Utah Flash to Host Open Tryout in Atlanta

Single-day tryout will be held at Clayton State University Athletics and Fitness Center

The Atlanta Hawks’ NBA Development League Affiliate, the Utah Flash, will be holding a one-day tryout at Clayton State University. The tryout will take place at the Athletics and Fitness Center at 10 a.m. on Oct. 24.

In the past two seasons the Flash have selected at least two players from the open tryout to join the team in training camp. Multiple players from the open tryout can be selected for an opportunity to be on the Flash opening day roster. Utah head coach Brad Jones can bring up to 17 players to training camp and opening day rosters will be trimmed to 10 players.

“The opportunities provided by the Flash and the NBA D-League are very unique,” Jones said. “I know that there is untapped talent out there, and the open tryouts allow us to find those players that can excel in the Development League and beyond.”

“There are no prerequisites for the tryout,” Jones said. “Show up, play hard and smart, and that is all we ask.”

Players should arrive at Clayton State University, 2000 Clayton State Blvd. Morrow, GA by 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 24. Workouts begin at 10:00 a.m. Players will compete in skills and conditioning drills prior to dividing into teams for several game-type scrimmages.

Interested players should complete a registration form, as well as a player release and eligibility form. Both are available at utahflash.com or can be sent via email by contacting drew@utahflash.com. Players that register early should remit a cashier’s check for $150 made payable to the Utah Flash. Day of camp registrants will pay $175 by either cash or cashier’s check.

The Flash will begin preseason training camp Nov. 15 before traveling to Tulsa for their first regular season game on Nov. 27. Flash season tickets are still available and can be purchased by phone at (801) 434-HOOP or online by visiting www.utahflash.com.

PLAYER CONTACT: Utah Flash Front Office / (801) 434-4667
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Atlanta Hawks Individual Game Tickets To Go On Sale Sept 19 at 10 a.m.

Atlanta Hawks individual game tickets for the 2009-10 preseason and regular season go on sale this Saturday, September 19, at 10 a.m. They will be available for purchase by visiting www.hawks.com, calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX, and by visiting the Philips Arena Box Office or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets for all games start at $10. The Hawks’ first regular season game is only 42 days away as the Countdown to Opening Night begins!

The 41-game regular season home schedule tips off on Wednesday, October 28 against Danny Granger and the Indiana Pacers. Other notable opponents at Philips Arena include league MVP LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers (December 29 and April 14); the defending World Champion Los Angeles Lakers on March 3; Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics on January 8 and January 29; Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat (November 18 and February 10); and Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic on Thanksgiving Night (November 26) and March 24.

The popular Chick-fil-A® Family Nights promotion returns this season, where fans can purchase four tickets and four Chick-fil-A® chicken sandwich combo meal coupons starting at $89, for specially selected home games.

New this year is Aaron’s “Lucky Dog Wednesday’s,” where 300 level tickets will be available for $15. Additionally, the Hawks are offering fans the opportunity to purchase metroPCS “Unlimited Eat Seats” in selected sections of Philips Arena. Starting at $37, this unique offer includes a game ticket and all you can eat hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, popcorn and soft drinks throughout the game.

The Hawks are also featuring a “Kids Day” promotion for all Sunday home games, where children 12-and-under will receive a free ticket with purchase of at least one regularly priced ticket. As in the past, college students and military personnel can purchase tickets for 50-percent off.

Additional ticket offers will be announced at a later time and a complete list of promotions is available at www.hawks.com. The start times for the majority Atlanta’s home games will be 7 p.m. for Monday-through-Thursday and Saturday games, 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, with varying tipoff times for the team’s five Sunday contests. Four of the Hawks home games will be nationally-televised this season, and the start times for those contests are 8 p.m.

Atlanta Hawks 2009-10 season tickets start as low at $10 per game and are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.hawks.com or calling 1-866-715-1500. New this year, fans also have the option of purchasing the exciting 13-game Playoff Plan, which includes the home opener and 12 additional games versus 2009 playoff teams – including the Lakers, Cavaliers, and Celtics. Groups of 20 or more can guarantee their ticket purchases before the public on-sale date by placing a deposit through the Hawks ticket sales department at 1-866-715-1500 or www.hawks.com. Individual regular season game tickets will go on sale at a later date. The Hawks, a member of the National Basketball Association since 1949, play in the Southeast Division, along with the Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.
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Atlanta Hawks Sign Veteran Center Jason Collins

The Atlanta Hawks have signed veteran center Jason Collins, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not announced.

“Jason provides us with additional size and a good interior defensive presence,” Sund said. “He has extensive experience, having started in two NBA Finals with the Nets, and is another player with strong character and leadership qualities.”

An eight-year veteran, Collins spent last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he appeared in 31 games (22 starts), and averaged 1.8 ppg and 2.3 rpg.

He spent his first six-and-a-half seasons with the New Jersey Nets, where he appeared in 510 contests (starting 404 of them) before he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on February 4, 2008 in exchange for Stromile Swift. He then came to the Timberwolves as part of an eight-player deal on June 26, 2008 that also involved Kevin Love and O.J. Mayo.

Collins has played in 572 career regular season games, including 429 starting assignments, averaging 4.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 1.0 apg in 23.4 mpg (.410 FG%, .648 FT%). Collins also has significant postseason experience, playing in 75 playoff games (3.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg), including two trips to the NBA Finals with the Nets in 2002 and 2003.

The native of Southern California played four seasons at Stanford University alongside twin brother Jarron (now of the Utah Jazz). He earned Honorable Mention All-America by the Associated Press and was named to the All Pac-10 First Team in 2001, after putting in 14.5 ppg and 7.8 rpg. Collins attended Harvard-Westlake Prep in North Hollywood, California.

Jason Paul Collins was born December 2, 1978 in Northridge, California. He will wear uniform number 34.

Atlanta Hawks 2009-10 season tickets start as low at $10 per game and are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.hawks.com or calling 1-866-715-1500. New this year, fans also have the option of purchasing the exciting 13-game Playoff Plan, which includes the home opener and 12 additional games versus 2009 playoff teams – including the Lakers, Cavaliers, and Celtics. Groups of 20 or more can guarantee their ticket purchases before the public on-sale date by placing a deposit through the Hawks ticket sales department at 1-866-715-1500 or www.hawks.com. Individual regular season game tickets will go on sale at a later date. The Hawks, a member of the National Basketball Association since 1949, play in the Southeast Division, along with the Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.
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Cory Baldwin Named Head Basketball Coach at Waycross College

Clayton State University alumnus and former assistant men’s basketball coach Cory Baldwin has been named the first head coach of Waycross College’s men’s basketball team.

After spending the past three years as the head coach at Truett-McConnell College in north Georgia, Baldwin has agreed to head to south Georgia to start the Swampfoxes’ basketball program as part of the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association (GJCAA). Waycross will join the GJCAA basketball league for the 2009/2010 season.

A native of Jonesboro, Baldwin graduated from Clayton State in 2000 with a degree in Healthcare Management and three varsity basketball letters. He was an assistant coach at Clayton State for seven years, during which time he earned a masters in Instructional Education from Central Michigan University.

