Now Holding High School Tryouts at HAX Monday and Wednesdays in March at HAX. Interested Players please submit Tryout Evaluation Request fom on TEAM INFORMATION page***ALL ACCEPTED Cal Sparks High School Players please register on Team Information page now using ACCEPTED PLAYERS REGISTRATION form  ***Cal Sparks High School Teams NEXT practice March 10,  6:30 pm Wednesday at HAX.  ***State Regional Playoffs begin Tomorrow, Good luck to all Cal Sparks Players in State Playoffs**Check out April Phillips Interview with CBS Sports, click on Cal Sparks Video above ***Cal Sparks updates and announcements now on Twitter...Calsparks1 is the Twitter I.D. ****

 

 

 

 

Cal Sparks High School Teams Resume Practice & Training March 3, Wednesday 630 pm at Hax.

Cal Sparks Gold, Black, Silver and Gray Teams are currently fully rostered.

 

However, New roster openings may occur due to the non payment of participation fees as agreed.

 

PARENTS, it is imperative that your Childs Participation Fees be Current as of February 28, 2010.

New Candidates (Waiting List players) will be allowed to try out for Roster vacancies created by Unpaid Roster Slots as of March 3rd, 2010.

 

Fee Schedules for Players who were on a roster in the fall remain unchanged.

A Spring/Summer Fee schedule is now posted on the "Team Information Page".

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Airline  Flight & Hotel Information

 

Please check in 2 hours Before Flight Time.

Maximum 1 Travel Bag to be checked.

1 Carry-on Item

 

Parents, when picking up your child,  Please be at baggage Claim at Arrival time. Thank You.


 

 

 

 

 



 

 

NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER ONLINE (CLICK LEFT TO REGISTER)

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valley Christian 70,

Sage Hill 38
 


NEWPORT COAST — The host Lightning trailed by seven at halftime and 13 after three quarters,

but were blitzed in the final period in the first

round of the CIF Southern Section Division V-AA playoffs Thursday.

 

Stephanie Garrison had 14 points and Morgan Hembarky added 12 for the Lightning (16-9).
 


Freshman Kari Korver had eight three-pointers and scored 19 of her 28 points after halftime for the No. 4-seeded Crusaders (17-

 

11) from Cerritos

 


 

 

 

Washington 55, Narbonne 29:

Reshanda Gray led Washington with 23 points.

 

: Banning 67, Gardena 49:

Stephanie Lopez had 28 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists,

 

: In the Ocean League ...

 

: Inglewood 62, Culver City 48:

Tayler Champion had 14 points and eight rebounds,

Hazel Ramirez had 12 points, five rebounds, two steals and two assists,

 

 

 

Long Beach Press-Telegram

Norwalk 63, Glenn 24: Alexis Love scored a season-high 21 points and had 11 rebounds,

and Lachelle Robinson and Vimi Sainz combined for 33 points

as the Lancers (10-2, 2-2) topped the Eagles (8-11, 1-3) in a Suburban League game.

 

 

 

Gahr 59, Dominguez 44: Symone Brown scored 21 points

and Rachel Porter added 17 points

and 20 rebounds to pace the Gladiators (9-7) to an

SGVL victory.

 

 

 

Byrd's double-double keys Poly's win

 

By David Felton, Staff Writer

 
 

LONG BEACH - Revenge was not the focus for Poly High's girls basketball team in Monday's Moore League showdown with host Millikan. The Jackrabbits insist they've already paid the

Rams back - twice, in fact - for last season's six-point loss in their league opener.

Matching the intensity Poly knew Millikan would bring into Monday's contest, especially in the first quarter, was the focus, and the Jackrabbits managed to do just that. Poly weathered

a brief first-quarter run, led by as many as 22 points in the second half and topped the Rams, 47-37, to improve to 3-0 in Moore League play.

"That was, like, four games ago," Poly coach Carl Buggs responded when asked if revenge for last year's 51-46 loss to Millikan had been discussed prior to the game. Actually, it's been

three games, all Jackrabbit victories. Poly won the second round of Moore League play, 55-42, and routed the Rams in the CIF Southern Section Division I-AA title game, 66-33.

"We expected (Millikan) to come out with a lot of fire and motivation," Buggs said. "It was important to match their intensity."

The Rams (13-3, 3-1) briefly cut Poly's lead to 9-8 on an Ashley Mitchell free throw late in the first but never got that close again. Thanks to 11 first-half points from junior post

Ta'Nitra Byrd, the Jackrabbits (13-2 overall) led 32-16 at halftime, and took a 46-24 lead with 5:58 left in the game on a 3-point shot from senior Monique Oliver (11 points, nine

rebounds).

 

Byrd, a 6-foot-1 transfer from Hawaii, was outstanding. She finished with a game-high 14 points and 13 rebounds, including nine on the offensive end. Buggs said Monday's

game was her best "by far" of the season.

"This is what we expected from her when she first came (to the team)," Buggs said.

Millikan cut into Poly's lead in the fourth with some high-pressure defense. Freshman Sequoia Hernandez led the Rams with 13 points, including 10 in the fourth, and

senior guard Jaslyn Cosey finished with eight. Six-foot-four junior post Hillary Drinousky had 11 rebounds but Millikan allowed 21 offensive rebounds and 10 put-back baskets by the

Jackrabbits.

