The Night Before The Game

BOB STARKEY (11-25-09):
Our team always enjoyed the night before a game on the road. It is an opportunity for us to bond. Playing in New Orleans makes it even more special because the city has practically adopted us since our Final Four visit and Katrina Relief Game. It's amazing the attention we get from so many when our team is in the Big Easy. On this trip, the city asked us if we would come out and be honored at a Thanksgiving festival right down the street from our hotel. It was nice to have the team recognized and get a great reception. Of course it was exciting to share the stage with Drew Brees who has our Saints 10-0 going into their Monday night game with the Patriots. We were also privileged to be joined at dinner by Brian Miller who is our former SID and now works with men's basketball at Tulane as well as Will Varnado who was a member of the "Gold Team" (our group of male scrimmage players).
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Filed under  //  Off the Court  
Posted by Bill Martin  

LSU defeats Tulane in overtime

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NEW ORLEANS -- LSU sophomore forward LaSondra Barrett scored seven of her 22 points in overtime and the seventh-ranked Lady Tiger basketball team survived a late scare from the Tulane Green Wave, 73-65, on Wednesday night at Fogelman Arena.

LSU (5-0) won its eighth consecutive game against Tulane (2-2) and its 30th straight game against an in-state opponent despite being outshot from the floor, 43 percent to 34 percent. The Lady Tigers went the final 8:52 of regulation and the first two minutes of the overtime period without registering a field goal.

Read the entire article: http://bit.ly/6d7c3g

Posted by Bill Martin  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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The entire Lady Tiger Basketball Family would like to wish you all an extremely Happy Thanksgiving. Here are some of the things the Lady Tigers are thankful for this year:


LaSONDRA BARRETT: I am thankful for my family because they are my foundation and comfort. They will always be behind me 100% in everything I do. My health and strength, because tomorrow is not promise. Over the years, I've seen so many young people lose their lives, and it makes me just appreciate my life even more. Last but not least all my friends and other people in my life that give me advice on issues, make be a better person, and are there through thick and thin.

SWAYZE BLACK: One thing that I am thankful for would have to be my family. I can always count on my family to be there for me when I need them the most. They understand me better than anyone and I can always depend on them for whatever it is I may need. I feel like I have the best family ever and I love them dearly for everything that they have done for me. I am also thankful to be a part of the Lady Tiger Basketball organization. We have the best coaches that show great care for the players and are committed to the Lady Tiger Way. They have our best interest at heart. I have come to realize how grateful I am for this whole opportunity, and I am thankful for every single part of it.

TAYLOR BOOZE: I have so much to be thankful for, so many blessings have been placed on me and I am very grateful for each and every one of them. The one thing that I am and will always be thankful for is my family. I know it seems very cliche' but it is the truth. I have been through so many ups and downs and through it all my family has stood right by my side, never turning their back on me. My family is my rock and without them I wouldn't be anywhere close to where I am now. I give them all the credit and i am extremely thankful for everything they have done for me. I just want to continue to give them a reason to smile and make them as proud of me as I am of them.

LATEAR EASON: I am thankful for having the opportunity to receive a great education from Louisiana State University and also playing basketball for one of the top programs in the country. There are so many individuals who want the opportunity I have but are never granted that opportunity and I am thankful for my opportunity.


ALLISON HIGHTOWER: This Thanksgiving and every Thanksgiving I am always thankful for my family. By family i don't just mean my mom, dad and brother and the rest of my extended family, I am also talking about my Lady tiger family and friends. I am so thankful to have these special people in my life because they have always been their for me through thick and thin. God has given me so much and I am thankful for the people that he has put in my life. I hope everybody has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Geaux Tigers!

DESTINI HUGHES: I'm thankful for my salvation; for Jesus truly revealing himself to me and changing my life forever! I'm also thankful for my family and the love that they show me each and every day. Lastly, though there is so many blessings to be thankful for, I am thankful for the ability to go to school and play for LSU (especially in front of our loyal fans)! Not many people get to go to college, let alone for free, so I am very thankful and blessed to be in this program.


KATHERINE GRAHAM: During this time of the year everyone begins to reflect on all those thing they are thankful for. For me this Thanksgiving is very special, because I have a greater appreciation for EVERYTHING. I lost two family members that I were close with, and I began to realize that life is short and to take advantage of every opportunity that God grants us. So as we approach this Thanksgiving holiday and I am asked what I am thankful for my response is -- I am thankful for everything; my family, friends, health, knowledge, teammates, coaches, fans, the ability to play, and the gift of LIFE.


COURTNEY JONES: I could name a billion things I am thankful for but the one thing I am most thankful of is my family. My family Mean the world to me. There is not a single day that goes by when I'm thinking about them. They are basically responsible for molding me into the person I am today. The relationships I have with them are special and true. I couldn't asked God for a more perfect family!


