Beechboard not going to UTC!

[HUCK]

Well it's on the first page of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, so this time this topic will not get closed! Ms. Overton County fairest of the Fair has backed out of her letter of intent to attend UTC. She called coach Moore Wednesday and told him. Lord knows how you guys knew before then! Well she is from Livingston and I must say after 6 years of going through that program, I'd want to take it easy in college. We'll be quite alright without her. Good luck to her in the future.

[ShutupandPlay]

Huck, your well wish to Katrina at the end of your post doesn't override the underlying tone of the rest of it. I'm sure that UTC will fair well without her, but did that really have to be said? Also, the "Miss Overton County Fairest of the Fair" comment's sarcasm is worth noting. Maybe you don't agree with her decision. Maybe I don't either. But I can say this..I don't know her situation or reasons and I'm going to guess you don't either. Even though this is an open forum, Katrina's decision is no one's business but hers. I know that Livingston fans will really miss watching her play and that everyone else is SO glad that she has moved on. Good luck Katrina, in whatever you choose to do.

[HUCK]

College basketball is a whole different story compared to high school. I'll bet you she is not done with basketball though. It was fun hanging out with her freshman friday! She is one wild and crazy gal. It's hard to have a life when you play college basketball! Which could be why! Where is wannabelikebeech when you need his comments? haha! I really wanted to see Katrina and Katasha in the back court. Oh well, so much for the K & K connection!

Edited August 5, 2004 by HUCK

[coach15]

I hate to see that she is not going to play college ball at UTC. Maybe she will decide to play somewhere else. I have had the pleasure of watching her play ball quite a few times and she is an excellent athlete. Sometimes after the pressure of playing high school ball, all you want to do is get away from ball and just take some classes in college. Also lets keeps this positive, don't bash her. As it was posted earlier this is her decision and everyone has to accept it.

[sportsman]

I would guess that she is going to play basketball somewhere. No sense in not using her talents to get herself a "free" degree from some university. What we have to take into account is that there is more to playing college athletics than just playing the sport. Maybe she did not like other things about UTC. Things such as the area, people, attitudes, or *gasp* lack of religion on campus. There are many things that will turn a person (not only an athlete) from certain colleges. I say that we support her in the decision that she has made and I for one wish her luck at wherever she ends up playing.

 

 

(hopefully in an FHU uniform as was previously guessed in earlier topics)

[sportsman]

Huck: Is there some way that you could copy and paste the article from the paper on here? Or at least some snippets from it?

[bob77]

She will be playing somewhere, If I had to guess it would be Division II or NAIA so she don't have to sit. Sportsman Ha

[TS WILDCAT FAN]

She will be playing somewhere, If I had to guess it would be Division II or NAIA so she don't have to sit.  Sportsman     Ha

825298178[/snapback]

SHE HAS ALREADY COMMITED TO FHU

[HUCK]

Livingston star backs out on UTC

Beechboard refuses to talk about decision

By Brad Shepard Staff Writer

 

One of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s top women’s basketball recruits has backed out on her letter of intent.

Katrina Beechboard, a 5-foot-11 wing from Livingston (Tenn.) Academy who figured to get into the Lady Mocs’ playing rotation immediately, called UTC coach Wes Moore this week and informed him she wasn’t coming to Chattanooga.

Wednesday, she confirmed the decision but refused to elaborate.

"It’s for sure, I’m not coming," she said when reached at her home. "I really don’t want to say anything else right now."

Beechboard was chosen the Tennessee 2004 Miss Basketball for Class AA in a year when she led Livingston to a state title by averaging 18.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

She was a finalist for the award as a junior, when she averaged 19.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.

"I know she won a county beauty pageant recently and is supposed to be in a state pageant, and I think that’s made her wonder how much time and effort she wants to put into basketball," Moore said. "I don’t know if that’s the main reason.

"I think she’s considering going to a level where the demands and goals are a little different."

Beechboard recently visited Freed-Hardeman, an NAIA school in Henderson, Tenn. Moore said he speculated she’d go to an NAIA school.

The loss of one of the Lady Mocs’ best signees will affect the way Moore recruits this season. He said he most likely will look to recruit another small forward and move another player in this year’s class, Alex Anderson, from the power forward to the wing.

"I still feel good about what we have," Moore said. "Alex had a great summer, and I’m very excited about her. This year, we’ll probably put more emphasis on a 3 player."

Moore was disappointed in Beechboard’s decision and he said he’d "leave the door open for her." But if her commitment to basketball is in question, Moore said, he couldn’t argue with her decision not to come to UTC.

"We can’t compromise the work ethic on this level," he said. "We’ll be playing Tennessee and Auburn. I’m not going to cheat the rest of our players committed to working on the highest level."

E-mail Brad Shepard at bshepard@timesfreepress.com

Edited August 5, 2004 by HUCK

[chsmotion11]

WOW!!! that hurts if you r UTC but i wish katrina the best

[HUCK]

Are you required to get released by the school you signed your letter of intent with to obtain a scholarship from a lower division school? If you don't get released by th university then you lose a year of eligibility!

[WannaBLikeBeech]

Oh me. I hate to see her drop out of a program with that much potential, but if that's what she wants to do so be it. I wish her the best of luck wherever she ends up.