"Boxing out was nonexistent," said Millikan coach Lorene Morgan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Ariya Crook Williams- ESPN Hoopgurlz

Dec 3, 2008 Arizona TOC preview story

 

 

 

 

Janitah Iamaleava

Cal Sparks (2011)

Carson High School

 

Long Beach Press Telegram

Athlete of the Week

Janita Iamaleava, So., Carson

"The first-year varsity player recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds in the Colts'

60-24 season-opening win over Venice at Staples Center last week. "

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College News

 

LMU senior Cassady Moore has been named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week for December 1-7,

the conference office announced Monday. Moore is the first Lion to receive the honor this season and the first non-Gonzaga player recognized. Moore (Long Beach, CA)

 was outstanding in LMU's two games last week, averaging 16.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 3.5 steals per game while shooting 56.5% from the floor. Moore

opened the week on Wednesday with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in LMU's win at Cal Poly. She then had a career night on Saturday against

UNLV, scoring LMU's first nine points of the game and finishing one assist and one rebound shy of the program's first-ever triple-double. She ended with 20 points, two off

her career-high, plus career-highs of nine rebounds and nine assists to go along with four steals as the Lions defeated the Rebels for their sixth straight win.
 

 

 

 

 

Nervous? Of course, but I can't imagine being anywhere else than Cal

 
 

Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of columns about the transition from high-school to college basketball by Casey Morris,

 a freshman at Cal Berkeley.

 

(FYI, this info presented by Casey will be of value to players attending ANY University, not just Cal. )

 

Story Link.

 

 


COLLEGE NEWS

 

Barbara Houston Named to ESPN The Magazine District 8 All-Academic Third Team
 
Barbara Houston
 
Walnut Creek, CA -- Junior forwardBarbara Houston was named to the ESPN The Magazine District 8 All-Academic Team as one of five total CCAA women's basketball players selected, it was announced earlier today.

Houston, boasting a superb 3.7 GPA as a microbiology major, has made 15 starts in 19 games played on the season, averaging 5.7 rebounds and 4.9 points per game, with 9 blocks, 6 steals and 3 assists.  Additionally, the Compton native is shooting nearly 50% from the field (.482) and over 75% from the charity stripe (.765).  Houston also has one double-double on the season, with seven games with at least 8 rebounds.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(From the Fresno State Website)

Edwards Fulfilling Music Dream
 

 

 
 
 

 
 
Taja Edwards passion for basketball and music is being fulfilled at Fresno State.
 
 
Women's Basketball Home

 

 
Click Here!
 
HEADLINES
Bulldogs Host Hawai'i

Edwards Fulfilling Music Dream

Bulldogs Fight Way Past Boise State

 

RELATED LINKS
Follow all of the college basketball action at CollegeSports.com
 

Email this to a friend
 


 
 
Jan. 6, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. - When she was about 11 years old, Fresno State forward Taja Edwards had to make a tough decision -- pursue basketball and the possibility

of a  college scholarship or follow her dream with her music.

Although it was a difficult choice, she opted for the hardwood over the keyboard. But seven years later, a basketball scholarship allowed her a chance to gain an

education that will lead to a career in music.

Edwards, now a sophomore, is majoring in Sociology with a minor in Music. And after her playing days are over, she plans on going to a producing school and

becoming a producer and a songwriter.

The dilemma between basketball and music began because her choir practice and basketball practice were both Tuesday night, and she had to choose. Despite

singing in her church choir since she was three years old, she decided she wanted to play basketball instead.

But it wasn't a smooth start for Edwards' hoops career.

"I couldn't even do a layup," Edwards said.

However it didn't take long for her to pick it up. Within a year she was moved up from the seventh grade team to the eight grade team, and she was starting to

realize there was a legitimate future for her as a basketball player.

She joined a traveling basketball team and she was starting to get the attention of college coaches.

Her dad, who loved basketball and was a major influence in her decision, helped her make the most of her decision. And the two, spent hours working on her game.

But the time commitment came with a price.

"My dad bought me a basketball and I had a keyboard in my room, but I slowly faded away from that, and picked up a basketball everyday," Edwards said.

She became so devoted to basketball she even gave away her prized keyboard.

"My parents said it wasn't no use sitting in my room," Edwards said.


 
 

 
 

And she never touched the keyboard or piano for years, her traveling squad teammates never even knew she could play. However her love for music never left her.

 

"It (her passion for music) was always there, it was just a matter of what was in front of me at the time," Edwards said. "But when I was in my room, I was always

singing and dancing, or just listening to music until I fell asleep."

As instrumental as her father was in your basketball career, he also was part of her musical influence also.

"He'll tell you he started hip-hop," Edwards said. "That's what he says. Kind of he did ... it started in the south Bronx, and that's where he's from. He knew

Slick Rick, Biz Markie, KRS-One and all those people."

Her mother also influenced her by getting her singing in the church choir at such a young age.

These days she mostly plays the guitar and piano, but she shys away from singing.

"I used to when I was little, I thought I could," Edwards said.

Although she doesn't claim to have a great singing voice, that doesn't keep her from writing songs. And she never has to look very far to find a willing vocalist.

"Everybody on this team thinks they can sing," Edwards said.

But she conceded some of her teammates actually are pretty good singers, particularly forward Joh-Teena Filipe and guard LaToya Brown.

During this Thanksgiving's basketball trip to Dallas, she was able to join Filipe, Brown and some of her other teammates and perform in front of assistant coach Brett Frank's family

during the visit to Texas.

She also has an uncle who is a producer, and worked with him in his studio to lay down a track.

She describes her music as a blend between R&B, pop and rock, and she wants to produce some of her own music in addition to other artists'. But all that must wait until her

basketball career is complete

 

FRESNO, Calif. - The bench of the Fresno State women's basketball team sparked the Bulldogs to a 78-50 victory over

Hawai'i on Thursday night at the Save Mart Center.

The win ups Fresno State's record to 11-4 and 2-0 in WAC play while the Rainbow Wahine dropped to 3-11 and 0-1 in conference.

