hoopfeed.com » Cheryl Coward http://www.hoopfeed.com/content Women's Basketball 24-7 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:29:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Hoopfeed Daily Twitter Digest for 2010-07-30 http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/30/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-30/ http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/30/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-30/#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:29:00 +0000 Cheryl Coward http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/30/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-30/

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]]> http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/30/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-30/feed/ 0 WNBA postseason dates and format announced http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/29/wnba-postseason-dates-and-format-announced/ http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/29/wnba-postseason-dates-and-format-announced/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:34:24 +0000 Cheryl Coward http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/29/wnba-postseason-dates-and-format-announced/

The WNBA released information on postseason dates and information on a new format for conference semifinals and finals today. The release:

As teams continue to jockey for playoff positioning, the WNBA today announced dates for the first two rounds of the postseason, as well as a new format for the conference semifinals and conference finals. Semifinals games will be played Aug. 25-30 with the conference finals played Sept. 2-8. Both series will now be played in a 1-1-1 best-of-three format, with the higher-seeded teams hosting games 1 and 3.  In years prior, the first two rounds were played 1-2, with the higher-seed opening on the road. 

“Every team plays hard to gain competitive home-court advantage in the postseason. This change provides incentive and reward for teams who perform at the highest-level, while giving fans the opportunity to see their playoff series tip-off at home,” said WNBA President Donna Orender.

The WNBA Finals, scheduled to begin on Sept. 12, will remain a 2-2-1 best-of-five format in which the higher-seeded team will host games 1, 2, and 5.  All WNBA Playoff games will be televised nationally, with ESPN2 and ABC airing up to 10 games, including all contests during the WNBA Finals.  NBA TV will

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The WNBA released information on postseason dates and information on a new format for conference semifinals and finals today. The release:

As teams continue to jockey for playoff positioning, the WNBA today announced dates for the first two rounds of the postseason, as well as a new format for the conference semifinals and conference finals. Semifinals games will be played Aug. 25-30 with the conference finals played Sept. 2-8. Both series will now be played in a 1-1-1 best-of-three format, with the higher-seeded teams hosting games 1 and 3.  In years prior, the first two rounds were played 1-2, with the higher-seed opening on the road. 

“Every team plays hard to gain competitive home-court advantage in the postseason. This change provides incentive and reward for teams who perform at the highest-level, while giving fans the opportunity to see their playoff series tip-off at home,” said WNBA President Donna Orender.

The WNBA Finals, scheduled to begin on Sept. 12, will remain a 2-2-1 best-of-five format in which the higher-seeded team will host games 1, 2, and 5.  All WNBA Playoff games will be televised nationally, with ESPN2 and ABC airing up to 10 games, including all contests during the WNBA Finals.  NBA TV will also air up to 12 games as part of its conference semifinals and conference finals coverage. 

In the Western Conference, the Seattle Storm (21-2) has locked up the No. 1 seed, and is on pace to surpass the WNBA record for best regular season winning percentage, held by the 1998 Houston Comets (.900).  The Storm is led by a pair of WNBA All-Stars, center Lauren Jackson and point guard Sue Bird. Jackson ranks second in the league in scoring (22.3 ppg) and seventh in rebounding (9.3 rpg), while Bird ranks first in the league in assists (5.6 apg).

The defending WNBA champion, Phoenix Mercury, is showing signs of returning to championship form. Phoenix is 3-2 since the All-Star break, led by league scoring leader Diana Taurasi (23.9 ppg). On three separate occasions this season, the Mercury has set new-single game scoring records, including 123 points against the Tulsa Shock and 127 points the following game against the Minnesota Lynx in a thrilling double-overtime win. 

In the Eastern Conference, each remaining regular season game has playoff implications that will help determine the top four seeds. All six teams in the Eastern Conference continue to be in playoff contention, with the Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, and Connecticut Sun leading the way. The Chicago Sky (12-13) is looking to make its first postseason appearance in franchise history.

