Tia reports from the weight room

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TIA EASON (4-29-10):
Hey Lady Tiger Fans, as you know Championships are won in the off-season. We have been working really hard since the season came to an end. Our Spring weightlifting workouts have been going really well. We have the best strength and conditioning coach and Coach (Melissa) Moore will always make sure she gets the absolute best out of us. We have been doing a lot of core work and power lifts to work on our explosiveness. We are really working hard to come back stronger next season. And for the perimeter players, a lot of us are lifting as much as the post players or even more. So post players I'm going to need you to step it up. Just kidding the post players are doing a great job. Overall the team is doing a great job.

Filed under  //  Player's Post   Strength & Conditioning  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Meek scores 21 in exhibition game

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The Mercury's WNBA title defense didn't officially begin Saturday night at US Airways Center - reigning league MVP Diana Taurasi wasn't even in the building - but coach Corey Gaines sure was acting like it, pacing the sideline and yelling instructions to his players.

And they listened: The Mercury wrapped up its two-game preseason in preparation for the games that count (starting Saturday against the visiting Los Angeles Sparks) by speeding past the Chinese national team 106-78 in front of 2,393.

Lady Tiger alum Temeka Johnson saw her first action since rejoining the team from her overseas play and poured in 21 points and passed off for four assists.

"We're constantly learning each other and waiting for some other pieces to the puzzle to get here," said veteran point guard Johnson, who with forward Penny Taylor signed a multiyear Mercury contract in April. "We understand what we need to do."

Filed under  //  Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Coach Gunter inducted into LSU Hall of Fame

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This past weekend, Coach Gunter was inducted into the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame. Below is excerpts from an article beautifully written by Lady Tiger SID Bill Martin:


The late Sue Gunter was a pioneer in women's basketball, but what defined the Hall of Famer was something much more than 708 wins in 40 seasons. She was a mentor and a friend and she did it with integrity and class.

Those two traits are easy to see why her legacy lives on in Baton Rouge and throughout the women's game today. There are reminders everywhere at LSU of what she meant to the program. A bronze statue and painting stands in the complex named in her honor. A banner hangs from the Maravich Center rafters with her accomplishments. Her phrase "dream big, work hard," is prominent among the current class of players.

Then there are the people she affected on a daily basis during her coaching career - the players, the managers, the coaches and the support staff. A painting proudly hangs from the wall of LSU associate head coach Bob Starkey's office. A photo sits on the desk of Cornelia Gayden, a three-time All-Southeastern Conference guard from 1993-95, in her office in McComb, Miss.

"Playing for Coach Gunter was one of the most amazing things to ever happen to me in my life," said Gayden, a 1995 All-American. "She was not only a great coach and a great mentor for all of us. She was concerned about our education and concerned about us as people first and foremost. That just made it easy to want to play for her."

"Coach Gunter is someone who has greatly influenced me as a coach and as a person," Starkey said. "That influence is just as strong today ever before. I feel obligated to carry on her legacy of love for the game and the players that play it so that I can share her influence.


Read Bill Martin's entire article at: http://bit.ly/b5JvOP

Filed under  //  Sue Gunter  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Lady Tigers welcome Joni Crenshaw to LSU family

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LSU women's basketball coach Van Chancellor announced on Tuesday that Joni Crenshaw, formerly the associate head coach at the University of Alabama, would be joining the Lady Tiger staff as an assistant basketball coach.

"I am extremely pleased to have Joni join our staff at LSU," said Chancellor. "She's grown up in the SEC, having both played and coach in this league. She is going to do a tremendous job recruiting for us and she will be a great role model for our players. This a great hire for our program."

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to become a part of the Lady Tiger family," said Crenshaw. "Working for Van Chancellor, an Olympic coach with four WNBA titles, and a program that has gone to five straight Final Fours in recent years, and what the entire staff brings to women's basketball as a whole. I am just excited about the opportunity to work with that staff and continue to grow as a basketball coach."

Read the entire release: http://bit.ly/aJjU4V

Posted by Bill Martin  

Meek talks basketball and her HOPE Foundation

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Here are just a few excerpts from a wonderful interview with Temeka Johnson. Make sure you click on the link: http://bit.ly/da6dfj to read it in it's entirety to see what Meek has to say about returning as a WNBA champion, playing overseas, her pro history, her time at LSU and her dedicated work to her HOPE Foundation.


You have started basketball very young, what made you try and love this sport?
Yes, I loved the game of basketball. Since the age of 6 I’ve been playing the sport. Both of my parents played it, so it was a game that really came natural to me.

From 2002 to 2005 you attended the Louisiana State University, how was this period for you? Is your Assist Pass Record still relevant?
My time at LSU was great. It started off with me sitting out my 1st year, but that allowed me to concentrate on my studies and also become a smarter player by observing the game. I still hold the LSU assist record.

You have a lot of websites such as Meek2.com , and MeeksHOPE.org , Meek Moments without to forget Facebook and Twitter why do so many websites? Family, friends, fans?
At first, I only had my Meek2.com site, but once I started my foundation, I wanted to have a separate presence on the web. We are relaunching the MeeksHOPE.org site during the WNBA season, so that will be a central place for fans to find out about me. The blog site was based on having a more current place where I could let my friends, family and fans know about what I was doing daily.

