mamaball

How exciting for them! So proud for that team, that coach (Bray), our city to be represented in such a timeless classy arena! GO LADY WARRIORS!

Bball and DM, I respect you both for your perspectives on this "issue." And I guess, in a way, it was good that PH expressed the perspectives held by many others who post and view these boards. As an educator, I vow to continue to train and I will work on not complaining. Hey, nobody's perfect!

There is no foundation paying for anything. The foundation I mentioned is the foundation of a solid education - grades, attendance, and other extracurriculars that make a well-rounded student. You seem to keep rehashing your points. Please move on. You can't solve or expose all your perceived issues about Memphis girls' basketball on CoachT. Some coaches are good. Some are not. Some coaches cheat. Some do not. What else is new? You can find those types of comparisons everywhere and in any area of work, school, or play. The only problem is that too many people tend to believe that Memphis is the only city in Tennessee that has those issues. It's just not true and I needed to defend what I know was wrong. By the way, other organizations do take trips to reward the students. The honor societies, the high school DECA clubs, etc. Enough.

Thanks Bball. I have the unsettling feeling that PH is not interested in understanding or even listening to reason. Maybe if we cut to the chase: THERE IS NOTHING ILLEGAL OR UNDERHANDED GOING ON THE GIRLS' BASKETBALL PROGRAM AT MEMPHIS CENTRAL. THE TALENT IS REAL. THE INTEGRITY IS PROVEN. THE STUDENTS ARE INTELLIGENT. THE COACH IS LIKE LIFE: HARD, BUT FAIR. And the record speaks for itself.

Since my daughter graduated from Memphis Central and is now playing at a D1 school, I feel compelled to comment on this particular dialogue, especially because I want to defend Coach Nikki Bray and MC. My daughter was in the optional program at her middle school, which was one of the many feeder programs for MC. When word of her talent got around the city, there were many high school coaches who crossed the line to RECRUIT her. They called my house, approached me and her father at games, etc. The only coach who did not do this was Coach Bray. In fact, we watched other teams play all the time; my daughter was impressed with the way Coach Bray interacted with her students; she loved the testimony of the other girls who played there and loved the curriculum. The exposure that Coach Bray planned was a bonus; sponsors who believed in the school stood up and the girls themselves raised funds by washing cars, selling candy, etc. Coach Bray works hard to keep her program clean and she earnestly goes out of her way to instill that philosophy in her players. While I must confess that she hit some adolescent bumps and did not continue in optional programs after her first year at MC, my daughter kept her GPA up, we (her parents, Coach Bray, her instructors, and the awesome staff under principal McCullough) stressed that without that foundation, she could not play. But it was the integrity of that program at MC that impressed us the most. I know that Memphis does not have a good reputation in its own state; sometimes it is deserved. There are those of us who try to live above the pettinesss by constantly proving our naysayers wrong. Excellence is the answer. There are surely enough athletic shenanigans going on in any high school in the state; why pick on Memphis and MC? I'm sure you have your reasons sir. However, I am afraid of what those reasons are.

Wow! That is commendable, Coach Gat. Congratulations to both young ladies and to you and your team for an outstanding season. I know that your influence in their lives can only add to their success at the next level. We'll be watching.

I should hope not. For many of us, the two of them have become forever linked with Central High School and Coach Niki Bray...not to mention Central has an impressive academic and graduation record, so for them, it hasn't only been about the game....thank goodness! It was indeed a great opening run for Danielle and Aaliyah and, as a parent, I am so blessed to know them. Though my own daughter is graduating and moving on to college, I will make it a point to go watch them play and to let them know they have my support. That's an investment worth making.

I know, right? Ease up Fed. It ain't seemly to brag about somethin that ain't happened yet....Let the ladies do their talking with their game...Go Lady Warriors!

The Memphis Central Lady Warriors have indeed earned their spot; they answered all doubt with excellence; they were ignored and dismissed (we caught that remark about the "cute" uniforms). We parents noticed that they stuck together when they were picked apart. The coaching staff kept them focused and they learned to lean on one another for strength and confidence. And of course, they do have God-given talent that they worked hard to develop. We who always believed are with them all the way. Congratulations Lady Warriors, Memphis Central coaching staff, team managers, parents, friends, et al. And now, the rest of the story......

