Team Po Po Update
May was an extremely busy month for Team Po Po. The team participated in 3 tournaments with two being out of town events.
The first weekend in May, The team traveled to St. Louis for the USJN Gateway Challenge. You can read recap here.
The following week the team was in Memphis for the Rage on the River. Several players had break out games. Athletic scorer, Brenda Fields, had her highest point total thus far in the season with 15 points against Oklahoma Magic. Sydney Malone was all over the place getting rebounding, steals, and penetrating by players for a total of 11 points against Alabama Navigators. During an overtime thriller with the, Memphis Lady Bobcats Select, all around guard, Jasmine Suggs, lead the team in scoring with 13 points.
During the team’s off week from competition, three players, Destiny Henderson, Ari-Zhane Lynch and Jasmine Suggs, volunteered as hostesses for the Memphis Beat the Odds Foundation awards banquet.
During Memorial Day weekend, the team traveled to the Nashville area, to take part in the Adidas Memorial event. This was the first time back on the court for Rachelle Parks since injuring her knee in November. Rachelle displayed that she still has the skills to clear out for rebounds, range to shoot threes, and aggressive strength and mindset to play at a high level. Foul trouble was the only thing that could keep high energy, Deja Faulkner, from scoring. She lead the team with 16 points despite sitting out for a majority of the game against St. Louis Team Adidas. Destiny Henderson had her best scoring efforts of the season with 10 points. Aliyah Herod has missed several events due to track. However, she showed up in a big way during the battle against the MS Glory. She scored 9 points along with being 5 of 6 from the free throw line during a come from behind victory.
Team Po Po competes in 2013 USJN Gateway Challenge
Team Po Po traveled to St. Louis, MO to participate in the 2013 USJN Gateway Challenge. This was a new event for Team Po Po to participate in. It provided the players with an opportunity to play in front of DII, DIII, NAIA, Junior College coaches and scouts.
Although the team went 1-3 playing up in the 17U bracket, several players did take advantage of playing in the event. Deja Faulkner was named to the All Star team. She averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds with a game high of 20 points in the team’s finale.
Jasmine Suggs averaged 14 points in 3 games before heading back to Memphis a day early for a school related activity. Chrishona Reddix had a team high of 16 points in the team victory.
Inside Team Po Po 2013 Practice
Every Team Po Po practice has a team huddle were the coaches go over announcements and a Motivational Quote-of-the-Day.
Team Po Po practices are fast and intense. Practices include fundamental skills, guard/post players breakout sessions, fast paced full court drills and game situation sessions.
Team Po Po competes in 2013 Peach State Basketball Tip Off Classic
Team Po Po traveled to Suwanee, GA for the 2013 Spring Evaluation Period for the 2nd straight year. Although the team finished in 7th place with a 1-3 record, the event served as a coming out party for two newcomers to the program.
Although only 5’7, Chrishona Reddix (2016) showed that she can hang with the big men. She is extremely quick and enormously strong. She lead the team in scoring during the first bracket game versus the TN Flight Alabama with 10 points.
As the tournament went on, it was evident that Mirrakohl Johnson (2015) was becoming more comfortable. Her first game she did not score. Game 2: 4points, 4 rebounds. Game 3: 5 points. Game 4: 16 points 10 rebounds. Johnson is a 5’10 post player that runs the floor, battles in the post for loose balls and rebounds.
Returning vocal leader, Jasmine Suggs (2015) is getting her rhythm back. She has struggled with scoring early this season. However, things are getting back to normal for her. She lead the team in scoring in Game 1 with 12 points and in Game 4 had 13 points and 5 rebounds. Suggs rotates from guard to post for the squad. She is strong, fast and an aggressive defender.
2013 Team Po Po Roster
Congratulations to the following young ladies for making the 2013 Team Po Po Roster:
Mary Collins
Ciara Douglas
Deja Faulkner
Brenda Fields
Destiny Henderson
Aliyah Herod
Deja Jiles
Mirrakohl Johnson
Ari-Zhane Lynch
Sydney Malone
Rachelle Parks
Alexis Payne
Jordan Richardson
Chrishona Reddix
Jasmine Suggs
See you on Thursday, March 7 at Temple of Deliverance Church Christian Life Center 369 G.E. Patterson AVE. Memphis, TN 38126 at 6pm for Player/Parent meeting. Team practice will follow meeting until 8pm.
Coach Po