Paula Lee returns to Baton Rouge at head coach at BRCC

Former Lady Tiger assistant coach Paula Lee has returned to Baton Rouge to take over as head coach at Baton  Rouge Community College. Here is excerpts of an article by Robin Fambrough at The Advocate:

Paula Lee was the head coach at LSU Shreveport the first time Baton Rouge Community College opened a search for a head women’s basketball coach.

She applied, but didn’t get the job. That experience would have discouraged some people, but not Lee.

The persistence paid off. BRCC announced it has hired Lee, a New Roads native and a former LSU assistant coach, as its new women’s basketball coach on Thursday.

“I’m coming home,” Lee said. “This is a great opportunity for me to not only be part of something special as a coach, but to also be back home.

“We are delighted to have Coach Lee join our athletic department,” BRCC Chancellor Dorsey said in a news release from the school.  “Our ladies basketball program has already been established as a competitive presence in collegiate athletics, and we believe that Coach Lee has both the experience and leadership skills needed to continue that tradition.”

Lee started her coaching career at Belaire High in 1990. Within four years, Lee’s Bengals were 20-9 and in the Class 5A playoffs. Lee then spent seven years as an assistant at LSU. During that time the Tigers made three NCAA appearances.

Read the entire article at: http://bit.ly/d5V3mZ

Paula_lee

Posted by Bob Starkey 

Mone, Queen shine in head-to-head WNBA battle

Seimone Augustus scored 15 points, grabbed 5 boards and passed off for 5 assists to help Minnesota to an 89-66 victory over San Antonio.  San Antionio was lead in scoring by Roneeka Hodges who also had 15 points hitting 6 of 10 from the field and 3 of 5 from behind the arc. Queen hit for 13 of her 15 points in the first half to keep San Antonio in the game.

Game story and box score: http://bit.ly/9sqZAG

Mone

Filed under  //  Alumni   Seimone Augustus   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Big Syl helping CURE: Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy

Join Sylvia Fowles and CURE: Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy for the Official Chicago Sky Friday, July 23 game against the New York Liberty!

Purchase tickets at http://tinyurl.com/CURE2010 and enter promo code CURE or contact Shelli Anderson:
sanderson@chicagosky.net or 312.994.5980 to have a portion of your
...proceeds donated to CURE: Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy . As a spokesperson for CURE, Sylvia honors her nephew Morris who is affected by epilepsy.

If you would like to make a donation to CURE: Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy with Sylvia, but cannot attend the game log onto: http://tinyurl.com/CUREdonate and select "in honor."

Sylvia_fowles800

Filed under  //  Alumni   Community   Sylvia Fowles   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Seimone looks to help find cure, raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis

From Robin Fambrough of The Advocate:

Championships have always been at the heart of Seimone Augustus’ dreams.

Two surgeries in a 12-month period — one to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and the other to remove noncancerous fibroids from her abdomen and back — would end the dreams of some.

The 26-year-old former Capitol High and LSU standout isn’t your typical athlete. Her dreams are more vivid and defined than ever.

There are still visions of championships for the star of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. Augustus’ dreams now have a deeper driving force.

A season-ending ACL injury in June 2009 was followed by news that her father, Seymore, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

“I talk to my parents six or seven times a day,” Augustus said. “My dad has good days and bad days. Overall he’s doing better. He’s stubborn and he’s not about to let this get him down. My mom (Kim) is our rock. That’s motivation for me.”

Recovery from knee surgery kept Augustus from coming to Baton Rouge last summer. Instead, she researched multiple sclerosis.

Before she scanned the Internet, Augustus learned that Sherie Starkey, the wife of LSU women’s basketball assistant Bob Starkey, also has MS, and is also a breast cancer survivor. The Starkeys became valuable advisers for the Augustus family.

“I knew she (Sherie Starkey) had breast cancer, and when I found out she has MS, I was shocked,” Augustus said. “It affects more people than you think.”

Through research, talks with doctors and others such as Bob Starkey, Augustus learned about the various types of multiple sclerosis.

Seymore Augustus has a relapsing-remitting form. Periods with no problems are followed by those with symptoms including severe headaches, vision problems and loss of muscle strength.

Augustus wants to start a foundation to help find an MS cure. She is surveying options much like she does before executing a signature fade-away jumper.

Her dreams are shaded with orange. One day, she hopes the WNBA and others use it as a symbol.

“Orange is the color for MS just like pink is for breast cancer,” Augustus said. “What we do for breast cancer is so important. I’d love to see us do the same thing for MS in the WNBA. We could wear orange shoes, shoelaces and ribbons. It’s important to raise awareness.”

Augustus remains focused on basketball. The Lynx (5-11) are battling for a playoff berth. Augustus is averaging a team-high 17.6 points per game in seven games since her second surgery.

