Lady Tigers on NBA-TV this weekend!

If you get NBA-TV you can lock in and see some Lady Tigers playing this weekend!

Saturday at 6:00 CST, Big Syl and Chicago takes on the Mystics in Washington.

Sunday at 5:00 CST, Ally and Connecticut travel to Phoenix to take on Meek.

And later on Sunday night Roneeka and San Antonio are at Seattle

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

Meek's double-double spoils Seimone's return

Seimone Augustus, playing for the first time this season scored 13 points but it wasn't enough as the Phoenix Mercury defeated Minnesota 99-88.  Mone's former teammate Temeka Johnson had a lot to do with defeating the Lynx by registering a double-double with 13 points and 10 asssits.

Read more: http://bit.ly/9Ds7vd

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

Seimone set to return tonight vs. Meek and the Mercuy

From the Minnesota Lynx website:
In desperate need for a pick-me-up, the team seems more than happy incorporating All-star forward Seimone Augustus back into their practices.

Coach Cheryl Reeve said that she hopes Augustus will be a helpful addition in tomorrow night's game against Phoenix and former LSU teammate Temeka Johnson and is very excited about the return of one of their best players.

"Just her presence being out there is nice," Reeve said. "Seimone is obviously not where she was when she first sustained the injury but it's a work in progress. It's just nice to see her out there."

Augustus was nothing but smiles today, as she prepared for her first game this year, against the defending champs.

"I'm just ready to get back out on the court," Augustus said. "It's been a challenge, but it's been a process that I've seen myself mature as a player and as a person so I guess I had to go through this process. You know, everything happens for a reason I'm through my finding moment, I've found myself and I'm ready to go."

Even though she was all business today at practice, Augustus hopes that she can bring back the spark her team needs to start winning games on a more consistent basis.

"I want my team to have fun," Augustus said. "I mean if you watched the games it's been real tight on us a lot of pressure you can tell the way that we're playing everybody's trying to do everything too fast hopefully I can just come out there and loosen everything up and have fun again."

She also shared some of the thoughts and feelings she has about returning to practice, and for their Thursday road game.

"Excitement, jitters, nerves, a little bit of everything running through my mind especially having to play in Phoenix where I got hurt so that's going to be a mental hurdle to get over, but once I get on the court and once I feel the ball tipoff I'm in my element in my zone."

Hopefully, she'll be the spark the Lynx need to get back on track.

Tipoff is set for 9:00 pm in Phoenix Thursday night.

Read the entire article: http://bit.ly/bW2UGZ
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Filed under  //  Alumni   Seimone Augustus   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Meek's great effort not quite enough for Mercury victory

The Phoenix Mercury lost a difficult 92-91 road game to the Los Angeles Sparks but not because of the effort of Temeka Johnson.  For the game, Meek tallied 13 points, passed for 7 assists, grabbed 5 rebounds and picked off three steals.  The World Champions however fell to 3-5 but now return home to play four straight home games.

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

Big Night for Big Syl, Sho, and Meek in the WNBA!

Sylvia Fowles took her Chicago team on the road last night to play the first place Atlanta Dream -- and the Sky left with an 80-70 victory -- their 3rd in a row!  Big Syl lead all scored with 19 points and had a game high 9 rebounds along with 3 steals.

Read more about the game: http://bit.ly/bT5QEH

In Tulsa, Scholanda Robinson lead the Shock in scoring with 20 points while adding 4 assists, 2 steals as they defeated Minnesota.

Read more about the game: http://bit.ly/ciDHsb

In Phoenix, Temeka Johnson tallied 16 points, passed off for 5 asssits and grabbed 2 steals in leading the Mercury to a come-from-behind 90-89 thriller over the Los Angeles Sparks.

Read more about the game: http://bit.ly/ciDHsb

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

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  

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  

Temeka mentioned as possibly point guard for Liberty

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Swish Appeal discusses possibility of Temeka Johnson (a free agent) signing with the New York Liberty:


For most of the off-season, we've known that the Mercury are facing a very difficult financial situation that led to Le'coe Willingham signing with the Seattle Storm, and possibly contributed to Pondexter being traded to the Liberty. The thinking behind the Pondexter trade was that it would help free up resources to re-sign point Temeka Johnson and forward Penny Taylor, two key parts of the Mercury's core.


However, with the Liberty clearing considerable cap room by waiving both Loree Moore and Kelly Mazzante - who was acquired in the Mercury trade - restricted free agent Johnson could make some sense.


Swish Appeal has learned from multiple sources that there is another potential suitor for Johnson and all signs point to New York: clearing cap room, needing a point guard, and perhaps being able to out-bid the Mercury. Given that the Mercury have still not made the move to re-sign either Johnson or Taylor, it's reasonable to wonder if they are still facing a difficult financial situation.


Go to Swish Appeal and read the entire article: http://bit.ly/9yb0og

Filed under  //  Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Meek blogging from overseas for Slam Magazine

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Temeka Johnson has been a guest blogger for Slam Magazine's online site this spring. Here is her latest entry:


What’s up SLAMonline?!

Sorry for being late, but we had a lot of games last week, lots of travels, and as I mentioned in my last blog, I have my personal trainer with me. No excuses, though, I’m back! Did you miss me?

We secured our place in our league and continue to play well and move forward. Lost one game, but won our last one the way we needed to win it (by a margin of over 20 points). I played pretty well with my own 20-point effort in the game. But the most important part was getting that much needed victory. No matter what we do individually, basketball is still a team game. I wanted to make sure we won that game, and was going to do whatever it took to win. But, having teammates like Lenae Williams (former DePaul player who I’m sure you’ve heard about with the Phoenix Mercury) make it easy. She can ball y’all! You’ll see. She’s also been a great assist to me while learning the French way of life! Thanks, Lenae!

Read Meek's entire blog entry at SlamOnline: http://bit.ly/abZCti

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

Meek a guest blogger at Slam Magazine

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BEN YORK AT SLAM MAGAZINE:
I sincerely feel that Temeka Johnson is one of the kindest human beings you'll ever meet, and I don't think you’ll hear an argument from anyone on that assessment. In addition to being a leader on the court, she is equally as dedicated to giving back to the community. In fact, I was fortunate enough to be invited to her “Night of HOPE” event this past August where her dedication truly shined through. Being new to Phoenix, this was an opportunity for Meek to receive guidance and recommendations on how to best help the Phoenix community. There aren’t many athletes who would hold such an event, and her passion for improving the lives of others was unmistakable. In her first guest post, Meek talks about her whirlwind 2009, her offseason in France, and her thoughts on the future.

Read Meek's first blog entry at: http://bit.ly/c92fWS

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