| 1996 | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | January | February |
03/27/97 - I talked to Coeur d'Alene Sports Editor Howie Stallwick Wednesday. He said Detrick White really looked good during the NJCAA National Championship Tournament, as did power forward Oral Roberts. He didn't get to see Detrick much, but what he saw impressed him. Oral, according to Howie, will make a very solid forward in Division-I. According to Howie, Todd Myles hurt his finger in the first game and was bothered by it throughout the tournament, although he still played very well.
03/26/97 - Miss State received a commitment from the outstanding 2-guard Marckell Patterson. According to my sources, he very well may, with added strength, play the three position. This player is a coach's son who is a very talented individual who we were very lucky to get a commitment from. He chose Miss State over Minnesota. He also received great interest from Alabama, Miss Valley State, Southern Miss, Ole Miss, McNeese State, Miami, and Penn State. He is qualified. Sources: The Clarion-Ledger and others.
03/26/97 - I went to the 19th Annual Babe MaCarthy Tip-Off Club Awards Banquet Tuesday night. As usual, everyone had a great time. Before I get to the indidual player awards, I want to mention many of the people that helped Coach Richard Williams make our basketball progam one of the elite in the country:
Associate Head Coach: Rick Stansbury - The best recruiter in the country.
Assistant Coaches: Greg Carter, Owen Miller - Two outstanding coaches we are extremely lucky to have on our team.
Student Assistant: Darryl Wilson - An up and coming assistant coach. My wife's favorite player.
Assistant Athletic Trainer: Jay Logan - One of the best in the business.
Strength Coach: Richard Akins - The best strength coach in the SEC.
Managers: Casey Dye, Jamie Ewing, Ryan Irving, Randy McClellan, Bubba Shaw, Jon Simmons - Richard Williams personally said MSU was lucky to have such a great group of managers.
The Announcer: Jack Cristel - Need I say more.
Assistant SID: David Rosinki - Simply the best, according to Richard.
Basketball Secretary: Toni Black - With the basketball office in her hands, Richard is allowed to do what he does best, coach basketball.
Assistant Academic Counselor: Linda Buehler - As Richard said at the banquet, she is a parent away from home for our basketball players and all of their parents can be secure in the knowledge that she is at MSU watching over their sons.
BTW, did any of you know that Miss State trails only Vanderbilt as the team with the most All-SEC All-Academic team members this decade. We have had 19 to Vanderbilt's 24. One other thing I bet you didn't know: When you combine the All-SEC All-Academic and All-SEC team members of this decade, Miss State only trails Vanderbilt, which had 36 to our 24. I would have to say Miss State Head Coach Richard Williams and his support staff are doing an outstanding job helping our players be the best they can be. Congrats to our great basketball staff and players. You are making us proud. Isn't it great to be a Bulldog?
Now on to the individual awards:
Babe McCarthy Memorial Award: McKie Edmonson
Robert Woodward Hustle Award: Whit Hughes
Assists Award: Trey Moore
Bailey Howell Rebounding Award: Tyrone Washington
Best Free Throw Percentage Award: Bart Hyche
Most Improved Player Award: Trey Moore
Best Defensive Player Award: Tyrone Washington
Best Offensive Player Award: Horatio Webster
Academic Award: McKie Edmonson(3.95 in Accounting)
03/26/97 - Some of you may have heard that there was a fight between Derrick Jones and Quentin Smith recently. At the banquet, Coach Williams confirmed there was, but here is the rest of the story: They were playing basketball at the time, and in the heat of the competition, they had a little scuffle with no damage done. When I was their age even I, ever once in a while, had a fight with my best friend, and he and I are still best friends. If you read or hear anything about this fight in the news, remember, you already have read the facts on my page.
03/26/97 - I stand corrected about Todd Myles: He, according to a couple of sources of mine, had a great NJCAA Tournament. He did not score many points, but he did what a true point guard is supposed to do, he made the players around him better. He got the ball in the hands of the right players and played great defense.
03/21/97 - There is a rumor going around that if Tyrus Boswell does not qualify he will enroll at UAB as a partial qualifier. As far as I know, there is no truth to this rumor. From all that I have heard from my contacts, NO ONE believes Tyrus will go anywhere but Miss State, unless, of course, he does not qualify, then he will be placed at a JUCO and re-sign with Miss State in two years.