Oh yes, the Lady Warriors played really well tonight. I was surprised that the Overton Lady Wolverines' coach benched four of the five starters at the end of the first half. The Lady Wolverines put up a valiant fight though. I wonder where the local TV coverage was. They did cover the West Memphis Arkansas high school games. They won too. /dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" Oh well.....

Now, that's what I'm talking about!

OMG Guyoutwest! Did you say that out loud? /ohmy.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":o" border="0" alt="ohmy.gif" /> I was thinking the same thing! What do you think is the source of this apathy towards women's hoops in Memphis? It can't be that the teams aren't worthy of coverage. Plenty of action, great teams, memorable competitions, packed gyms on some occasions...oh dear, what could the matter be????? All kidding aside, what's comforting is that, for the girls (ladies) who love the game, develop their skills through hard work and determination and great coaching, life in the game goes on. They get their glory from knowing they did their best, played their hardest and stayed in the game. The end results always speak for them.

DoUKnow, At this stretch of the season, that post had me laughing out loud! You need to be writing a sports column! I love your take on things, even when you're biased...but you've got a right to be, as do all of us parents! Go Lady Warriors, Go Lady Panthers, Rock em Lady Trojans, and everybody else vying for the throne! For lots of us parents and supporters, this is our last year in this level of the game, and I can say I am very proud of the way every one of these ladies has carried herself. All the best all the rest of the way...... An admirer

Congratulations JJ! We are so proud of you! And you do indeed deserve this honor, because you earned it. Best to you at Georgia!

Rankings do mean something. IMO, they gauge the progress of the teams; ultimately they will determine who is making progress toward even being relevant in March. Half of the journey is getting there, isn't it? Plus, nature abhors a vacuum....we gotta do something in the meantime besides show up at the games, support our teams, yell till we're hoarse, gripe about the referees....well, you get where I'm going....it's just fun and it's a part of the season. Each team wants to know what they will face in March. Don't gamblers check a horse's record (strengths and weaknesses) before placing a bet? Nothing personal, it's just part of the business of high school, college, and professional basketball.

OOPS! I'm sorry!

Jasmine Hassell, C, Wilson Central, 6'2 - signed with the University of Georgia Lauren March, C, Marshall Co., 6'1 - signed with MTSU Jakerra Simmons, PF, Marshall Co., 5'10 Dymon Raynor, C, Smyrna, 6'2 - signed with MTSU Alex Adams, PF, Smyrna, 6'0 Ashley Robinson, PF/C, Millington, 6'0- signed with the University of Memphis Brianna Tubbs, PF, Bradford, 6'0 Summer Waggoner, PF, Forrest, 5'11 Haven't seen but have heard about these: Hannah Dawson, PF/C, Shelbyville, 6'0 - signed with Samford Sarah Watkins, C, Houston, 6'3 - signed with UA (Little Rock) Jamila Ajanaku, PF, Memphis Central, 6'1 - signed with MTSU Angie Ramey, C, Kenwood, 6'2 Madelyn Hutson, C, Ravenwood, 6'4

Just a note to say I really appreciate the perspectives offered on this board, especially by those more intimate with the game than I am. It helps, but only when one is open to other perspectives. And when it comes to all things basketball, since that is my daughter's passion, I am always willing to learn. Happy Season to all and best wishes for a great new year!

Memphis Central 52 Country Day 48, I believe. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me. I did see MiMi Ajanaku being interviewed after the game by Central's Vincent Hawkins and she was holding the third place prize plaque.

Yep, you're right. We shouldn't be whining and crying. But can we feel badly for our team? It helps us get over it. We can't diminish our team's effort. They played very well, no doubt, to come within one point of beating the #12 team in the country. But Rob, it HUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRTS! /sad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad.gif" />

Final Score: 51 - 50

I watched this game online. I wondered if I was the only one who thought that calling a fake foul at the final buzzer was illegal. And I remember that the sportsters always say: The game should never be determined by the referees, but by the players. Well, not this game, but it wasn't the first one called crazy and it won't be the last. The Memphis Central Lady Warriors did us proud by running neck to neck with the #12(?) ranked high school girls' team in the country, only to lose by one point. Ouch! We can only do what every other team does and that's play on.....

The correct spellings of the names of the two players from Memphis Central: Jamila "MiMi" Ajanaku and Jasmine "JT" Taylor. Deeply appreciate you for posting those results; it was difficult to find that information elsewhere.