Sydney Brackemyre Leaving Louisville Basketball -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SYDNEY BRACKEMYRE TO TRANSFER

Last week, we reported to you that Sydney Brackemyre would not be playing basketball next season for Louisville women's basketball but would be remaining with the team. We also played the interview we had with Jeff Walz on the scenario on our Saturday Morning radio show...THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR...where Walz discussed the matter. 

Much like the ever-changing weather in Louisville in April, though, players sometimes develop different patterns and it was announced Thursday that Brackemyre would be leaving the program to continue her WBB career at another program. 

Walz statement: 

"Syd has been a valuable asset to this program. Unfortunately, her knee injuries have not allowed her to compete at this level. I really admire the positive attitude she brought to the gym each day and I am hopeful she can find a program where she can truly flourish."

So what does it all mean?

The forward from Wilmington, OH can't physically handle the rigors of Division I practices because of three surgeries on her left knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) since 2013. After reconsideration, Brackemyre has decided that there might be a chance for her to play at a lesser program...a lower NCAA Division or NAIA school possibly...where the demands and requirements aren't as stringent. 

It has happened before with players associated with UofL. 

A case that comes to mind is former Cardinal guard Nikki Burton. Slowed by hip injuries and surgeries...Burton spent two years at Louisville (2009-11) before leaving to find a less demanding place to play hoops. She found it at Wingate University...a Division II school located in North Carolina...where she was able to practice less, rest more and eventually became an All-South Atlantic Conference first team selection her senior year. The practice requirements were less. The body healed, the pain was managable and Burton fulfilled her dream of playing college hoops. 

We hope a similar scenario can be in the future for Brackemyre, a player who was highly heralded in high school but never got to showcase those skills at Louisville because of the injuries.
  
We also hope that it's a move that doesn't further injure her. When a team of coaches, physicians and trainers come up with the evaluation that because of injuries, a particular player can't handle the extremities and conditioning needed to compete at a level like Louisville's...there is always the risk that despite the drop to a less competitive league, those injuries still may come back to haunt them...as well as the possibility that a less strenuous routine can be managed. Sometimes the player is willing to take that chance and give it a try...because of love for game. 

We hope that future injury and discomfort isn't the case with Syd and she can have a successful student-athlete experience in her remaining years of college. 

The heart wants what the heart wants...and in this case it's a quest to see if a player's passion can be portrayed at a less demanding venue. Good luck, Syd...we barely got to know you.

paulie
xxxxx 

Nikki Burton transfers to Wingate University

Thursday Edition of the nearly world almost famous Cardinal Couple.

Nikki Burton had enrolled
in D II school Wingate
University.

-Nikki Burton lands at Wingate

-Women's Track and Field sends 12 to

NCAA East Preliminary Rounds in Bloomington, IN.

...We KNEW Nikki Burton was leaving Louisville. Now, we know where to... 

Former UofL women's basketball program guard Nikki Burton has enrolled in Wingate University, a small, liberal private University located in Wingate, NC.
They play in the NCAA Division II classification, so Burton will be able to play immediately for the Bulldogs.

Burton played her high school ball at West Charlotte and was a member of the North Carolina 4A State Championship team. At Louisville, she played in 18 games her freshman year, starting 11 of them. Injuries slowed her down the remainder of her freshman year and sophomore year at Louisville.

Head Bulldogs women's basketball coach Barbara Nelson had this to say about Burton:

"Nikki is a special player who is always willing to put the team first. Her ability to create shots for herself and others will make an immediate impact on our team. Nikki is a tough defender who can guard any spot on the perimeter. Her BIG EAST experience will raise our level of competition daily in both practices and games. She's a winner, proven by her leadership in West Charlotte's state championship season. I look forward to that same mentality in our program."

