Memphis Sport Mar/Apr 2009 by Mike Bullard

47 | Memphis Sport

CONTENTS Mar/Apr 2009 Vol 3 Num 5

17 High School Rankings

28 Anderson/Dozier

PUBLISHER’S NOTE 2 NOTHIN’ BUT NET 5

GREAT DEBATE 10 ALL-STARS 12

FOODFORUM 38 HOT SHOTS 40

CHATTER 5 STARTING FIVE 6

TEAM WORK 14 MEMPHIS MADE 34

TAILGATING 43 JACK’S BACK 44

BRING IT ON 8

GYM CLASS 37

PUBLISHER’S NOTE The obligatory rant.

State Championship photo by Mike Strasinger/TNSportpix

We are listening As publisher of Memphis Sport magazine, one thing is a constant. People always tell me what we should be writing about. If we publish a story about Joey Dorsey, they tell me, “You should have done that with Derrick Rose.” If we publish a story on Marc Gasol, then it’s, “I can’t believe you didn’t do a story on O.J. Mayo.” We can’t win. Over the course of the past three years, three things have been constantly asked for, over and over again. More than any other subjects, these three things have sparked more interest and more questions as to why we don’t cover them more. Three things: Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier, and high school athletics. So, I think this time we did it right. We sat down with Anderson and Dozier for their first interview with Memphis Sport. A great read and a great pair of guys. Don’t miss that one. If you couldn’t tell we are excited about it, check out the back cover. This is one cover that we couldn’t contain on just one page.

MeMphis University school MUS is a college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. Financial aid is available to all qualified students.

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Science Camps Sports Camps Summer School New Academic Adventures For more information on all summer programs, visit our Web site at www.musowls.org or call (901) 260-1300.

2 | Memphis Sport

We also put together the largest high school feature we have ever published. Our High School Rankings feature is more than just a listing of area high schools recent successes. It is a barometer for which high schools take great athletes and push them to be greater. It tells us which schools really take the time and effort to be great in prep athletics. We worked feverishly to come up with a scoring system that is fair and balanced throughout all sports. The results are in this very issue. So, hopefully we have fullfilled all these requests we have been getting for so long. But I am sure there are others. So, keep them coming. Let us know what it is that you want to see. This issue is proof that we listen to you. – Mike Bullard, publisher

Publishers Mike Bullard 901.229.4749 mike@memphissport.net Kim Bullard kim@memphissport.net Managing Editor Kevin Cerrito kevin@memphissport.net Contributing Writers Robert Biggs Jack Eaton Jan Michael Hartelust Andre Johnson Emily Joyner

Once a Lady Tiger, Always a Lady Tiger. Come home to a weekend full of memories as all Lady Tigers unite once again as friends and teammates. The pride, unity and history experienced by Lady Tigers from every sport and every decade will be celebrated with two days of fun and excitement. Don’t miss it!

April 3 and 4 Contact Lori Shumper for more information

at 901-678-1610 or lshmpert@memphis.edu

Life Needs Balance.

Contributing Photographers Sharon Bicks Chase Gustafson Graphic Design

Gymnastics is a part of our human

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nature. Gymnastics clubs are a safe, fun place to build a healthy foundation for life. Want your child to learn fitness, confidence and self-esteem? Join a club. Visit

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4 | Memphis Sport

NOTHIN’ BUT NET

Highlights from the regular features at www.memphissport.net.

RiverKings Things – From “Burgers and

Jack’s Rhymes

Bad Refs” posted by Chris Schmied:

Who in their right mind would want to eat a seven pound hamburger? Now in all fairness, I’m sure the Kooky Canuck does a mean job making burgers. My husband works in Memphis and loves eating there. He’s never tackled the Kookamunga, but he really digs their four cheese burger. I might get around to heading up there sometime soon to try out their veggie burger. And I confess, as a vegetarian, the thought of seven pounds of ground beef makes me queasy. But even if you offered me seven pounds of Ben & Jerry’s, I’d have to pass it up. There is not enough Pepto Bismol in the county to make that worth it.

The Starr Treatment – From “I’m in Pain” posted by Dustin Starr:

I don’t think I’m old. I’m only twenty-six years old. But after I wrestle, I seem to be very sore the next day. Sometimes, like today, it’s pretty excruciating. Keep in mind–I have been wrestling since I was fifteen years old. So, maybe the years of pounding and bumping are finally starting to take its toll.

– The poem “Another Day–Another Coach” by Jack Eaton: I wonder how many guys will take this approach They’ll go to the Forum to see Lionel Hollins coach. My guess would be, and it’s just a hunch It will be somewhat less that a full up bunch. Will the team play better, that could be But it’s a lot more likely-so it seems to me; It’ll be the same old Grizzlies who cast a spell But are out-shot, out-rebounded and out-hustled as well. So what have we done-as far as I can see Traded a coach who was fired for one who will be. I feel sorry for Iavaroni because at first glance He never really had a ghost of a chance.

Read the latest M reports, browse issue archives, listen to The Memphis Sport Live Radio Program, and much more at memphissport.net.

CHATTER

Real letters (or emails) from real people.

Forever Jack

Prep Me For More...

I just ordered Jack’s book. Loved every bit of it. I remember Jack growing up, but my mom remembers more. How old is Jack, anyway? It seems like he has been around forever. - Madge M.