During his three years at Truett-McConnell, Baldwin compiled a 53-39 record, the third best record in the GJCAA.

In addition to coaching basketball, Baldwin will also serve as an instructor of physical education at Waycross.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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Hawks Sign First Round Pick Jeff Teague

The Atlanta Hawks today signed rookie guard Jeff Teague, the team’s first round selection (19th overall) in the 2009 NBA Draft, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not announced.

With contract in hand, Teague will join other rookies and free agents in workouts this week on the Philips Arena practice court.

The early-entrant candidate was an All-American pick by several organizations and an All-ACC second team performer in his second and final season at Wake Forest. He led the Demon Deacons in assists, steals, three-point shooting and free throw percentage, in addition to scoring 18.8 points and connecting on .485 of his field goals.

A 6-2 guard who was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2007-08, Teague tallied 13.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals in his first season.

Tickets for the Atlanta Hawks 2009-10 season are currently on sale and can be purchased by visiting www.hawks.com or calling 1-866-715-1500. The Hawks, a member of the National Basketball Association since 1949, compete in the Southeast Division, along with the Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.
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Al Horford to Participage in Basketball Without Borders 2009

NBA/FIBA coaches and players to train and mentor over 150 top players from three continents

U.S. Olympians Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, and Dwight Howard, along with the Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford will headline Basketball without Borders 2009 it was announced today by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Basketball without Borders (BWB) is the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development program that uses the sport to create positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness. The camps will be held in Beijing, China, Mexico City, Mexico and Johannesburg, South Africa.

“Basketball without Borders helps us to grow the game of basketball and bring attention to important social issues that affect communities around the world,” said Kathleen Behrens, NBA Executive Vice President, Social Responsibility and Player Programs. “We know that by teaching the values of the game - teamwork, sportsmanship, hard work, and healthy living our current and former players and coaches can also make a lasting impact on communities in need.”

Two NBA players will bring the camp to their home countries this summer. Houston Rockets center Yao Ming will lead Basketball without Borders Asia in Beijing, China July 30 to Aug. 2 and Basketball without Borders Americas will feature Eduardo Najera of the New Jersey Nets in Mexico City, Mexico from Aug. 6 to 9. Atlanta’s Al Horford will join Najera in Mexico City. For the seventh consecutive year, Basketball without Borders Africa will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from Sept. 2 to 6 starring Boozer, Bosh, Howard and Slam Dunk champion New York Knicks’ Nate Robinson.

“Basketball without Borders is a unique program in that it emphasizes more than basketball skills in top-young talent” said FIBA Development Director Zoran Radovic. “Campers benefit from both the highest level of basketball instruction and they are also equipped with the tools to make a positive impact among their peers and become role-models in their communities.”

The top youth players 19 and under from Asia, Latin America and Africa, as selected by the NBA, FIBA and participating federations, will train under NBA players and coaches and compete against their peers. Campers will be divided into teams independent of race, religion or nationality to promote friendship and diversity. NBA players will partner with local community groups to lead daily life-skills sessions focusing on the importance of education, leadership, character development, health and wellness. Through NBA Cares, the league’s social responsibility initiative, NBA players and coaches will participate in extensive community outreach programs with local non-profit organizations including the creation of places for children and families to live, learn or play.

Nike, a BWB partner since 2002, will again outfit the campers and coaches with Nike apparel. “Basketball without Borders teaches young basketball players the importance of hard work, dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship,” said George Raveling, Global Director, Nike Basketball Sports Marketing. “These are all vital attributes to the young campers, which will serve them well in the future both on and off the court, and we are proud to be working with the NBA and FIBA to promote these values.”
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Legendary Prep Basketball Coach Morgan Wootten Announces McDonald's All American(R) Players of the Year

/PRNewswire/ -- Derrick Favors, the 6'9", 235 lb. prep superstar from South Atlanta High School in Atlanta, Ga., was named the thirteenth-annual Morgan Wootten Award winner today. Previous winners include Greg Oden (2006), Dwight Howard (2004), LeBron James (2003), Jason Williams (1999) and the Award's first recipient Shane Battier (1997).

Joining Favors in the honor is McDonald's All American(R) Female Player of the Year, Kelsey Bone, from John Foster Dulles High School in Stafford, Texas. Bone is the eighth female to be added to the impressive list that includes Tina Charles (2006), Abby Waner (2005), Candace Parker (2004) and Ivory Latta (2003).

The Morgan Wootten Award is given to the McDonald's All American players who exemplify outstanding character, exhibit leadership and embody the values of being a student-athlete in both schoolwork and community service activities. McDonald's(R) established the Award in Wootten's name to pay tribute to his unprecedented achievements as a teacher and a coach. The official presentation will take place at the McDonald's All American Games awards banquet on March 31 in Miami, Fla.

Described as a pure athlete, Favors is also an honor roll student at South Atlanta High School. When he's not playing basketball, he spends his time reading and participating in the chess club and Kappa League Mentoring Program. On the court, Favors is the No. 1 ranked high school prospect in the class of 2009, according to Scout.com.

"It's a big honor and privilege to be named the McDonald's All American Game(R) Player of the Year," Favors said. "I'm really looking forward to the Game and plan to just go out there, play hard and try to live up to the hype."

Bone is considered one of the most well-rounded student athletes on the 2009 McDonald's All American Team. In addition to her basketball achievements, which include winning the gold medal in 2008 as a member of the under-18 USA Basketball Team, Bone is also committed to excellence off the court. Her school-related activities include theatre arts and serving as a fifth grade mentor at a nearby elementary school. Bone is fluent in American Sign Language and also writes a basketball blog for the Houston Chronicle.

"It's an honor to be recognized by Coach Wootten and the McDonald's All American Games for all of my hard work on the court," said Bone. "It means a lot to be named to the McDonald's All American Team and even more to be selected as the McDonald's All American Game Player of the Year."

Favors and Bone are two of only 48 high school seniors selected to play in the 32nd annual McDonald's All American High School Basketball Games, which takes place at the BankUnited Center in Miami, Fla. on Wednesday, April 1. The Boys Game begins at 8:00 p.m. (ET) and airs live on ESPN. The Girls Game precedes the Boys' at 5:30 p.m. (ET) and will air live on ESPNU.

Favors and Bone will head to top ranked universities after graduation. Favors has committed to Georgia Tech and Bone is deciding between Texas A&M, South Carolina, Texas and Illinois.

The McDonald's All American Games are about more than just basketball. Each year, proceeds raised from the Games benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R)) and their local Chapters across the country. Proceeds from the 2009 Games will go to RMHC of South Florida. To date, the McDonald's All American Games have raised millions of dollars for RMHC and its local Chapters.

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McDonald's(R) All American Games 2009 Team Rosters Revealed

/PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's and the All American Basketball Games selection committee unveiled the 24 members of the 32nd Boys Game and 24 members of the eighth annual Girls Game on the ESPNU Selection Show today. The Games will be played on April 1 at the BankUnited Center in Miami, Fla.