ANDREA KELLY: I'm thankful for the healing of my foot. It's so easy to overlook the blessing of walking and being able to run and jump and stay active! I thank God that I will have that opportunity again because there are many people who will not. It's not fun being sick or hurt, and during this Thanksgiving holiday I am grateful for my health and strength!


JASMINE NELSON: One thing I am thankful for is life its self and everyone I have around me that support me through the thick and thin. Ive been through so much in the 20 years that I have been on this earth and god has blessed me dearly to still be here with a wonderful mother and family besides me.

TAYLOR TURNBOW: Thanksgiving is a time for family, a time to think about everything God has blessed you with. Its a time to give thanks. This Thanksgiving I am thankful to be alive, alive and living a dream. Last year to this has been extremely tough, from losing my grandmother, to a loved one battling a deadly disease. I am just Thankful for the little things. Fresh air, food to eat, and a family that will never let me fall short.


ADRIENNE WEBB: I am thankful for family and friends that are so supportive and the opportunity to get a quality education.

ERICA WILLIAMS: It is hard to say that I am thankful for just one thing. I can say that I'm thankful for a million and one things. I am truly thankful for my family and friends. They are a truly a big support system. If I don't have anyone to fall back on I know that they will always be there for me. Let's not forget that my family away from home ( my Lady Tiger Family) is also included.

Filed under  //  Off the Court   Player's Post  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Seimone: "Motivated to come back as a more complete player"

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An outstanding article and update on Seimone from Slam Magazine written by Ben York:

There’s an age old saying that the night is darkest just before the dawn. For Seimone Augustus, the dawn is finally coming.

Just 6 games into the 2009 WNBA season, the Minnesota Lynx were flying high under new head coach Jennifer Gillom, rivaling the Phoenix Mercury in terms of excitement and scoring. Seimone Augustus, Minnesota’s perennial All-Star and one of the best players in the game, was third in the league in scoring, averaging 21 points per game and shooting 57% from the floor. She even won Western Conference Player of the Week honors for leading the Lynx to their strong start. Legitimate buzz surrounded the young, exuberant, and up-tempo team and optimism began to consume Lynx fans in Minnesota and across the country.

Seimone isn’t the type of player to be down for long. Sitting out the entire year has provided a motivation for Augustus to come back with a vengeance. Augustus made the decision to stay in Minnesota during the off-season to focus 100% on the rehabilitation of her knee. Simply put, Seimone is poised to come back stronger than ever. “I’m motivated to come back as a more complete player,” Augustus said. “This experience has helped me understand I need to go hard at all times; in practice go hard, shoot-arounds go hard, because you never know when it can change.”

Another major change for Seimone was the cutting of her trademark dreadlocks. Though, for Seimone, the change in appearance represented a new direction in life rather than just another haircut. “It was a life changing year for me and my family,” Augustus said. “It was just time to cut it off, start fresh. My dad was having a tough time with MS [Multiple Sclerosis] and it was a tough battle for my family and I. Tearing the ACL was life changing and it was just time for a new beginning.”

Seimone’s rehab couldn’t be going better, and it’s easy to sense the focus and determination that Seimone has to return to her old form. There is an indelible feeling of perseverance that exudes from Augustus when she talks about coming back in 2010. She’s in the gym on a daily basis working to not only improve physically, but mentally, as well. Lynx fans will be happy to know that the wait to see Seimone back on the basketball court isn’t much longer. “I can’t complain, I feel good,” Seimone said with a smile. “I’m doing more basketball related things like running, jumping, and weights and in January will return to full contact. I should be 100% in January and could even start playing basketball in December.”

Read the entire article: http://bit.ly/6aMPxN

Filed under  //  Seimone Augustus   WNBA  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Tia visits University Terrace Elementary

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TIA EASON (9-24-09):
Hey Tiger Fans! I visited University Terrace Elementary School and the kids were amazing. I talked to them about the importance of education, to show respect to teachers and peers, and if you dream big you have to work hard. I talked to 1st graders and 3rd graders and I just wanted to let them know that impossible is nothing that they could do whatever they wanted in life if they just believed they could and worked hard. I love to have an impact on people lives in general but I was really excited to interact with the kids they were a lot of fun.

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

Happy Birthday Caroline!

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TRAVIS MAYS (11-24-09):

When are team went to work with the kids at PARDS in Denham Springs we had a visitor in Lady Tiger alum Delia Taylor. Like so many of alumni, she continues to support our program and has welcomed me into the Lady Tiger program. Delia wanted to do something special for her daughter's birthday which fell on the same night as our game with Nicholls State so we decided to roll out the red carper for the daughter of one of our own. Caroline had a seat on the bench, a spot in the huddle, and an insiders look in the locker room. I think it is safe to say it will be a birthday she won't soon forget.