]]> http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/29/wnba-postseason-dates-and-format-announced/feed/ 0 Hoopfeed Daily Twitter Digest for 2010-07-29 http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/29/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-29/ http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/29/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-29/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:29:00 +0000 Cheryl Coward http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/29/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-29/

  • New George Fox coach Michael Meek: Wins and losses 'will take care of themselves' (oregonlive.com) http://j.mp/9lxDxM #ncaaw #
  • Cowher family and friends gather for Kaye Cowher's funeral (wralsportsfan.com) http://j.mp/9FkzSS #ncaaw #
  • Defending champ UConn in Maggie Dixon Classic (AP) http://j.mp/aYMkKI #ncaaw #
  • Southeast Missouri St.: Dionnah Jackson joins women's basketball staff http://j.mp/cUQMEz #ncaaw #
  • Georgia reports 14 secondary violations, one involves Twitter and women's basketball (chronicle.augusta.com) http://j.mp/9mo5F7 #ncaaw #
  • 2ndary violation: A Georgia women's basketball assistant posted comments about a commitment to a Twitter account before her signing. #ncaaw #
  • Georgia 2ndary violation: WBB prospects on an unofficial visit were invited to sit courtside by a father of a current player. #ncaaw #
  • Miami's Sylvia Fowles a global power with strong local ties (miamiherald.com) http://j.mp/aH8U8S #wnba #
  • Indiana sweeps season series vs. Chicago, earns season-best 5th win in a row (indystar.com) http://j.mp/aGQ2f3 #wnba #
  • Dream's first-half run nightmare for Shock (tulsaworld.com)

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]]> http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/29/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-29/feed/ 0 Phoenix Mercury guard Temeka Johnson launches children’s book series http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/28/phoenix-mercury-guard-temeka-johnson-launches-childrens-book-series/ http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/28/phoenix-mercury-guard-temeka-johnson-launches-childrens-book-series/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:55:23 +0000 Cheryl Coward http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/28/phoenix-mercury-guard-temeka-johnson-launches-childrens-book-series/

Meek_Decisions With her non-profit organization Meek’s Hope well on its way to becoming an established presence in Louisiana, Phoenix Mercury guard Temeka Johnson adds to her humanitarian efforts with the launch of a children’s book series.

Johnson’s first book Decisions, Decisions, Decisions is an autobiographical tale of a young girl who loves basketball. The protagonist is raised by a warm and loving yet stern grandmother who imparts lessons about work ethic and education.

Johnson is set to host a launch party for the book this weekend in Phoenix at a fete that doubles as a fundraiser for Meek’s Hope. "Night of HOPE" takes place in a luxury suite at US Airways Center and Johnson will sign copies of her book at the event. All proceeds from Decisions, Decisions, Decisions go towards the organization’s scholarship program.

Meek took some time out of her schedule this week to complete a Q&A with Hoopfeed.com about the book, her humanitarian work and her thoughts on the recent Mercury trade of forward/center Nicole Ohlde for forward/center Kara Braxton.

Where did the idea of a children’s book come from?

Writing a book has been something that I have been talking about for nearly four years now. It began as… Read more

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Meek_Decisions With her non-profit organization Meek’s Hope well on its way to becoming an established presence in Louisiana, Phoenix Mercury guard Temeka Johnson adds to her humanitarian efforts with the launch of a children’s book series.

Johnson’s first book Decisions, Decisions, Decisions is an autobiographical tale of a young girl who loves basketball. The protagonist is raised by a warm and loving yet stern grandmother who imparts lessons about work ethic and education.

Johnson is set to host a launch party for the book this weekend in Phoenix at a fete that doubles as a fundraiser for Meek’s Hope. "Night of HOPE" takes place in a luxury suite at US Airways Center and Johnson will sign copies of her book at the event. All proceeds from Decisions, Decisions, Decisions go towards the organization’s scholarship program.

Meek took some time out of her schedule this week to complete a Q&A with Hoopfeed.com about the book, her humanitarian work and her thoughts on the recent Mercury trade of forward/center Nicole Ohlde for forward/center Kara Braxton.

Where did the idea of a children’s book come from?

Writing a book has been something that I have been talking about for nearly four years now. It began as an autobiography, but after starting the HOPE Foundation, it turned into something that was bigger than me. After reading to some students at my adopted Magnolia Woods Elementary School, and seeing how they were inspired by me, I worked with my team to make a children’s book that was based on my life.

How many books do you anticipate in the series?

For this first series, we will have 3 books, but we hope to turn this into a book series that will be much more than just the three books. I’m hoping that everyone loves it, and we’ll make many more. I have a lot of stories to tell!

How does the book fit in with your Meek’s Hope organization goals?

The book is a perfect fit for the HOPE Foundation. The best part is that we reach the young and the older children. Education is important to me and my foundation, so getting the kids interested in reading at a young age is great. But, also, with the proceeds going to the Jewel Johnson Scholarship Fund, I’ll be able to help older students get to college. It’s a perfect balance for me and the foundation.

Do you feel a special mission to connect with children who were raised by their grandparents?

