Hightower named Louisiana top female college basketball player

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BATON ROUGE - After leading LSU to the NCAA tournament for the 12th straight season and ending her career as the 13th all-time leading scorer in school history, Allison Hightower has been voted as the 2009-10 Louisiana Player of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, making her a repeat winner in the category.

Hightower edged out Louisiana Tech's Shanavia Dowdell by four first place votes in ballots submitted by university sports information directors and select members of the state's media. She also earned a spot on the All-Louisiana first team.

It marks the seventh straight season LSU has produced the Louisiana Player of the Year. Sylvia Fowles won the award in 2007 and 2008 and Seimone Augustus claimed the honor three consecutive seasons from 2004-06. Hightower won the award as a junior in 2009.

Hightower has been invited to attend the 2010 WNBA Draft on April 8 in Secaucus, N.J. The draft airs live on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com at 2 p.m. CST Thursday.

Dowdell joins Hightower on the All-Louisiana first team along with Bickham, Tulane's Chassidy Brown, and Adrienne Johnson, also of Louisiana Tech.

Voted onto the second team were Brittany Powell of Xavier, Tillisha Givens of Louisiana College, Trenese Smith of Loyola, LaSondra Barrett of LSU, and Hannah Kador of Southern.

Barrett, a second team All-SEC selection, led LSU in rebounding with 6.6 boards per game, while ranking second on the team with 12.8 points per contest. The sophomore posted five double-doubles and led the SEC in free throw percentage at 84.4 percent (147-of-161). She became the first LSU player since Seimone Augustus in 2003 to lead the SEC in free throw percentage.

LSU junior guard Katherine Graham received honorable mention honors after averaging 8.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Graham led LSU in field goal percentage (45.7) and produced just the third triple-double in school history with 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds against Ole Miss on Feb. 7.

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LSU signee named Louisiana Miss Basketball

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The following was written by Chris Singleton for the LSWA and printed in The Advocate:


HOUMA — When Theresa Plaisance took her first steps onto the Vandebilt Catholic campus two years ago, she described it as walking into a new world.

After starring at Ursuline Academy of New Orleans as a freshman and sophomore, Plaisance transferred to Vandebilt before her junior season when her mother, DoBee Plaisance, landed the women’s basketball coaching job at nearby Nicholls State University.

At first, Plaisance said the transition to a new school was difficult because she didn’t know anyone. She also struggled with playing in a new system under longtime Vandebilt coach Kathy Luke, who wanted the 6-foot-5 standout to play the post instead of the guard position she played at Ursuline.

Although it took some time to get used to a new school and basketball position, Plaisance eventually enjoyed success, leading Vandebilt to a Class 4A state-runner up trophy in 2009.

A year later, she etched her name into Vandebilt history by leading the school to its first state championship in basketball with a 70-51 victory over Jennings in the 4A title game. She scored a game-high 24 points with 11 rebounds, five blocked shots and three assists to win the game’s outstanding player award.

For her success this year, Plaisance has been voted the 2010 Farm Bureau Miss Basketball by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

The award is one of many that Plaisance, an LSU signee, has won since moving to Vandebilt, including being named a two-time Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year, a 2010 McDonald’s All-American and the Class 4A player of the year.

Plaisance said winning Miss Basketball was a great way to cap her senior season.

“It’s a huge honor and I really appreciate it,” Plaisance said. “It’s been a great year, and it will always be special just because we brought the first basketball championship of any kind to Vandebilt. That means more to me than anything.”

As a senior, Plaisance averaged 16 points with 10 rebounds and two blocks to lead the Lady Terriers to a school-best 35-1 record. She said her success wouldn’t have been possible without her teammates.

“I owe it all to them,” Plaisance said. “My teammates come first to me. This team has been very special, and we’re all so close that we’re like a family.”


Read the entire article at: http://bit.ly/9q51tK

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Allison realizing her dream

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By Jim Kleinpeter, The Times Picayune
April 01, 2010

BATON ROUGE -- As a schoolgirl in Arlington, Texas, LSU guard Allison Hightower chased the WNBA dream.

Because her grandparents lived in Houston, she took in Houston Comets games whenever she visited. She saw the Comets win three of their four championships under current LSU coach Van Chancellor.

Back home, she plastered her bedroom wall with posters of her idol, Cynthia Cooper, and collected the league trading cards.

"I used to wear the fake championship rings they passed out at the game, " she said with a smile.

Now the dream is becoming real. Hightower, one of the elite players in LSU history, is expected to be one of the top 10 picks in the WNBA draft to be held April 8 in Secaucus, N.J. If that happens, she will be the seventh WNBA first-round pick from Louisiana State University. The first was Marie Ferdinand in 2001.

"It's just so exciting, so surreal right now, " said Hightower, an All-American the past two seasons and Player of the Year candidate this season. "That was so long ago. It's exciting that women have a professional game. It's always been my dream to play in the WNBA."


