|
|
|
 |
Both LadyStars Teams Strike Gold at the Badger State Games in Madison, WI.
June 29, 2008 The LadyStars Middle and High School teams exploded on the Madison scene by rolling over the competition to win the GOLD medals at the American Family Badger State Games!! Both teams played extremely well, and the middle school team overcame great adversity after losing starting point Raven Major to a concussion earlier in the week with her Pius league team, and Jade Wong to a severe sprained ankle during pool play. They finished the game with 6 players, since the other "Big 4" 8th graders play "up" with the high school team. Kudos to Coach Mike who coached a magnificent Championship game while challenging his team to come back from a 10 point deficit to win the GOLD!! The high school team was in high gear winning the first game 36-13, the second game 62-25 and the last game 52-15!! It was truly a dominating team performance by a solid team that is peaking with 4 straight championships in a ROLL!! Next up the Adidas Jamboree in Naperville, IL. July 6, 2008...with a night Showcase game against the powerful Chicago Hoops Express II team...we will be ready!!
Thursday, June 26 LadyStars (15U) Team Dismantles Wisconsin Playground (17U) in COA High School Championship Game!!
June 26, 2008
The Wisconsin LadyStars (15) team total outworked the Wisconsin Playground (17U) team tonight at the Children's Outing Association (COA) High School League Championship Game 36-22 NaNa Martin (Vincent HS 2010) was unstoppable, with 15 points and 20 rebounds!! Andrea Gilliam (DaCula High, Ga 2010), Gabby Levac (Arrowhead HS, LeHigh Recruit 2010) and Sydney Howard (Vincent HS 2012) controlled and created the pressure, and our new kid on the block, Alexis Eckles (Rufus King 2012) attacked the basket from all directions, including several unbelievable reverse layups. Jennifer Blunt (Riverside HS 2011, and Nafeshia Holifield (Shorewood HS 2012) worked with NaNa to control the backboards!! A total team effort...peaking at the right time as we prepare for the July NCAA Evaluation Period. Almost forgot...in the Final Four Game...the !5U's beat up on the Wisconsin Together 17U team!! Our girls held them to 2 first half points...2 free throws!! That team included Ashley Birts (Vincent 2009), Morgan Woods (USM 2008), LaQuisha Young (Hope School 2008), Mercedes Clayton (Riverside 2008), and Shavon Dillard (Hope School 2009)...they had NO answer for the "Young Guns"...they passed the mantle!! Kudo's to Janelle Adams who chose not to play against her LadyStars teammates, because as she said...she had her best AAU basketball years (2003-2007) with the LadyStars and could not play against us...she never did...that is loyalty...once a LadyStar...a LadyStar 4Life!! It was an ALL WI. LadyStars vs. WI. Playground Championship night!! Our middle school team lost to WI. Playground in the earlier game. The game was close most of the game until Playground made a down the stretch run...that we did not answer. We were without Alexis Eckles(Rufus King HS 2012), who played in the COA middle school league with her schhol team Siloah MS, and was not eligible to play...in addition Sophie Lichte (Reedsburg HS 2012) was at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. playing against Sparta, WI Top ranked HS summer team in an exhibition game before the MN. Lynx WNBA game...Sophie dominated with a double/double 15 points, and 15 rebounds...it certainly will be interesting when we see Playground's middle school team again...the Rivalry continues!! Monday, June 9 LadyStars Teams Roll over the Competition 9-0 to Become Laker Classic Champions!!