There is a special connection, because my grandmother raised me and a lot of my family, but I just want to create a stronger community. We are raised by our mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, everyone, and to be honest, we need to get back to the days where the communities raised our children. That’s my biggest goal.

The illustrations are great. Do you feel they captured your spirit and how were you able to convey your message so well to the artist?

Did they?! The illustrations were perfect! All of my family and everyone said the same thing. I have to thank Quency and my FAM for that. Quency and I sat down to write this book over my Temeka Johnson Weekend last year, and he got it. Honestly, I was surprised at how well they worked to make it perfect. I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out.

Do you have any other creative projects in the works?

The other books are coming, but I’m also working on a book of inspirational quotes that will be out in 2011. My LSU coach, Robert Starkey, helped me with this. It looks amazing, and we’re now working to get sponsors and clearances. It’ll be called Meek’s Little Book of HOPE, and I’m excited! We’re also working on a comic strip, too, with the artist that we have from the children’s book. It’s going to be fun! I think we need to be creative when reaching the youth, so we’re doing all that we can!

The Gulf area is still recovering from Katrina and residents now have to deal with the aftermath of the BP oil spill. Has the spill affected your outlook on your humanitarian work in the area?

I’ve always been working in Louisiana, but I do feel that more is needed. I wish I had more time to do more, but our schedule is crazy with heading overseas after the season. But, I am working to support other organizations down in my home state when I can’t be there to do more myself. All I know is that we still have a long way to go and Louisiana knows that they can count on me!

What are your thoughts on the Kara Braxton/Nicole Ohlde trade?

First, let me say that we all miss Ohlde. She was a great teammate and it feels different to not see her every day. I wish her the best and hope that she shows Tulsa just how good she can be. Kara will be good for us. She gives us a strong force down in the middle, and will help out Candice, Tan, DB and Brooke with her rebounding. She can also run the floor, which most people don’t give her credit for. I think people will be surprised at how well she fits in with us.

]]> http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/28/phoenix-mercury-guard-temeka-johnson-launches-childrens-book-series/feed/ 1 Hoopfeed Daily Twitter Digest for 2010-07-28 http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/28/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-28/ http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/28/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-28/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:29:00 +0000 Cheryl Coward http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/28/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-28/

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]]> http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/28/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-28/feed/ 1 Hoopfeed Daily Twitter Digest for 2010-07-27 http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/27/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-27/ http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/27/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-27/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:29:00 +0000 Cheryl Coward http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/27/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-27/

  • After a season away, Dymond Simon glad to be back on the court (statepress.com) http://j.mp/aRFiVY #ncaaw #
  • This Week in the WNBA: Week Ten (sportspagemagazine.com) http://j.mp/aIQtfY #wnba #
  • Sun need to straighten themselves out (norwichbulletin.com) http://j.mp/d0pyAZ #wnba #
  • Seattle-Phoenix Highlights Six-Pack Tuesday (womhoops.blogspot.com) http://j.mp/cdQV55 #wnba #
  • Tulsa trades Alexis Hornbuckle to the Lynx for Rashanda McCants #wnba #
  • The trade deadline is today at 8 p.m. ET. #wnba #
  • Tulsa De-Shocked: Hornbuckle trade leaves Tulsa without any players from Detroit http://j.mp/acOLlY #wnba #
  • RT @wparker Could Nolan be trying to trade Shock nickname w/all ex-Detroit players gone? RT @hoopfeed The trade deadline is today at 8 pm ET #
  • Players of the Week: Diana Taurasi for the West, Cappie Pondexter for the East #wnba #
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  • After a season away, Dymond Simon glad to be back on the court (statepress.com) http://j.mp/aRFiVY #ncaaw #
  • This Week in the WNBA: Week Ten (sportspagemagazine.com) http://j.mp/aIQtfY #wnba #
  • Sun need to straighten themselves out (norwichbulletin.com) http://j.mp/d0pyAZ #wnba #
  • Seattle-Phoenix Highlights Six-Pack Tuesday (womhoops.blogspot.com) http://j.mp/cdQV55 #wnba #
  • Tulsa trades Alexis Hornbuckle to the Lynx for Rashanda McCants #wnba #
  • The trade deadline is today at 8 p.m. ET. #wnba #
  • Tulsa De-Shocked: Hornbuckle trade leaves Tulsa without any players from Detroit http://j.mp/acOLlY #wnba #
  • RT @wparker Could Nolan be trying to trade Shock nickname w/all ex-Detroit players gone? RT @hoopfeed The trade deadline is today at 8 pm ET #
  • Players of the Week: Diana Taurasi for the West, Cappie Pondexter for the East #wnba #
]]> http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/27/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-27/feed/ 0 Tulsa De-Shocked: Hornbuckle trade leaves Tulsa without any players from Detroit http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/26/tulsa-de-shocked-hornbuckle-trades-leaves-tulsa-without-any-players-from-detroit/ http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/26/tulsa-de-shocked-hornbuckle-trades-leaves-tulsa-without-any-players-from-detroit/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:10:51 +0000 Cheryl Coward http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/?p=3982

