Meek Honored at Hornets game ... Off to Israel

Media_http2bpblogspot_esbrx
TEMEKA JOHNSON (11-5-09):

Hey Lady Tiger fans, just wanted to give you a little update on me. I leave early tomorrow morning to Israel for a short stint of playing overseas. I'm looking forward to getting back on the court and improving my game. I'll keep you posted of how I'm doing. Below are some photos of me being honored last night at the New Orleans Hornets games (which they won in overtime against Dallas). It was a tremendous thrill to be on that stage, honored as a champion in my hometown. And, most importantly, I want to thank everyone for all the love I've been shown during my short stop home and especially to all those who have contributed and supported my HOPE Foundation! See you in a few!

 

Filed under  //  Temeka Johnson  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Get To Know Taylor Booze

Media_http4bpblogspot_euaea

BILL MARTIN (11/5/09 - 10:50 a.m.)
Junior point guard Taylor Booze joins the LSU Lady Tigers after spending one season at Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College and one season at Oklahoma State. An honorable mention all-conference recipient in 2009, Booze played alongside current teammate Jasmine Nelson at Trinity Valley as the two guided the school to the national junior college tournament.

Booze, a native of Carrollton, Texas, prepped at Duncanville High School. She sat down with LSUsports.net for a question and answer segment.

Read it at the link below:

http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=204827883

Filed under  //  Media  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Ally Candidate for CLASS Award

Media_http1bpblogspot_tvizb
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (11-4-09):
LSU senior guard Allison Hightower is one of 30 student-athletes who have been named as candidates for the 2009-10 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, which is presented to women’s college basketball’s top student-athlete that excels both on and off the floor, it was announced on Wednesday. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, character, community and competition.

Hightower, the 2010 Southeastern Conference Preseason Player of the Year, returns as the leader of an LSU team that reached the NCAA Tournament Second Round a season ago. She averaged 14.9 points per game, which ranked fifth in the SEC, and she led LSU in five other categories as well. Hightower has played in 105 career games and seeks to become the 28th Lady Tiger to reach the 1,000-point plateau and the first since Sylvia Fowles as she sits at 943 career points. In LSU’s two 2009 NCAA Tournament contests, Hightower posted 23.5 points and 4.0 assists.

Even more impressive has been Hightower’s efforts in the classroom and the community. Since her arrival at LSU in 2006, Hightower has spoken to children at schools in the Baton Rouge area and even put on basketball clinics. She has played a vital role in the Lady Tigers’ new Grades Perseverance Achievement (GPA) program that honors education in the Baton Rouge area.

Last week, Hightower joined former LSU point guard and 2009 WNBA champion Temeka Johnson at Southeast Middle School in Baton Rouge as the two addressed the importance of staying in school and the values of hard work. On Tuesday, Hightower and the Lady Tigers attended Family Literacy Night at Woodlawn Middle School.

In the classroom, Hightower was a member of the 2009 SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School™, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.


From the list of 30 candidates, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the 2009-10 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in late January. Those 10 names will then be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote beginning Feb. 3 and concluding March 17. Fan balloting will then be coupled with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award. The winner will be announced in early April at 2010 NCAA Women’s Final Four in San Antonio, Texas. For more information visit www.seniorCLASSaward.com.

Filed under  //  Community  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Coach Chancellor's First Ride in the Van Wagon

Media_http2bpblogspot_bxamd
TOM HARLUKOWICZ (11-04-09):
Despite being at a number of the same appearances already, today was Coach Chancellor’s first ride in the Van Wagon. As you would expect, Coach did not disappoint.

This afternoon, I drove Coach through campus to show off his new ride to the LSU student body. A few impromptu stops were also made to hand out the new Van Is My Homeboy t-shirts, which are hot off the presses. Needless to say, there were quite a few surprised faces when Coach Chancellor was hanging out of the Van Wagon giving out t-shirts.

Make sure to watch The Lady Tiger Way blog, twitter and www.JumpOnTheVanWagon.com to find out where Coach Chancellor and the Van Wagon will be next, handing out t-shirts and meeting the fans.

 

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

Doing the Autograph Thing

JASMINE NELSON (11-4-09):
I realize that I haven't been at LSU long -- I'm barely starting on my fifth month as a Lady Tiger -- but I've signed about a thousand autographs already! People really love our team and it is so evident every time we show up somewhere. Each place has long lines with people wanting our signatures on posters, shirts, basketballs and anything else they can find. I'm not complaining though -- it's an awesome feeling. Last night at Woodlawn Middle School we signed autographs for over an hour. The people there were so nice -- it was an enjoyable evening. Another thing that was kind of cool is that I got interview by one of the students for their school newspaper!

 

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

Lovin' the Kids!

Media_http3bpblogspot_fbgiw
ALLISON HIGHTOWER (11-4-09):
One of the perks of our community service is getting to hang out with so many of our fans and my favorites are the kids -- the crack me up! Last night a large number of our team went to Woodlawn Middle School to help them with a big program that including reading, basketball drills, awards and signing autographs and all night long we were entertained by are these kids. You can really tell that this was a special school by the way the students conducted themselves and how the teachers cared about everyone. But the best part of the night was hanging with the kids!