Dear Parents/Players: First and foremost, I would like to thank ALL the parents that braved the torrential rains, wind and flooding to make it to Saturday’s days…it is a testament of your commitment to you daughter’s development and our club!! We had a GREAT weekend, going 9-0 and winning 2 Championships in this weekend’s Laker Classic. Both teams were executing our plays very well, and playing as a unit. To beat 4 Lakers teams in a roll, all by double digits, is a great accomplishment, and we should all be very proud!! It is our 3rd consecutive tournament Championship, and our 4th overall this 2008 AAU season; including our 15-0 COA Middle School Winter League Championship in March. Now…on to the Badger State Games June 27-28th in Madison, WI…Let’s go for 5 in a roll!! For those players that play in the COA League the revised schedule is as follows: Monday June 9th (today) 6:45 PM High School LadyStars Vs. The Huskies Thursday June 12th 5:15 PM Middle School LadyStars Vs. Carson Academy COA refinishing the Gym Floor Saturday June 14- June 21, playoffs resume June 24th, 2008 Tuesday June 24th 6:00 PM Middle School Final Four Wednesday June 25th 6:00 PM High School Final Four Thursday June 25th 6:00 PM Middle School Championship Thursday June 25th 7:30 PM High School ChampionshipAgain, thank you all for your support, and I will see you all at you all at the COA games, or at practice next Saturday in a combined practice, which will be 4:00-7:00 PM for BOTH teams. We have several girls that will be missing over the next couple practices for different reasons, therefore it will be easier to scrimmage when we combine both teams. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Coach Dale Gilliam
Tuesday, June 3 LadyStars Teams complete the COA Regular Season #2 Seeds, headed into next week's Playoffs June 3, 2008 The Wisconsin LadyStars teams are headed to the Children'sOuting Association (COA) playoffs on next week as the #2 seeds after both finishing with 1 lost during the regular season. The 15U teams only lost was to the Wisconsin Together 16U team in Overtime, yet we beat there 17U team by 8. We also beat Wisconsin Playgrounds 17U team by 7 in a close game, while we both had only 1 lost, and we gave them their only lost, we came into the league after the 3rd game; therefore they were 11-1 and we were 9-1, generating the #2 seed for us. Both teams will start playoffs next week, the 15U team will play on next Monday at 6:45, the 13U/8th graders playoff schedule will follow. COA is located on 24th and Burleigh if anyone is intersted in seeing the highly competitive play offs!! Coach Dale Gilliam Wednesday, May 28 15U Win the For The Game (FTG) Curtis Hawkins Memorial Championship!!
May 27, 2008 Congratulations to our 15U team players with the help of a couple key 13U players as we won this weekend’s FTG Curtis Hawkins Memorial Championship at UW-Parkside!! Both Saturday games were close against Wisconsin Pride and the Racine Thunder (featuring Super Freshman Sam Logic), yet the team came out on Sunday and decisively won both games against the Lake County Challengers, the last game against the Illinois Magic 53-21!! All the girls played well together!! After getting to either the Championship or Final Four in all our previous tournaments, it was great to get a BIG Championship as we move closer to the July NCAA Evaluation Period!! Now we have to keep the Championship streak going as both teams get ready this Sunday at practice for next weekend’s Laker’s Classic tournament June 6-8, in Waukesha.
Thursday, May 29 15U LadyStars Receive At Large Bid to 2008 AAU National Junior Olympics in Detroit, Michigan!! May 23, 2008 Dear 15U Parents/Players:
I have some very exciting news!! Now, not only is your daughter/you a Star...your daughter/you will be an AAU Olympian!! The AAU National Junior Olympics is generally reserved to the top 2 teams in your District Qualifying Tournament(DQT). We did not participate in the Wisconsin DQT, because it would have been too expensive for our families for the level of competition that they generally have here in Wisconsin. Therefore, we had to petition the National Chair of the AAU for an AT Large Bid to play in the 15U AAU Junior Olympics. It was not an easy process, because we were not taking the "traditional" path by winning your State DQT. BUT, we persevered and got word on yesterday that we were approved to play by the State and National office of the AAU.
This tournament was on the original schedule as an option to the Nike tournament in Memphis, which we all agree at this point is not cost effective for our families because of the high cost of gas. The AAU Junior Olympics is closer, in Detroit, MI area this year (it moves from city to city annually), and has it's own following of AAU college coaches that played and love the structure of AAU basketball.
To help offset the potential (potential because the JO's is 2 days of pool play and "double elimination" after pool play...at any point after the first 2 days you lost your 2nd game you go home!) additional days in the Detroit area, we have postponed the Adidas USA Tip-Off Classic in Indianapolis July 6-8 (Sun-Tues) for next year. We will replaced it with the one day, Sun July 6th Adidas Jamboree in Naperville, IL (Northern Chicago Suburb). The Adidas Chicago Hoops Express puts on this NCAA Evaluation event for the Summer and Fall NCAA Evaluation periods. It is well attended by College coaches, because of the reputation of Jerald Davis and his club. The event is an All-star team environment, yet 6-8 team's players will be pulled back together to play in "Showcase" games in our club uniforms against the top programs at the event...I have been promised a Showcase game for our LadyStars players!!
I use to coach this All Star format event for Jerald Davis, yet I decided to concentrate on working the college coaches for our LadyStars girls versus, coaching other teams players. Playing in this event this Summer also secures our girls spaces in the Fall event, which is done the same weekend as the US Junior National Oktoberfest, "Battle of the AAU Programs".