“I’m about 75 or 80 percent,” Augustus said. “I feel better every day. The hardest thing is getting back to playing at a high level.

Read Robin's entire article at: http://bit.ly/9oDlW3

Filed under  //  Alumni   Seimone Augustus   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Big Syl with another double-double

Sylvia Fowles, on the same day she was named the WNBA Player of the Week, turned in another outstanding performance with yet another double-double.  Big Syl poured in 26 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, blocked 2 shots and passed off for 2 assists but it wasn't enough as the Chicago lost to Indiana.  Syl also continued her great run at the free throw line hitting 8 of 8.

Chicago game story and box: http://bit.ly/dgO4At

Roneeka Hodges came off the bench for San Antonio to score 10 points while grabbing 4 rebounds to lead her team to victory over Connecticut. Rookie Allison Hightower logged 12 minutes off the bench scoring 4 points.

San Antonio/Connecticut game story and box: http://bit.ly/9ZEbGx

In Los Angeles, Temeka Johnson passed off for 6 assists, grabbing 6 rebounds and scoring 5 points to help Pheonix to victory over the Sparks. Marie Ferdinand-Harris had 4 points and 4 rebounds for LA.

Pheonix/Los Angeles game story and box: http://bit.ly/9YuWPw

Posted by Bob Starkey 

Big Syl WNBA Player of the Week....AGAIN!

NEW YORK, July 6, 2010Sylvia Fowles of the Chicago Sky and Lauren Jackson of the Seattle Storm were named the WNBA’s Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week presented by Kia Motors, respectively, for games played Monday, June 28 through Sunday, July 4.

This marks the first season that Kia Motors – an official WNBA marketing partner – has presented the WNBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week award.

Fowles and Jackson shared the top spot in rebounds for the week, each averaging 11.5 boards. Jackson led the league in scoring (25.5 ppg) and Fowles ranked second (24.0 ppg). Fowles also ranked atop the WNBA in blocks (3.5 bpg). This week marks Fowles’ second career Player of the Week presented by Kia Motors award, following her first honor on June 6 of this year.

Fowles posted a pair of double-doubles in leading Chicago to a 2-0 record during the week, giving the Sky four wins in a five-game stretch. The LSU product opened the week with 26 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, and four assists in a win over Connecticut. She then led Chicago past the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Dream with 22 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

Fowles, who will play for the USA Women's National Team in the "WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Stars at the Sun" contest on July 10, leads the WNBA in blocks (2.82 bpg), ranks fifth in scoring (18.9 ppg) and sixth in rebounding (8.9 rpg).

Syl_-_wnba1

Filed under  //  Alumni   Sylvia Fowles   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Fowles Earns Second WNBA Player of the Week Honor; Lady Tigers In The WNBA Weekly Update -- July 6, 2010

Lady Tigers In The WNBA Weekly Update – July 6, 2010

Every week, we will take a look at what former Lady Tigers did the past week in the WNBA.

Marie Ferdinand-Harris, Guard
Los Angeles Sparks

Ferdinand-Harris had her best game last week with a 12-point performance in a 80-68 loss to New York. The former LSU standout is averaging 6.3 points and 2.2 rebounds 12 games played this season. She has started six contests. You can tune in to watch Ferdinand as the Sparks take on the defending champion Phoenix Mercury at 9 p.m. CT Tuesday on ESPN.

Last Week:

June 29 vs. New York (L, 68-80) 12 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, 5-of-7 FG, 2-of-4 FT, 35 min

July 1 vs. San Antonio (W, 73-63) 4 pts, 2 ast, 23 min
July 3 vs. Seattle (L, 62-75) 0 pts, 11 min.

This Week:

Tuesday, July 6 vs. Phoenix, 9 p.m. CT ESPN

Sylvia Fowles, Center

Chicago Sky

Sylvia Fowles has posted back-to-back games of 20-plus points, raising her overall scoring average to 18.9 for the season. She received the league’s WNBA Player of the Week honor for the second time this season. She has reached double-figures in all 17 games she has played this season. On Saturday, Fowles led all scorers with 22 points and 12 rebounds as Chicago held off Atlanta by a score of 88-82. On July 1, she delivered another tremendous game with 26 points – her second-highest output of the season – to go along with 11 boards, four assists and four blocks. Fowles scored six points in the final 2:21 to put the game out of reach in a 92-80 win versus Connecticut. In her last two games Fowles averaged 24 points and 11.5 rebounds, good for second in the league just behind Seattle center Lauren Jackson. That same day, it was announced that Fowles would represent the United States National Team in the WNBA vs. USA Basketball contest to be played July 10 in Connecticut. Tune in this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT to watch the contest.

