Class of 2009 Updates...

Congrats to all the girls for making their selections. Ali has the opportunity to be one of the players that gets the Elon program going under their new coach.

Just think about this...each and every one of the girls currently mentioned on the thread will be in Morganton on Nov 8th for Super Saturday.

 

Ali is very excited about her choice of Elon. She just feel in love with Coach Barefoot and her program. Ali will get a degree from a outstanding college, (40,000+ per year).

On the thought of should she have went to a larger school... She could play at a larger school- do doubt..but... one school chose another PG from NC, one got a transfer, one didn't need a PG for 2009. Ali had plenty of options, but felt that Elon would give her the best fit for education and basketball success. It's close to home so her family and friends can watch her play and Coach Barefoot will have that program competing for the Southern Conference Championship soon. Everyone felt that Anna could've went bigger and she could have, but she has had a great career at Wingate. Could Kurie went bigger? Probably, but she chose Wingate and will have a great career too. It's about finding the right fit and hoping that school needs your position as well. All in all Ali is estatic about Elon, glad the process is over and ready to play loose all season long without worring whose in the stands watching her play.

Congrats to Coach Amber Fox for her first Division 1 signee!!! She worked countless hours helping Ali in this process, but loved every minute of it.. She is very proud of Ali and looking forward to a great season.

Congrats Ali!

 

Yeah... This is the best lineup by far... Amber has colleges call everyday wanting to attend. West Virginia called yesterday and will be there. She hopes to attract the ACC and SEC schools, but you never know. I can promise you there will be at least 40 colleges in attendance..

 

The team at Elon is changing drastically-which is normal for a new Coach.
She got a transfer from St Joe's -Kallie Hovatter, 5'9, SG who has many Va. scoring records, and is sitting this year. Elon also gotten the best forward in the Greensboro area-Eleisha Hairston, 6'1, WF, along with a state champion shot putter power forward -Arayael Brandner, 6'1, PF.
They also have the tallest girl in the SoCon at 6'8"-redshirt Freshman- but she currently is a project player.
Ali Ford was recruited to put the pieces together, Coach Barefoot believes she is the best shooter in NC , and plans to push the pace constantly which is the type offense Ali needs to be in. She has extremely high expectations of what she will do for the program. (Elon did lose 20 games last year but lost to runner-up WCU in overtime-so they do have some potential from those there)

 

No mention was made of the fact that Coach Barefoot was at LRhyne for several years.

Consider this from the Elon site:
\
A three-time Kodak/WBCA All-American, Barefoot spent her playing days at Christopher Newport in Newport News, Va. Barefoot still holds the recognition of being the only player in NCAA history, male or female, to score over 2,000 points and accumulate 1,000 assists during her career. For four consecutive seasons she led the nation in assists and is CNU’s all-time leader in scoring, assists and steals. Barefoot is a member of the CNU Athletic Hall of Fame. The USA South Conference named Barefoot to its 25th Anniversary Team in 2006.

Pretty dynamic.

Forget last year's record. This seems the perfect blend of academics and athletics for her.

 

Clair Watkins - Butler verbals to Duke

Butler High's Watkins commits to Duke

By Langston Wertz Jr.
[email protected]
Posted: Thursday, Nov. 06, 2008
Butler High girls' basketball player Clair Watkins, a junior, committed to Duke on Tuesday.
Watkins took an unofficial visit to Durham and told Blue Devils coaches before she left that she would play there in college.
Watkins is a 6-foot-4 center who averaged 10 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks last season for Butler, which finished 26-4.
Watkins' mother, Nancy, said Duke coach Joanne McCallie watched her daughter play on Butler's campus three weeks ago.
“As coach was driving home, she called,” Nancy Watkins said. “She said, ‘You're the kid I want.'”
Watkins, who has a 3.6 grade-point average, improved her game in the offseason, Butler coach Stephanie Butler said, playing with elite AAU teams in Atlanta and Charlotte. Watkins can consistently shoot from 3-point range and has added a variety of moves near the basket.
“Clair really worked hard and took heed to the different things college coaches were telling her in the summer,” Butler said. “She had the opportunity this summer to play against some of the nation's best and that really jump-started things for her.”
Watkins is the third player on her team to commit to a Division I school. Point guard Celeste Stewart has committed to East Carolina. Shooting guard Jaquaria Forney has committed to Charlotte.

 

Today is early signing NOV 12

With today being early signing day--Post any confirmed signings or any suprises that you might read about.
Will any kids choose to play out the senior year and roll the dice on better offers??

 

Janee Johnson

Janee Johnson announcement below, as written by Langston Wertz. She played her freshman season at Butler High School at Matthews and is now playing her third season at Providence Day. She is a great girl and wonderful player!



Providence Day girls star chooses Duke


Providence Day girls basketball star Janee Johnson, one of the top senior recruits in North Carolina, signed with Duke Thursday, according to Chargers coach Josh Springer.

Johnson is a 6-foot-1 guard who averaged 12.1 points and 6.7 rebounds for Providence Day, which won its fourth straight N.C. Independent Schools 3A state championship.

Johnson, a McDonald's All-American nominee, chose the Blue Devils over Florida State, Kentucky, N.C. State and Oklahoma. Butler junior center Clair Watkins will also play at Duke. She chose the Blue Devils last week.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.

 

Player of week

Freedom's Ali Ford was Named Charlotte Observer's Player of the week after the win vs. Forestview on Friday where she had 30 pts.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/preps/story/371273.html

 

Freedom's Ali Ford passed McDowells former star Kurrie Washington this past Friday night in Most career pts by a NW4A player.

She should get her 2000th pt Tuesday at home vs Asheville. (needs about 6 pts)

TBR posters have in the past been very supportive of her game and recognized that a 5'3" player has to be special to do this in a sport where size is a premium.

This is a positive for the entire league and ironic that the NW4A will end with her being the only 2000pt female ever.