Proceeds from the 2009 McDonald's All American High School Basketball Games will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R)) of South Florida. Millions of dollars have been raised since the first Game was played in 1978.

"The McDonald's All American Games represent the most prestigious showcase of high school basketball in the nation," said Alonzo Mourning, captain of the McDonald's All American Advisory Council. "The young athletes selected to the McDonald's All American Teams will not only go on to become the next biggest basketball stars, but will also aid in raising money for an important cause and learn the importance of succeeding off the court, by giving back."

The 2009 McDonald's All American Boys Team features the top high school basketball talent, including Xavier Henry (Putnum City High School - Oklahoma City, Okla.), ranked the number one high school basketball player in the nation by several sources. Also taking the floor will be Derrick Favors (South Atlanta High School - Atlanta, Ga.), John Henson (Sickles High School - Tampa, Fla.), DeMarcus Cousins (LeFlore High School - Mobile, Ala.) and Renardo Sidney (Fairfax High School - Los Angeles, Calif.). The Boys Game will tip-off at 8:00 p.m. ET April 1, and will broadcast live on ESPN.

The 2009 McDonald's All American Girls Team also boasts a talent-rich roster including Brittney Griner (Nimitz High School - Houston, Texas), who holds the National High School record for blocks in a game and is widely known for her incredible dunking skills. Also suiting-up for the girls will be Kelsey Bone (John Foster Dulles High School - Sugar Land, Texas), Skylar Diggins (South Bend Washington High School - South Bend, Ind.), Markel Walker (Pittsburgh Schenley High School - Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Cokie Reed (Waco Midway High School - Waco, Texas). The Girls Game begins at 5:30 p.m. ET April 1, and will broadcast live on ESPNU.

Every athlete who participates in the McDonald's All American Games will visit the host city's local RMHC Chapter to experience first-hand how the Games impact the local community. For a complete list of players and more information on the McDonald's All American Games and RMHC, please visit: www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com or www.mcdepk.com/2008allamericangame/. You can also visit our new blog at insidethegames.net to obtain news and analysis of the Games and other basketball topics of interest on a regular basis.

This year, 48 players were selected from 2,500 nominees by a committee of basketball experts. They were chosen not only for their on-court skills, but for their performances off the court as well. Coach Morgan Wootten, who had more than 1,200 wins as head basketball coach at DeMatha High, is chairman of the selection committee. Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden, who has been involved in the McDonald's All American Games since its inception, serves as chairman of the Games and as an advisor to the selection committee.

Since 1977, more than 850 players have competed in the McDonald's All American Games, forming an elite list that reads like a "Who's Who" in basketball history. McDonald's All American athletes include NBA greats Alonzo Mourning (retired), Magic Johnson (retired), Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), as well as WNBA star Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx) and Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks) and women's NCAA stars Tina Charles (Connecticut) and Maya Moore (Connecticut).

Tickets to the Games and POWERade(R) Jam Fest are available through Ticketmaster online by clicking here (Games) and here (Jam Fest), and by phone, (866) 909-GAME. POWERade Jam Fest will be held at the BankUnited Center on the University of Miami Coral Gables campus on March 30, 2009. The qualifying competition will begin at 7 p.m. ET and the finals will air live for the first time ever at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

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Coke Zero Gives NCAA(R) Basketball Fans the Chance to 'Taste' Thirty Seconds of Fame During National Championship Broadcast

/PRNewswire/ -- Are you as mad as a drink with Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories? Think you can bounce up and down faster than Duke University's Cameron Crazies? Convinced you can recite your school's fight song more passionately and intensely than thousands of University of Kansas fans chanting "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk?" If so, now's the time to prove it by putting your school passion on display for the entire NCAA basketball world to see.

Coke Zero, the Official Fan Refreshment of the NCAA, is celebrating NCAA March Madness(R) by calling on college basketball fans to demonstrate their passion for their favorite team for a chance to be featured in a Coke Zero "Taste the Madness" television vignette. A special vignette featuring the best fan entries will air nationally during the CBS broadcast of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship immediately prior to tipoff. Between now and the NCAA Men's Final Four(R), fans can log onto the Coke Zero "March Madabase" -- a database of NCAA basketball fan rituals -- at www.tastethemadness.com to upload their most animated and fanatical videos and photos supporting their favorite NCAA college basketball team.

As determined by a Coke Zero panel of judges, the best entries submitted to the Coke Zero March Madabase, which will be hosted on ncaa.com, will be incorporated into the 30-second vignette that debuts on April 6. Judges will be looking for creativity, intensity, unpredictability, passion and authenticity, and those that rewrite the rulebook, just like Coke Zero did with its Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories.

The new Coke Zero vignette will be the third in a series that has featured Duke's Cameron Crazies and Kansas' "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk."

"NCAA basketball fans have loyalty and enthusiasm for their favorite teams that's unmatched in any other sport," said Bill Kelly, senior vice president, Coca-Cola Trademark Brands, Coca-Cola North America. "Just like Coke Zero set itself apart from other beverages with its combination of Real Coke Taste and Zero calories, the NCAA basketball fanatics we select for the 'Taste the Madness' vignette will stand out through their distinct displays of school spirit and unparalleled fan madness."

To launch Taste the Madness, Coke Zero has assembled a venerable group of NCAA basketball fans who will be featured prominently on the website. From Arkansas to North Carolina to UCLA, these students represent some of the top NCAA basketball programs and traditions in the country and are widely known on their campuses as leaders when it comes to demonstrating school spirit. These "Mad Majors" will submit their own videos and photos at www.tastethemadness.com and inspire other fans on their campuses and across the country to do the same for the chance to be featured in the Coke Zero vignette. In March, Coke Zero will select four of the Mad Majors to represent the brand at the 2009 NCAA Men's Final Four in Detroit and task them with documenting fan activities and uploading content to the March Madabase.

Coke Zero has also partnered with CBS college basketball studio analyst Seth Davis to help promote the Taste the Madness program. Davis is no stranger to the great lengths that fans will go to in order to support their favorite teams, as he was a distinguished member of the Cameron Crazies while a student at Duke University. Additionally, former University of Notre Dame player Bill Laimbeer, who led the school to its only NCAA Men's Final Four trip in 1979, will represent the program in Detroit during this year's national semifinals and championship game.

Coca-Cola is an Official NCAA Corporate Champion, the Official Fan Refreshment of the NCAA and a partner with the NCAA in a 12-year association which includes beverage marketing and media rights to 88 NCAA championships.

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PickManager.com Gives College Basketball Fans A Chance to Win $100 Million

(BUSINESS WIRE)--PickManager.com, a leader in online fantasy sports games, wants someone to walk away with $100 million by picking a “perfect bracket” during the annual men’s college hoops tournament in March.

“This historic contest is better than a free lottery ticket,” said Terry Dell, president of PickManager.com. “It is the ‘Game of the Century™,’ because nothing even close to this amount has ever been offered in sports contest history. This is 100 times larger than average prizes in the past.”

To enter the free contest, basketball fans can visit any website that has the official Game of the Century logo. To play, simply fill out the bracket of the 64 teams competing in the 2009 Men’s Division I college basketball championship. The person who correctly picks all of the winners—with a perfect bracket—will win the $100 million ultimate prize.

