World Cup Field Hockey: Irish fall 1-0 to Eng. -- USA ties India -- USA U squads WBB -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

ENGLISH MANAGE LATE GOAL TO DEFEAT IRELAND 1-0

With Ayeshisa McFerran in goal and a depleted Louisville scoring attack a possibility for 2018 Louisville Field Hockey, we had joked on the Saturday morning CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR broadcast that Louisville Field Hockey might be winning a lot of 1-0 contests this season. In Women's World Cup action, we got a 1-0 final in the final game of pool play, but it was the English with the "1" and McFerran's Ireland squad posting the "0" Sunday afternoon in the finals of Pool B play. 

A penalty corner with about seven minutes remaining gave England the lone score of the contest. The goal wasn't really McFerran's fault either...the "score" shot deflected off of a Irish defender's leg, which altered the path of the ball and the orb skipped past the out-stretched Louisville and Irish goalkeeper to find net. Sad to say, but that's how the ball bounces. (Groan). 

McFerran's heroics in goal kept the Irish in it for 53 of the 60 minutes. The English controlled the attack throughout the contest and had several shots on goal that McFerran was able to prevent from becoming scores. The Irish offense was not faring well against #2 England defense...they had no shots on goal in the first half on Sunday. 

Despite the close loss, Ireland still wins their Group play and had already advanced to the quarterfinals. The Green Army enters crossover play, waiting to see who their next opponent will be, pending the winner of the India vs. Italy match. McFerran's team will play again on Thursday.  The English needed at least a draw to make crossover play but vaulted to second place in the pool with their first win in the 2018 World Cup. 

No disgrace in keeping the second-best team in the world scoreless for over 80% of the match and falling 1-0. Ireland finishes Group B Pool play with a 2-1 record with 6 points, England second with 5 points, India and USA with 2, but the tie-breaker (goal differential) belongs to India. 


USA TIES INDIA 1-1...FINISHES LAST IN POOL PLAY

For the other Louisville Field Hockey player (Nicole Woods) participating in the Field Hockey World Cup, the results weren't so good. A tie Sunday against India lands them last in the Group B Pool and effectively ends their World Cup run. Only the top three teams advance out of the pools. 

USA needed a win to assure a shot at the crossover round...to face Italy...but couldn't not win a match in the three-game Pool play, getting just a two ties and a loss. 

I was unable to view the USA vs. India match, and the stat sheets for these games aren't made public, so I don't know how much time Woods saw on the turf. 

Still, it's a great honor to be selected for the team for the recently graduated Woods, a native of Beverly, MA. 

For Ayeshia, a chance to keep that Cardinal (and Green Army) spirit alive. Ireland has already gained a berth as one of the eight teams to play for the World Cup title. Here's hoping they can continue the success. 


USA U 17 WBB TEAM WINS GOLD

Going into the semifinals of the FIBA U 17 World Cup Girls Basketball game, the USA squad had a simple motto to follow. "Defense wins Championships". In Minsk, Belarus...the USA squad lived up to the motto by eliminating Hungary 84-39. The win advanced USA to the gold medal round against France and they once again lived up to the phrase by pounding the French squad 92-40 to capture the gold. 

Outscoring their opponent 46-12 in the second half and limiting them to 24.6% shooting for the entire game, USA easily captured their fourth goal in the event. 7-0 in this year's competition and a sparkling 36-1 since the event began in 2010. The USA squad entered the this year's quarterfinals and emerged with a 66-31 drubbing of Spain to advance. USA allowed 110 points in three basketball games. It equates to basically giving up nine points a quarter. 

Jordan Horston was named the tournament MVP and Aliyah Boston led USA 's five double-digit scorers in the final with 16 points (in a mere 17 minutes) 

Horston, a part of the stellar 2019 class is uncommitted for a college choice yet. A slew of schools are hot on her trail and UNC, Ohio State and UCLA have already received visits from the 6'1" point guard. She's also planning trips to Louisville, Duke and South Carolina. 

Boston, a 6'4" post from St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands and also a part of that 2019 class, is also uncommitted and has Louisville's interest as well. She's another top 10 prospect like Horston and the #1 ranked post in the class. She's a bit of a youngster (only 15 years old) but Boston is used to playing against older competitors. Her older sister Alexis has served as a motivation for her to grow into the game.

Alexis spent the 2017-18 campaign playing for Owens Community College (Perrysburg, OH) as a freshman.  

Now, it's Jeff Walz and the U18's shot at a gold. They're already in Mexico City and will begin play August 1st. when they take on Argentina in Pool play this Thursday at 7:30 EST.