So here is your summary of the final revision of the July 15U schedule:
July 6, 2008 (Sunday) Adidas Jamboree/Showcase in Naperville, Illinois
July 12-15, 2008 (Sat-Tues) Nike Summer Showcase in Elgin/Schaumburg, Illinois
July 24-31, 2008 (Thurs-Thurs., if we keep winning) National AAU Junior Olympics in Detroit, MI., actually Auburn Hills, MI...home of the Detroit Pistons Arena)
The changes were made to help reduce the cost to our club and our families. It also affords our families the opportunity to watch your daughters play more games, because the venues are closer to Wisconsin. In addition, I feel that having our daughter's to be Olympians during an Olympic year is very exciting!! The event carries an Olympic environment that is a great experience for our daughters...I coached in the AAU Nationals in 2004, and it is an experience that all those girls will never forget. While at DePaul University. I played in the Collegiate Intramural Olympics in 1984...it was special to me...this opportunity will be to add to your daughter's basketball resume for prospective college coaches on their recruiting profile that all players send in to the prospective college. Because it moves from city to city, this my be the last chance that our daughters can attend this event...PLEASE do not let it pass your daughter!!
For those parents that can not make the full week, we will have a team room or two for the girls whose parents can not make the trip. In addition, we will have our annual free throw shooting contest to help offset the additional expenses to the club and some families that may need help to offset some of their expenses. That contest will occur in June or early July and the girls will shoot 100 free throws and get pledges for each made free throw for prizes, as we have done in the past when we scheduled a large event like this...it will be fun...they always enjoy it!!
Please take a look at the National Junior Olympics website to learn more about this meaningful event!
I have also attached an article from last years Knoxville, Tennessee newspaper concerning college coaches attending the Girls Basketball event at Knoxville JO's, including Pat Summit from the National Champion Tennessee Vols!!
Coach Dale Gilliam
Wisconsin LadyStars
Friday, April 25 Alexis Steward and Sydney Howard named to the 2008 USJN Windy City Classic All Star Team April 25, 2008
Alexis Steward (Sheboygan North HS, Harvard U. Recruit 2009) and Sydney Howard (Vincent HS 2012) were both selected by the coaches that played against our team to the USJN Windy City Classic All-Star team!! Both girls played exceptionally well, and both exchanged periods when they ran the team from the point guard position...congratulations to both Alexis and Sydney!! Coach Dale Gilliam
Sunday, April 20 15U LadyStars finish 12th in the Windy City Classic the April 2008 NCAA Evaluation Event April 20, 2008 The 15U Wisconsin LadyStars finished 12th out of 32 teams in the highly competitive Windy City Classic this weekend!! The Windy City Classic is one of few Midwest April Period NCAA Evaluation Events. Our team took 2nd in Pool Play, and qualified for one of the 4 Prestigious Sunday Final 4's!! The NCAA will only allow a team to play in 5 games in a weekend. Therefore all teams are competing for wins and "maximum" point spreads during Pool Play. There were (8) 15U pools, all those Pool winners advanced to the top 2 Final 4's. The team that won our Pool, the Minnesota Suns placed 4th, and their other 15U team placed second, so they had 2 teams in the Top Final 4 (1-4th)!! The LadyStars were in the first group of 2nd Place Pool Play finishers (9-12), and we played one of the top programs in the US, the St. Louis Sparks. The test of a Champion, is to have the heart to fight back when you are down. We were down by 2 at half, and their lead grew to 22 points in the second half!! We found a group of girls that began to jell, and we fought back with a huge run to get the lead down to 5 with about 90 seconds left in the game!! We fought so hard that we lacked the energy to close, and ended up losing by 7, YET they won by about 30 last year when we played them in Pool Play, so they KNOW when we see them next it will be our win!! The Sparks have an "uptempo" pressure, trapping, aggressive style of play, which very few of our girls experience, except when we play in USJN/NCAA Events. We will have to play more of these type of tournaments to prepare for the July NCAA Events, because when you get to the Final 4, you will see these type of teams. If you can not handle the pressure, aggressive style of play, you certainly will get "blowed" out of the gym!! You have to go with girls that are ready...NOW...aggressive...NOW...that is why it is called a "TEAM"...you have different players with different skill sets. Good teams are not a one size fits all situations!! You need the ability to go to different players with different skill sets throughout the game. If something is working, you must stay the course to try and win the big games!! That is how good teams win...they have "unselfish" players and parents...YES parents...that have brought into the concept of...TEAM FIRST...the only concept that builds Championship teams!! We are commited to getting to a group of players and parents that are committed to the "TEAM FIRST" concept, because as TEAM goes, so does each players opportunities increase exponentially!! If the TEAM never makes it to the Final 4's, than no one will be seen by the college coaches!! Most girls get an opportunity in a big game, unless your child just does not fit at all with the style of play that the other team is displaying...a player MUST be effective right away to stay in a big game...we can develop "Big Game" mentality, YET it can not be developed in the BIG GAME...it is simulated in practice...that is where it is taught...in PRACTICE!! Coach Dale Gilliam
Sunday, April 13 15U LadyStars Head to the Windy City Classic the April 2008 NCAA Evaluation Event April 13, 2008 Next weekend is the USJN Windy City Classic, our April 2008 NCAA Evaluation Event. Division 1 and 2 College coaches can only come out 3 times per year, 1 weekend in April and October, and July 6-31st. We support the US Junior National's Windy City Classic since it's inception.