You also created your own foundation (MeeksHOPE.org) can you introduce it?
Yes, my foundation is called the HOPE Foundation, which stands for Heaven Opens People’s Eyes. It is a dream come true, as I get to help so many in need.

Why did you create this foundation?
My foundation has always been a goal of mine. I am where I am now, due to the support of my family and friends. Without them, I would not be here, so I want to give back and help out as many people as possible. Many people have stated that I give them hope to reach their dreams, so I want to actually assist them in their dreams and goals. Sometimes it’s a small thing that can help push or position a person for greatness. I love being able to help othersin need!

Did you have some great moments in your foundation? What is your next step, expectation?
Setting up the Jewel Johnson Scholarship fund in honor of my grandmother was one of my greatest moments with the HOPE Foundation. She meant so much to me and the students she taught, that I was proud to make this happen. In October I also had the Temeka Johnson Weekend in Baton Rouge, Kenner and New Orleans, where we hosted a number of charity events for the community. I was so proud to be able to do that. For next steps, we have a lot in store. We have a children’s book coming out, a charity basketball game, adopting more schools, and just growing the foundation. I am truly blessed.

Do you have teammates who come to help you?
Yes, I have teammates such as Ketia Swanier that have joined me with certain foundation events, but also other players. Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky) actually presented me with a $5,000 USD check to start the Jewel Johnson Scholarship fund. We all help each other, and also give signed items that help each of our foundations to raise the money needed to create more programs for those in need.

Filed under  //  Community   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Allison Prepares for First WNBA Practice

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From the LSU Reveille:

Former LSU guard Allison Hightower officially kicked off her life as a WNBA player Monday.
The LSU All-American Honorable Mention player participated in her first practice of training camp with the Connecticut Sun, which selected her in the second round of the WNBA draft April 8.

Hightower said she felt calm heading into the practice.

“I don’t have any nerves right now, which is surprising,” she said. “I’m just ready to get started. I’m prepared to go out there and work as hard as I can to get a spot.”

Hightower said getting to know her older teammates has been smooth so far.

“The veterans have actually been pretty nice helping us along the way and showing us some things,” Hightower said. “I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about how the veterans make rookies carry their bags and get their food. We haven’t had to do that yet.”

Allison Hightower said adjusting to life in the North has been exhilarating.

“Connecticut is different, a lot of trees and mountains,” she said. “I’m definitely going to miss the crawfish and all that, but I’m so excited about this opportunity to play and travel — the whole package.”

Hightower said LSU prepared her to take the WNBA by storm, and she knows there is always room to polish her basketball skills at the professional level.

“It’s all about putting in time and extra work to make every part of your game sharp,” Hightower said. “I’m working on the overall thing — shooting, dribbling and passing. You always have something to work on.”

Read the entire article: http://bit.ly/b3lEsV

 

Filed under  //  WNBA  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Allison, Sun rookies meet Connecticut fans

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A crowd of roughly 300 turned out to welcome four members of the 2010 Connecticut Sun Draft Class on Friday afternoon.


Tina Charles, Danielle McCray, Kelsey Griffin and Allison Hightower were all on hand to receive their Sun jerseys during a raucous event in front of the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office. Third-round draft pick Johannah Leedham was unable to attend because of a previous commitment.Coach Mike Thibault spoke briefly about the 2010 WNBA Draft before handing the microphone back to Connecticut Sun Vice President and General Manager Chris Sienko, who introduced each of the players.


Fans were given a chance to shout out questions for the players, who also signed a few autographs before meeting with the media.

Filed under  //  WNBA  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Seimone undergoes minor surgery

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The Minnesota Lynx today issued a medical update regarding the status of Seimone Augustus.
Augustus underwent successful surgery on Saturday to remove fibroids. An update on Augustus' status for the remainder of training camp and the start of the regular season will be issued later in the week as more information becomes available. Augustus will not be available for comment until a later date as she recovers from surgery.

Filed under  //  Seimone Augustus   WNBA  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Lady Tigers go through media training

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LASONDRA BARRETT (4-19-10):
About 2 or 3 times a year, our team goes through media training, where we practice speaking in front of the camera and prepare ourselves to answer questions that the reporters might ask. Media training is just as important as basketball training because it prepares us to be comfortable and speak correctly when in front of the cameras or interviewed by reporters. Thursday, April 22, we were asked many questions like a mock interview with Ms. Shirley White. We were filmed while she asked questions and gave us positive and negative feedback. Some of the tips she gave about having a good interview are always maintain eye contact with the interviewer, shake their hand before and after the interview, and be aware of "um's" and "you know." These media trainings always help our team because it allows us to be comfortable when given a real interview, and it also prepares us of what to say and what not to say.

Filed under  //  Media  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Lady Tigers appear at Baton Rouge Zoo for BREC

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COURTNEY JONES (4-17-10):
I had a blast at the zoo. I can't even remember the last time I went! After signing autographs we all decided to walk around to look at the animals. Honestly I had no idea what most animals were. It was a joy being able to be only feet away from them and experience them. I was really amazed at the Japanese Coy fish! They were HUGE and so colorful! I would love to go again one day!

Filed under  //  Community   Player's Post  
Posted by Bill Martin