3/20/97 - Here are Tyrus Boswell's final season stats: 24.7 ppg and 13.0 rpg. Sorry, no info on how close he is to qualifying.
03/19/97 - Here's some interesting news about a possible Miss State recruit. According to Keith Easterwood, of WHBQ radio in Memphis, Miss State has a Juco power forward leaning their way. His name is Oral Roberts, no relation to that Oral Roberts. Oral, who is 6-7, 235, is considered one of the top 7 power forwards in the Juco ranks. An ironic twist to this news is his team, Bossier Parish CC, plays Todd Myles' team today in the Juco National Championship Tournament. I hope to get a report from Howie Stallwick about that game. Easterwood also said he expects Miss State to be one of the preseason favorites to win the SEC next year. Smart man!
03/17/97 - Miss State signee Tryus Boswell made The Birmingham News First Team 6A All-State Team.
03/17/97 - I know I said I wouldn't talk about it any more, but I received an email from someone who knows Tyrone Washington personally and Tyrone told him that he is a Bulldog now and forever. There is no Oklahoma in his future, unless, we play them in the NCAA next year. Also, Horatio Webster will not be going pro and will be back next year.
03/16/97 - Does this sound like someone who is about to transfer to Oklahoma? Tyrone Washington was seen at the Lanier - Provine high school championship game in full MSU basketball gear -- t-shirt and sweats. Sounds more like he is very proud to be a Miss State Bulldogs, doesn't it? This the last I will post about the bogus Oklahoma rumor. (To the person who emailed this to me, thanks. For some reason, I couldn't get my email through to you.)
03/16/97 - Just thought you guys would like to know, Gene's Page is now being viewed by some fine MSU folks in China. It was already being viewed by MSU fans in Qtar and Indonesia. At least now, if we are recuiting any players in these three countries, I will have some contacts. (:
03/15/97 - Here's what Kevin Henderson says about the one and only Marckell Patterson: He is now known nationally. He has scored 52 plus at least four times this season with a team that has less than average talent. The last game I witnessed Marckell perform in was against the super sophomore Dennis Isom, 6-5 195, of Byhalia. Marckell was unstoppable, going for 58 pts. in a heartbreaking loss to Byhalia, their district rival. Marckell, at one point, had made six consecutive long range three pointers while being picked up at half court and double teamed. Marckell also played center against a bigger, more athletic Byhalia squad. In case you are wondering about Dennis Isom, he had 27 pts. and 9 rebounds before fouling out trying to stop Marckell.
03/14/97 - There is a rumor being spread by the Oklahoma Sooners that Tyrone Washington wants to become a Sooner. As far as I know, Tyrone has no intentions of transferring to OK. If you have your doubts, go back to what he said after the SEC Tournament loss to Vanderbilt. Does that sound like a guy about to transfer? This sounds like wishful thinking by some Oklahoma fans. To the person that emailed this info to me, I tried to email you back, but it wouldn't go through. Thanks for the info.
03/14/97 - I saw an article about the top 11 junior college basketball players in the country in the latest issue of Slam magazine. Miss State recruit Detrick White was included among the elite 11. Here are a few of their comments about Detrick: He has a great vertical leap and lightning quick hands. He also set a national junior college tournament record last year with 40 assists in 4 games. It's no wonder he did this during the tournament, since he also averaged 10 assists a game during the regular sesaon, according to Slam. He was moved to point guard this year after playing the two guard postion last year. Another thing they mentioned about him was that he was an All-State QB in football in his high school days. Did any of you know that? I sure didn't.
If you like basketball, this publication is an outstanding source. I'm sure you can find it at any bookstore.
03/13/97 - Here's the latest from the greatest, Kevin Henderson. According to Kevin, Marckell Patterson still has Miss State as the leader, but Minnesota has moved into the second spot, with Maryland, Clemson and Ole Miss hoping. Kevin did say Ole Miss is making up ground very fast. Even though Miss State is the leader, they are no longer as solid as they once appeared to be.
I asked Kevin how serious Miss State was about Atlanta center Jabari Smith and another center from the Juco ranks, a guy from Nigeria (not sure of his name but Kevin knew who I was talking about). He told me State is not recruiting either player hard at the moment.
03/12/97 - Bob Gibbons All-Star Sports Report is now reporting what Kevin Henderson, of MISSISSIPPI HOOPS, has known all along, Detrick White, the top JUCO point guard in the United States, will be signing with Miss State.
