA honors.
“I’m excited that Alana has decided to join our Sparks family,” Toler said. “Alana is healthy and motivated to return to her All-Star form, and just as important she’s hungry to help the Sparks win a Championship. Alana is a proven winner and her leadership qualities will be a tremendous asset to the Sparks.”
Beard was selected second overall by Washington in the 2004 WNBA Draft from Duke, where she became the first player in women’s college basketball history to claim the John R. Wooden, State Farm Wade Trophy and Naismith Player of the Year Awards as a senior. As a rookie with the Mystics, she earned her first of four consecutive WNBA All-Defensive Team selections and set a new franchise record for steals in a season.
Beard’s breakthrough season came in 2006 when she averaged career-highs of 19.2 points (sixth in the WNBA) and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49.5% from the floor. The following season the Shreveport, La., native was nearly as productive at 18.8 points per game, fourth-highest average in the league. She made three Playoff appearances during her Washington career, most recently in 2009.
Beard is currently playing in Israel with Elitzur Ramla.
“I am extremely thankful and grateful to Sparks owners Paula and Roosevelt Madison, Penny Toler, Coach Ross and the entire organization for this opportunity,” Beard said. “I look forward to being a part of this team and playing with some of the best frontcourt players in the game in Candace Parker, DeLisha Milton-Jones and Ebony Hoffman.”
Off the court, Beard is one of the WNBA’s most community-minded players. She serves as an ambassador for the league’s Dribble to Stop Diabetes campaign, while through the Alana Beard Foundation she fosters a "no-excuse" environment to provide the young women of tomorrow with the necessary resources critical to achieving success on or off court.
Tamika Catchings re-signs with Indiana Fever
There aren't too many left who have only played for one WNBA team. Tamika Catchings will remain with the Indiana Fever.....no surprise there.
Eight players added to the State Farm Wade Watch Hopefuls list
Incredible nominees. I'd hate to have to make the choices.
WBCA All-America Game participants named
The list:
Jordan Adams
Kahleah Copper
Nirra Fields
Bashaara Graves
Malina Howard
Moriah Jefferson
Alexis Jones
Jasmine Jones
Jonquel Jones
Jordan Jones
Nicole Kornet
Jewell Loyd
Michaela Mabrey
Xylina McDaniel
Tierney Pfirman
Alexis Prince
Imani Stafford
Breanna Stewart
Morgan Tuck
Courtney Williams
Breanna Stewart of New York is the WBCA National High School Player of the Year.
Jordan Adams
Kahleah Copper
Nirra Fields
Bashaara Graves
Malina Howard
Moriah Jefferson
Alexis Jones
Jasmine Jones
Jonquel Jones
Jordan Jones
Nicole Kornet
Jewell Loyd
Michaela Mabrey
Xylina McDaniel
Tierney Pfirman
Alexis Prince
Imani Stafford
Breanna Stewart
Morgan Tuck
Courtney Williams
Breanna Stewart of New York is the WBCA National High School Player of the Year.
Play for Kay this weekend
Coverage map for this weekend's games, supporting the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
NCAA:
Oklahoma has taken a tumble, but they'll be OK, says ESPN.
Total access to Stanford hoops. More specifically, pillow pets and bus rides.
Conference alignments:
Memphis will join the Big East.
Conference USA meets later this week to talk about joining the Mountain West Conference.
WNBA:
The Atlanta Dream have signed Cathrine Kraayeveld.
The San Antonio Silver Stars have signed Shameka Christon.
NCAA:
Oklahoma has taken a tumble, but they'll be OK, says ESPN.
Total access to Stanford hoops. More specifically, pillow pets and bus rides.
Conference alignments:
Memphis will join the Big East.
Conference USA meets later this week to talk about joining the Mountain West Conference.
WNBA:
The Atlanta Dream have signed Cathrine Kraayeveld.