"We were very excited about the bench play tonight," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said.

"We had some players step up and not just make shots but they really played well

defensively, were aggressive and they rebounded well. It led to a fun night for us as coaches to be able to watch that."

Ashley Walker, Brittny Jones and Taja Edwards came off the bench to score career highs in points

as Walker had a game-high 13 points, Edwards 12 and Jones 11.

Hayley Munro also had 12.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warren Picks Tar Heels

 
 

Updated: September 21, 2008

 
 

Cierra Warren

Glenn Nelson, ESPN

Cierra Warren of California will be a Tar Heel next year.

 

Cierra Warren has maintained a dual personality throughout her high-school career. During the winter, she

must be a scorer for her

Los Osos High School team in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., to enjoy any success. During the spring and summer,

she plays with

nationally elite guards and wings for the Cal Sparks club team, and therefore can focus on defense and

rebounding.

 

If a confluence of all those skills occurs at the University of North Carolina, where Warren committed during

an official visit on

Saturday, then Tar Heel coach Sylvia Hatchell just pulled off the perfect recruitment.

 

At 6 feet 3, Warren, ranked No. 31 in the ESPN HoopGurlz Hundred, can be a rugged, one-on-one defender on

the boxes and a

sturdy deterrent on weakside help. Cleaning the glass at both ends is where she shines. There is a reason.

 

"Rebounding is the only way I get the ball to score in high school," said Warren, who averaged 22.5 points for

Los Osos. "It just

carried over to when I played for the Sparks. If I had to score to help the team win, I could find a way. But

defense is what was

needed."

 

 
Cierra Warren

Glenn Nelson, ESPN

Cierra Warren is skilled at passing from the post.

 

Warren made official visits to Maryland and Rutgers and was tugged by the Scarlet Knights because

of her admiration for coach C.

Vivian Stringer. But she said verballing to UNC fulfilled a longtime dream of wanting to play in Chapel

Hill, so she cancelled official

visits to Miami (next weekend) and Washington State (Oct. 8) to make the commitment.

 

North Carolina appears to be a great fit for Warren. The Tar Heels graduated the last of its great

inside duo, Erlana Larkins, after

last season and the past two years have loaded up on perimeter punch. Cetera DeGraffenreid started

as a freshman last season

and Italee Lucas was a much-heralded classmate; they will be joined this season by incoming

freshmen She'la White and Candace

Wood, both of whom wield sweet strokes and were ranked in the top 50 by ESPN HoopGurlz.

 

Chay Shegog, another incoming freshman, and Martina Wood, Candace's sister, are the only posts on

the UNC roster.

 

Warren's excellent mobility should serve her well in North Carolina's fleet, high-powered offense. In

fact, at Hatchell's urging,

Warren will focus on developing her ball handling skills and increasing the range on her shot.

 

Given all the circumstances, the choice was a no-brainer.

 

"I didn't have to wait," Warren said. "It was just the right choice.

 

click below for the ESPN Website.

 

ESPN Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 18, 2008

 

ESPN-Hoopgurlz ranks Cal Sparks Gold #11 in the Nation

click above for full story.

Cierra Warren (left) and Taylor Champion of the Cal Sparks Gold express surprise at an official's call in Oregon City.

Photo courtesy Glenn Nelson/Hoopgurlz.

 

 

 

August 15, 2008

 

Monterey Park Heat merges with Cal Sparks.

 

 

We are very pleased to welcome the Coaches, Players, and parents from the Monterey Park Heat basketball

club as new members of the Cal Sparks Organization.  This merger of basketball operations and youth development

represents a great opportunity to combine a grassroots skills development focus, National travel basketball, and

college Scholarship assistance, in a manner consistent with the goals and objectives of Cal Sparks Basketball and

Monterey Park Heat.

 

The intent and structure of this merger is full inclusion.  Cal Sparks Youth Basketball will be significantly enhanced

by the development approach perfected over many years by Mr. Barry Moon and his staff of Coaches and Assistants. 

The benefits from the improved Youth development, will accrue to Cal Sparks High School teams

in future seasons.


 

Youth Teams

Tryouts

September 6, 2008  Saturday 11am-1pm   Long Beach City College

 

 

For the Fall of 2009, we will begin with the current youth teams that carryover from last season.

Cal Sparks 8th Blue   Head Coach Barry Moon. (Practices at L.B.C.C and East L.A.)

Cal Sparks 8th White.    Head Coach Mack Porter.

 

We will solicit new players with the intent of establishing 6th and 7th Grade teams as fall

and Winter Seasons progress.

 

Head Coaching assignments for 6th and 7th Teams will be announced later.

 

Coaching "Skills clinics" and Team practices will be offered for all players in grades 6,7,8.


 

High School Teams

 

For the 2008-2009 Club season,

 

Tryouts

 

September 6, 2008  Saturday 1pm-4pm   Long Beach City College

 

Anticipated Teams:

 

Cal Sparks Gold    H.C. Elbert Kinnebrew  

 

Cal Sparks Blue   H.C.  Barry Moon

 

Cal Sparks Black   H.C. Karen Kinnebrew

 

Cal Sparks 2011    H.C.  Ronald Perry

 

Cal Sparks Green  H.C.  Tony Scott   (Practice location: Inglewood High School)

 

 

 

Full Season Tentative Schedule will be displayed at tryout.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESPN Slideshow from the Spring Evaluation Period. (click left for the show)

 

 


 

Cierra Warren, Cal Sparks Gold 2009, was recognized by ESPN-Hoopgurlz as one of the Super Elite amongst the best players in the Nation.

Top rated previously by All Star Girls Report, Cierra is now a "consensus" Premier player in the U.S.

