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Here is a more accurate story on the first game: http://www.usabasketball.com/women/2004/04...f_session1.html South 70, North 69 Despite falling behind by as many as 15 points in the second quarter, the South inched its way back into the game and persevered through a tight second half making the keys plays to earn a 70-69 win over the North. The North team began to pull away in the second quarter, and behind the play of guard Tiffanie Shives (Lansing Christian / Lansing, Mich.) and forward Marshae Dotson (Mifflin / Mifflin, Ohio) the North pulled ahead 37-22 with 1:30 remaining before halftime. When the South team needed a boost, South head coach Jill Prudden (Oak Ridge / Oak Ridge, Tenn.) called for her team to press, and 5-11 guard Crystal Boyd (Science Magnet / Little Rock, Ark.) and 6-5 center Angelica Robinson (Marietta / Marietta, Ga.) stepped up to the plate, delivering 10 points collectively to help the South shrink the North advantage to 37-32 at half. "I like to be the energy person on the floor," said Boyd. "I wanted to get my teammates involved because it's not all about me, and we needed to play team basketball." "I thought we played in spurts," said Prudden. "We rushed some things offensively instead of letting the game come to us. We got down early but we let our defense get us back in the game. We put the press on [at the end of the half], I thought we had the athleticism and quickness to pressure, but you can't do it all the time. You don't want to show your hand too early." The South team didn't see its first lead in the game until Rashanda McCants (Asheville / Asheville, N.C.) drained a 3-pointer with 7:22 left in the third to put the South ahead 45-44. The lead switched back and forth from there until the last 10 seconds of the game when South's LaToya Bullard (Craigmont/ Memphis, Tenn.) drove for a layup with six seconds showing on the clock. The North wasn't able to get a shot off and the South had the come-from-behind win. "Coach said if we went out there and just played good defense, we should win the game," said Bullard. "I wanted to be the leader so I came down with the ball and showed her that I could run the play right." Although the game was won by defense, the South's Bullard finished with 11 points and three assists; Robinson finished with 13 points and six rebounds; Boyd led the team with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists; For the North, Shives contributed 10 points; Dotson had 13 points and four rebounds; and Lindsay Schrader (Bartlett / Bartlett, Ill.) was a quiet force, finishing with 14 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Well, LaToya's showing what's she made of today. In the first game, she had 11 points including a game winning layup to push the South squad to victory over the North team. Here's the link... http://www.usabasketball.com And They're Off In the first preliminary round session of games, the USA South Team's LaToya Bullard drove the lane for a last-second shot to lift her squad over the USA North 70-69. She finished with 11 points, while Crystal Boyd and Angelica Robinson scored 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the South. Lindsay Shrader posted a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds for the North. On the East-West court, the West prevailed 107-93 with the help of five players in double digits, including Alexis Gray-Lawson's 16, Courtney Paris and Erika Arriaran each had 14, Abby Waner notched 13 and Jillian Harmon added 10. Marissa Coleman scored 17 points to lead the East, while Kristi Toliver tallied 15, Renee Montgomery score 12 and Yolanda Lavender added 10. Check back soon for the full recaps and box scores!

http://www.usabasketball.com This picture is on the front page of the USA Basketball website...I don't know how long it will be up, but its up right now. Ready to Roll LaToya Bullard and her USA South Team are anxious to get the Festival games going. They'll get their chance at 11 am Friday morning when action tips-off. Wow...right on the front page of the USA basketball website...she's so cute!...of course I'm extremely biased!!

Congratulations to Memphis's own LaToya Bullard for being the only player from the state of Tennessee chosen to represent the South at the USA Basketball Women's Youth Development Festival in Colorado Springs this month. 48 of the top juniors (seniors-to-be) from across the nation will be competing for the North, South, East and West teams for medals to represent the U.S. What an honor!!

Showtime, Tell me how I can be like you!!! Man, you are "blowing up"!!! How can I get a tournament named after me! (Cutiepie Supershootout, haha!) You're DA MAN! Talk to you later... me

That is absolutely False! You don't see them signing with anyone because you don't make it a point to see. We have sent between 15-25 over the last 3 years alone. This year, we had about 7 or 8 sign Division 1 scholarships (probably more) Off the top of my head for this year they were: Lakira Boyd--MTSU April Nathanial--Missisippi State Alexandria Hagler--Mississippi State Demetrice Preyer--Arkansas (or Arkansas State) April Eason (University of New Orleans) Gresh Gorman (University of Memphis) Caryn Robinson (UAB) There were a few more, but I don't know them off the top of my head. Next year, keep your EYES open for the Class of 2005, because you'll see 11 or 12 sign Division 1and possibly that many for the year after (2006). Plus, all of these girls are from ONE city and have to compete against each other every night, most in the same district, 16AAA. the reason you don't know about our signings is the same reason you don't know about our teams...there is a bias against West Tennessee and Memphis and that's all there is to it. But we don't care...THE FUTURE LOOKS EVEN BRIGHTER and we'll continue to send several do Division 1 schools every year.