The San Antonio Silver Stars have signed Shameka Christon.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Powerade Fab 50, week nine
Windward's defeat of Mater Dei Friday moves them from fifth to sixth this week. The list, and the top ten:
1. Saint Mary's
2. Riverdale Baptist
3. McEachern
4. Bolingbrook
5. Windward
6. Riverdale
7. Nazareth
8. Cicero-North Syracuse
9. Clarksville
10. Hoover
1. Saint Mary's
2. Riverdale Baptist
3. McEachern
4. Bolingbrook
5. Windward
6. Riverdale
7. Nazareth
8. Cicero-North Syracuse
9. Clarksville
10. Hoover
USA Today/ESPN poll this week
North Carolina and Kansas are out, and South Carolina and Vanderbilt are in. (Wonder how long it's been since SC has been there). And I'm still getting used to seeing Delaware so high. The list:
1. Baylor
2. Notre Dame
3. Connecticut
4. Stanford
5. Duke
6. Miami
7. Kentucky
8. Maryland
9. Wisconsin-Green Bay
10. Ohio State
11. Tennessee
12. Delaware
13. Georgetown
14. Texas A&M
15. Nebraska
16. Rutgers
17. Louisville
18. Gonzaga
19. Purdue
20. Georgia
21. Penn State
22. DePaul
23. Georgia Tech
24. South Carolina
25. Vanderbilt
1. Baylor
2. Notre Dame
3. Connecticut
4. Stanford
5. Duke
6. Miami
7. Kentucky
8. Maryland
9. Wisconsin-Green Bay
10. Ohio State
11. Tennessee
12. Delaware
13. Georgetown
14. Texas A&M
15. Nebraska
16. Rutgers
17. Louisville
18. Gonzaga
19. Purdue
20. Georgia
21. Penn State
22. DePaul
23. Georgia Tech
24. South Carolina
25. Vanderbilt
Cierra Warren leaves Louisville
Sophomore center Cierra Warren has left the Louisville team. She had already sat out last season after transferring from North Carolina.
Cardinals Coach Jeff Walz was unusually candid about it:
“The girls had a team meeting after the DePaul game and they were like, ‘Hey, this is not acceptable. We have to go harder and push ourselves,’ ” Walz said. “Cierra decided she didn’t want to work that hard."
(I've never seen a coach say anything besides, "we thank her for her contributions.")
Other college news:
The Lady Vols need to spread out Glory Johnson's defense.
Wisconsin-Green Bay is flourishing under Coach Matt Bollant.
The Pac-12 has extended the contract of commissioner Larry Scott through 2016.
The Washington Post has a great piece on Baylor. But the New York Times says the Texas Bears aren't all about Griner. You decide.
Book news:
Ann Meyers Drysdale's autobiography, "You let some girl beat you? The story of Ann Meyers Drysdale" will be out this June. Read the first chapter on her website.
Cardinals Coach Jeff Walz was unusually candid about it:
“The girls had a team meeting after the DePaul game and they were like, ‘Hey, this is not acceptable. We have to go harder and push ourselves,’ ” Walz said. “Cierra decided she didn’t want to work that hard."
(I've never seen a coach say anything besides, "we thank her for her contributions.")
Other college news:
The Lady Vols need to spread out Glory Johnson's defense.
Wisconsin-Green Bay is flourishing under Coach Matt Bollant.
The Pac-12 has extended the contract of commissioner Larry Scott through 2016.
The Washington Post has a great piece on Baylor. But the New York Times says the Texas Bears aren't all about Griner. You decide.
Book news:
Ann Meyers Drysdale's autobiography, "You let some girl beat you? The story of Ann Meyers Drysdale" will be out this June. Read the first chapter on her website.
Monday, February 6, 2012
WNBA gearing up; big Monday
Veteran center Ann Wauters has signed with the Seattle Storm. So if Lauren Jackson decides to stay in Australia after the Olympics, the Storm might have a fighting chance.
Storm coach Brian Agler has been traveling around the nation and the globe, so who knows what other moves he has planned.
The Chicago Sky signed vet Ruth Riley, making them scarier by the day.
Does anyone else feel like this season will be a good one?
WNBA transaction page.
Tonight in NCAA action, it's a double-header: North Carolina at Duke, 4 p.m. PST/7 p.m. EST, and Oklahoma at Baylor, 6 p.m./9 p.m.
Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli preview both games.
WNBA bonus:
Lindsey Harding ran a half marathon a week ago, and she chronicled the entire journey.
High school bonus:
Seattle center Katie Collier talks with ESPN about playing her senior year while receiving treatment for leukemia.
Storm coach Brian Agler has been traveling around the nation and the globe, so who knows what other moves he has planned.
The Chicago Sky signed vet Ruth Riley, making them scarier by the day.
Does anyone else feel like this season will be a good one?
WNBA transaction page.
Tonight in NCAA action, it's a double-header: North Carolina at Duke, 4 p.m. PST/7 p.m. EST, and Oklahoma at Baylor, 6 p.m./9 p.m.
Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli preview both games.
WNBA bonus:
Lindsey Harding ran a half marathon a week ago, and she chronicled the entire journey.
High school bonus:
Seattle center Katie Collier talks with ESPN about playing her senior year while receiving treatment for leukemia.
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