Hoopgurlz story below.   link to ESPN-Hoopgurlz

 

 

Big Bang in Rankings

By Glenn Nelson

 


HoopGurlz Publisher


Posted Wed, 05/21/2008 - 14:11 Revised rankings at ESPN HoopGurlz reinforce the Big Bang aspect of the talented 2009 class.

 


 


Gennifer Brandon jumps into the ESPN HoopGurlz top 10.

A 6-foot-3 pogo stick whose fingers exceed the height of the basket - sometimes, seemingly the glass itself - on her spectacular snuffs, Gennifer Brandon fits right into the upper echelon of what is shaping up to be one of the most talented prep girl's basketball classes in years.

The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., forward is, after all, tall, explosive and a newcomer to the ESPN HoopGurlz top 10. And in later debates over the beginnings of the new women's basketball universe, the class of

2009, to which Brandon belongs, will go down as one for the big bang theory.
 

Right at the very top of rankings, which were updated for Wednesday's launch of ESPN HoopGurlz on ESPN.com, remains the 1-2, Houston-based inside punch of Kelsey Bone

 and Brittney Griner, two titans who will clash twice in a month to settle the issue of the No. 1 ranking for 2009. Bone, a physically imposing, 6-5 post, and Griner, a 6-7

 dynamo known nationally for her dunking ability, will occupy the same space May 30 to June 1 at the Nike Regional Skills Academy in their own backyard, and again at the

National Skills Academy in Beaverton, Ore., exactly a month later.

Those two inside stalwarts, as well as perimeter stars Tierra Ruffin-Pratt of Alexandria, Va., and Skylar Diggins of South Bend, Ind., continue to hold down the first four spots

in the ESPN HoopGurlz rankings. Brandon, who follows at No. 5, is one of three newcomers to the top 10. The others are Joslyn Tinkle, an extremely fundamental 6-3 forward

from Missoula, Mont., who rises to No. 7, and Tayler Hill, a 5-10 scorer deluxe out of Minneapolis, Minn., who hops up to No. 10.

 

The revised rankings feature a ratings change from a star system used previously by HoopGurlz.com to numerical grades used by Scouts Inc., at ESPN.com.

The grading system translates to 90-100 for immediate-impact prospects, 80-89 for high-major prospects, 70-79 for major/mid-major prospects, 60-69 for

low Division I to mid-major prospects, and 50-59 for marginal Division I to Divisions II, III and NAIA prospects.


 

 

 

 

Tierra Rogers of San Francisco, Calif., made the biggest leap of any 2009 girl's basketball prospect, elevating from No. 37 to squarely among the nation's elite at No. 14. Rogers, who helped Sacred Heart Cathedral to an unbeaten season and No. 1 ranking in a couple national polls, is an athletic, 5-11 wing who is adept at many things, including a much-improved jump shots. She made the hop in the rankings during a difficult time in her life that included the loss of her father, Terray Rogers, a community activist who was gunned down at halftime of one of his daughter's high-school games.

Waltia Rolle, a 6-6 post from Houston; Cierra Warren, a 6-3 post from Rancho Cucamonga,Calif.;

 

Mikaela Ruef, a versatile 6-3 wing out of Beavercreek, Ohio, and Jeniece Johnson, the North Carolina State commit from Washington, D.C., are the other newcomers to the ESPN

HoopGurlz top 15, all of whom received grades of 90 or higher.

Gone from the 2009 rankings are two highly ranked players, Shacara Rucker of Gainesville, Ga., and Jelleah Sidney of New York, N.Y., both of whom have been reclassified to the 2010 class.

With Bone and Griner setting the pace, the 2009 class is a stark contrast to recent ones in that the quality inside players jump right out at you. A lot like Gennifer Brandon - spring-loaded and thumping.

 


 

 

Prospect Watch - May 16

By HoopGurlz Staff

 


"Cierra Warren is 6-3 and powerful"



Posted Fri, 05/16/2008 - 06:06 Our weekly look at the national recruiting scene includes a peek at more 2009 bigs, the Atlanta Nike RSA and USA Basketball U18 invitees.

 

PHOTOS BY GLENN NELSON
When we've mentioned the crazy growth of girl's basketball in recent years, we've been focused on the numbers of bodies in the sport. But we've also noticed, on a somewhat unscientific basis, that the bodies themselves are growing as well.

To wit, when the ESPN HoopGurlz rankings of the 2009 class are expanded in a few weeks from 60 to 75, more than a third of the players listed will be 6 feet 3 or taller. Yes, you inside-game-starved college coaches can collect yourselves off the floor now. It's true what we said before; this is the Year of the Post. And then some.
 

.

 

In addition to the usual suspects, such as the Nos. 1-2, Houston-area punch of Kelsey Bone and Brittney Griner, this past spring evaluation period brought a few more

 incredible hulks to the fore. Yet another Houstonian (someone check the reservoirs down there), Waltia Rolle, who is 6-6, will join the upper echelon of the rankings, as will

 Cierra Warren, 6-4, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Both are long, well-developed physically, and very athletic.



 

 

 

 


MEMPHIS FLIGHT INFO

 

Parents NOT traveling with Players please

 

book flight with Teach Coach.

 

Team Black or 15u.