“For anyone who loves predicting the outcome of the March college tournament, this contest is a slam dunk,” Dell said. “We’re thrilled to add even more excitement to the tournament and our games with this unprecedented $100 million prize.

“At Pickmanager.com, you can play all the games you want all year for just $19.99,” Dell said. “PickManager.com creates innovative interactive sports games and mega prize contests. Our members can set up an unlimited number of public and private leagues with their friends and co-workers. They can enjoy playing in a variety of office pools and fantasy leagues, in addition to incredible national contests, with one account.”

In addition to the $100 million ultimate prize, PickManager.com is giving away many other prizes beginning the week of February 9, 2009. There are eight La-Z-Boy recliners up for grabs, one per week. Participants can qualify for the weekly random drawing by answering poll questions and selecting one out of four recliners to win if chosen. The grand prize is an extravagant sports den, featuring Lay-Z-Boy seating, a flat screen TV and a surround sound stereo system. It will be awarded to the person with the highest-scoring, “non-perfect” bracket.

The PickManager.com Game of the Century™ contest entry period runs from February 9, 2009 to 12 noon Eastern Time on March 17, 2009. Contestants must be 18 years or older, with a valid driver’s license. For full contest details, visit www.PickManager.com or a participating website.

Dell stressed that people must act fast to participate. “This free contest has a limited number of entries and we expect it to fill up quickly,” Dell said. “So make sure you, your friends and your co-workers sign up now for the chance to win the $100 million and other prizes. In addition, set up your own fully customizable March bracket contest at PickManager.com.”

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Shorter Lady Hawks Basketball Enter NAIA Top 25 Poll

Fueled by the 70-63 win over conference foe and nationally-ranked Lee University, Shorter College broke into the NAIA Women's Basketball Top 25 Coaches' Poll at No. 24, the NAIA announced Monday.

This is the fifth regular-season edition of the Coaches' Poll, and the first time Shorter has been ranked after receiving votes in last week's poll.

Shorter (12-5, 7-1) beat the nationally-ranked then-#5 Lee University Lady Flames on the road, 70-63, to gain sole possession of first place in the tough Southern States Athletic Conference.

Nicole Frechette had 18 points (and a team-leading 10 rebounds) in the win was awarded SSAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week earlier in the day.

The road game was the fourth straight for the Lady Hawks as they head into their game next Thursday at cross-town rival Berry College. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. at Berry's Cage Center.

From the NAIA:

For the second straight week Union (Tenn.) received all first place votes to stay No. 1 the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Lady Bulldogs earned 312 total points and were a unanimous pick for the fourth time this season.

The next three spots also remained the same for second consecutive week. No. 2 Vanguard (Calif.) held its spot with 300 points while Oklahoma City remained at No. 3 with 294 points and Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) stayed at No. 4 with 283 points.

No. 6 Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) remained in its spot with 256 points. Saint Xavier (Ill.) moved up two spots from last week to No. 7 with 250 points and Oklahoma Baptist jumped to No. 9 from No. 13 with 235 points. Columbia (Mo.) rounded out the top-10 after moving up a spot with 220 points.

No. 24 Shorter (Ga.) and No. 25 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) both made their debut in the top-25 this week.

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First-Round Pairings Set for T-Mobile Invitational National High School Basketball Tournament

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The first-round pairings of boys and girls teams for the 2008 T-Mobile Invitational national high school basketball tournament have been announced by T-Mobile USA, Inc., and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

The tournament will be broadcast live by CBS College Sports Network and will be played Dec. 29-30 at Worthen Arena on the campus of Ball State University. Play-by-play announcer Jason Knapp teams with analyst Steve Wolf to call the boys games and analyst Tammy Blackburn to call the girls games. In addition, CBS Sports will air a one-hour “T-Mobile Invitational 2008 Tournament Highlight Show” on Jan. 18, 2009 (1 p.m. EST).

MaxPreps.com, the official online partner of the T-Mobile Invitational, will offer replays of the full broadcast of all tournament games, available on demand 48 hours after the conclusion of each contest. Maxpreps.com will also provide video features on all the competing teams, as well as comprehensive highlight packages following each game.

The T-Mobile Invitational is the only basketball tournament sponsored by the NFHS, and the field is composed only of schools from NFHS-member associations. The NFHS’ 51 member associations oversee and administer athletic and fine arts activities within those states. Only high schools that are members of those state associations are allowed to compete for their respective state titles.

Leading off the Dec. 29 first-round girls games is a matchup between Gentry High School (Indianola, Miss.) and Bob Jones High School (Madison, Ala.). Gentry has won back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A state titles, while Bob Jones High School claimed the 2008 Alabama Class 6A title with no seniors in its starting line-up. The second girls game pits two-time defending New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Group 1 champion University High School (Newark, N.J.) against Washington High School (South Bend, Ind.), which has earned an Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 4A state title and two runner-up finishes the past three years.

The first boys game features Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas) High School, which began the season ranked No. 1 in multiple national preseason rankings, against South Atlanta High School (Atlanta). The second boys game features Garfield High School (Seattle) against Lawrence North High School (Indianapolis).

The winning teams will advance to the girls and boys championships on Dec. 30, with the consolation games to be played earlier that day.

The boys field features some of the top individual players in the country. South Atlanta’s Derrick Favors is the top-ranked big man in the country, according to nearly every expert’s list. The 6-foot-9 power forward averaged 23.7 points, 17.1 rebounds and 9.1 blocks as a junior. This year’s tourney also features the top-rated sophomore in the nation in Garfield’s 6-5 point guard Tony Wroten Jr. In addition to these two standouts, the 2008 T-Mobile Invitational field features at least eight other players who have committed to attend Division I universities including Louisville, Texas, Oklahoma State and Purdue.

The girls bracket also features some of the top players in the country. Leading the way is Washington High School’s Skylar Diggins, the top-rated point guard in the nation and a 2007–08 Parade Magazine first-team All-American performer. University High School’s Laurin Mincy brings equally impressive credentials to this year’s event. She was the first girl in New Jersey history to earn first-team all-state honors as a freshman and was named New Jersey Player of the Year as a sophomore.

“Once again, we have an outstanding field for the T-Mobile Invitational,” said Robert F. Kanaby, NFHS executive director. “We’re very pleased that the country will be able to see not only some of the nation’s best basketball players, but some of the top all-around student-athletes as well.”

“It just seems to get better every year,” said Mike Belcher, vice president of brand communications,

T-Mobile USA. “We’re excited about the quality of the teams, the quality of the individuals involved and being able to showcase it all for the fans watching in person in Muncie and those watching live around the country on CBS College Sports Network.”

In addition to the two days of games, all coaches and players of the participating schools will join together for a T-Mobile Huddle UpSM community service project on Dec. 28 designed to improve various elements of the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie (located at 1710 S. Madison St. in Muncie). T-Mobile Huddle Up is T-Mobile USA’s community outreach program connecting kids, primarily from single-parent families, in high-need urban communities to positive people, places and programs. T-Mobile Huddle Up focuses on addressing the critical need for safe, high-quality after-school programs for kids nationwide.