Today, we've discussed a lot of pools. Hey, it may be time to go swimming! 


paulie
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Walz in Colorado Springs for USA squad...Staff recruiting -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WALZ WORKS U 18 SQUAD WHILE STAFF RECRUITS

July. That month in the year where NCAA women's basketball coaches get two chances to scour the country (and abroad) to evaluate high school talent and identify players who might make up the future rosters at their colleges and universities. A huge month for the talent-rich camps, showdowns, shootouts and tournament for club ball and AAU events. 

The second evaluation period of the month has begun and Cardinal coaches are spanning the globe to watch and observe. Louisville head women's basketball coach Jeff Walz is out at his "home away from home" Colorado Springs, CO...coaching up the USA U 18 squad to get them ready for the FIBA Americas Tournament in August. USA goes to Mexico City to begin play on August 1st. 

This time he didn't cross the Mississippi River alone. Associate coach Steph Norman and special assistant to the head coach Beth Burns were with Walz at the U.S. Training Facility over the weekend to watch a couple of girls on the squad who are still undecided on their university choice in the 2019 class. Maori Davenport (Henderson High School, Troy, AL), a 6'4" center and Aijah Blackwell (Whitfield School, Berkeley, MO), a speedy 6'0" guard are the interest there. Both are top-25 prospects going into their senior seasons. 

If Walz doesn't know his way around the US Training Facility, Air Force campus and streets of Colorado Springs by now...he's as geographically challenged as Paulie...

Cardinal great Sara Hammond with Sam

Meanwhile, Sam Purcell is overseas in Minsk, Belarus monitoring the USA U 17 squad and their games. He's probably not getting much time to sample borscht, caviar and sip vodka, with future Cardinal prospects in the 2020 and 2021 classes Azzi Fudd, Zia Cook, Charisma Osbourne, Jordan Horston and Haley Jones on the court. USA has rolled past Italy and Mali in their first two contests in Minsk and takes on China Tuesday. If you want to watch, the link is facebook.com/USABasketball

"Sardechna Zarashayem!" is a greeting Sam will no doubt hear from the locals a few times while in Minsk. Don't accept any fake rubles, Sammy. 

Other places of interest stateside for Cardinal coaches include the United States Junior Nationals in Washington, D.C. 2019 prospects Jada Boyd and Rickea Jackson remain high on the Cardinal observation list. 

They probably won't have time to hit The Deli At Watergate...but if you find yourself in D.C., it's highly recommended. The pastrami is incredible there. 

Recruiting. Maybe best summed up by the quote: 

"In recruiting, there are no good or bad experiences...just learning experiences" 

Here's hoping the Cardinal coaches learn a lot and the players learn that the UofL coaches and campus offer a lot for the continuation of their student/athlete process. 


KATIE VS.

Local television sports reporter Katie George (WDRB) has started a series where she takes on players at their sports. She went up against Cardinal Couple favorite Jaz Jones in the first segment. Jaz "Myisha'ed" her, as you'll see in the link below. 

Kudos to Katie for the "Katie Vs." segment. It's a rehash, in sorts, of several other sportscasters' attempts to show their (sometimes lack of) athleticism. "Domine Does It" comes to mind, as does "I Challenge Fred" from past years. 

An entertaining segment, for sure. We'd like to see if she could score on UofL Field Hockey goalkeep Ayeshia McFerran...

LINK: KATIE VS


paulie
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Hooping it up in Louisville this weekend -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

THE CLASSIC One Of The Major Showcase Events This Weekend 

The Classic, sponsored by National Exposure Basketball, comes to the Kentucky Expo Center (formerly known as the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center) starting today and almost 400 teams of U12 through U17 high school girls basketball prospects will be in town for three days of hoops. 

28 courts. A four-game guarantee. Over 300 college coaches. Organized mayhem form three days, driven by the steady beat of balls bouncing, shoes slapping the court and the yells and comments of the players and coaches. A symphony of sound. 

On the first "live" weekend of recruiting this spring, high school basketball comes to Louisville's door. And the Cardinals coaching staff will be in attendance for many of the contests. 

On Thunder Weekend in Louisville, expect a bunch of "thunder" as well out on Phillips Lane by the airport on the hardwood -- instead of the River. 

Here are a few of the participants the Cards will be watching: 

Rickea Jackson --  A 6'2" wing in the Class of 2019 from Detroit, MI...she plays for the Sports City U squad. She's very explosive on the perimeter, attacks the hoop well, active on the glass and can attack in transition. She's the #2 ranked wing by Prospects Nation and Hoop Gurlz has her at #9 overall. She has not come up with a college declaration yet. 