 

Flight Information

                                 Bkng                          Meals/ Seat/
Day Date       Flight     Status Class       City        Time  Other  Cabin
--- ----- --------------- ------ ----- ---------------- ------ ------ ----
---

Sun 20JUL DELTA 952         OK     T   LV LOS ANGELES   1140P    V M
  
                                       AR ATLANTA       706        C

Mon 21JUL DELTA 1153        OK     T   LV ATLANTA       857A           21D

                                       AR MEMPHIS       918A          COACH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Fri 25JUL DELTA 1692        OK     T   LV MEMPHIS       505P           16C

                                       AR ATLANTA       739P          COACH

Fri 25JUL DELTA 953         OK     T   LV ATLANTA       825P     V M   30F

                                       AR LOS ANGELES   1014P   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

oopgurlz.com articles related to Deep South Classic 2008

 

 

 

Deep South Tip Sheet Article for Tournament Highlights   click left for article


 

Notes from Day 1 at Deep South   (click left for Article)

 

Hoopgurlz Feature Article on Dayton Lady Hoopstars Top rated players Harmon and Reuf, and "rimshot commentary"

about Cal Sparks Players Kelli Thompson, Cierra Warren and Ariya Crook-Williams.

 

(Note: Cal Sparks Defeated Dayton Lady Hoopstars 51-37  to open the tournament)

 

 


 


 

PRESS RELEASE FOR DEEP SOUTH CLASSIC

For Immediate Release
February 26, 2008

Tradition Of Excellence Continues
At 2008 Deep South Classic

Each of the past nine summers, the Deep South Classic has proven to be a pivotal event for top-flight high school women’s basketball players from around the country. Once again in 2008, Eighty-Five Michael T. White Signature Sponsored Programs from 35 states will wear the name that will accelerate careers and launch new stars when the Michael T. White Inc. event is held in North Carolina from April 18-20.

The 2008 Deep South Classic will be hosted by three universities – North Carolina, Duke and N.C. State – and it will be presented by the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. The tournament will have six divisions, with a total of 192 teams from across the nation competing.

The list of past Classic performers is a veritable Who’s Who of the game. More than 60 McDonald’s High School All-Americans have played in the event, including superstars such as Candace Parker, Courtney Paris, Erlana Larkins, Noelle Quinn and Tiffany Jackson.

Which star will shine the brightest in 2008? There will be a long list of players at the event who have impressive credentials. Here is a look at some of those athletes, along with a quick report from All Star Girls Report analyst Bret McCormick.

Cierra Warren (Class of 2009, 6-3, C, Cal Sparks

 Gold): This big-time post player out of California

 has polished her resume by piling up amazing

 statistics this winter. Warren is currently listed

as the nation’s No. 21 prospect in the Class of

 ’09 by ASGR, and she has already received a

 scholarship offer from many of the nation’s elite

 programs.

Kelly Faris (2009, 5-11, SG, Indiana Legends): Connecticut and Notre Dame appear to be the early leaders for this talented big guard. Faris, who is listed at No. 6 by ASGR, has a wonderful skill set and the ability to play multiple positions.

Tayler Hill (2009, 5-10, PG, Minnesota NC Heat): Hill is a point guard with size, and she is being targeted by most of the major programs. The No. 7 prospect in the country according to ASGR, Hill is a tremendous athlete with phenomenal skills and a great basketball mind.

Alexis Rogers (2009, 6-1, G-F, Cincinnati Heat Premier): This is an incredible athlete who has the ability to play the 2, 3 or 4 spots on the D-I level. Rodgers is being pursued by top programs from the ACC and Big Ten. She has been on the rise in the national rankings, and currently stands at No. 18 on the ASGR list.

Waltia Rolle (2009, 6-5, C, Cy-Fair Houstonians): This long-armed, athletic post player made her mark previously as a shot blocker who could run the floor. However, her skills have improved dramatically, and she has jumped up to No. 54 in the ASGR rankings. Most of the Big 12 programs see tremendous potential in Rolle’s game.

Melissa McFarland (2009, 6-6, C, Cornhusker Shooting Stars): McFarland, who is ASGR’s No. 64 recruit, brings outstanding size to the low post. She also has solid fundamentals, and that combination has drawn considerable recruiting interest.

Whitney Bays (2010, 6-0, F-G, West Virginia Thunder): This magnificent athlete has already established herself as the finest prep player in West Virginia, and she will be a Top 40 national recruit in her class. Bays will be a big-time recruiting target for the WVU program.

Jeraldine Campbell (2011, 5-8, PG, MS Hoop Dreams): Campbell is simply a born floor leader who has already caught the eye of countless college recruiters, and she is at No. 3 on the ASGR chart for ‘11. This Mississippi native already has an outstanding skill set, and she is destined to be a huge recruit.

Alicia DeVaughn (2010, 6-5, C, Hollywood Eagles): The daughter of Yolanda Griffin, DeVaughn has great size and bloodlines. She is currently working her way back from an injury, so this summer will be an important time. Plenty of college coaches will be watching DeVaughn, who is currently at No. 12 in her class.

Madison Williams (2010, 6-5, C, Michigan Monarchs Book 15): Williams is a long, lean post player who already has excellent skills. She is clearly the best post player in the Class of 2010, and she may well be the top overall recruit in the class.

Antoinette Bannister (2012, 5-8, G, Jacksonville Lady Rams): This is a big guard who possesses a true scorer’s mentality. Bannister has the size, strength and skills to play on the wing or in the backcourt.

Theresa Plaisance (2010, 6-4, F, Domino’s): This versatile athlete has a wonderful skill set. Plaisance can hit the three, she passes well, and she has a strong understanding of the game. Connecticut has already identified her as a key recruit, and ASGR has her rated as the No. 3 prospect in her class.

Morgan Jones (2011, 6-1, F-G, DEBO): Her older sister, Tailor, is a 2008 signee with the Florida Gators, and Morgan will likely outshine her sister. Morgan has the size and the athleticism to dominate on the wing, and she is rated at No. 16 nationally.