Here is the complete schedule of games (game times are approximate and subject to change). Game times are Eastern Standard Time:

Monday, Dec. 29


Girls:

Noon Gentry (Indianola, Miss.) vs. Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.)
3:30 p.m. University (Newark, N.J.) vs. Washington (South Bend, Ind.)


Boys:

1:45 p.m. South Atlanta (Atlanta) vs. Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas)
5:15 p.m. Garfield (Seattle) vs. Lawrence North (Indianapolis)


Tuesday, Dec. 30


Girls:

Noon Consolation game
3:30 p.m. Championship game


Boys:

1:45 p.m. Consolation game
5:15 p.m. Championship game

For ticket information, go to www.t-mobileinvitational.com.

The partnership between T-Mobile USA and the NFHS, the national leadership organization for high school sports and fine arts activities, strives to encourage student participation in interscholastic activities and emphasizes the importance of these programs in preparing students for life. In addition to the basketball tournament, the multiyear agreement between the NFHS and T-Mobile includes T-Mobile’s sponsorship of the NFHS annual student leadership conference, plus other initiatives and events. T-Mobile is the Official Telecommunications Partner of the NFHS.

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Mercer Men's Basketball Ranked No. 1 Nationally in RPI

After downing Southeastern Conference opponents Alabama and Auburn in a four-day span and starting the 2008-09 campaign with an unblemished 3-0 record for the first time since 1984, the Mercer men’s basketball team has been rewarded with the top spot in CollegeRPI.com’s rankings.

The College RPI takes into account a team's winning percentage (25%), its opponents' winning percentage (50%), and the winning percentage of those opponents' opponents (25%) when ranking every team in the nation. The Bears check in ahead of every traditional Division I roundball powerhouse in the country for the first time since the inception of the Ratings Percentage Index in 1981.

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BEARS DO IT AGAIN! Upset Auburn on the Road to Go 3-0

Behind another huge effort on the boards and clutch free throw shooting, the Mercer men’s basketball team won its third straight game with a 78-74 victory over Auburn in the first round of the Chicago Invitational Challenge Wednesday night at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.

Mercer senior Calvin Henry drained two free throws with 2.4 seconds on the clock to give Mercer a 78-74 lead and the Bears improved to 3-0 to open the season for the first time since the 1984-85 campaign that saw the Bears advance to the NCAA Tournament.

The last time Mercer defeated two SEC teams in the same season was 1952-53, when the Bears knocked off Georgia, 68-63, and Mississippi, 78-40.

Auburn was the second straight member of the Southeastern Conference to fall to the Bears – Mercer upset West Division favorite Alabama, 72-69, just two days ago in Tuscaloosa.

With a sizable contingent of Mercer students roaring in the end zone, the Bears hit 7-of-9 free throws inside the final five minutes to hold off the Tigers and avenge last season’s 68-59 loss to Auburn

Mercer sophomore forward Brian Mills drained two free throws to break a 67-67 tie with 4:50 showing and Florence drained a 3-pointer from deep in the left corner as Mercer went on to build a 73-68 advantage with 2:29 on the clock. Still leading by five, AU’s Quantez Robertson hit an inside basket and following a timeout by Auburn head coach Jeff Lebo, the Bears’ James Florence ran the clock down but turned the ball over with less than 27 seconds on the clock - and two seconds on the shot clock.

Tigers’ senior Korvotney Barber scored inside, trimming the MU advantage to just 75-74 with 21.6 ticks showing. After a Mercer timeout, Michael Ellis found guard E.J. Kusnyer open on the Bears’ end of the court, but Kusnyer elected to pull the ball out instead of laying it up and was fouled before he could dish the ball off. He hit one-of-two from the line with 9.4 seconds remaining and the Tigers hurried the ball downcourt, but Robertson was called for charging as he went inside trying to tie the game for the 11th time. Calvin Henry was fouled and sealed the game with his two from the charity stripe.

Both teams opened up patient on offense, with Mercer using a 10-0 run from the 17:40 mark to the 15-minute mark to gain a 13-4 advantage. Auburn’s Frankie Sullivan hit a 3-pointer to momentarily stop the Bears’ surge, but moments later Emerson collected one of the Orange and Black’s seven offensive rebounds in the opening half, was fouled and hit two from the line to spark another 7-2 run, giving the Bears a 22-12 lead with 11:29 remaining in the first half.

Following Emerson’s two from the line, sophomore Brian Mills scored five straight for the Bears, dropping in a basket then recording a traditional three-point play for the 10-point advantage.

Auburn (1-1) then got untracked offensively on their home court, answering with an 11-0 run of their own, fueled by junior guard Tay Waller. In the midst of the spurt, Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman was whistled for a technical foul for leaving the coaches’ box to protest an apparent travel by an Auburn player who stole an errant Mercer pass, drove the court and laid the ball off the bottom of the rim and came down with it in his hands.

Neither team was able to build more than a four-point advantage in the last six-plus minutes of the opening frame - that being Mercer’s 44-40 lead at intermission.

There were three ties inside the final five minutes, with Mercer’s James Florence scoring 12 of his 16 first half points in the final four minutes prior to intermission.

As they did in the win over the Crimson Tide, the Bears held a commanding 22-9 first-half rebounding advantage over Auburn.

In a second half that featured seven ties and eight lead changes Mercer held the lead that counted.

Henry opened the second half with an acrobatic move inside to score the basket and hit the ensuing free throw, boosting Mercer’s 44-40 halftime lead to seven but the Tigers answered with 8-0 run to grab a short-lived 48-47 lead. Mercer’s BeJay Corley came alive, battling for a basket inside, then less than a minute later he followed with another strong bucket, pushing MU’s to 51-48 with under 16 minutes remaining in the contest.

With Auburn clinging to a 59-58 lead, both teams suffered through a scoring drought og nearly three minutes before Korvotney Barber scored for the Tigers. AU edged out to a 63-60 lead with under nine minutes on the clock, but Emerson drained a high-arching 3-pointer from the top of the circle at the 8:17 mark, tying the score for the fifth time of the half.

Unlike last season’s matchup in Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum when Auburn claimed a double-digit second half lead en route to defeating the Bears, tonight’s game went to the wire.

Florence led all scorers with 25 points, while Daniel Emerson added another double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Mills netted 12 points and Henry finished with 11 points and six boards.

Tay Waller posted a team-high 22 points for Auburn.

Mercer plays host to Georgia Tech in a homecoming matchup on Saturday, Nov. 22, with tip-off slated for 1 p.m. at the University Center. The game will be televised live on Fox Sports Net.

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Mercer Bears Upset Alabama in Tuscaloosa

Alabama’s football team is No.1 in the country and plays a tough brand of football, but the Mercer men’s basketball came into Coleman Coliseum and used a huge 56-38 rebounding advantage to shock the Crimson Tide, 72-69 in non-conference men’s basketball action Sunday night.

