Louisville WBB -- Laemmle earns schloarship...Mystics advance in WNBA playoffs -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR JESSICA LAEMMLE

Louisville women's basketball sophomore Jessica Laemmle has been given a scholarship for the upcoming season. It couldn't have been awarded to a more dedicated, hard-working and team player than the diminutive  guard out of Louisville Mercy high school. 

When it was announced that Laemmle would walk on the Cardinal WBB squad last season, most Cardinal fans weren't real sure what they were getting in the 5'2" playmaker. Laemmle had turned in a very distinguished career at Mercy...leading her team to the Sixth Region championship game in her final year. She averaged 8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists her senior season. She was the 2016 Louisville Catholic Sports Network Girls' Basketball Player of the Year, Courier-Journal all-second team, all-district, all-Sixth Region and all-Louisville Invitational Tournament team selection. She wasn't, however, being chased with the pursuit intensity of the other eventual freshmen on the squad....Kylee Shook, Sydney Zambrotta, Jasmine Jones, Bionca Dunham or Ciera Johnson. 

No top ESPNW 100 Hoop Gurlz recruiting ranking for her. Not even a three-star rating in the 2016 Kentucky players classification. 

Certainly enough accolades there from high school to earn her a scholarship to a mid-major Division I school or top flight DII or III college...but Jessica had a dream. She wanted to play for the Louisville Cardinals. Jeff Walz, realizing the fire and energy in the "Attack Yorkie", invited her to walk-on the squad...not having a scholarship available at the time to offer her. 

Playing time was hard to come by on the court but she did get into 21 games, played 111 minutes, and getting nine points and four steals with eight assists as one of the Cards back up guards. Her season high in points came in the first game of the year at UT Martin...where she hit a jumper and canned two free throws for four points. 

As the season progressed, fans in the KFC YUM! Center became enamored with her hustle, hard work and defense in the minutes she saw action. She got a season high 17 minutes of playing time against Boston College late in the season, hit her only shot and grabbed two rebounds in the Cardinal win. 

More importantly, she became a fan favorite...especially with the younger girls in attendance at games. They could look at her and dream that with hard work and effort, they just might be able to do the same someday. Watching the little girls flock to her for post-game autographs. No, she never made the post-game podium in the press room after a Cardinal WBB contest but her actions have far out-spoken anything she could ever say up there on the high-rise platform. We interviewed her for Cardinal Couple at the end of last season in the the Cards locker room. Typically, she was quick to praise her teammates and deflected any attempts to boast on her own efforts. You gotta love a girl like that.

Jessica goes at one speed....fast....and she's continually going. On a recent trip I made to the YUM! Practice facility...the court was empty except for her and Myisha Hines-Allen....Jessica guarding her closely as they practiced at 9 a.m. No coaches, just two players working on their game. 

Putting in the hours, never giving up and delivering her all. An example of what hard work will get you. Congratulations, Jessica. You went out, earned this and deserve it. 

Somewhere, I am pretty sure, in our fair city...whether it is on a outdoor goal perched on a garage or in an elementary school gymnasium...a young girl struggles to toss a basketball at a rim that seems a mile high in the sky...devoutly practicing each day so that she, too, can pursue the dream of playing for the Cards someday...just like Jessica does. 

When the dream becomes reality...it can be a cool experience. Attack Yorkies. Gotta love 'em. 

(Check out the announcement on Twitter under @UofLWBB or on our UofL Athletic twitter feed on The Right Side of the Site)




*******************************************************************************************

MYSTICS ADVANCE IN WNBA PLAYOFFS. 

In what seemed more like a WWE Smackdown at times and maybe the longest last minute in actual time in WNBA history...the Washington Mystics outlasted the Dallas Wings last night in the first-round, single-elimination format 86-76. 

Elena Della Donne, sporting a tape job underneath her chin for the final minutes that made her look like she was growing a white beard led the Mystics with 25 points and 11 rebounds. She may have been the only one of the ten on the court that didn't get chippy or vicious in a game that involved four "rough play" sideline reviews, two technicals and a player ejection. 

Dallas' Glory Johnson probably didn't make any friends in DC last night. She may have thrown the sissiest punch ever on the hardwood...lightly tapping a surprised Emma Messeeman on the back. Aerial Powers showed her MMA prowess by putting a choke hold on the Mystics Tierra Ruffin-Pratt in a floor scramble. I thought I even saw Ronda Rousey warming up in the visitors tunnel. This was unabashed mayhem at times. More elbows were flying than at a chicken-wing eating contest.  

Oh, yeah. There was also a basketball game going on. The Mystics managed to blow a 13 point lead late in the first half to allow Dallas to tie the game up at the halftime buzzer. Washington also saw a 10 point lead dwindle late in the game until the Wings decided to start trying threes again (they were 2-20) and eventually staggered to the locker room the unanimous winner on all the judges cards. 