Rachel Coffey (2010, 5-8, PG, City Rocks): This athletic combo guard is the type of young player who could really explode at the Deep South Classic. Coffey is a special athlete, and if she displays solid skills this summer she should move up the rankings from her current spot at No. 16.

For more information, please visit us on the web at www.MichaelTWhite.com and click on view events (04) about 2008 Deep South Classic registration, hotel and college coaches information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


For Cal Sparks Parents.

Most of us in the Sports world monitor the Top 25 rankings for our favorite College Teams or our High School Teams.

Here's an important list to become familiar with if you are not already monitoring.  The US News & World Report rankings for High Schools.

US NEWS HIGH SCHOOL RATINGS.  (Click right)

 

 


 

 

 

Full Hoopgurlz Article October 3, 2007 (click left for full article)

"Pac 10 Cats on the move "

Chris Hansen- Director of Scouting, Hoopgurlz.com

 


 

 

 

The NCAA has passed a new rule that requires that student-athletes are registered with the Clearinghouse BEFORE they are

 permitted to take an any official visits or sign a letter of intent. 

 This is a hard-fast rule that will apply to all institutions, so the burden is on the student-athlete to get registered ASAP!
 



COLLEGE VISITS-NCAA RULES

 

 

College Visits in Accordance with NCAA Guidelines

For a high school student wavering between a seemingly infinite number of college

choices, a visit to a campus can often be the determining factor. Student-athletes must

consider NCAA regulations when arranging these visits as to not jeopardize their

eligibility.

There are two types of visits according to NCAA regulations - official and unofficial.

Official visits are taken during the athlete's senior year and are financed in whole or in part

by the respective institution. Unofficial visits, however, are those that are typically taken

during or before the end of an athlete's junior year.

The following limitations apply to official visits:

An official visit may not be taken prior to the start of classes or September 1 of the

athlete's senior year

A school may finance only one official visit per prospect to its campus A prospect may

take a maximum of five expenses-paid official visits to DI and DII schools and an unlimited

number to DIII schools if the prospect enrolls in a DIII school

In DI and II, you cannot be offered an official visit without receiving initial eligibility form

the NCAA Clearinghouse

The length of an official visit may not exceed 48 hours

The school must limit the entertainment, meals and lodging on an official visit to the

prospect, the prospect's parents (or guardian) and spouse.

 

The institution may provide the following on an unofficial visit:

Complimentary admission to an on-campus athletic event

Transportation within 30 miles to off-campus practice and competition sites, but not to

attend one of the institution's athletic events

In DI and DII, a meal to the prospect in the school's on-campus dining facility (or offcampus

if all on-campus facilities are closed). In DIII schools a meal can be provided if it is

a normal policy to provide a meal to all prospective students

In DIII, the institution can provide housing to the prospect, provided such housing is

available to all visiting prospective students

Players can take an unlimited number of unofficial visits to any campus and can make

them before their senior years in high school.

Though daunting, it is the responsibility of the student-athlete to ensure that he is in

compliance with NCAA regulations throughout the entire recruiting process. Failure to do

so can result in his inability to compete on the varsity team during his freshman year at

college.

For more information about official NCAA rules, visit www.ncaa.org or contact a Baseball

Factory representative at newsletter@baseballfactory.com or 800.641.4487.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LB Poly's Monique Oliver, Jasmine Dixon, Kelli Thompson and April Cook


For those who rank girl's high-school basketball teams on a national basis, the aptly named Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits are the safest bets as preseason No. 1 to come along - maybe ever.

After all, Poly finished last year as No. 2 after repeating as California state champions and losing only one of 37 games, and that one to Collins Hill of Suwanee, Ga., the unbeaten, concensus national No. 1 with Maya Moore, the all-everything superstar. Moore now is at the University of Connecticut, but the Jackrabbits return reigning CIF Division I player of the year, Jasmine Dixon, who is ranked No. 26 in the 2008 class by HoopGurlz.com, and is coached by reigning state coach of the year, Carl Buggs.
 


Monique Oliver

Moreover, far from a one-player show, Poly's "supporting cast" already included point guard April Cook, No. 84 in the 2008 class who is visiting Washington State this

 weekend; wing Kelli Thompson, ranked 36th in the HoopGurlz Super Sixty for 2009, and twins Ashley and Brittany Wilson, who are among the best in the 2010 class.

But (and we say this in our best game-show announcer voice) that's not all.

As Buggs says, the Jackrabbits "have had to cause pressure and havoc because we've never had the size to play slow-down with a dominant inside player," but that has changed - and rather dramatically at that. The family of Monique Oliver, HoopGurlz.com's No. 5 prospect in 2009, moved from Las Vegas to Long Beach, and guess where Oliver enrolled for high school?

Now the question isn't whether Poly will three-peat as California state champs, or win the mythical national high-school championship, but whether they should be moved up to the WAC, if not the Pac-10.

"We've been hearing that a lot lately," said Keisha Buggs, wife and assistant coach to Carl at Poly.

Even without Oliver, Buggs had committed Long Beach Poly to a schedule nearly as challenging as, say, USC's. The Jackrabbits will tune up for the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions, where it suffered the loss last year to Collins Hill, at the Nike Northwest Invitational, Dec. 6-8, a tournament co-sponsored by HoopGurlz which includes California Division III champions Sacred Heart, Oregon three-peat champions and host Southridge and perennial Washington state powerhouse Prairie. After a quick Christmas break following the TOC, Poly will play in the second annual T-Mobile Invitation in Albuquerque, N.M., then travel out to Minneapolis for the Gatorade Timberwolves Shootout and likely Jan. 5 matchup with St. Paul Central, which could be ranked in the nation's top three by then.
 


April Cook

And people were comparing Collins Hill's 2006 holiday schedule to the Bataan Death March. If that's true, what is this?