Read the entire article at: http://bit.ly/a8IptS

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Allison to attend WNBA Draft Show on April 8

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NEW YORK, April 1, 2010 – Fourteen of the top women’s basketball prospects have been invited to the 2010 WNBA Draft presented by adidas on Thursday, April 8 at the NBA Entertainment studios in Secaucus, N.J.


The list of invitees is headlined by Allison Hightower (LSU), Tina Charles and Kalana Greene (University of Connecticut), Jayne Appel (Stanford University) and Amanda Thompson (University of Oklahoma), who are still competing in the NCAA Women’s Final Four. In addition, Associated Press All-Americans Monica Wright (University of Virginia) and Kelsey Griffin (University of Nebraska) highlight the list of prospects.

ESPN2 and ESPN360.com will provide live coverage and analysis of the first round of the draft beginning at 3 p.m. ET. ESPNU and NBA TV will broadcast the second and third rounds.

After completing a trade with the Minnesota Lynx earlier this year, the Connecticut Sun hold the top pick in the draft for the first time in franchise history. The Sun obtained the first overall pick and Renee Montgomery from the Lynx in exchange for Lindsay Whalen and the second overall pick. It marked the first time in league history that a team had swapped the No. 1 pick in advance of the WNBA Draft. Minnesota previously obtained the pick from the New York Liberty, which ultimately led to the Lynx winning the ninth annual WNBA Draft Lottery. The Lynx now have the second and third picks in the 2010 WNBA Draft followed by the Chicago Sky and the San Antonio Silver Stars to round out the top five selections.

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Ally speak to media about WNBA future

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Allison Hightower spent yesterday afternoon as one of four WNBA draft prospects in a nation-wide media teleconference. Here is her response to some of the questions:

Allison Hightower (Opening Statement): I am excited to have this op to be able to be in the WNBA draft and just as everyone else said, there are some great players in this league. I have had a great career here at LSU and I am just looking forward to continuing it on the professional side.

Q: Allison, you have the advantage for playing for Van Chancellor who coached in the WNBA. How much of an advantage was that for you in getting ready for the draft and what has he told you to expect?

AH: "I think it was really good advantage. Some of the stuff he ran here he also ran in the WNBA such as pick-and-roll. I think that prepped me for the next level. He told me [WNBA teams] do a lot of that stuff. He gave me great advice on what I need to learn and work on and he’s just been a really big help for me.”

Q: What do you think you need to work on the most?

AH: “Just having a stronger right hand, everybody knows I’m left handed. I’m just going to have to develop a right hand and make it more consistent. I also have to work on my jumpshot and make it more consistent.”

Q: Allison, I know you had talked about visiting your grandparents in Houston and them taking you to watch the Comets play? Did you envision yourself in the WNBA at that point?

AH: "Having grandparents that lived in Houston was just awesome for me because as you know the Houston Comets were a big thing there. I was able to go watch those games when I was younger and see great players, a great fan base and it really motivated me and got me excited about women playing professionally. I got to see a lot of games and go to a lot of championship games. I thought of myself maybe being able to play in the WNBA and now that I am able to have that opportunity, I am just blessed and it’s a great feeling.”

Q: What are your thoughts on the transition from college to the WNBA? It’s such a quick turnaround?

AH: “I think it’s all about being tough. If you want to play you just have to go ahead and play. It’s going to be a very physical league, its going to be long, but that’s what you prepare for. You prepare for these types of thing. I am looking forward too it.”

Q: Can you speak about the fact that you are the second generation of players to see women play professionally in the States?

AH: “It is a great opportunity for women to be able to play here in the States and not be able to go overseas if you don’t have to. It’s great to play in front of our family, friends and fans here.”

Q: Now that you see yourselves becoming professionals, have you thought about your role in becoming role models for the young ladies growing up?

AH: “I think that college has prepared us to be great role models because a lot of people that come to our games are a younger crowd. The WNBA is the same fan base. We have to be role models for a younger generation that look up to us and continue to carry good attitudes and be disciplined.”

Q: Allison, what have you heard about your draft prospects?

AH: “[The draft] is very guard heavy. I don’t know much about where I might be going. I am just looking forward to having the opportunity. Its going to be a great draft, there’s a lot of great players. I am just looking forward to seeing what is going to happen.”

Q: You have been one of LSU’s leaders in your career – how will you adjust to being on the learning end once you start your career?

AH: “I was in the same position when I started at LSU. W e had the class of 2008 leave – 8 seniors. I easily learned form them and took their advice. I looked up to them on-the-court and off. When I get the opportunity to go to the league, it’s all about learning and taking what they say and being a coachable player.”

Q: What is a very coachable player in your mind?

AH: “Listening, being disciplined, doing the things they need you to do and giving great effort.”

Q: What do you think is your strength and skill that you bring the league that is not always recognized?

AH: “I come from a defensive school and it’s all about teamwork and effort. I can add energy to a team.”


Read the entire transcript of the press conference at: http://bit.ly/dafwqp

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WNBA Coaches & GM talk about Allison

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WNBA head coaches and general managers discuss Allison Hightower and her prospects in the WNBA.