Jordan Horston -- This 6'1" guard out of Columbus, OH is also in the Class of 2019...she also plays for Sports City U.  Athleticism, quick leaper, plays outside or around the rim and impressive mid-range shot. She's #3 ranked by Prospects Nation and Hoop Gurlz has her at #6 overall. Undeclared at last glance, plenty of school have an interest. 

Zia Cooke -- She's a 5'9" point guard out of Toledo and is the #1 ranked point guard current at Hoop Gurlz and #7 overall inn the class of 2019. She has a scorer's mentality, fast off-the-dribble, can take defenders to the hoop easily or beat them from mid-range or deep. Has great body control and finishes plays in traffic. Also undeclared at this writing. Another Sports City U baller. 

Kierstan Bell -- This 6'1" guard can manufacture, deliver off-the-dribble, a defensive nightmare for opponents, passes well and can play excellent defense. From Canton, OH. She comes in at #2 by Prospects Nation at her guard spot and Hoop Gurlz lists her as the #4 prospect overall for the 2019 class. In Ohio, they call her "SheBron" and the Canton faithful ring bells at home games whenever she scores. 
She does her club ball for 77 South Elite All-Stars. Remember the name. 

LINK: A nice read on Bell:  QUEEN KIERSTAN

Gabby Hutcherson --  Out of the 2020 class, this 6'2" "stretch 4" can create inside or out and plays solid defense. From Columbus, OH...Hoop Gurlz has her at #7 in her position and #24 overall. She is undeclared as well and Ohio State and Maryland have been listed as possibles. 

So, plenty of top flight talent in town for a major test. We haven't seen a whole lot about posts yet in the Cardinals radar and, admittedly, I'm not the greatest on recruiting news...but based on this partial list, Louisville has some major talent in town and ready to roll. 

It's a Treasure Hunt! Wouldn't it be great if'
she wore a parrot on her shoulder?  Arrgghh! 

I also read that a prospect from the class of 2021...Tatiana Pope...who will be in attendance, might be worth watching. She's already 6'5" and can shoot the three with accuracy. Hoop Gurlz doesn't list her in their top 25 yet and Prospects Nation doesn't list a top 25 for 2021...but there's plenty of time to evaluate this young women. 

My favorite (name wise) has to be Treasure Hunt, a 2020 prospect and 6'1" wing out of Chattanooga, TN. She's the #2 wing in the class according to Prospect's Nation. 

An early spring chance to make a name for yourself or catch a coach's attention this weekend out at the KEC. Hundreds of athletics in the venue, all a bit nervous...hoping to do well and catch a few eyes, in addition to helping their squad win. All looking at the men and women in the polo shirts and seeing if there is a logo or school name up in the left or right corner of the shirt. 

Club ball. A totally different creature than high school ball. Kentucky Premier, one of the most recognized and successful club programs, will have 11 teams at the three-day event. Score More Athletic Club, the second largest of the hoops clubs with representation in four different cities in the Midwest and East, brings in 15 squad. 

For some of the girls...the  "veteran performer" status applies, having played in tournaments like this for the past 4-5 years. We're not sure where Nyah Green is playing this weekend, but we'll assume that that there will be a Cardinals coach in the venue wherever it is to watch the 2019 Louisville signee and best of the class. We're also unsure where Ramani Parker, a 6'4" paint dweller from the 2019 Class and headed to Louisville out of California will be showcasing her skills this weekend. Fill us in if you know? 

Yes, the coaches will be watching and evaluating. A coach, who requested anonymity, told me this about events like this: 

"You need to go in with a game plan. You make sure your staff knows who to watch, you, as head coach will be keying in on your main recruits, and some of the court-sides can get pretty crowded with coaches. You're thinking of your future needs for the program and trying to watch the players in that kind of situation. Who passes well? Who had good mid-range skills? Is she a talker? Does she go to the hoop or hang around the perimeter?  You fraternize a lot, too. With other coaches, club coaches, parents and talent scouts." 

I won't be attending any of the KEC events, unfortunately...Cardinal Couple coverage on other things and (what appears to be) the bare minimum in the studio Saturday -- so far -- with just me and Jeff for The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour, plus a phone call from the travelling Jared will have me quite busy, plus writing for Case on Saturday as well...as he goes into the serious testing part of trying to become an engineer. 

(We hope he gets a nice, new shiny train!) 

I've also got Handicapping Heroes in full swing now and the horse racing venue also keeps me hopping. So much for that "slow season" I used to experience at the end of women's college basketball.  

We'll get a little more into the weekend's events tomorrow and it's a busy one for softball, lacrosse and the other spring UofL women's sports.  

Paulie
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