Maybe, just maybe, it will be a justly challenging romp for a team, already the best in the country, that just added one of the best posts in a once-in-10-years, mammothly talented class for that position.

Buggs knew of the 6-foot-3 Oliver, but hadn't seen her play until his team began workouts a couple weeks ago.

"We run drills where the girls have to partner up and she goes over and selects Jaz Dixon because she knows Jaz is one of the top players in the country and will push her," Buggs said. "That shows she wants to do this. She is serious about the game and, even though she's already a good player, she's serious about improving her game."

Oliver's presence, in turn, should improve things for Dixon, who only 6 feet still is one of the most physical inside players in the country. Now Dixon can slide out to her more-natural position, wing, where she will be overpowering. Buggs will go into virtually every game knowing he has matchup advantages at at least four of five positions.

Before Oliver popped up on their doorstep, the Jackrabbits had set as their goals for the 2007-08 season to win a third straight California state title and finish No. 1 in the country. Needless to say, but Buggs says it anyway, "We are not changing those goals now."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   

==================================================================================================

 

Practice Schedule  

 


 

  

 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes from the Deep South Classic:

About Ariya Williams, Cal Sparks Gold, from Scout.Com (HoopGurlz Publisher)

 

"While most middle schoolers are playing in the 15U divisions,

Ariya Williams, an eighth grader at Wright Magnet in Los Angeles,

is playing for the Cal Sparks in the 17U Sponsored Division.

Williams, 5-7, has great size, particularly in the shoulders, handles the ball like a wiz,

can throw passes with either hand and is one to keep an eye on."

 

 

 

The Article Below was written about SRAP from Syracuse New York.

Cal Sparks Gold defeated SRAP 47-41 in the 1st round and thus ended up playing the other

California entry in the 2nd round, FBC Blue, the eventual Champion.

 SRAP blew out every opponent they faced after losing to Gold.

Gold finished the tourney 3-1, Defeating tough teams from

Syracuse NY, Virginia, and Tennessee Team Pride.

 

 

Click Here to Email This Story to a Friend Click Here for a Printer Friendly Version
A A A A A
Deep South Watch - April 14
Shenise Johnson
 
Shenise Johnson
By Glenn Nelson
HoopGurlz Publisher
Posted Apr 14, 2007

Super prospect Shenise Johnson of Henrietta, N.Y., wrests the spotlight from the Big Apple and shines it on upstate New York.

 
STORY & PHOTOS BY GLENN NELSON

 

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Big Apple is considered the center of the basketball world by many and, although it's not as true on the girl's side of the sport, upstate New York tends to get short-shrifted, in terms of notoriety. That changes this year, however, because of a player, Shenise Johnson of Rush-Henrietta High School in Henrietta, N.Y., who is just too good to go unnoticed.

In fact, it's not going too far on a limb to say the 5-foot-11 guard is one of the top players in the 2008 class. We can hear the chorus all the way from the Rochester area, saying, "We told ya." But we had to see it for ourselves.

And what we saw is a player with a unique combination of size, strength and shake. Rush is big and physical and can just as soon plant a defender on the block as cross her over and explode to the cup. In a lot of ways, she is the Eastern version of Jasmine Dixon, the 6-1 Long Beach Poly guard ranked No. 4 in the 2008 class by HoopGurlz.com. She seems to love contact and has a variety of ways to make plays in response to it.

 

Tyler Ash
Johnson is scary in the open court, and once overtook a defender during SRAP's 58-42 victory over Queen City on Saturday night by shifting into a gear few others have, exploding by and finishing with her left while taking contact for a three-point play. Her speed and lightning fast hands are even more imposing on defense, where she snatches passes in mid-air, swats away dribbles before the ballhandler even realizes she has been challenged, and converges on passing lanes better than almost any defender anywhere.

We didn't see much perimeter shooting from Johnson, mostly because she didn't need it - though she doesn't follow through on short pull-ups in the lane. However, she does have the strength and vision to make tough passes in traffic, off penetration. Whether she is a point guard could be a question, though few coaches will resist if she insists on playing that position.

The true point guard, and one of this weekend's big revelations, is Johnson's SRAP teammate, Tyler Ash. The Liverpool, N.Y., guard stands 6 feet 2, giving her unique vision. And she definitely sees plays many others do not and has the gumption to try executing them. What's more, Ash obviously likes to distribute and is selfish, sometimes to a fault.

Ash also hit three-points, blocked shots and boarded. She averaged Magic Johnson-like 11 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and three steals for Liverpool and appears to be the

 

 

Shooting for the stars
By Earl Williams, Staff writer

 
 
Candice Nichols, with a little help from her mother Vickie Murray, has become a standout at Poly High. Murray spent many hours with her daughter practicing jump shots outside their home. The results have helped Nichols receive All-America honorable-mention status and a scholarship at Washington. (Scott Smeltzer / Press-Telegram)
CARSON - Every time Candice Nichols of Poly High shoots a 3-point set shot, one would think she was trying to bank the basketball off the moon, then the backboard and through the hoop.

The 5-foot-10 senior swingman's high-arcing shot is as much a part of her trademark as her ball-hawking defense and slashing drives to the basket.

Oddly, she can dribble the ball well with either hand, jump off either foot, but she is a right-handed player who can only shoot the ball with her left.

Her brother, Clifton, who starred alongside Arron Afflalo on the 2004 Centennial High state championship team, is a left-handed player who can only shoot with his right.

"I don't think I shoot that high," said Nichols, who will join her teammates in the Division I state championship game against Berkeley on Saturday in Sacramento. "I used to shoot with two hands. Now I shoot left-handed, but I am not left-handed.