 

Filed under  //  Off the Court  
Posted by Bill Martin  

A Special Day With Special Olympics

TOM HARLUCOWICZ (11-23-09):

Saturday’s Lady Tiger game versus Houston was an important game in and of itself but was also very important because it was Special Olympics Day at the Maravich Center. LSU had the chance to host a number of athletes, coaches, volunteers and friends of Special Olympics Louisiana and it turned out to be great day.

Seventeen Special Olympic athletes who participate in basketball were involved in the pregame ball exchange, which is a Lady Tiger gameday tradition. Additionally, three other athletes were recognized at timeouts for their individual accomplishments. Also, halftime featured an exhibition basketball game between two teams that drew cheers from the crowd for the athlete’s tremendous ability. Special Olympics Louisiana President and CEO Pat Carpenter Bourgeois sat on the team bench and served as guest coach for the game as well.

It certainly was a pleasure to have the members of Special Olympics Louisiana at the game this past Saturday and the Lady Tigers look forward to becoming more involved with their program.

 

Filed under  //  Community   Marketing & Promotions  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Micki and Her Staff Make A Big Difference In Our Team

LaSONDRA BARRETT (11-22-09):

On top of having one of the best athletic training facilities, we have the greatest athletic trainers in the world! I have been in the training room for many different reasons. When I first came to LSU I had surgery on my knee, and Micki (Collins) worked tirelessly to get me back in to playing form. We spent many early mornings, and late evenings in the training room, on the Cybex, HIVOMATing, icing, running on the underwater treadmill, and using the Game Ready machine. Now I am rehabbing my shoulder and she is taking the same approach. Whenever we go into the training room, Micki always has the knowledge and the patience to help us! There is never a problem to big or to small that she can not handle! Thank you Micki!

 

Filed under  //  Off the Court   Player's Post  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Ally scores 1,000 career point in victory over Nicholls State

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BATON ROUGE – LSU preseason All-American guard Allison Hightower eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career with 15 points, and the seventh-ranked Lady Tigers improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2006 with an 86-49 win over Nicholls State on Sunday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

The Lady Tigers (4-0) won their 29th consecutive game against an opponent from the state of Louisiana. LSU has not lost to an in-state opponent since Dec. 31, 1999, at Tulane. LSU has not lost a home game to a Louisiana team since 1995.

“Our team has done a nice job of taking care of business,” LSU head coach Van Chancellor said. “I thought we should beat Nicholls State tonight, and we did. I’m really pleased that Allison Hightower scored 1,000 points. I can’t think of a more deserving player. That’s the only reason I started her in the second half. I was trying to let her have an opportunity to get 1,000 at home. I thought it would be much more meaningful for her to get it here.”

“Well, to tell you the truth, I didn’t even know about it,” Hightower said. “I was really confused because [my teammates] were like, ‘Allison, shoot the ball!’ It was very exciting when I found out. It’s something special.”

“Anything that could mean something to a program, she means to us,” Chancellor added. “She plays so hard everywhere. She plays great defense. I think she is by far the best defensive player in the league, maybe even the country. She’s a good rebounder, great offensive player and just does everything remarkably well. She doesn’t turn the ball over. She’s also very unselfish.”

Sophomore forward Swayze Black responded off the bench with a career-high 10 points to go along with nine rebounds. Two true freshmen reached double-figures as Adrienne Webb and Bianca Lutley each had 12 points.


LSU travels for its first road game of the season when the Lady Tigers face Tulane on Wednesday night in New Orleans. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST. The game will be carried live on the LSU Sports Radio Network on 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge.

Posted by Bill Martin  

Lady Tigers defeat Houston

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BATON ROUGE -- Freshman guard Adrienne Webb poured in a career-high 17 points – 15 in the second half – and the seventh-ranked LSU women’s basketball team rolled to a 72-54 victory over Houston on Saturday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

The Lady Tigers improved to 3-0 for the fifth time in the past six seasons and the second time in three seasons under head coach Van Chancellor. Houston (3-1) suffered its first loss of the year after opening the season with wins against Gardner-Webb, UT-Arlington and Oregon State.

Webb finished 7-of-11 from the field and 3-of-4 from 3-point range. She scored on three straight LSU possessions in the second half, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Junior guard Katherine Graham recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Senior guard Allison Hightower was one of four LSU players in double-figures with 16 points, while sophomore forward Taylor Turnbow had 12 points and nine rebounds.
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Read the entire story on LSUSports.net: http://bit.ly/4u6Be1

Posted by Bill Martin