Junior guard James Florence found Calvin Henry underneath the basket for a contested reverse layup that proved to be the winning basket with 13.8 seconds on the clock and Florence hit two free throws to give the Bears a three-point advantage. Alabama’s Ronald Steele missed a potential game-tying trey and Florence collected the rebound at the buzzer.

Florence scored a team-high 23 points, while Daniel Emerson added 18 points. Brian Mills netted 10 points and collected eight boards with Henry just missed a double-double, scoring nine points and recording a game-high 13 rebounds.

Last year Mercer (2-0) upset Southern Cal in November and the Bears are 2-0 to start a season for the first time since the 1997-98 campaign and snapped Alabama’s four-game home win streak.

Unlike last season when Alabama held off a second-half rally to edge the Bears, 90-83, at the University Center, ‘Bama never gained more than a six-point lead.

Both teams struggled in the first couple of possessions, but junior forward Daniel Emerson, who scored the Orange and Black’s first five points, gave the Bears an early 5-3 advantage on his traditional three-point play inside the first two minutes of the contest. Unfortunately the Mercer big man picked up his second foul at the 17:03 mark, with sophomore Brian Mills taking his spot on the court.

Alabama guard Ronald Steele gave the Crimson Tide a brief two-point lead, but basket interference was whistled on Calvin Henry’s shot on MU’s next trip downcourt and the score was knotted for the second time of the night.

After trading turnovers, the Bears went on a 6-0 run ignited by Florence’s acrobatic fastbreak layup. Mills’ putback gave Mercer a four-point advantage and 20 seconds later guard Mark Hall found Michael Ellis open for the Bears’ sixth straight point.

Moments later, the Tide matched Mercer’s run with six consecutive points of their own, only to have the Bears bolt back out by five, as Florence dropped in a basket and Emerson drained a 3-pointer from the top of the circle with just under eight minutes on the clock.

With the Bears offsetting ‘Bama’s size with effort and quickness, the Orange and Black held an impressive 24-11 advantage on the boards with seven minutes remaining in the first half.

The Crimson Tide then went on a 14-5 run over the next five minutes to gain a 31-26 lead, but Mills found the range from downtown, as the Douglasville, Ga., native nailed a trey from deep in the right corner then found the distance from the opposite side of the court on the next possession, pulling the Bears to within two points with less than two minutes on the clock.

The two teams traded baskets, then Florence tied the score for the fourth time of the opening frame while drawing the foul. He misfired on the ensuing free throw attempt but the Bears had an opportunity to go into intermission with the lead after collecting the rebound, but Florence was whistled for a five-second count with just under 11 seconds on the clock. Alabama’s Steele then attempted an off-balance trey at the buzzer that was off the mark and the two teams went into the break tied at 33-33.

A cold front pushed through Tuscaloosa on Saturday while the Bears were practicing at Coleman Coliseum and it apparently carried over to the hardwood, as neither team was able to shoot better than 39 percent in the opening frame.

Junior E.J. Kusnyer opened the second-half scoring with a trey from the left corner – his first of the night – and Emerson muscled up an inside bucket and Mercer again held a five point lead.

Alabama chipped away and tied the contest at 40-apiece on a wild tip-in credited to Demetrius Jemison after the bated ball bounced high off the backboard with 15:40 on the clock.

Alabama’s Mikhail Torrance broke free for a lay-up and hit the ensuing free throw after drawing the foul, giving “Bama a short-lived four-point lead. But Mercer roared back with a 12-0 run from the 12-minute mark to the 7:31 point, forcing Crimson Tide coach Mark Gottfried to call a timeout. Bama’s Steele hit a 3-pointer out of the timeout to snap the MU run and the Bears held a 56-51 advantage at the media timeout.

With the student section staring him in the face, Florence nailed two from the charity stripe at the 7:08 mark. Following a missed free throw by the Crimson Tide, Henry swooped in to collect a Florence miss and slammed it home for a nine-point Mercer lead.

A 7-0 run by Alabama trimmed the Bears’ to a deuce, but Florence stopped the run with a traditional three-point play, but JaMychal Green answered with his own three-point play.

Mercer was outscored 16-6, surrendering the lead before Emerson hit a layup, then Alabama’ Alonzo Gee hit just his second basket of the night, a jumper from the left side to regain the lead and could have been a back-breaker, at 69-68, with just 27.5 ticks on the clock. Mercer coach Bob Hoffman called a timeout to set up the final frantic seconds and Florence and Henry combined to make it successful. Florence drove the lane, went airborne and found Henry underneath.

Florence scored a team-high 23 points, while Daniel Emerson added 18 points. Brian Mills netted 10 points and collected eight boards with Henry just missed a double-double, scoring nine points and recording a game-high 13 rebounds.

Steele led all scorers with 25 points, while Green added 17 points for the Crimson Tide.

The Bears have another quick turnaround, visiting Auburn for the second consecutive season on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Tip-off is slated for 8.p.m. (eastern) at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.

• With his five blocked shots on the night, Henry now ranks third all-time at Mercer.

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Two of Nation’s Top High School Basketball Players Headline 2008 T-Mobile Invitational

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two of the nation’s top high school basketball players - Derrick Favors of Atlanta (Georgia) South Atlanta High School and Skylar Diggins of South Bend (Indiana) Washington High School - headline the four boys teams and four girls teams set to compete in the 2008 T-Mobile Invitational national high school basketball tournament.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the eight-team field for this year’s event, which will be held December 29-30 at Ball State University’s Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana. The NFHS-member Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) will serve as the tournament’s host state association. As such, two Indiana high schools were invited to participate in the tournament.

Favors, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound senior forward-center, and Diggins, a 5-9 senior guard, are considered to be among the nation’s top high school boys and girls basketball players, respectively.

South Atlanta High School, which has become a power in Georgia behind the physically imposing and athletic Favors, is expected to contend for the 2009 Georgia High School Association Class AAA state title. The multi-talented Diggins has led South Bend Washington to an IHSAA Class 4A state title and to two runner-up finishes in her first three varsity seasons.

Other boys teams participating are Duncanville (Texas) High School, Seattle (Washington) Garfield High School and Indianapolis (Indiana) Lawrence North High School.

Competing with South Bend Washington for the girls title will be Madison (Alabama) Bob Jones High School, Newark (New Jersey) University High School and Indianola (Mississippi) Gentry High School.

The T-Mobile Invitational is the only basketball tournament sponsored by the NFHS, and the field is composed only of schools from NFHS-member associations.

“We are looking forward to this year’s tournament,” said Robert F. Kanaby, NFHS executive director. “Not only does this event showcase some of the best teams and individuals in the country, but it also showcases the important role that activity programs play in high school education.”

“T-Mobile is proud to sponsor such a quality event,” said Mike Belcher, vice president of brand communications, T-Mobile USA. “The caliber of play is outstanding. And the caliber of individuals taking part is just as great.”

In addition to the two days of games, all coaches and players of the participating schools will join T-Mobile employees for a T-Mobile Huddle Up℠ community service project on December 28 designed to improve the after-school facilities at a local community-based organization or public school (site to be determined). T-Mobile Huddle Up is T-Mobile USA’s community outreach program connecting kids to positive people, places and programs. T-Mobile Huddle Up focuses on addressing the critical need for safe, high-quality, after-school programs for kids nationwide.