"It happened because everybody was telling me I am supposed to shoot with one hand. And I picked one."

In her freshman and sophomore years with the Jackrabbits (35-1), Moore League coaches considered her one of the best offensive players around.

No one would have known this last year.


This Street&Smith honorable mention All-American played hard-nose, in-your-face defense, but hardly ever looked for her outside shot.

"I went into a little shooting slump," Nichols said. "That's when I started shooting with my mom outside. (We did it) for two hours continuously. That's what built my confidence. In the playoffs, that's when my shots started going in for me."

In fact, in the 2006 CIF State Division I title game, her second cousin and assistant coach Lakeisha Buggs kept yelling for Nichols to let it fly.

She hit two long-range, clutch 3-pointers in the Jackrabbits' 54-34 victory over the Berkeley Yellowjackets.

She will get another shot to torment Berkeley in Saturday's game at the Arco Arena.

Against Brea Olinda in the CIF Southern Section Division I-AA title game, she connected on three big 3-pointers to help the Jackrabbits pull off a 65-63 victory.

Right before the playoffs, it was her clutch 3-pointer in the waning moments of the Moore League championship-winning game that prevented Wilson from recording a huge upset.

Instead, it kept the Jackrabbits' No. 2 ranking in the country in several publications intact as well as their No. 1 seeding in the Division I-AA playoffs.

After Poly defeated Hart in the semifinals of the Southern California Regionals a couple of weeks ago, Hart's Tatianna Thomas, who has committed to Oregon, said that it is unfortunate she will have to face Nichols again in the Pac-10 next season.

In the first half, Nichols took over the game, scoring two of 12 points on backdoor plays and she finished with 14 points. Against A.B. Miller in the Southern California Regional finals, she came through with 17 points (5 of 13 from the field, 7 of 10 from the free-throw line) to lead the Jackrabbits.

"Everybody has tried to change my shots," Candice said. "My grandmother said, `You can't fix (something) that's not broke.' "

Her shot hasn't stopped recruiters.

Since she was in the seventh grade, she has played travel ball at big tournaments in California, Oregon, Washington, Chicago, Virginia, New Orleans, Georgia and Texas.

Nebraska sent Candice her first letter of interest. But earlier this year, Washington contacted her through her Cal Sparks club team, and Candice signed a letter of intent with the Huskies.

The courts in Washington are far from where she and her brother first learned the game.

Candice, her brother and their neighbors used to put their basketball goals in the street outside their homes in Compton to run full court all day and night.

"I used to just play with all the boys, my brother and his friends," Candice said.

And they had their own personal 1-on-1 battles in their front yard.

"I always tried to beat him, but I never could," Candice said. "We used to get into it. I would start winning, since he was bigger than me, he would always post me up. I used to get mad. I tried to push him. From there, we would argue."

Their mother, Vickie Murray, admits she had to intervene many days.

"She used to cry all the time to get her way," said Clifton, who stands 6-2 and currently plays at a JC. "I had to rough her up a little bit to get her tough. I tried to push her around, punk her. It was straight out of Compton."

Three years ago, their Compton home was broken into for the fourth time, this time at 3 a.m. Murray, a single mother and a secretary to judges, said she moved from the working-class neighborhood to a gated community in Carson, a place with nearly perfect backtop streets with well-manicured lawns, homes trimmed in white, mirroring each other in every way except in color.

"I loved living there," Candice said about Compton. "There was so many kids there around the same age. When my mom put the house up for sale, I was hurt. I didn't want to leave at all, but they broke into our house four times."

The championship runs with Poly have been highlights of her career.

But her fondest memories on the court have come from playing youth ball in Compton, playing travel ball with Sade Wiley-Gatewood - the former Lynwood High McDonald's All-American and current Maryland point guard - and her current Cal Sparks travel team.

"I play a different game with my traveling team than with my high school team. I am a much better player because my traveling coaches give me more freedom," Candice said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player Participation Costs. 2007 HS CLUB SEASON

 

CAL SPARKS 15U.

 

Due to the fact that many parents will be traveling with this young team,  Participation Costs will consist of Direct Payments to Cal Sparks and

travel costs paid directly by Parents to Air Carriers, Hotel, and Car rental agencies.

 

Costs determined as follows for the 5 month Season March 1st  through July 31st, 2007.

 

1.  $600 payable directly to Cal Sparks. 

 

2.  Airline and Hotel costs to be paid directly by Parents to Air Carriers and Hotel Providers.

 Cost to each family will depend on number of Parents or other family members attending with the player.  

(2) Airfare trips as Follows.

 

A.  North Carolina for the Spring Evaluation weekend  (Tickets priced at $315 as of 2/20/07)

B.  Atlanta Georgia in July for the Tournament of Champions. (Tickets from Delta Airlines priced at $372 as of 2/20/07)

 

C.  There will also be 2 "1 nighter" trips.  The 1st to Thousand Oaks April 28th-29th

     The 2nd "1 nighter" to  Bakersfield June 2nd & 3rd  requiring Hotel arrangements

     and associated ground transportation costs from Socal to venue.

 

Team is currently scheduled for 10 Events, however local events are subject to cancellation by promoters.  8 Events will be guaranteed.

 

Hotels in North Carolina and Atlanta are generally in the $120 per day range after fees & taxes.  We can make arrangements for a Team room for

those players with Parents  not planning to Travel,  with said Parents responsible for their share of associated travel costs. 

 

 

Cal Sparks Blue

Player Participation Fees for 17u Blue will be $1800 all inclusive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAJA EDWARDS, Cal Sparks Gold, Long Beach Poly, 2007

Press Telegram Article.  (click left for Article)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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