We're feeding to them everyday the fact that those in other parts of the state doubt their ability to compete statewide. Not much has differed in AAU in the past several seasons...West Tennessee has produced several fine AAU teams for years. Yet, during the high school season, we can't buy any respect...even though we sent a team to the finals this year who should repeat and could possibly win the whole thing... A mouthful of that will make a lot of kids and programs hungrier...

Since we aren't going we really didn't put that date on our calendar. Trust me, it wasn't done on purpose. We have so many places to go that we really can't change it. I think a lot of interest will be local and out of state, so we'll see. Sorry you guys can't make it...if you could have do you think they would have considered it?

All teams are cordially invited to attend the Memphis Showboats 4th Annual Tournament in Memphis May 21-23. There will be two age divisions: 15U and 16U/17U. Come and get great games for a great price!! The cost of this tournament is $200.00 and the deadline for entry is May 15th. For more information, please contact Jessica Bullard at (901) 385-8944.

All teams are cordially invited to attend the Memphis Showboats 4th Annual Tournament in Memphis May 21-23. There will be two age divisions: 15U and 16U/17U. Come and get great games for a great price!! The cost of this tournament is $200.00 and the deadline for entry is May 15th. For more information, please contact Jessica Bullard at (901) 385-8944.

They both had prior engagements at the start of the tourney and made it in on Friday. Jessica had a very dominating first game back with 14 points, 8 blocks and 7 rebounds. LaToya Bullard had an OUTSTANDING tournament. For all those who hadn't seen her or those who doubted her for whatever reason, she really made a name for herself this time. She was very dominant this tourney, and actually, the first 6 or 7 girls played very well. University of Texas's Jody Conradt was a constant figure at all of our games and was thrilled with LaToya to the point of saying so to another head coach who was sitting next to her. This was her first time seeing her play and she said that she was amazing and exciting to watch. UConn's assitant coach was also at everyone of our games to watch Latoya. I really enjoyed this tournament and it was great to see so many of the coaching faces you see on television in person, not to mention the chance to watch some really outstanding basketball.

Thanks a lot, Showtime...are you coming to watch??

The Showboats are sponsored by Adidas. Also, I think the Lady Tigers from here (new team) are sponsored by Pump-N-Run/Adidas.

The Memphis Showboats did very well also, finishing 9th out of 64 teams in the 17U Open bracket (the toughest bracket). We went 4-1, losing by 5 only to the team that made it to the Championship game, the Cy Fair Texans (who we had down the whole game). There were only 4 16U teams competing in the 17U Open bracket and we were the only 16U team to finish in the top 10 in this bracket. This feat was accomplished without having our two starting post players (Jessica Jackson and Phyllisha Mitchell) until the last day of the tournament. We would have beaten Cy Fair by 15 or 20 with either one of them and maybe by more with both of them, but we still should have pulled it out...oh well...there are more tourneys to win.

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you...yes...we'll be there. We went before and it was an okay tournament experience, but I think we'll have a great experience this time since we are an older team. More of the focus as far as playing in Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke), at UNC and NC State on the main floors is reserved for the older kids and we were 13 or 14U playing up the first time we went. We did pretty well, but I think it will be a whole different experience now since the girls are soon-to-be seniors. Good luck!

All the good West TN players are sticking it out over here where the squad they play for is already good and has been for years.

Craigmont didn't fare well?? They made it to the championship game.

CPGB06, I tried to e-mail you back, but i received a message error...what's going on?

It was just a little friendly joking...should have made better use of the emoticons !

Let's be friendly with each other...looking forward to it.

The fact that you felt you had to divulge that information alone shows how you felt. When confronted by the fact that the Showboats and Stars were loaded, you could have pointed out other valid reasons why you had a chance or could compete with either team. However, I can't really blame you and perhaps you are right. The Showboats not entering in time is probably the only real valid reason you can compete now. My apologies...

Showtime, in the Showboats case, this is true...loaded isn't even the word to describe... CP You're elated aren't you?? You now have a chance that you didn't have a first...a chance to win. If I had a good team and we were in the tourney, I would be disappointed that the top team wasn't in it since we wouldn't have a chance to show who's on top in a head to head game...I wouldn't be gloating because I finally felt like I had a chance...that's a sign of fear. To be the best you have to beat the best. We don't duck anyone and you will possibly meet up with the Showboats again...trust me. You still have the Stars to worry about, too and know that second place is the first loser.

Now this post I like. Several players going to Ivy schools..good for them. Sure they deserve it. But, what is the drop out rate and crime rate in your fair city? Just keep staring into that gold ball and maybe it will all go away. hahaha At least they have a gold ball to stare into...it should be easy staring into your "ball of air" since you didn't get one. Everyone reads all these posts from these idiot Bradley fans and know that "inbreeding" is alive and well. And you're supposed to have class?? Please, remove the "c" and the "l" and its a much better representation of how you people are acting. Jealousy is such a bad thing...do you like your grapes sour??!!! Are you that mad and sad that you lost?? Oh, poor babies!! Pass me some of those grapes...not the sour ones, though. Do you guys have some extra "haterade" from the championship game that came from the Bradley lockeroom since they didn't get to play in the championship game and didn't need any?? Seems like you guys drunk it all up!!

LadEpanther44 and Ladepanther32, I am a Craigmont fan and I saw the game and I thought you two were "awesome" with a capital "A"! Keep up the good work.