And, Asia Taylor never got a foot on the court except during timeouts. 

I hadn't been watching the WNBA much lately...with UofL sports getting into the swing of things...but I may need to return as a viewer. This one was better than the McGregor-Mayweather fight. 


paulie

xxxxx 

WNBA...No surprises at the top so far. -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

As the WNBA rolls into the dozen games played mark of their season, a look at the standings offers no real surprises at the top so far. Atop the standings are the Minnesota Lynx with an 11-1 record. The Lynx came in second in 2016...losing the best of five championship series to the Los Angeles Sparks. The Sparks are, coincidentally, in second place with a 9-3 record. 

For the Lynx, Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore lead the way...which is no big surprise either. Along with Lindsey Whalen, Seimone Augustus and Rebekka Brunson are also big factors in Minnesota's success...all but Whalen are averaging double figures in scoring...and she is at almost nine points a game. They all average over 24 minutes a game for the Lynx and pose a multi-dimensional threat to anyone who faces them. Only the Connecticut Sun have claimed a victory over them...although the next two games see them on the road in Phoenix and LA and could be challenges. 

The L.A. Sparks have Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker and Chelsea Gray leading the way...all above 15.0 p.p.g. and that's as good of a threesome as you'll find in the league. Complimented by Alana Beard, Odyssey Sims and Essence Carson...L.A. doesn't seem to be missing Kristi Tolliver all that much from last year. Tolliver, meanwhile has been one of the factors that has gotten the Mystics off to a good start. Indiana, Atlanta and Dallas have hung losses on the Sparks...but none of these were by more than six points. 

So, have these two become the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers of the WNBA? 

Washington might argue that...along with New York. Those two hold third and fourth places with five losses each. The Mystics have one more win that the Liberty and the big news in D.C. is the arrival of Elena Della Donne. Washington probably has to be wondering what life would be like if they didn't have to play Minnesota...two of their five defeats have come at the hands of the Lynx. Phoenix is 7-5 also...the story there is, of course...Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi. Griner leads the league with 23.1 p.p.g. and Tauasi is sixth in scoring. 

Out of the other seven squads...Dallas, Connecticut and Seattle are playing .500 basketball. Indiana is close to that at 6-7 while the Atlanta Dream, obviously feeling the effects of no Angel McCoughtry, are 5-6.

That gets us to the doormats of the league...Chicago (3-10) and San Antonio (0-14). The Stars only need to lose six more games in a row to equal the league's worst losing streak...put up by Tulsa in 2011. Welcome to the WNBA...Kelsey Plum. 

Four players are averaging over 20 points per game. We mentioned Griner earlier...behind her are Fowles (21.0), Tina Charles (20.5) and Ogwumike (20.3). Della Donne is knocking at the door with 19.3.

Now that the conference system has been scrapped in terms of playoff eligibility and the top eight teams wherever make the playoffs...if played today, the "odd teams out" would be Indiana, Atlanta, Chicago and San Antonio. 

A pleasant and maybe unsuspected surprise this season has been 6'6" Jonquil Jones and her play for the Connecticut Sun. Jones was impressive at George Washington University during her college days...no doubt...but the second-year pro has doubled her points and rebounding average from last year and leads the WNBA in grabs. 

Morgan Tuck just might find herself out of a job when she returns from injury...


paulie
xxxxx

WNBA All-Star Voting open -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FANS A BIGGER PART OF SELECTING THE ROSTERS THIS YEAR.

I'm not sure if I like the presumptuous
affirmation about the location.  

The ballots are open for selecting the 2017 WNBA All-Star teams. There are a lot of ways to cast your vote for 10 players and you can vote once a day. I found this site really helpful in voting: 

http://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-star-voting-2017-presented-verizon-tips-off-today/

It is an interesting style of voting...broken down alphabetically...with no requirement per division. I had to go back and review mine....I had 10 players selected before I got to the "R"'s and had to do some adjusting. 

There is only (1) former UofL player on the ballot this season and it is Asia Taylor. I know...she's a long-shot to make the roster...but if you don't vote...she has no chance at all...so, let your conscious be your guide, right? 

Does the fact that there is only one Cardinal on this year's ballot make you think any differently about the game, or voting? We all remember Shoni Schimmel's breakout performance a couple of years ago in the event. We're not sure what Shoni is up to these days or even if she'll be there to watch the contest. We'll also miss seeing #35 out on the court. Angel always seems to have fun in these type events. 

Besides the link above, you can also vote on Twitter. Tweet, re-tweet or reply with a player's name or twitter handle to #WNBAVOTE.  That way seems pretty easy as well, although my buddy Worldwide might have open doubts on whether I could figure it out. 

You can also vote on the WNBA app. I don't have that app but if you do and decide to vote that way...drop us a note and let us know how that goes. 

