Baylor On Course To Make History

 Last season Texas A&M became the fourth different Texas school to win the NCAA National Championship, Texas (1986), Texas Tech (1993) and Baylor (2005). No other state can make the same claim, Indiana and California have two different teams each. If you look closely, you will also see that a Texas school has won the championship in every decade since it's start, just a little something for you trivia buffs, and now the Baylor Bears has something even more impressive to shoot for.

If they pull this off, the Bears will finish an unprecedented 40-0, no other team has ever won 40 games since they started the Women's NCAA Tournament in 1992 , the closest has been 39-0, Connecticut has done that 3 times, while Tennessee has done it once. To top that off, only 6 teams have ever gone undefeated in the 30 year history of the tournament.

NCAA Championship History


Prior to being called the Women's NCAA Tournament, it was known as the AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament. La Tech was 40-5 in the 1979-80 season

AIAW Championship History

March Madness Begins

Rolling with Texas A&M on their championship run last season as a parent was something even I find hard to put into words. The excitement each step of the way had the adrenaline flowing and along with the atmosphere, especially when they made it to the Final 4 still gives me goosebumps. This season is basically like last where many of the experts have Baylor, Stanford, UCONN and Notre Dame as the favorites to reach the Final 4.

NCAA BRACKET

WNIT BRACKET

I can go with that because those are the four best teams on paper but the best team doesn't always win, you only have to be the best that game. There are several area players playing in the tournament so if you get a chance check out the action

NCAA

Area 2013 Class Filled With Blue Collar Players

I have never seen a class mirror another in back to back seasons and it appears things happen in cycles.In 2012, there was a variety of offensive minded players that could score on you from multiple ways and while the class of 2013 has some players like that, there isn't an abundance in the area like it was from the previous class. Two of the most athletic players from 2013 have already committed, Christen Inman (Northwestern) and Alexia Sanders (Rice) however the versatility from the different types of players are not lacking as you have several next level players.

AJ Alix is one of the top point guards in the state. I always say the game starts at the one, that's the real and also why she's the "Real Deal".  That's my favorite saying along with one I've modified, "you can't teach height, especially when they can play"

6'2 Carol Willie is ready to explode on the circuit this summer and after her performance this season, be ready

2013 Willie Ready To Explode

McNeese State Heads Back To The Big Dance

McNeese State came into the season with hopes of winning the regular season conference and most importantly the post season tournament in the Southland Conference. The didn't win the conference but they did win the tournament, defeating Stephen F Austin 62-58 in the finals, sending them back to the NCAA Tournament.

All-Tournament Team

Caitlyn Baggett, McNeese State (MVP)

Ashlyn Baggett, McNeese State

Tammara Marion, Stephen F. Austin

Kendra Wells, McNeese State

Ashlee Mells, Stephen F. Austin 

BRACKETOLOGY UPDATE

Southland Conference Championship Preview

McNeese State (25-7) has one more hurdle to climb to head back to the "Big Dance" and that's against Stephen F Austin (23-8) who defeated Nicholls State 66-57. Nicholls State had to be one of the fan favorites after knocking off #1 seed Central Arkansas on Tuesday. Not only was Nicholls State the #8 seed, that was also their first ever postseason victory so emotions were riding high

LiAnn McCarthy was the star on Tuesday for the Lady Colonels on Tuesday by hitting 7 of their teams 14 three pointers on her way to 32 points, she only had one of their five against the Lady Jacks however at the half the ball game was tied at 25

In the second half, SFA outscored them 41-32 and the last six minutes was the story as SFA was clinging to a 49-47 lead. Two threes from Brittany Matthew, a jumper by Annette Davis and clutch free throw shooting from Courtney Conright and Tamara Marrion sealed the victory

 KK Babin led Nicholls State with 14 points while Sumar Leslie had 10. Nicholls State finishes the season 15-16 however they are losing only three seniors

Marrion led SFA with 15 followed by Matthew and Ashley Mells with 11 each, all three had 3 three pointers 

Mells has always been a gifted shooter and the game between these two teams for the championship will have just that, shooters on both ends. It will also have young ladies battling under the basket and from baseline to baseline however once again, the Cowgirls have that taste to return and also want to avenge their conference loss that was played in Nacogdoches. 

McNeese St In Position To Baggett Again

For all practical purposes, this game was over after the first five minutes as McNeese State jumped out to a 17-0 lead against Texas State. The Bobcats couldn't make a basket while it appeared the Cowgirls couldn't miss, in fact McNeese shot close to 60% in the first half, 55% from bta while Texas State managed just over 13% and also throw in a 25-7 rebound advantage for the Cowgirls and you can see why the score was 48-9 at the half.