Because of our loyalty, we have a very favorable schedule! We do not start too early, and do not play too late. In addition, there are not any large gaps between games during pool play.
The schedule is as follows:
15U Pool Play(X):
10:30 AM LadyStars vs. Illinois Lady Lightning (Silver)
1:00 PM LadyStars vs. Minnesota Suns
4:45 PM LadyStars vs. Illinois Wolverines (Red)
Sunday’s tournament play will be contingent upon how our team plays during pool play. The earliest that we will play on Sunday is 10:30 AM. We will discuss Sunday post pool play at this weekend’s practice on Sunday at 5:00 PM…it is complicated!!
The roster for next weekend is as follows:
# Player School
1 Alexa Kramer - Wauwatosa East
3 Andea Gilliam - DaCula High, Georgia (Unavailable)
8 Alexis Steward - Sheboygan North
10 Skylar VanNatta - Arrowhead High
23 Sydney Howard - Lincoln MS/Vincent High
30 Jessica Goetz - Arrowhead High
32 Nafeshia Holifield - Shorewood MS/Shorewood/High (Creighton Recruit)
34 Gabriella Levac - Arrowhead High (LeHigh Recruit), (Unavailable)
33 Sophie Lichte - Webb MS/Reedsburg High
40 NaNa Martin - Vincent High
42 Jennifer Blunt - Riverside High
44 MaKenna Schrader - Arrowhead High
55 Tara Glenn - Riverside High
If you are interested in staying in a hotel, please check the USJN (www.USJN.com) website under the Windy City Classic icon for a list of hotels. There is also a current list of confirmed colleges that will be in attendance.
Colleges Confirmed as of Today:
Division 1:
Air Force Academy Falcons ;Alabama , Univ. of Crimson Tide; Arkansas , Univ. of Razorbacks; Ball State Univ. ; Binghamton Univ. Bearcats; Bowling Green State Univ. Falcons; Buffalo, Univ. of Bulls; Cincinnati, Univ. of Bearcats; Clemson Univ. Tigers; Columbia Univ. Lions; Creighton Univ. Jays; Dayton, Univ. of Flyers; DePaul Univ. Blue Demons; Evansville Univ. Purple Aces; Florida State Univ. Seminoles; Hartford, Univ. of Hawks; Illinois , Univ. of Fighting Illini; Illinois State Univ. Redbirds; Illinois-Chicago, Univ. of Flames; Indiana Univ. Hoosiers; Indiana-Purdue Indianapolis, Univ. of Jaguars; Iowa , Univ. of Hawkeyes;
Iowa State Univ. Cyclones; Kansas , Univ. of Jayhawks; Louisville, Univ. of Cardinals; Loyola Chicago, Univ. of Ramblers; Massachusetts, Univ. of Minutemen; Miami Univ. Hurricanes; Michigan State Univ. Spartans; Missouri , Univ. of Tigers; Missouri State Univ. Bears; Niagara Univ. Purple Eagles; Northern Illinois Univ. Huskies; Northern Iowa, Univ. of Panthers; Notre Dame Univ. Fighting Irish; Ohio State Univ. Buckeyes; Ohio Univ. Bobcats; Purdue Univ. Boilermakers; Rice Univ. Owls; South Dakota State Univ. Jackrabbits; Southern Methodist Univ. Mustangs; St. Louis Univ. Billikens; Troy State Univ. Trojans; Wisconsin , Univ. of Badgers, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Univ. of Phoenix; Wyoming, Univ. of Cowboys
Division 2: Lewis Univ. Flyers Divsion 3: Augustana College Vikings; Beloit College Buccaneers; Chicago, Univ. of Maroons; Dominican Univ. Stars; Wartburg College Knights Junior Colllege: Dodge City Comm. College Lady Conqs; Ellsworth Comm. College Panthers; Penn Valley Comm College Scouts Coach Dale Gilliam Thursday, March 6 LadyStars Middle School Team Cruises 15-0 to Children's Outing Association (COA) Championship
March 6, 2008 Congratulations to the 13U/8th grade team that cruised 15-0 to the 2008 Children's Outing Association's Winter Middle School League Championship!! The team played a hard fought Championship, yet beat the Silver Spring Neighborhood 8th graders 25-12. Utilizing our trademark "pressure/trapping" defense, which caused havoc all night for our opponents!! The team was lead by the strong leadership of Sydney Howard (8th) who was named the league and tournament MVP. The team had solid guard play by starting point guard Alice Gilliam (6th), Jazzmin King (8th), and a new addition Raven Major (8th) who played well. Kadiah Ford worked the glass well for us too in Nafeshia's abscence The surprise of the team has been our new "twin towers" Jasmine & Jade Wong (8th) ...who both dominated the backboards and created tremendous