The inaugural T-Mobile Invitational was held in 2006 in Seattle with the nation’s No. 1-ranked girls team, Suwanee (Georgia) Collins Hill High School, and the boys team from Los Angeles (California) Fairfax High School taking home the championship trophies. The scene shifted to Albuquerque and the University of New Mexico’s “The Pit” for the 2007 T-Mobile Invitational. Set against that scenic Land of Enchantment backdrop, Jersey City (New Jersey) St. Anthony High School, ranked No. 1 in the nation, claimed the boys title, while Long Beach (California) Poly High School was the girls winner.

The partnership between T-Mobile and the NFHS, the national leadership organization for high school athletic and fine arts activities, strives to encourage student participation in interscholastic activities and emphasizes the importance of these programs in preparing students for life. In addition to the basketball tournament, the partnership between the NFHS and T-Mobile includes T-Mobile’s sponsorship of the NFHS annual national student leadership conference, plus other initiatives and events. T-Mobile is the Official Telecommunications Partner of the NFHS.

Here’s a closer look at the 2008 T-Mobile Invitational field:

Boys

Atlanta (Georgia) South Atlanta High School

Behind the prodigious play of Favors, South Atlanta compiled a 27-3 record in 2007-08 and was ranked No. 7 in Class AAA. The talented and multi-skilled forward-center averaged 23.7 points, 17.1 rebounds, 9.1 blocks, 3.6 steals and 2.7 assists as a junior last season and had 19 triple-doubles in 30 games. For his efforts, he was named Gatorade Georgia Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Class AAA first-team all-state and second-team Parade All-American. Among the eight players South Atlanta returns in 2008-09 is 5-11 senior point guard Nick Watkins, who is ranked as one of the top guards in the state. The Hornets scored 80 points per game and held opposing teams to 50 points per game in 2007-08, and were ranked 15th in the nation at one point of the season by USA Today.

Duncanville (Texas) High School

The second-largest high school in the nation in terms of physical size, Duncanville (Texas) High School has put up some equally huge numbers on the boys basketball court. Duncanville went 35-2 in 2007-08, including a spotless 14-0 in district play. It lost to eventual state champion North Crowley in the regional final and finished the season ranked No. 5 in Class 5A. The top returning scorers for 2008-09 are 6-7 Shawn Williams (17 ppg) and 6-5 Roger Franklin (14.5 ppg), who both were named to the all-state team last season. The Panthers’ frontline is expected to be bolstered this winter by the addition of 6-10 junior transfer Perry Jones. Coach Phil McNeely, who has compiled a career record of 674-173 and led Duncanville to state titles in 1991, 1999 and 2007, was 2007 EA SPORTS National Coach of the Year and 2008 District 8-5A Basketball Coach of the Year.

Seattle (Washington) Garfield High School

Coming off a strong 17-9 season with a very young team featuring one of the nation’s top underclassmen, Seattle (Washington) Garfield looks to build on that success in 2008-09. The Bulldogs’ top four scorers and top four rebounders all return, led by highly touted 6-5 sophomore point guard Tony Wroten Jr. As a mere freshman, the precocious and well-rounded Wroten averaged 20.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game, all team-highs. Six-one senior guard De’andre Taylor, who collected 15.4 points, three assists and two steals per contest, led the squad in three-point field goals in 2007-08. Jaron Cox, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 6.3 points and provides additional depth to the already talented backcourt, while 6-3 junior Wilson Platt toiled inside with averages of 5.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. The Bulldogs will be led by first-year coach Ed Haskins.

Indianapolis (Indiana) Lawrence North High School

Perennial Hoosier State power Indianapolis (Indiana) Lawrence North High School will field a very tall and talented team in 2008-09. The Wildcats will give opposing teams nightmares as they return a formidable trio of 6-9 players, including senior Stephan Van Treese, who is a four-year varsity player and is verbally committed to Louisville; senior Jeff Robinson, who has verbally committed to Purdue; and junior Dominique Ferguson, who is regarded as one of the nation’s top juniors. Coach Jack Keefer, who has been Lawrence North’s only boys basketball coach since it opened its doors in 1976-77, led the Wildcats to state titles in 1989, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Among the outstanding big men Keefer coached were Eric Montross and Greg Oden, both seven-footers who played in the National Basketball Association.

Girls

Madison (Alabama) Bob Jones High School

Madison (Alabama) Bob Jones defeated Clay-Chalkville, 48-42, to claim the 2008 Alabama High School Athletic Association girls Class 6A state title, the first state basketball championship in school history. In that state title game, Bob Jones (35-2) played seven players, all juniors who will return in 2008-09. Among them is Kylie Cook, who was named tournament MVP. Her twin sister, 5-10 guard-forward Kellie Cook, was named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association 2008 All-State Basketball Team Super Five (all enrollment classes combined), as well as to the Class 6A first-team. Their classmate, 5-6 guard Jala Harris, was named Class 6A second-team all-state. Coach Tim Miller, who has compiled a 238-40 career record, also led Montgomery (Alabama) Jeff Davis High School to the 2006 state title and was named 2007-08 Class 6A coach of the year. Sports Illustrated recently named Bob Jones High School’s athletic program as the best in the state of Alabama.

Newark (New Jersey) University High School

Newark (New Jersey) University, which finished the 2007-08 season 27-4, has won back-to-back New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Group 1 state titles. Led by coach Felicia Oliver, University lost only one player from last year’s squad to graduation and returns 14 players for 2008-09. Leading the way is 6-0 junior Laurin Mincy, who was named first-team all-state as both a freshman (the first girl in New Jersey history to do so) and a sophomore and was named New Jersey Player of the Year as a sophomore. That season, the versatile Mincy averaged 19.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.5 steals and 2.9 blocks per game, and already has scored 1,318 points in her 66-game career. In addition, senior Nadirah McKenith was named both second-team all-state and first-team All-Group 1 last year.

Indianola (Mississippi) Gentry High School

Under the direction of coach Charles Williams, Indianola Gentry won MHSAA Class 4A state titles and MHSAA Grand Slam tournaments in both 2007 and 2008. Gentry defeated Yazoo County, 52-44, for the 2008 MHSAA Class 4A state title, and a week later, topped Class 5A state champion Jackson Murrah, 80-75, in double-overtime for the MHSAA Grand Slam championship. Multi-skilled 5-6 junior guard Brizannai Washington, who averaged 14.7 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals as a sophomore in 2007-08, was named Grand Slam player of the game. Finishing the season an unblemished 40-0, Gentry was ranked No. 7 in the ESPN High Elite 25 high school girls basketball rankings and No. 20 in the USA Today Super 25. Gentry is currently riding an 80-game winning streak, which ties the Mississippi high school state record.