There is also the Facebook option . Post on your personal Facebook account, or comment on another’s Facebook post the player’s first and last name along with the hashtag #WNBAVOTE.  Each post may include only one player’s name.  Fans may post votes for 10 unique players per day throughout the voting period. Facebook status posts must include the hashtag #WNBAVOTE to be counted as valid votes

I didn't see just how much of an impact or percentage that the fan vote will be considered in selecting the rosters. That could be interesting...

Reminder: Vote for the Paulie's

Does it surprise you that after ten years of coaching at Louisville that Jeff Walz has just one candidate on the ballot? I didn't stop to check just how many UConn, Tenn. or Notre Dame players were in the list...but I'm sure it's pretty sizable. Besides Angel...the Cards have had several other players get drafted and get a chance to play there but only Angel, Candyce, Shoni and Asia have stepped on the court in WNBA jerseys for regular season or exhibition games in the Walz era. There were, of course a few others before Walz arrived. And, a ton of successful businesswomen and leaders who played for Louisville WBB...


The Cards have had more success in players under Walz's tutelage going to participate in Euroball or the WNBL in Aussie-land. Just how many would make a great article down the road...but would require a bit of research. Maybe one of you, our readers, knows? After all, we got some pretty smart followers out there! 

We have been watching the WNBA with a little more interest this season in the Sykes household because Asia Taylor is Sonja's all-time favorite Cardinal player and in my top three.

Maybe a bit of a surprise that Minnesota is still undefeated but not much of a shocker that they're on top of the league standings. Washington is a nice surprise...getting Elena Della Donne and Kristi Tolliver seems like a brilliant move right now for the Mystics. 

I remember wondering, maybe in article form...a few years ago...which Cardinals would be joining Angel in the WNBA. I'll update the question. Who will be in the WNBA from the Louisville roster four years from now? Your thoughts? 


******************************************************


THE PAULIES

Hands in air like I just don't care.

You have a little over a week to get your votes in for The Paulies. They're over on the Right Hand Side of the Site. They will be influential in determining who the award recipient will be in each of the five categories. Who's got the "quicks"? Who needs to be out there and not on the bench? Who's "the go to?"  Who pumps up the crowd and which coach is the one you want to hear sound-bytes from? Your chance to let us...and them...know what the fans are thinking out here. 

The Paulies. Not your average awards from your far from average website. 



paulie
xxxxx

Thursday Cardinal Couple -- Erin Boley...The Next "Big" Thing?

THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- E'Town's Erin Boley gathering national attention

Erin Boley is a 6'2" forward that will enter her junior year at Elizabethtown, KY high school this fall. She is gathering national attention and recently narrowed her list of college considerations down to seven.

This group of schools looks like it could be seven of the Elite Eight next year for the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament:

Connecticut, Notre Dame, Stanford, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Louisville and Kentucky.

Toss in someone from the PAC 12 or BIG 12 and play ball...

Why the fuss over a 2016 candidate?

Elizabethtown went to the Kentucky Girls High School Tournament finals last year....gathering a runner-up finish. 

All Boley did was average 20.3 points a game, 9.4 rebounds, 54.3 % from the floor, 84.6% from the charity stripe and hit 43 of her 98 three-pointer attempts.

As a sophomore.

ESPN ranks her eighth in the 2016 class. They also say about her:

Boo Williams Invitational-April 2014: Consistent faceup-4 performer extends the defense to the arc; handles and attacks in transition; versatile on both ends of the floor; continues to develop into one of the elite prospects in the 2016 class.


Erin plays her club ball for the powerhouse Kentucky Premier squad. They consistently turn out D1 prospects and are considered one of the elite programs in the nation.

Imagine being a sophomore in high school and having the following tossed to you:

Legendary women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma gave Erin Boley a lot to think about Sunday on her flight home to Kentucky from Hartford, Conn.

During the final day of Boley’s three-day unofficial visit to the University of Connecticut, the Huskies’ championship-winning coach offered the Elizabethtown High School sophomore forward a future roster spot.

“I guess I didn’t know what to say,” Boley said Monday evening. “But I was thankful and I said, ‘thank you.’ It was hard to explain.”


How are Louisville's chances at landing this probable "4" (power forward) for the 2016-17 season?

Rumors have it that Boley leans at times toward attending out-of-state for her college years. Soon-to-be juniors have a propensity for changing their minds, though. Also, a potential 2016-17 UofL roster would have Emmonnie Henderson, Myisha Hines-Allen, Syd Brackemyer and who knows who from the 2015 recruiting class. Plenty of room for a talented freshman to come into the program and compete right away for a starting position.

College rosters are full of Geno-type potentials that may have drew his interest, declined his offers or spent a brief period at UConn and transferred out. (see Elena Delle Donne). And, by 2016-17...Jeff Walz might very well be on his way to being the next Geno of women's college basketball. Some say he is the heir apparent.