pressure with their length and outstanding quickness. The stead Morgan Harris (7th), who came off the bench and handle the pressure of the other team very well, Morgan's play was critical to weathering their mini run. Both Nafeshia Holifield (Creighton University recruit/8th) and Kristin Kreh (just in from Pittsburg, Pa/8th) missed the Championship game for personal reasons, yet contributed mightly to the success of the team!! Again Congratulations to culminating the Winter Session with a solid performance and reaching our goal of running the table in the league!! Coach Dale Gilliam Coach Chuck Howard Coach Mike King Coach Tee Carson (new) Friday, May 30 2008 LadyStars Rosters/Player Profiles are Available Our current rosters and player profiles are available for your review. Pictures will be added in the next week or so, as well as more detail information on player accomplishments...stay tuned!! Coach Dale Gilliam
Friday, June 13 Two New Corporate Sponsors added to our LadyStars Sponsors to Support June 13, 2008 We are fortunate to add 2 new Corporate Sponsors to our growing list of LadyStars supporters. The first new sponsor being Kathy Levac's (Gabby's mom) firm, Health & Wellness Enterprises LLC and also Glen Quarry's (Kristen's step-dad) The Sound Quarry . Please check out their firm's services and support their and all of the LadyStars Sponsors businesses!!
Monday, March 17 Checkout our 2008 LadyStars Sponsors...Join the list!!! March 17, 2008 Please take a look at our 2008 Wisconsin LadyStars Sponsors tab to the left!!! These company's have joined the ranks of those that desire to give something back to their community, and get their logo's on the 2008 Wisconsin LadyStars Warm up Shooting Shirts. Those Warm up Shooting Shirts and your logo will follow our girls throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and head to Memphis, Tennessee, and Indianapolis, Indiana. !! We certainly will represent the State of Wisconsin and your company well!! Please contact Coach Dale Gilliam for more information on Sponsorship...No sponsorship is too small for our club...they all help our girls reach their goals of being the Best in the Midwest!! Don't forget to support our Sponsor's Products and Sevices...it is a great community gesture, yet they have meaningful products services to offer your families and businesses!! Remember The Wisconsin LadyStars is an Affiliate of the National AAU and is a registered 501c3 Not for Profit Organization for tax deduction purposes. Coach Dale Gilliam Wednesday, February 27 Janelle Adams Nominated for the 2008 McDonald's All-American Game!! WOW...another feather in her cap...Janelle Adams was recently nomiinated for the 2008 McDonald's All-American Game!! This is one of the greatest honors that could be bestowed on a high school basketball player!! Janelle has been out until last week with what I call tired legs...she runs cross counrty for Rufus King in the Fall, plays big time hoops for King in the Winter(this year's City Conference Gold Division Player of the Year, she is a first team all conference Goalie on the King Soccer team, and has plays competitve AAU basketball all Spring and Summer!! My advice to her was to concentrate on the Gold Ball...the State Championship...and rest those legs...of course she didn't and played the last game against Milwaukee Vincent on Friday to help King win the outright City Conference championship!! What a girl!! She is doing us proud in LadyStars land!! Tuesday, October 23 Janelle Adams Selects Cleveland State University Congratulations to Janelle Adams one of our favorite, explosive, most coachable players that ever wore a LadyStars uniform her 8th, 9th, and 10th grade.Janelle and her family selected Cleveland State University over several "High Major" Division 1 Programs (see below Janelle's letters of interest while playing for the LadyStars).We wish Janelle the best and will be continue to support her during her Senior year at Rufus King High and beyond!!
Adams makes choiceKing standout picks Cleveland StateBy ANTHONY WITRADO
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