Texas State is a better team than the one that played on Thursday, I saw them on Tuesday and I saw them against Rice back in December but McNeese State made it to the NCAA Tourney last season by winning the Southland Conference Tournament and they came out focused and ready to do it again

So much is said about the Baggett twins, Caitlyn and Ashlyn, and their ability to drop bombs from all over the court however Candace LaCombe can also shoot the three pretty darn good as she led the Cowgirls with 16 points, this included four threes

Markita Hull beasted up with a double-double of 13 points and 17 rebounds while the Baggett twins and Raiywana Gatlin had 11 each, followed by Kendra Wells who was a rebound shy of her own double-double with 10 and 9. In all, six Cowgirls finished in double digits putting together a very balanced scoring attack

Ashley Ezeh  and Diamond Ford combined for 45 points against Sam Houston on Tuesday but both scored only 2 in the first half against the Cowgirls. The both caught fire in the second half and finished in double digits 

Southland Conference Semifinal Preview

McNeese State has that high powered offense with an aggressive back-court of three point shooters that can also take you off the dribble, Caitlyn and Ashlyn Baggett. Those two can score in bunches and along with Kendra Wells on the interior, they have someone who can not only score but clean up the boards on both ends . The Cowgirls are the defending Southland Conference Tournament Champions, they are battle tested and they have their eyes on heading back to the NCAA Tournament

The Baggett's aren't the only three point weapons, Candace LaCombe didn't have her best game shooting wise on Tuesday but she nailed a couple of long range bombs when they needed them the most against Southeastern Louisiana

If Texas State comes scoring out like they did against Sam Houston expect another high scoring game against McNeese State and this could be an exciting game. I'm ready to watch Ashley Ezeh battle Wells in the paint along with Diamond Ford going coast to coast or launching bombs from even another coast. Sam Houston shot the ball 77 times on Tuesday, Texas State can't let McNeese put up that amount of shots or this could get ugly

LiAnn McCarthy was simply unbelievable for Nicholls State scoring 32 points which included 7-10 from bta, half of her teams 14, in their 79-59 major-upset victory over regular season champion Central Arkansas. This was also Nicholls State first ever victory in the tournament so I expect them to relish being the underdog against Stephen F Austin and having the mindset that they can do it today

SFA had four players score in double figures against Lamar, seniors Tamara Marrion, Courtney Conright and Amina Sawyers while freshman Porsha Roberts joined the group. Unlike Nicholls State, SFA has won a conference playoff game before however the last time was 2007. If  Nicholls State drops 14 threes like they did in game one, this could become interesting

A lot of former area high school players are still alive, games begin at NOON!

#gprbb #merrellmadness

2013 Watch-List Emma Hughes

Emma Hughes probably has another growth spurt left that will get her over 6'0. Right now she's on the edge at 5'11 but she's also on the edge of being a name you might hear a lot of over the summer as she heads into the club ball season playing for Dynasty-Johnson. She'll also work on her skills to try and help lead College Park back to the district title

Still raw in a lot of areas, that old saying "you can't teach height" comes into play along with Emma's work ethic and desire so I'm looking forward to watching her progression over the summer as she makes that push to get where she needs to be to play at the next level

Southland Conference Tournament Provides Merrell Madness

McNeese St Head Coach Brooks Donald-Williams  &  Caitlyn Baggett

 If yesterdays action is any indication on what to expect tomorrow then anyone watching will be in for a treat. Four good games, no actually four great games including Nicholls States win over Central Arkansas 79-59, Nicholls State was seeded 8th while Central Arkansas won the regular season conference

 This means that McNeese State is the top seeded team left and even though they started off slowly, the firepower produced by the those terrific twins, Caitlyn and Ashlyn Baggett who combined for 37 points while Kendra Wells cleaned up the boards with 21 rebounds puts them in the drivers seat to head back to the "Big Dance" after defeating Southeastern Louisiana 67-55.

Texas State defeated Sam Houston State in a shootout, 74-66 with Ashley Ezeh and Diamond Ford combining for 44 points, both are former area stars

Stephen F Austin defeated Lamar 73-64 behind 16 points from yet another former area star Tamara Marion. More to come from the tournament later today.

SOUTHLAND

Texas Finals Video Recap

 Morgan Bolton was one of many exciting players doing exciting things in the state finals however her behind the back pass on the money was so smooth, you got an instant replay, check out the video which is also on the GPR  Website courtesy of Passthaball

The Amazing Alexis Jones- Can I Get An Encore?

For the road, courtesy of Passthaball!!!!!!

2014 Watch List-Jasmine Nash

Jasmine Nash transferred to Klein Collins from Westfield and paid immediate dividends once she was cleared to play, bring another scoring threat to the team. During the season, Jasmine had hold some of the top players in the area and I expect her to be doing the same this summer with Cy Fair Shock

Still raw in some areas, Jasmine has a lot of upside and with her enthusiasm and work ethic, she may be on the verge of something big this July. Nevertheless remember the name!!!!

Lewis Left Lasting Impression

 Taylor Lewis is one of the top 2014 players in Arkansas and if the progression continues, that may trickle over to all of the country. How good is she? Well she has some things you just can't and with high IQ both on and off the court, she is definitely a player you want to catch, the story is in the link below

2014 Watch List-Taylor Lewis

2011-12 All-Southland Conference Women's Basketball Teams

McNeese State place three players on the All Southland Conference team, Ashlyn and Caitlyn Bagget along with Kendra Wells, all will be on hand tomorrow as they open the Southland Conference Tournament up at 12pm against Southeastern Louisiana

Area stars who also made the team that will be on hand are Ashley Ezeh (Bush) and Diamond Ford (Hightower) from Texas State who will go against Britni Martin (Conroe) and Sam Houston State in the second game. In the nightcap, Tamara Marion (Bellaire) will lead Stephen F Austin against Lamar

Here is the complete list of the teams

Girls Basketball State All-Tournament Teams

Loryn Goodwin, Alexis Durley and Kendall Shaw are the area players who made the teams.


Here's the complete list