Q: Can you give a general assessment of Allison Hightower?

CHERYL REEVE: “I think Allison Hightower is a player that has a chance to be successful in our league because she can score the ball and she’s a very good defender. She’s in a situation where that position is one that probably has the most depth in the draft. The perimeter players I think have good number of players and it depends on your taste in a basketball player and it might depend a little geographically, how much you’ve seen a player but there’s a good bunch of players in the category with Hightower, that I think they’re all very good, it is just a matter of where they land.”

JENNIFER GILLON: “Just to add on to what Cheryl said, I think Allison Hightower is probably one of the best guard defenders that’s out there. There are so many things she can do. She’s a very versatile player, a great three-point shooter, has a nice mid-range jumper, great penetrater and you get a player of her caliber that players well on both ends of the court, I think she’s an outstanding athlete. ”

Read the entire article at: http://bit.ly/9k1xfN

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Hello from Ally at the NCAA's

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8 p.m. ET Friday, March 19
Hello Lady Tiger Fans!!!
We are reporting live from Durham, North Carolina where we start the first round of the NCAA tournament. So far we have taken a big plane and gotten to travel with the band and the cheerleaders. It was a very smooth flight until we almost landed and then all of the sudden we shot up like a rocket! Come to find out we had to wait for Vice President Joe Biden to take off safely. I don't know about the rest of the team but Joe had me scared, I think he could have waited until we landed so we could meet him and he could meet us, but I understand security is tight! We landed safely and went straight to dinner for a nice meal and a little dessert at that. After that we went straight to the Hilton hotel where they welcomed us with open arms and a lot of purple and gold. This morning we had practice on Duke's home floor, it was very small but I like it! We had a short practice and got a lot done. I liked that we had a lot of energy and effort in practice and overall I thought we had a good solid practice before we play a very good Harford team tomorrow morning. The rest of the day we will have study hall, dinner, film, and sleep to prepare and get ready for tomorrow's game. Until next time GEAUX TIGERS!

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Duke football coach visits with the Lady Tigers

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VAN CHANCELLOR (3-19-10)
Had a great treat for our team today by inviting a dear friend of mine to come by and say hello. I've known David Cutcliffe from my Ole Miss days when he did a wonderful job of directing the Rebels football program. He's now the head football coach at Duke and doing a tremendous job battling in the ACC. He took the time out to come by and meet our team and tell them about our friendship that he was a big fan of Lady Tiger Basketball. I'm really proud to have David as a friend and glad I had the opportunity for him and our team to meet today.

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Lady Tigers have "sprited workout" today

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BOB STARKEY (3-19-10):

We had a spirited practice today -- a one hour workout that was open to the public. Not a lot of people showed up but it didn't effect our effort or concentration. In NCAA practices likes this we like to get a lot of position/game shooting in so our players can get used to the background. We have five different shooting segments today. We also worked on our half-court defense with some 5/4 with an open perimeter. This is one of our more effective drills for working on our helpside principles. We also worked 5/5 on our offense against both man and zone defense. Before practice we had to spend some time in the locker room which was open to the media. Allison (Hightower) was describing to the team all the events and excitement around the Final Four. The team was locked in listening to every word. I think it motivated them to have a good practice today.

 

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Lady Tigers touchdown in North Carolina

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DURHAM, N.C. -- The 21st-ranked LSU Lady Tigers have arrived in Durham, N.C., in preparation for Saturday's 2010 NCAA Tournament First Round contest against No. 23 Hartford that tips at 11:06 a.m. CDT on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com in Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium.


LSU players, coaches, support staff and members of the LSU Tiger Band and LSU cheerleaders boarded a charter plane at 3 p.m. CT Thursday in Baton Rouge. The Lady Tigers landed in Durham after a two-hour flight but not before circling above the airport while waiting for Vice President Joe Biden's plane to depart. LSU did not practice on Thursday.

 

Friday will be a busy schedule for LSU, who will put together its final preparations for its first NCAA Tournament first round game at a neutral site since 2007. LSU has played its two previous first rounds in Baton Rouge. Senior guard Allison Hightower, junior guard Katherine Graham and sophomore forward LaSondra Barrett are scheduled to take part in an ESPN shoot for footage that will be used during Saturday's broadcast.

 

Hightower, Barrett and head coach Van Chancellor then take part in a pre-tournament news conference with members of the media at 10:20 a.m. CDT. The 30-minute press conference leads up to LSU's open practice at 11 a.m. CDT in Cameron Indoor Stadium. It will be the Lady Tigers' first look at the facility.

 

LSU has never played a game at Duke. It is also the first time since 1986 the Lady Tigers have played a game in the state of North Carolina. That year, LSU played two games in the East Carolina Lady Pirate Classic in Greensville, N.C.

 

Friday afternoon calls for study hall for the players and a final evening film session on Hartford. LSU and Hartford are meeting for just the second time and the first since Dec. 4, 1992. The Lady Tigers are 3-0 all-time versus opponents from the America East Conference with the last meeting coming against Maine in the 2004 season-opener.

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