03/12/97 - According to Kevin Henderson, former Miss State signee Shannon Long is averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds per game at Conners State CC. Kevin expects him to be very highly recruited next year. As most of you know, Shannon was signed by Miss State last year but was not eligible.
03/11/97 - This item received very little attention in the Mississippi press, but it will here. According to a source of mine, Tyrone Washington told all in attendance at the Vanderbilt post-game press conference the Bulldogs would be back next year and he guaranteed it. He told all of the reporters to get their pen and paper and write this down. He said he hates the feeling he has right now and this would never happen again. He said Miss State will be back next year and they WILL make some noise. He told them to write it down, remember it, and remember Tyrone said it. Remember guys, this was the post game press conference with Richard and Bart at a table in front of the entire press. Tyrone had just been asked about the disappointment of the Vanderbilt loss and the season in general and he decided to take it upon himself to speak his mind. He did not crack a smile and he was not speaking softly. At first Richard didn't know what to think, but he then just sat back and listened--with admiration on his face. Folks, it appears Tyrone has decided to take more of a leadership role for next year. I sure hope he backs up his statement. If I was a betting man, I would definitely put my money on Mr. Washington.
Here's a little info on a player that will help Tyrone back up his words.
03/11/97 - The creme rises to the top, ala Dontae' Jones: Mr. Todd Myles, a Miss State signee that I have been bragging about all season has proven me right. In the Junior College Region 18 Tournament he was voted MVP. Here are his 3-game stats:
Game 1 - 16 points (3-5 three point range), 10 assists, 1 steal, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnover
Game 2 - 19 points (2-3 three point range), 7 assists, 2 steals, 4 rebounds, 2 turnovers
Game 3 - 11 points, 11 assists, 1 steal, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers
His 3-game averages were 15.3 ppg, 9.3 assists per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 1.7 turnovers per game. Remember guys, this was against some of the best teams in junior college basketball. If, as Tyrone said, the Bulldogs will be back next year, then this guy is sure going to help him back up his statement. Thanks to Howie Stalwick of the Coeur d'Alene Press for all of this great info.
Todd is not through, my friends. He still gets to impress more people in the national tournament. I'll keep you up-to-date via Howie Stalwick, Sports Editor of the Coeur d'Alene Press.
03/07/97 - Miss State's basketball season ended Thursday with a SEC first round loss to Vanderbilt. The season wasn't what most of us had expected, but based on the players that will be coming in next year and the players that will be coming back, expect Miss State to, once again, be in the thick of the Western Division race. Cheer up fellow Bulldogs, 1997-1998 is going to be the year of the Bulldogs, in ALL sports.
03/06/97 - In case any of you are wondering where former Lanier HS star Shannon Long is playing this year, he is at Conners State CC. Yes, the same place where soon to be Miss State signee Detrick White is playing. Look for Miss State to recruit him again next year.
03/04/97 - Here's some info I was emailed Monday. Prep Stars Recruiter's Handbook rates Indianola Gentry's Cedric Webb the 9th best junior in the country. He does have potential, but due to academics and discipline problems, he did not play this year. We'll have to wait and see if he makes the necessary changes and reaches his potential next year.
03/01/97 - Here's the latest Todd Myles info via Howie Stallwick, of the Coeur d'Alene Press:
North Idaho College is 24-3 and ranked 13th nationally.
03/01/97 - Here is an eyewitness account of the Lanier-Clinton game:
"(Tang) Hamilton was everything I expected and MORE!!! Tang had somewhere between 15 and 20 points (16 points). He was simply amazing. I will be surprised if he doesn't start next year. He definitely must get stronger though. I thought he had exceptional ball handling skills and can play the 2-guard spot. However, he will not be able to guard the opposing team's 2-guard. IMO, we must have someone at the 3 position who can score--create a basket as well as hit the trey from a set shot. Tang will be able to do both.
"Ontario (Harper) was interesting to watch. For most of the game he wasn't flashy, but he showed he has major star potential. On one particular play, he stole the ball and when he reached the arch (close to the sideline), he accelerated like no other player I have ever seen--even NBA. BTW, he finished the play by dunking over Tang. His penetration allowed him to get to the charity stripe a lot. If he can improve his ball-handling, he will be a superstar. Our coaching staff MUST do everything they can to get Ontario."