And, we hope you get it...Barbara. Here's hoping the hip and groin injuries that sidelined Burton for a season and a half at UofL have healed and she can be a contributor. Jeff Walz, UofL head women's basketball coach,  had made comments during the original transfer notification indicating that she was unable to handle the rigors and daily demands of preparing to play in the BIG EAST because of those injuries. D II is a lot less competitive from a player skills standpoint...maybe Burton will fare well at Wingate. We hope so...

No word (that we can find) on where other transfers Rachel Story or Polly Harrington have landed or are going to land as of yet. If you know something we don't...please share it with us in the comments section or by e-mail at cardinalcouple@insightbb.com

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D'Ana McCarty will throw in the NCAA
East Preliminary rounds in Bloomington

Louisville women's track and field, as we noted several days ago, is sending a platoon of athletes to Bloomington. IN to participate in the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds that get underway today. The Cards best chances appear to be in the field events....where D'Ana McCarty, Khadija Abdullah, Chinwe Okoro and Amashi Kendall will throw in several events each.

Louisville's "tossers" in the shot put, hammer, weight and discus throws are nationally recognized as being one of the best units in Division I NCAA Track and Field.

Good luck to the Louisville participants in the events at IU!

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Hoping our readers in the Louisville area survived the big winds and storms that blew through the Louisville area last night. WE found our trash cans out in the middle of the driveway this morning, empty plant containers scattered out in the yard and driveway and tree branches down. The monsoon seasons continue...Paul still hasn't been able to get the annual vegetable garden planted yet...soil too wet to till and work. Can't remember a spring this wet...grass cutting has become a hit or miss proposition and it grows so quickly this time of year....
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Lady Cards Nikki Burton to transfer, The 2011 All-USA girls basketball team

FRIDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE

Burton is the third transfer
this year at Louisville

-Burton transferring

-Smith a second team All-USA selection

-Calvin Borel named to ride Twice The Appeal
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Nikki Burton, a sophomore guard from Charlotte, NC is leaving the University of Louisville. She is transferring due to a hip injury that prevents her

from being able to practice with the Lady Cards on a regular basis. She was injured midway thru her freshman year and sat out last year as a redshirt. Jeff Walz commented on the move:

"Nikki is a very talented student-athlete but unfortunately her hip injury

precludes her from the daily rigors of preparation required for BIG EAST play. In order for her to continue her career, she will transfer to a university that can accommodate her physical limitations for practice and playing. "
(Courtesy of UofL Sports Information)

Burton last saw playing time on Jan 19th. 2010 at Freedom Hall against Notre Dame...getting three points in 14 minutes. She played in 18 games as a freshman, staring in 11. She averaged 5.9 points a game and her high was 13 points...with five steals...in a 87-48 win over Providence.

Hate to see her go...she had tons of potential and was considered maybe the best of that class that included Asia Taylor and Rachel Story. We're not real sure which schools out there need players who can't practice on a regular basis...our best guess is that she might drop down to a DII or NAIA school...but that is purely speculation on our part.

No word on where she's headed. One might logically assume that the freed up scholarship might enhance the chances for Walz to sign another to the 2011 incoming class. We hope it is Bria Smith. We wish Nikki the best of luck wherever she goes...and that she's able to return to full strength and skills before her college basketball career is over.

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Sara Hammond and Rockcastle County
teammates won the state title in 2011.

USA TODAY has named their 2011 All-USA girls basketball team and their selections are interesting. They named Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (signed with Connecticut) as the player of the year. WE disagree...siding with Elizabeth Williams (signed with Duke). Williams made the first team...along with Cierra Burdick (Tennessee), Malina Howard...a junior from Twinsburg, Oh. who hasn't announced a college yet and Ariel Massengale (Tennessee).

Bria Smith headlines the second team. Joining her are:

Antoinette Banniser, Junior (undecided)

Diamond DeShields, Junior  (undecided)

Krystal Forthan, Senior (LSU)

Amber Henson, Senior (Duke)

Third team selections:

Jordan Adams, Junior (undecided)

Briyona Canty, Senior (Rutgers)

Morgan Tuck, Junior (undecided)

Cassie Peoples, Senior (Texas)

SARA HAMMOND, Senior, (LOUISVILLE)

Can't say we're fully in agreement with these selections. We feel Smith is better than Burdick and should have got first team honors. Briyona Canty, in our opinion, should have landed on the second team. Sara Hammond, too. Too many juniors on this 3 team squad selection list. Then, again....it's USA TODAY. What do they know?