South Bend (Indiana) Washington High School

Led by multi-talented 5-9 senior guard Skylar Diggins, South Bend Washington is expected to be one of the state’s top teams again this year. During her first three seasons, Diggins paced the Panthers to an amazing 76-6 record, an Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 4A state title and two runner-up finishes. As a junior, the versatile Diggins averaged 29.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.2 steals and 1.5 blocked shots. Diggins, who possesses long-range three-point shooting ability, was a Parade Magazine first-team All-American performer in 2007-08, and is expected to contend for national player of the year honors this year. Senior forward Takoia Larry, who scored 24 points in last year’s state championship game, averaged 10.9 points last season when she was named high honorable-mention all-state.

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Georgia State University Panthers Announce Basketball Schedule

Non-conference games against Georgia Tech, Florida State and Minnesota highlight the 2008-09 Georgia State men’s basketball schedule, announced Wednesday by head coach Rod Barnes.

Now in his second season at Georgia State, Barnes has the Panthers poised for significant improvement. Georgia State returns its top scorer in all-CAA guard Leonard Mendez as well as its top rebounder in senior Rashad Chase, and five transfers from Southeastern Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big East programs become eligible this season.

"We’re still building our program but we’re excited about what we can be this season," said Barnes, the 2001 Naismith National Coach of the Year at Mississippi. "We have more depth and talent, and we should be able to run and press and create more action on both ends of the floor. That’s the style I want to play, and we’re looking forward to doing that this season."

Georgia State opens the regular season in the NABC Classic at Minnesota, where the Panthers will face host Minnesota, Bowling Green and Concordia-St. Paul in a three-day span, Nov. 14-16.

"Playing in a preseason tournament, especially with a quality team like Minnesota, is a challenge but it’s a great opportunity for our team," said Barnes. "With so many new players in the lineup, we will find out a lot about our team very quickly."

Barnes is well-acquainted with Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith from their days in the SEC. Smith’s youngest son, Brian, played for Barnes at Ole Miss.

In December, the Panthers face back-to-back ACC foes. Florida State visits the Georgia State Sports Arena for the second time in three years on Saturday, Dec. 13. Four days later, State travels across town to play at Georgia Tech on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Last season, the Panthers dropped a five-point game against Tech at the Sports Arena.

Georgia State’s non-conference slate also includes home games against Jacksonville State, Coastal Carolina, Hampton and Southern Poly as well as road contests at Troy and UTSA. The Panthers will face an additional non-conference road test in the annual ESPN Bracketbuster event, scheduled for Feb. 21.

The 18-game CAA schedule begins with a road game at UNC Wilmington on Saturday, Dec. 5, and then resumes at home against Old Dominion on Saturday, Jan. 3.

The CAA schedule rotation has Georgia State playing home-and-home against VCU, Old Dominion, UNC Wilmington, Northeastern, Drexel, Delaware and Towson, home only against James Madison and Hofstra, and road only at George Mason and William and Mary.

With the exception of the Jan. 5 date at George Mason, all CAA games are currently scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays; however, conference games may move from Wednesday to Tuesday or Thursday or from Saturday to Sunday for television. The CAA television schedule will be announced later this month.

The CAA Championship is scheduled for Mar. 6-9 in Richmond, Va.

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Dominiques Wilkins to Visit the Atlanta Hawks 2008 Kia Motors Summer Hoops Tour in LaGrange

Basketball Hall-of-Famer Dominique Wilkins will make a special appearance at the Atlanta Hawks 2008 Kia Motors Summer Hoops Tour stop in LaGrange on Thursday, July 24. The event will take place at the Troup County Parks & Recreation Department beginning at 10 a.m. Festivities include a youth basketball clinic led by former Hawks guard Charlie Criss, interactive elements from the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers, an appearance by Hawks mascot SkyHawk as well as the Kia Motors Summer Hoops Tour vehicle on display. Admission is free and open to the public.

This summer, the Hawks and Kia Motors America have come together to host the second Atlanta Hawks Kia Motors Summer Hoops Tour at more than 20 locations around metro Atlanta. The Tour is a free, high-energy basketball clinic that focuses on teaching the basic skills of the game to children. Each participant receives instruction on the fundamentals of basketball from former Hawks guard Charlie Criss, who will share tips designed to help participants improve their game and love of the sport. Criss also speaks on the importance of education, dedication, teamwork and responsibility and how skills developed on the court apply to everyday life. Each participant receives an autographed Charlie Criss player card and an official Atlanta Hawks 2008 Kia Motors Summer Hoops Tour hat. Visit www.hawks.com for more information.

Emory Women's Basketball Squad Earns Spot on WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll

The 2007-08 Emory University women’s basketball program was recognized for its collective performance in the classroom, earning a spot on the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for Division III. The awards recognize teams throughout the nation in NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III as well as NAIA and junior colleges that have compiled the highest grade-point averages for the past academic year based upon nominations submitted by WBCA-member coaches.

The Eagles of Head Coach Christy Thomaskutty held down the No. 4 position on the Top 25 list, fashioning a GPA of 3.50 for the ’07-08 school year. The Emory squad had a strong showing during the recently completed spring semester, posting a 3.53 effort on the academic front. The Eagles were the lone representative from the University Athletic Association (UAA) to make the Top 25. Concordia University (WI) claimed the No. 1 ranking among Division III programs with a 3.637 GPA and was followed by Messiah College (3.627).

“Emory is a prestigious institution that challenges its students to be the best that they can be,” Thomaskutty said. “The team doing as well as it did is a testament to the drive and commitment that the players have for all aspects of their lives.”

South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota were the No. 1 finishers in NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II, respectively. The GPAs were calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by each student-athlete on an institution’s roster in the given academic terms by the total number of hours earned by the team.

Atlanta Hawks A-Town Dancers Final Auditions Set for Saturday at Stats Restaurant

Forty-three performers have been selected to compete in the Final Auditions for a spot on the 2008-09 Atlanta Hawks A-Town Dancers. A fun-filled weekend of events is planned with these talented individuals and all of Atlanta is invited to take part in the activities.

Tipping things off will be the sixth annual “Fabulous Finalists Mixer” on Thursday, July 17. The festivities begin at 8:30 p.m. at Atlantic Station’s Ten Pin Alley. Fans are invited to meet and mingle with each of the 43 finalists, who will be available for photos. Judges will be on-hand to determine the dancers’ ability in public speaking, poise and social aptitude. Fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite dancer through ballots distributed at the event. Admission is free.

Ten Pin Alley is located at:
261 19th St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30363
Phone: (404) 872-3364

On Saturday, July 19, the public will have the opportunity to witness the Final Auditions live and in-person (beginning at 1 p.m.). Fans are invited to Stats restaurant in downtown Atlanta, as the finalists have one more opportunity to show off their moves for a panel of judges. Following the last group of dancers, the judges will confer and the 2008-09 A-Town Dancers will be announced for the first time. V-103 personality Elle Duncan is serving as emcee for the event. Admission is again free.

Stats is located at:
300 Marietta St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (404) 885-1472

Additionally, fans can help select the squad by visiting www.hawks.com and voting for their favorite dancers. Video clips and photos of each finalist are also available.

Atlanta Hawks 2008-09 season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.hawks.com or calling 1-866-715-1500. The Hawks, a member of the National Basketball Association since 1949, play in the Southeast Division, along with the Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.