 

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

A "Slam Dunk" at Woodlawn Middle School

Media_http1bpblogspot_htmtc
COURTNEY JONES (11-4-09):

I had so much fun visiting Woodlawn Middle School yesterday! Their theme was about reading and how important it is to read in regard to education. The students where all assigned to read a book called "Slam Dunk" about a young girl learning to play hoops! In their gym we spoke to the young kids about how much hard work goes into your academics and how you must use your time wisely! It was an great honor to speak with those children. It's always nice to see them be so determined to be great and do wonderful things!!

 

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

The Making of a Contender: 2009-10 Season Preview

Media_http3bpblogspot_xuisg
BILL MARTIN (11/4/09 - 9:30 a.m.)
A day after LSU’s 62-52 loss to Louisville in the second round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament, LSU head coach Van Chancellor and his staff were already looking forward to the 2009-10 season. As they wiped the slate clean, one thing was for certain, the 2008-09 Lady Tigers laid the foundation for an upcoming season full of promise.


Chancellor and his staff took six true freshmen and five new starters and turned them into a squad that had the look of previous LSU postseason teams. A resilient attitude and toughness on the defensive end of the floor, the Lady Tigers reached the NCAA Tournament for the 11th straight season and shared second place in the final Southeastern Conference standings. Today, the bulk of that team returns with a year of experience and a summer of improvement.

Read the complete season preview at the link below:

Posted by Bill Martin  

Allison gets Pre-Season All-American Mention

SPORTS INFORMATION (11-3-09):
LSU senior guard Allison Hightower received votes for the five-player women’s college basketball 2009-10 Associated Press Preseason All-America Team that was released by the organization on Tuesday.

Hightower, a native of Arlington, Texas, was one of two Southeastern Conference players who received votes.


Hightower, the 2010 SEC Preseason Player of the Year as voted by the media and coaches, led LSU in six categories as a junior. Her 14.9 point per game average was fifth-best in the SEC a season ago. The 5-10 guard became the first player in school history to lead the Lady Tigers in points, assists, steals and blocks in a single season.

Hightower, a 2009 first-team All-SEC selection, is on watch lists for the Wade Trophy and John Wooden Award. Those awards go to women’s college basketball’s National Player of the Year in the spring.

Hightower and the Lady Tigers take on Loyola-New Orleans in an exhibition game at the Maravich Center on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. CST. LSU plays host to Centenary in the season-opener on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. CST.

2009-10 Associated Press Preseason All-America Team
Maya Moore, Connecticut, 6-0, junior, 19.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg, .521 fg pct (40 votes)
Jayne Appel, Stanford, 6-4, senior, 16.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg, .602 fg pct (34)
Tina Charles, Connecticut, 6-4, senior, 16.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg, .620 fg pct (28)
Jantel Lavender, Ohio State, 6-4, junior, 20.8 ppg, 10.7 rpg, .541 fg pct (20)
Monica Wright, Virginia, 5-11, senior, 20.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 117 3-pointers (20)

Others receiving votes (in alphabetical order): Ashley Barlow, Notre Dame; Angie Bjorklund, Tennessee; Alysha Clark, Middle Tennessee State; Elena Delle Donne, Delaware; Alexis Gray-Lawson, California; Brittney Griner, Baylor; ALLISON HIGHTOWER, LSU; Danielle McCray, Kansas; Deirdre Naughton, DePaul; Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Stanford; Samantha Prahalis, Ohio State; Andrea Riley, Oklahoma State; Danielle Robinson, Oklahoma; Courtney Vandersloot, Gonzaga.

Filed under  //  Media  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Lady Tigers Defeat "Gold Team" in Scrimmage

Media_http2bpblogspot_nbjpy
TRAVIS MAYS (10-3-09):

After a good 30 minute pre-practice session of fundamentals, our team went hard in a two hour scrimmage against our male practice players that we refer to as the "Gold Team." We brought in officials and made it as game-like as possible. It is the second scrimmage that we've had of this nature and the thing our staff liked the most was the noticeable improvement from our last one. You can see our team starting to pick up some of the offensive and defensive concepts. What we hit them with at the end however is that we must continue to push forward and find more improvement each day -- and I believe this team really wants to improve. A few statistics worth noting include our continued improvement in shooting. It's been a goal of our team and we've worked hard as a unit and individually and it is really showing at practice. For instance, Allison Hightower, who has been relentless this summer in working on her shot was 3 of 6 from behind the 3-point arc while our team shot 7 of 17 for 41.2%. We held the Gold Team to only 38.9% from the field and did a nice job of taking care of the ball. In fact, in our first 30 minute scrimmage session, we didn't have our first turnover until there was less than five minutes to play! Take care of the ball -- that's The Lady Tiger Way! We had 23 assists with a total of nine players having at least one which is a sign that we are getting our Motion Offense down better each day. Courtney Jones was a warrior today with 12 rebounds and had our high point total on the defensive chart. Well that's the update for tonight. Gotta run -- 6 AM shooting with the post players tomorrow!

 

 

Posted by Bill Martin