Two Lady Vol signees on the first team. Hmmmm. No excuses this year, Pat Summit. And, Ms. Smith...it  looks like the Tennessee cupboard is well stocked. Come to Louisville. We love 2nd team selections that should have been first team picks....

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Pssst. Hey, c'mere! Want a longshot for the Kentucky Derby?  The legendary Calvin Borel has been named the jockey on Sunland Derby winner TWICE THE APPEAL. This is huge. Borel knows Churchill Downs better that John Calipari knows how to escape implications in recruiting violations. So, how has Mr. Borel done in recent Derby races? Glad you asked...

Calvin Borel is sometimes called
Calvin "Bo-rail" because of his
fondness of guiding horses to
the rail during races. It seems to work...

2010   on SUPER SAVER.  Won the race

2009   on MINE THE BIRD. Won the race

2008   on DENIS OF CORK.  Finished third

2007   on STREET SENSE.  Won the race

Mine That Bird finished 4th in the Sunland Derby in 2009 and won in Kentucky at huge odds. Love this quote from 2010 trainer of Super Saver Todd Pletcher...

"I said it last year before the Derby and I said it after the Derby. Calvin Borel is a great rider everywhere and he's that much better here at Churchill." 

Getting interesting, gang. Nine days to go...
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Where are they now?

Welcome to the Monday view at Cardinal Couple!

-Where are they now?

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-WE try to predict the BIG EAST

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Ashley Rainey (pictured right) is playing at Lindsey Wilson College and averaging 20.8 points a game and 10.4 rebounds for the Blue Raiders (10-3). She has been named the Mid-South Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week twice for the NAIA school. Rainey played in 22 games for Louisville in the 2009-10 season...starting 16 before leaving the team. She averaged 6.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in her one season at the Ville.

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Janae Howard is at Western Kentucky University and the third leading scorer on the Hilltoppers (4-7) squad. She's started 5 out of the 10 games she's played for the Toppers and is averaging 24.6 minutes per game. Howard leads the WKU squad in three pointers made and attempted (25-69). Howard was a reserve on the 2008-09 Louisville squad that made it to the NCAA Championship game.

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Another player on that team, Mary Jackson, is at Memphis after sitting out her transfer year and comes off the bench for the Tigers. She recently had 11 points against North Carolina A&T and averages about 3 points a game. The Tigers (8-3) have won their last 5 in a row.

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Laura Terry played in 11 games for Louisville in 2009-10 before a knee injury put her on the sidelines during her junior year. She twice hit double figures for the Cards last year, with 11 points against IUPUI and 10 at Central Michigan. Terry is now a student assistant coach for the Cards and you can see her on the bench during Cardinal home games.

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Nikki Burton took part in 18 games as a part of the 2009-10 Cards and started 11 of them before going to the sidelines with injuries. She's on the injured list this year with a groin injury and is expected to redshirt this season. Burton averaged 5.9 for the Lady Cards last year and had 36 steals...good for second on the team despite playing only about half of the Cardinal contests.

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With BIG EAST play right around the corner, the action will be coming fast and furious amongst the 16 teams in the league. WE'VE got some very early conference season speculation on how the teams could finish up. Read at your own risk...

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Them that has:

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-Connecticut is loaded again and is our pick to win the BIG EAST schedule. Will Maya Moore ever graduate? They may eventually lose a game...we figure either the Connecticut men's team or the WNBA Connecticut Sun are the two most likely candidates to knock them off.

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-DePaul has a wealth of talent and can score from anywhere on the court. Sam Quigley and Keisha Hampton should be able to lead the Blue Demons to the runner up spot in the BIG EAST and....they did knock off #2 Stanford recently. UConn beware.