This Delaware grad did pretty
well for herself after leaving UConn

With the schools listed, it's clear that Boley is thinking about excellent academic institutions in addition to top-flight basketball programs. Louisville isn't quite up there with several of her choices academically yet...but gaining on them at a rapid rate.

Nevertheless, we'll be watching her final two years at E'Town with interest and keeping our ear to the keyhole for any further information.

paulie

Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Attendance and WBB

 

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 

TODAY'S CARDINAL COUPLE IS FROM COLUMNIST SANDY WALKER. ALTHOUGH SHE

HAS BEEN ON HIATUS RECENTLY FROM REGULAR COLUMN CONTRIBUTIONS...SHE WAS

WITH US IN THE BEGINNING AND STILL STAYS IN TOUCH WITH THE STAFF VIA E-MAILS.

SHE HAS ALWAYS PROVIDED US WITH A GENUINE AND CLEAR DESCRIPTION OF HER POSITION ON VARIOUS ISSUES AND WE GREATLY APPRECIATE TODAY'S OBSERVATION.

 

WE HAVE CHOSEN TO RUN HER COMMENTARY IN ITS ENTIRETY AND WELCOME YOUR RESPONSES AND DISCUSSION OF IT IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION OR BY E-MAIL TO US AT:

 

CARDINALCOUPLE@TWC.COM

 

WITH NO FURTHER ADIEU, HERE'S SANDY'S PIECE:

 

 

 

 

As a lifelong player, coach and supporter of women’s basketball it is without pleasure that I predict that without a change, history will show this decade to be looked upon as the coming of another dark age in collegiate women's basketball.  I fear that its growth in popularity will show stagnation due to the continued disparity between the University of Connecticut and the remaining teams.    I truly believe that it is not good for the game as fans do not continue watching contests which are blow outs game after game and year after year.  It also has become increasingly difficult to justify the situation to potential when trying to attract new fans.  We can point out that the “one and done” of the men’s game stops the situation from occurring which now exists in the women’s game but valid explanations do not offset the boredom of  watching the non-competitive games.

 

We absolutely want the women’s game to lead to graduations of the players and that should not change, but the current situation is not just bad for other teams but it appears that it is also not a positive for Connecticut either.  Depending upon how the numbers are crunched it appears that attendance even at UConn is declining (See The Hartford Courant's March 19, 2012  article by Jeff Jacobs: Drop In Women's Tourney Attendance...) http://articles.courant.com/2012-03-19/sports/hc-jacobs-column-0319-20120319_1_geno-auriemma-uconn-women-uconn-figures which if these statistics hold true would be of no surprise as I and my friends find monotonous lop-sided games to be very difficult to watch as the lack of a competitive atmosphere is just not enjoyable.  

 

The beginning of this decade found the sport continuing to grow in popularity with a ongoing influx of first time fans, including player’s boyfriends and adult men, discovering the women's game.    In order to continue the uptick pattern the sport must produce a competitive and enjoyable product that is without a pre-ordained year after year winner.

 

Women’s basketball survived the dominance of Tennessee as it was less of a detriment than the current situation with UConn for it was during a period where Tennessee's skill level brought first time media and fans outside of Tennessee attention to the game.   Tennessee's dominance included a period of time where, despite the passage of Title IX in the 1970's, many college women were happy that their school fielded a team at all, much less a nationally competitive one so their dominance was less of an issue than it is today. 

 

Earlier years showed most women's team audiences to be primarily composed of relatives, friends and local community supporters who did not quit following the game when their team did not perform at levels where rankings were of concern.  This is not true in today's world where potential fans have many choices of events and sports to either attend or view through their electronics.   To keep their attention a good entertainment product is a requirement that repetitive 25 point wins do not provide as was exhibited by a friend who annually attends the final 4 games decision to depart very early from this year’s championship game. 

 

The NCAA and others are looking in many directions to find ways to not only maintain current fan interest but also to again grow the game.   Even with many reviews and adjustments by the NCAA, in reality I believe the direction of this decade's women's college basketball is in the hands of today's high school players and their parents.  Will too many of the top high school players continue down the well trodden automated path and choose to become another cog in the UConn  machine or instead will they choose the path less traveled where break out stars ( where as examples) North Carolina's Diamond DeShields, and Delaware’s Elena Delle Donne can forever be known for putting their school back into conversation, excitement and national title hunt.  

 

Only history will tell but I believe that more parity in the sport is desperately needed or many of our current and potential future fans will look elsewhere for events which are less predictable. 

 

Sandy W.


*********************************************************************************************************

WE ALSO WANTED TO RUN THIS PICTURE OF MY LONGTIME BUDDY "BIG AL"...REPRESENTING IN HIS CARDINAL COUPLE SHIRT. LOOKING GOOD, AMIGO!