With a trade of Alexis Hornbuckle to the Minnesota Lynx for Rashanda McCants, Nolan Richardson’s Tulsa squad is completely free of any former Detroit Shock players in action this season. Of the other players who were on the team in the Motor City, Cheryl Ford is out of action this summer due to injury and Deanna Nolan chose not to play this summer.

The release from Tulsa:

A flurry of mid-season lineup changes for the Tulsa Shock continued this morning as they acquired forward Rashanda McCants from Minnesota in exchange for Alexis Hornbuckle.

Hornbuckle, the last remaining player on the Shock roster who played in Detroit last year, averaged 5.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 21.1 minutes per game for Tulsa. She started 10 of the 14 games in which she appeared.

McCants is a second year player from the University of North Carolina. She has appeared in 17 of Minnesota’s 21 games this season, averaging 5.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game.

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With a trade of Alexis Hornbuckle to the Minnesota Lynx for Rashanda McCants, Nolan Richardson’s Tulsa squad is completely free of any former Detroit Shock players in action this season. Of the other players who were on the team in the Motor City, Cheryl Ford is out of action this summer due to injury and Deanna Nolan chose not to play this summer.

The release from Tulsa:

A flurry of mid-season lineup changes for the Tulsa Shock continued this morning as they acquired forward Rashanda McCants from Minnesota in exchange for Alexis Hornbuckle.

Hornbuckle, the last remaining player on the Shock roster who played in Detroit last year, averaged 5.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 21.1 minutes per game for Tulsa. She started 10 of the 14 games in which she appeared.

McCants is a second year player from the University of North Carolina. She has appeared in 17 of Minnesota’s 21 games this season, averaging 5.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game.

]]> http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/26/tulsa-de-shocked-hornbuckle-trades-leaves-tulsa-without-any-players-from-detroit/feed/ 0 Hoopfeed Daily Twitter Digest for 2010-07-26 http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/26/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-26/ http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/26/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-26/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:29:00 +0000 Cheryl Coward http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/26/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-26/

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]]> http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/26/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-26/feed/ 0 Hoopfeed Daily Twitter Digest for 2010-07-25 http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/25/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-25/ http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/25/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-25/#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 14:29:00 +0000 Cheryl Coward http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/25/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-25/

  • 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women semifinals preview http://j.mp/a9S3PN #fiba #
  • Bball courts honor Seattle Storm fan Teresa Butz, slain last year (seattletimes.com) http://j.mp/dv59sR Storm donated money to courts #wnba #
  • Tina Charles set to break WNBA's double-double record (AP) http://j.mp/cR6OTY #wnba #
  • Sky settles for jump shots, then lose to Liberty (dailyherald.com) http://j.mp/b4pjiq #wnba #
  • North Carolina’s Jessica Breland just happy she’s back (charlotteobserver.com) http://j.mp/cd7JGf #ncaaw #
  • Oklahoma State women's basketball coach Kurt Budke gets a raise (newsok.com) http://j.mp/b5vp4i #ncaaw #
  • Virginia: Point guard China Crosby looks for bigger role in upcoming season (dailyprogress.com) http://j.mp/axCWr2 #ncaaw #
  • RT @cbas28 Can't help to smile when [people] say "Vesela, the rookie", when she's such a veteran in top competition basketball #wnba #
  • Former NC State player Kaye Cowher, wife of former Steelers coach, dies http://j.mp/9uxkBA #ncaaw Cowher's team won 1st WBB ACC tourney #
  • Cowher also competed against Carol

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]]> http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/25/hoopfeed-daily-twitter-digest-for-2010-07-25/feed/ 0 Hoopfeed Twitter Weekly Digest for week ending 2010-07-25 http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/25/hoopfeed-twitter-weekly-digest-for-week-ending-2010-07-25-2/ http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/25/hoopfeed-twitter-weekly-digest-for-week-ending-2010-07-25-2/#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 10:15:00 +0000 Cheryl Coward http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2010/07/25/hoopfeed-twitter-weekly-digest-for-week-ending-2010-07-25-2/

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