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-Georgetown has talent with Sugar Rodgers and Monica McNutt and will be a tough opponent for anyone who crosses their path in the BIG EAST. These Hoyas are a rough and tumble bunch...bring the first aid kit and team physician. Rutgers loss a wake up call.

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-Louisville is 2-2 against top 25 opponents this year and features a well balanced scoring attack led by freshman Shoni Schimmel. The Cards can be deadly in their zone presses and can score in bunches with the transition game. Try and zone them and they'll burn you from deep.

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Them that is pretty good:

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-Notre Dame returns talent from last year's team and led by Skylar Diggins...they can shut you down with pressure defense and tear you up outside. Wouldn't be surprised at all with a top four finish in the BIG EAST regular season. Muffet McGraw knows a thing or two about hoops.

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-St. John hasn't disappointed in the pre-BIG EAST schedule and returns a talented bunch of hoopsters that can light up the scoreboard. You won't win many rebounding wars against them and your defense better be clicking if you expect to beat them.

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-Syracuse plays the brutal possession by possesion ball that Quentin Hillsman teaches and it's paid dividends for them so far with an undefeated record. That'll change in the BIG EAST...but don't be shocked in the Orange pull off a few major upsets.

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-West Virginia is highly ranked so far under the tutelidge of Mike Carey and features one of the best players in the league in Liz Repella. The Mountaineers are well disciplined and won't beat themselves. They will whip up on quite a few BIG EAST opponents, though.

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Them that is so-so:

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-Rutgers is rebuilding under C.Viv Stringer but still has talent with April Sykes and company. They can throw scary defense on opponents and C.Viv is rarely out-coached. They did beat Georgetown.

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-Marquette returns three starters from last year and has gotten off to a strong start in pre-BIG EAST play. They don't get blown out and no one puts up big numbers on them.

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-Providence returns two starters from a team that made it to the WNIT quarterfinals last year. Mi-Khida Hankins are Symone Roberts are legit hoopsters.

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-USF has gained a couple of talented transfers in the Smith sisters and they've turned it around in Tampa. Beware BIG EAST teams that venture into the SunDome.

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Them that aren't so much:

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-Villanova will compete with anyone but the talent level there isn't quite enough to get them into the over .500 bunch in the BIG EAST. Harry Perretta begins his 34th. year there.

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-Pittsburgh does have four starters back from last year...four starters from a 16-15 team. Agnes will need a few miracles in the Peterson if they are to improve on that record.

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-Cincinnati has a young and bright coach in Janelle Elliott. It's a shame the Geno prodigy can't suit up for the under-manned Bearcats. They'll fight to stay out of the BIG EAST cellar.

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-Seton Hall is in Anne Donovan first year of coaching. She'll turn the program around in South Orange...we have no doubt...but it isn't going to happen this year.

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Jeff Walz discusses the upcoming season

THURSDAY EDITION OF CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Jeff Walz talks Lady Cards Hoops

-Lacrosse hosts LAX for the Cure tournament Thursday

A nice surprise last night during Charlie Strong call-in show at the Tumbleweed over in New Albany. Jeff Walz got a little air time and discussed Lady Card hoops with Paul Rogers and the fans. CARDINAL COUPLE was actually tipped off that Walz would appear and we got his words for you.

On starting practice before the men's team:

"Yes, we've been hard at it. The NCAA changed some rules for the women's teams. We actually allowed to start 40 days before our first game. Within those 40 days you have to take 10 days off. We started on Sunday of last week, went Sunday to Thursday...I gave the kids off for fall break, a few of them went home, went to see some family and we actually got back to it last night (Tuesday) in the downtown new arena. It was fantastic, the kids were excited. For those of you who have not had the chance to view the new arena..it's breathtaking...it's a beautiful place. "

On Shoni Schimmel:

"Shoni is a native American and I'd do her unjust if I tried to name her tribe. (Laughter). She's a unique young lady that has seven brothers and sisters, a big family and I had the opportunity when the football team was playing out in Oregon State..we have some recruits on the West coast and I went out there. She grew up on a reservation in Pendleton, which is about 3 1/2 hours east of Portland. She finished her last year and a half of high school in Portland. My assistant and I went out there and I actually got to experience the Pendleton Round Up. It's a event that they put on each year, it's a rodeo, bull riding...a little bit of everything and I actually had the opportunity to spend Friday night in a tee pee. so, it's one of those things I can cross off my list. Something that I've done. Shoni is a special player and we're very fortunate that she decided to come as far away from home as she did. She's adjusting well, she passes the ball extremely well...she can shoot it and she's really going to bring a lot of flair to our team. "

On Shelby Harper:

"Shelby is doing fantastic. She came on to the team last year as a walk on..a freshman. It's a cute story...She came out to our first day of workouts last fall, last August...and she lasted for about a half hour of it. Really struggled and I said 'Shelby, why don't you just come back on October 15th and we'll have you for practice.' She came back, she had some work to do on her own and I told her she had to get in shape. I even told her 'you're probably not going to travel to away games until you earn a spot' and...by December, when we started to travel I told her 'don't carry your bags...I'll carry them for you. (Laughter). It speaks volumes for a kid when you're willing to put the work in. That you can do anything you set your mind to. She's done a fantastic job."

On Tia Gibbs:

"We finally got her back for practice last night. She suffered a concussion about a week and missed about a week of practice. She's doing fantastic and will add a lot of ability to the guard spot for us. A very smart player, competitive player and really is doing everything I ask her to do. I'm really expecting her to be able to step in and fill some needs for us. "

On practice at the KFC YUM! Arena:

"We'll probably have the opportunity to practice in there 8-10 times before we play our first game. In Freedom Hall we probably went in there one or two times before our first game. It's just the opportunity to get in, get adjusted to the depth perception, the size of the arena. I was really impressed last night...the same thing that they did at Freedom Hall...the lighting is directed right onto the court, so when you're looking up at the seats from the floor it's dark...which is great for a player because you don't get lost in all the space. It was a great opportunity for us last night and we're really excited to get back down there soon."

On the advantage of good lighting for shooting:

"If you ask my players, they'll all tell you that they're shooters..but the problem is that they're not all makers (Laughter). They all shoot it fine but they don't all go in. I tell our kids it doesn't matter where you play, if you're a shooter..you're a shooter. We actually did shoot the ball very well last night for our first time in the new arena so I'm excited about that."

On playing in the BIG EAST:

"We're very fortunate to play in a fantastic league. We'll probably have six teams ranked in the preseason top twenty five and when you've got sixteen in your league you've got to show up every night. The encouraging thing for us is that we ended up going 5-11 last year with injuries and things..but we lost six of those games by six points or less. That's one thing that I've really tried to explain and emphasize to our players...that we have to work harder this year. We have some players that will fill some needs...but we were actually in the majority of our games last year and had the chance to win them in the last three minutes and ran out of gas and out of players."

On red shirting any players this year:

"Just Cierra Warren, who has to sit out because of transferring from North Carolina. We have 14-15 players ready to play, I'm still waiting to see if Nikki Burton will be cleared (recovering from hip surgery). At the rate we lost players last year, I'm afraid to red shirt anyone and say that you're not going to play and then end up having to play them later in the year. I've told them all that all five starting positions are open to compete for and it's just a matter of what five want to step up and take them."

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Ohio State and Vanderbilt visit the UofL Lacrosse Stadium to play in the Lax for the Cure tournament Thursday. Lax is an abbreviation for the word lacrosse and the tournament is held to raise awareness for Breast Cancer awareness.