Last Week:

July 1 vs. Connecticut (W, 92-80) 26 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast, 4 blk, 11-of-14 FG, 4-of-5 FT, 31 min

July 3 at Atlanta (W, 88-82) 22 pts, 12 reb, 2 stl, 3 blk, 7-of-12 FG, 8-of-11 FT, 34 min

This Week:

Tuesday, July 6 vs.  Indiana, 7 p.m. CT

Sunday, July 11 at New York, 3 p.m. CT


Allison Hightower, Guard
Connecticut Sun

Allison Hightower has knocked down at least one 3-pointer in her last two contests coming off the bench for Connecticut. Her Sun take on San Antonio at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN2 tonight.

Last Week:

June 29 at Tulsa (W, 101-89) 3 pts, 1-of-2 FG, 1-of-2 3FG, 4 min

July 1 at Chicago (L, 80-92) 3 pts, 1-of-1 FG, 1-of-1 3FG, 2 min

This Week:

Tuesday, July 6 at San Antonio, 7 p.m. CT

Wednesday, July 7 at Atlanta, 7 p.m. CT


Temeka Johnson, Point Guard
Phoenix Mercury

Johnson dished out a game-high 11 assists and had 15 points for a double-double in a wild overtime loss to Washington on July 1. It marked the third time this season Johnson had posted double-digit assists, one shy of her season-high of 12.

Last Week:

June 29 at Atlanta (L, 88-94) 11 pts, 12 ast, 3-of-4 FT, 35 min

July 1 vs. Washington (L, 104-107) 15 pts, 4 reb, 11 ast, 6-of-10 FG, 1-of-2 3FG, 2-of-4 FT, 31 min

July 3 vs. New York (W, 97-82) 4 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, 24 min

This Week:

Tuesday, July 6 at Los Angeles, 7 p.m. CT


Scholanda Robinson, Guard
Tulsa Shock

Robinson has been on a tear the past seven games, scoring double-figures in every one of those contests. She finished 7-of-14 from the field for 19 points in a loss to Connecticut. On Saturday in a 69-54 loss to Washington, Robinson led the Shock with 16 points in 33 minutes of action.

Last Week:

June 29 vs. Connecticut (L, 89-101) 19 pts, 7-of-14 FG, 4-of-8 FT, 30 min

July 3 vs. Washington (L, 54-69) 16 pts, 2 stl, 8-of-10 FT, 33 min 

This Week:

Thursday, July 8 at Indiana, 6 p.m. CT

Seimone Augustus, Guard-Forward
Minnesota Lynx

Augustus is averaging 17.6 points on the season since her return from injury. That tally includes a 17-point effort in a 76-58 loss to the Atlanta Dream last week.

Last Week:

July 1 at Atlanta (L, 58-76) 17 pts, 3 reb, 2 stl, 8-of-15 FG, 1-of-2 FT, 32 min

This Week:

Thursday, July 8 vs. San Antonio, 7 p.m. CT   

Posted by Bill Martin  

Thanks to all our campers!

it is finally time to say good-bye to all our campers.  It was a great summer of basketball and we'd like to thanks two very special groups of people.

#1 The campers!  You guys were outstanding...tons of energy and enthusiasm...always asking good questions...wonderful work ethic.  Keep up that type of attitude and you will not only improve as a basketball player but also grow as young person.

#2 The parents (or the ones responsible to making it all happen)!  We greatly believe in our camp and how we teach and work with young people.  We know tha tyou feel the same way or you wouldn't have sent your child to us.  The dedication of the family is not lost on our staff and we want to say thanks!

If we could pass along just a little advice to all you campers out there it would be:

First, keep working on your game.  We have an oustanding camp but the only way you can truly improve is to continually work on your game now that camp is over.

Second, always be a good team member.  Listen to your coach.  Support your teammates.  And remember, you can be a good "teammate" in your home as well.  Listen to your parents and support your other family members.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

Filed under  //  Camp/Clinics  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Lady Tigers on the tube tonight

It will be a great evening to park it in front of the television to watch some Lady Tigers in action tonight.

At 7:00 PM, on ESPN2 Allison Hightower and the Connecticut Sun will face Roneeka Hodges in San Antonio.  Then at 9:00 PM, still on ESPN2, Temeka Johnson and the Pheonix Mercury battle conference rival Marie Ferdinand's Los Angeles Sparks in LA.

Earlier in the evening, Sylvia Fowles and the Chicago Sky host the Indiana Fever but that will not be televised.

Wnba_ball_2

Filed under  //  Alumni   Sylvia Fowles   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Happy 4th of July

"I thank God for my life

And for the stars and stripes

May freedom forever fly let it ring.

Salute the ones who died

And the ones that gave their lives

so we don`t have to sacrifice

All the things we love."

-Zak Brown Band

American_flag

Posted by Bob Starkey