Basketball recruits arrive on campus

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

(Our Jenny O'Bryan fills us in on one of the women's basketball recruits that is on the UofL campus preparing for her freshman season under Jeff Walz. Paulie also reports on CARDINAL CARAVAN. Woo! Hoo!)

It’s June!  Summer is upon us, all Louisville athletic teams are in the offseason, summer classes in the ‘Ville are just starting up. 

While high school seniors across the country have very recently, or not yet, turned the tassel on their caps, there is little time for reminiscing.  Elite athletes across the country have packed their bags and started the next chapter of their lives.  College campuses are receiving their athletes and such is the case for Louisville Women’s Basketball incoming class. 

I will spend the next few weeks highlighting the careers of this incoming class,   Emmonnie Henderson, Janelle Cannon and Starr Breedlove.  I’ll start this week with the top recruit in the class, Henderson. 

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We have been talking about Henderson here at Cardinal Couple for well over the last year.  We followed her last bit of recruiting as her choices were whittled down to Louisville, Purdue and Tennessee. 

Henderson is a 6-2 forward from Edwardsville, Illinois.  She is well known here as a dual sport athlete competing also in discus and shot put.   Her intention to participate in both sports in college is well known. 

Henderson was ranked as high as 21^st in the nation in her class and has to be among the strongest.  She has been described by recruiting analysts as “strong as an ox” and a force in and around the paint. 

Henderson is a versatile player who can play inside and out with range beyond the arc.   She defends and can move up and down the court quite nicely for a big.  

In all that I have read about Henderson I am most impressed with the praise her coaches have piled upon her.  She is a leader on and off the court and field, and is a strong believer in the team concept.  She appears to be unselfish and is always working for the betterment of her team. 

Henderson was recently awarded Overall Female Athlete of the Year in Illinois. (Read all about it here:   http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/overall-female-athlete-of-the-year-emmonnie-henderson-edwardsville/article_5f014628-1011-5b31-accd-c76ce9d8eb5d.html

 Her coach’s praise regarding her work ethic, goal setting and never being satisfied attitude will be well received on the Louisville campus. 

I look for a big impact from Henderson.  I understand adjusting to the college game in the post is one of the hardest transitions for players out of high school.    I expect she has the mental toughness and work ethic to do just fine joining this National Runner up team. 

Welcome to the ‘Ville, Emmonnie!  We look forward to seeing you on the court and to watching your growth as a player and a Cardinal these next few years. 

-Jenny O'Bryan

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It was an excellent afternoon down on the Ohio River at Captain's Quarters for the 2013 CARDINAL CARAVAN.  Cardinal Couple was well represented with both Paulie and Jeff McAdams in attendance and we have some great interviews for the Saturday radio show from several fans in attendance and also Coach Kellie Young (Lacrosse), Maggie Ruckenbrod (softball) and Howie Lindsey ( Louisville Sports Report). 

A capacity crowd heard from Rick Pitino, Tom Jurich, Jeff Walz, Sandy Pearsall, Kellie Young, Karen Ferguson Dayes and other Cardinal coaches and players during the 90 minute cavalcade of the best and brightest of Louisville Athletics.

FAN PHOTOS OF CARDINAL CARAVAN BELOW

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Granny Nancy

-Paulie

Barbara and Charlie Springer ( UofL Card Game)

Tillie the Tour Guide holds a conference

Harlan and Karen (who is REALLY glad to see me)

Jim and Central Cardinal Chuck are pleased!

Aren't Christine and "Mr. Christine" a cute couple?

 

Ron, Gene and Helen










 

 

 

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