The Cards will face the Buckeyes at 3 p.m. In the round robin format, Ohio State will play Vandy at 4:15 p.m. and Louisville goes against the Commodores at 5:30. A "battle of the sexes" contest...pitting the Louisville ladies vs. the Bellarmine men was cancelled due to the death of Bellarmine's long time coach Jack McGetrick from prostate cancer. The tournament participants will be wearing pink ribbons and light blue ribbons to show support in the fight against breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Louisville has fared well in the fall tournament exhibitions...winning twice at the James Madison Tournament and four times in the Melting Pot Tournament in Boston.

The regular lacrosse season begins in late Feburary.

Intensity and hustle the name of the game in practice

THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE: We bring you an exclusive, behind the scenes look at Lady Cards basketball practice. It was an amazing two hours. Enjoy.

When I arrive at Cardinal Arena, shortly after 1 p.m., the floor is already crowded with players following loosening and stretching exercises under the guidance of strength and conditioning coach Teena Murray. I count 14 players on the court, all listening intently to the instructions and explanation of each drill...and then performing the exercise. I've been told prior to my arrival that Coach Walz won't be running today's practice and since my contact through the sports information office hasn't arrived yet..I head over to assistant coach Michelle Clark-Heard to report in. She's been informed I'll be here, she greets me and tells me they're glad I'm here. I thank her and stand back to watch the practice. The other assistants must be out on the road...I see new Cardinal staffer Liz Sherwood. She's big and powerful, watching the action in a warm up jersey from the scorers table. Not one you'd drive the lane against and expect to toss in an effortless layup on.

Clark-Heard has a quick meeting at half court. She announces who will wear white jerseys and who will be in black. I'm told later by manager Laura Terry that this assignment changes daily and is done for competitiveness...it's not an indicator of first or second teams. Not sure of some of the new players by facial recognition yet, I try

to listen in and get the assignments. As best as I can tell...Schimmel, Taylor, Harrington, Reid, Story, Warren and Johnson are in the black numbered jerseys and Burke, Harper, Hines, Vails, Dyer, Slaughter and Tay reverse their jerseys and are in white.

Tia Gibbs and Nikki Burton aren't practicing today. Burton, recovering from hip surgery, is working the exercise bike. Schimmel wears #23 and Harrington is #20. I'm immediately impressed with the size of #42 and ask Becky Bonner which of the new players that is. I'm informed that it is transfer Cierra Warren. Asia Taylor looks impressive...strong and healthy...prowling the court with confidence and an almost predatory grin on her face. Toya Johnson looks so tiny out there...but is quick and works the court well.

There are also 4 guys standing by in red women's basketball jerseys. This number will grow as practice goes on. They are the team that the girls will scrimmage against in different situations. They watch the team practice in-bounds under the basket situations. Burke and Reid are the most recognizable on the court, along with Harper...and they run various sets under the watchful eye of Clark-Heard and Bonner. Clark-Heard stops the action occasionally, pointing out positioning and other things she sees that need correcting. Plenty of different player combinations work the drill and they work alternately with and without defenders. Coach stresses defense. Reminds them of the need to work on defense. Tells them they need to pick up the defense. It is, after all, what eventually spells the difference between winning and losing..


The segments are timed and the next
involves 4 on 4 half court passing. The guys take the court and work the ball around the perimeter of hustling Lady Cards. I ask one of the guys later why it's a four on four drill. He explains his theory...it's half court and a lot easier to negotiate the drill with two less bodies.

As the practice rolls on, many different game situations are practiced. These are alternated with brief shooting drills at all six baskets set up on the court. I watch Burke and Story work the shots close to me and don't see many misses...

During the drills, a voice addresses the players from way up high. It is Jeff Walz, watching from the east side balcony and his comments are direct, to the point, and specified toward certain players. He isn't there long...but his impact is immediately felt and his suggestions and observations acted upon.

Although I only made it through two hours of the scheduled 3 hour practice, one of my favorite drills involved the girls at the foul line, one of the Lady Cards shooting a free throw and then setting up on defense against the guys to press after the made shot. After the guys get the ball to the opposite end of the court and shoot...the girls bring it in and drive the court on offense. Several great plays in this sequence...Taylor rejecting a jumper with authority, the press effective several times...creating turnovers and Schimmel seeming to make every pull up jumper she attempts in the drill.

Reid and Burke are the take charge players, the vocal leaders and work with the freshmen during the practice. Reid points out to the freshmen that it's OK to enter the lane during a free throw attempt when the ball leaves the shooter's hands. Several appear surprised by this rule. Heard encourages the point guards to be more vocal on the court and Bonner works with the post players on moves and positioning beneath the basket. I watch individual players work as the practice rolls on.

It's way too early to make any predictions on who will see playing time and how much, so these observations should just be taken for what they were worth today. Harper is her usual flying all over the court, hustling ball of blonde energy. Tay impresses me, she works the court with a natural ease and seems to get along well with her teammates. Schimmel is attentive, eager to learn and hitting shots right and left. She says something I couldn't hear to Taylor at the top of the circle and Taylor doubles over in laughter. Vails and Dyer are working hard, learning the play calls and battling against Hines and Taylor. Harrington looks good working inside also. Clark-Heard points something out to her, isn't satisfied with her acknowledgement and response and directs her to look at her when she's talking to her. Slaughter looks very athletic and gets to a rebound or loose ball so quickly! All of the players are learning right now...learning to play with their new teammates and within themselves. I haven't had the privledge of seeing a Walz led practice yet this season..but I can only imagine the intensity level and learning breaks are as great, if not more vocal, than the excellent workout I saw today. To see 14 girls instead of 7 or 8 out there...working, learning and hustling is a wonderful thing...

I got a chance to talk to sophomore guard Nikki Burton while we watched the practice. Some of her impressions follow.

(On what she's seen so far the year with the new players)

" I think that all the newcomers are pretty good, they just need to work at it and develop a work ethic. All of them are bringing a good effort in..they're learning to play the game at this level. They're working hard, they're going to be good."

(On her freshman learning experiences last year)

"It's very tough to pick up on it at first. I just tried to be coachable and listened to what the coach's said. You just need to listen to what is being said, pick up on it and it all comes together."

(On sitting out with her surgery recovery)

"I hope to be back out there soon. Right now I'm just trying to get my motion back in my hip and get back on the court."

(On a starting five)

" Everybody is just really competitive right now and working to get a spot and that's what makes practice fun. They're just getting after it. I don't know who would be a starting five right now or who would just come in and contribute to the team." (A very politically correct answer!)

(Any special words for the readers of CARDINAL COUPLE?)

"Just come out. Enjoy our team, see what new stuff we got and cheer!"

My two hours went way too fast watching the team in action. During a water break, I walked over to Coach Heard and said my goodbyes...thanking her again for what I described as a very impressive session. As I left the floor and walked down the hallway to the elevator, I gazed at some of the pictures of the Cardinal Women greats over the years. I wonder which of these girls will earn their spot on those walls? If effort and hustle is a indicator...they're all eligible from what I saw today.

Burton's 'hipness' a question for Lady Cards

MONDAY'S CARDINAL COUPLE PRESENTS:

-The rundown on Lady Card guard Nikki Burton
-Fern Creek Softball sweeps pool play
-Dream drops to 2nd place in WNBA
-Your weekly PANERA winner

For Nikki Burton (pictured to the right)..it's all about whether she's recovered from the hip surgery last month enough to be a factor for Jeff Walz's University of Louisville basketball team. Cardinal fans got to see just enough of her last season to realize that the talented combo guard can be a force and factor in the back court. Unfortunately, like several other of the ladies on last year's team, a season ending injury put her on the shelf. (We understand that her personality
'hipness' is just fine...she's very popular among her teammates.)

Burton played in 18 games for Louisville last year, drawing the starting assignment in 11 of them. She proved to be an aggressive, ball-hawking guard on defense and averaged 5.9 points per game for Louisville....good enough for sixth place in the Cardinals point per game average. Although we really didn't see much out of her from three point range, her game is more centered around transition and driving to the hoop...which fits in well with Jeff Walz's style of basketball.

The big question about her is how she'll come back from her surgeries on her hip. We saw Dez Byrd come back probably too early after her injuries and it basically cost her a season. We're hoping that the same thing doesn't happen with Burton. Fortunately, the UofL squad is deep in guards this year and Walz has the luxury of choosing from healthy players to fill the back court slots.

PROGNOSIS:
Burton has talent...scary good talent when she's able to motor. She can stop and burn opponents with the mid-range jumper and isn't afraid to take it the the hoop if the opportunity presents itself. The question is, when and how effectively will she be able to do this in 2010-11? If ready to go, she'll challenge for a "first off the bench" position and see plenty of court time in the KFC YUM center. Here's hoping she heals well and can show the flashes on a consistent basis that gave UofL fans promise and hope for her career last year.

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Fern Creek's 16 and under girls' softball team knocked off host Varina, VA in pool play yesterday to go 4-0 in pool competition and advance from the National Division to double elimination tournament play next week. They whitewashed Varina 2-0 yesterday, allowing just 3 hits. Fern Creek scored a run in the fifth and sixth to secure the victory.

By winning the division, they draw a first round bye in tournament competition and will play their next game next Monday.

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The Atlanta Dream fell 1/2 game behind Indiana by doing absolutely nothing. They had an off day Sunday but Indiana blew out Phoenix 104-82 to grab the Eastern Conference lead. It's a close race in the East...with New York only 1 game back and Washington 2 games behind Indy.

Things don't get any easier for Angel and the Dream (18-11). They face off against Western Division leader Seattle in Atlanta on Tuesday night. Seattle is a runaway leader in the Western Conference with a 24-4 record and 10 games ahead of Phoenix.

The question is...how can this NOT be the Tuesday ESPN 2 televised game? Instead, the 4 letter network will show Indiana at L.A....and that one doesn't tip off until 10 p.m. L.A. has the second worst record in the league at 10-18...suffering from the injury that sat down Candace Parker for the season. Guess we'll have time to watch both of the NCIS summer reruns Tuesday night before remoting in this one...and it could be a toss up between the WNBA and The Good Wife on CBS Tuesday.

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Congratulations to Barbara Hancock for winning the weekly PANERA gift card contest! WE had a lot of good entries last week but Barbara nailed down the prize with a short but sweet reason why she and her husband choose PANERA.

"We like PANERA BREAD because of the wide variety available there. I especially like the whole grain taste of their breads. It is satisfying."

Couldn't agree more, Barbara! You still have 3 chances to win PANERA gift cards...all you have to do is send us a short e-mail telling us why you choose PANERA. If the Yorkie drags your essay out of the pile that we've downloaded and spread out on the kitchen floor, you're a winner!
(Just kidding...we let an independent panel of judges read and select each week's winner. No, Paula Abdul and Simon aren't the judges.) Send those entries to cardinalcouple@insightbb.com

More bad news for the Lady Cards

When it rains, it pours. The NCAA has decided not to grant UofL center Chauntise Wright her final sememster of elgibility. Jeff Walz did all he could but they can be real bastards up there at the four letter institution. She is expected to remain on the bench for support and is on course to get her degree.

Before you get up and pour a drink over this one...sit back down and get ready for another body punch. Freshmen guard Nikki Burton will be out the next three weeks with a hip injury. Rehab for the supposed strain hasn't got it done and a MRI revealed an injury. Minimum of three weeks rest. OK, now go pour a double.

This is slowly becoming the season from hell for the Lady Cards.

Thank you, Chauntise for all the wonderful memories and hours of hard work you've put into the program. Just won't seem the same for me without the "big battleship" cruising down the court on her way to an easy two or shot rejection. You'll always be one of my favorites, Tise...because of the battles you won on and off the court.

Get well Nikki. Maybe we should replace the national anthem before the games with the theme song from "MASH".