I am a big fan of all things sports in Memphis. I really love watching high school sports, mainly basketball and football. I would really like to see more coverage of high school athletics. What are the odds? - Peter B.

PUBLISHER: Couldn’t be happier that you enjoyed the book. It was a pleasure from start to finish. And speaking of Jack’s age–he will be turning 80 mid-March. We are having a special birthday/booksigning party for him at Davis-Kidd on Thursday, March 19th at 6:00 PM. I will expect to see you there.

PUBLISHER: I’d say that the odds are pretty good. Take a look over at page 17 of this very issue and you

will see the biggest high school feature we have ever put together. It’s been a year in the making, but we finally got it done. The High School Rankings is something we devised to find out just which school’s really make athletics a priority. And that’s not all, look for more preps coverage year-round from now on. What do you think? Do you love Memphis Sport or hate it? Send me an email at mike@memphissport.net and let me know what is on your mind.

www.memphissport.net | 5

STARTING FIVE Five lists of five.

In his eighth season with the RiverKings, the Thunder Bay, Ontario native is the team’s longest tenured player.

FIVE songs we would pick to play during pregame warm-ups at a Grizzlies game 1. “Million Dollar Boots,” Lord T and Eloise featuring Al Kapone 2. “Riverside Drive,” Tora Tora 3. “Pretty Little Adriana,” Vince Gill

FIVE questions with...

Derek Landmesser 1

How has everyone adjusted to playing for Coach “Killer” Kaminski? He is just a good coach to play for. He put a great team together in the offseason and brought in good players during the season. He has a great attitude and is a real family guy. He does a lot of team building things too.

What are some of Killer’s team building techniques?

We have gone to his house for dinner a couple of times. We went paintballing one day, and had a pool tournament another day. The team has been doing things that bring guys together off the ice. It makes the team better. It helps build relationships with the other players away from the rink. We haven’t really done anything like that since I’ve been here.

The CHL is considering a rule that would require players to keep

their helmets on during fights. Do you think that is a good idea? It would be tough. I’ve talked with our fighters about it, and I think you would see a lot more broken hands and injuries like that. Having to fight with helmets on could cause more injuries.

4. “Theme from ‘Greatest American Hero’ (Believe It or Not),” Joey Scarbury 5. “Dixieland Delight,” Alabama

FIVE ways the Grizzlies can make a little extra money without affecting basketball operations

How are your Jr. StreetKings street hockey programs going?

We have spring and fall leagues, and run a summer camp. It is a program that has been going for a few years now in Hernando, MS. We have a lot of good volunteers. Players and coaches from the RiverKings come out and help.

Are you excited that this year’s Mid-South Fair is going to be at the Home of the RiverKings (the Desoto Civic Center)? I think it is going be nice. I’ve got three kids. It is always fun for the wife and I to bring them to the fair.

1. Sell Salary Cap jerseys (or Salary Cap caps) 2. Change the name of FedExForum to First Tennessee’s FedExAutozone Forum 3. Adriana Lima Night 4. Turn off the building’s lights during halftime 5. Play the Tigers

6 | Memphis Sport

FIVE people R.C. Johnson should personally invite to the Tigers games as his guest, instead of always inviting Priscilla Presley

At certain times in their lives, girls and boys benefit more from single gender learning. At others, they benefit by interacting coeducationally. In a true family environment we uniquely provide both, so that every student can climb higher academically, athletically, artistically and spiritually than he or she ever thought possible. As a Catholic independent school with a tradition that spans over 150 years, this has always been our focus, and will always be our promise.

1. John Daly 2. The CEO of RC Cola 3. Adriana Lima 4. Andy Wise

St. Agnes Academy St. Dominic School Learning individually. Developing together.

5. Lisa Marie Presley 4830 Walnut Grove Road • Memphis, TN • 901- 435-5819 • www.saa-sds.org • St. Agnes - PK-12 • St. Dominic - PK-8

“My girlfriend said if I leave once more to play basketball with the guys - she’s leaving me...”

“...God, I’m going to miss her.”

FIVE other Memphis streaks almost as impressive as the U of M’s run through C-USA 1. Grizzlies longest winning streak, 8 games 2. Grizzlies longest losing streak, 23 games 4. Adriana Lima as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, 2000-present 3. George Lapides on the radio for nearly a century 5. Ronnie Lee Jorgenson and the Alabama football team streaking at halftime of the 22nd Liberty Bowl

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GUYS WIN! www.memphissport.net | 7

r e g n i G BRING IT ON

A simple formula - one cheerleader, questions and answers.

How long have you been a cart girl? 5 years.

What exactly does a Golf Cart Girl do? It is very hard (laughing). You stock a beverage cart everyday when you get there, you take a lot of inventory, then you ride around to each hole and you ask the golfers what they want. They ask for drinks, food, cigars…

Who is the most famous person you’ve encountered at Tunica National? Anfernee Hardaway.

What is the fastest you have gone in the cart? Not fast. They go very slow.

Have you ever wrecked the golf cart? No.

In your opinion, what is the quickest way to get from Memphis to Tunica? 61.

What is the best place to eat in Tunica that is not a casino buffet? The Chicago Steakhouse at Gold Strike…or is that still considered a casino buffet? If so, I’d say Murphy’s

8 | Memphis Sport

Tunica National Golf Cart Girl by KEVIN CERRITO Grill at Tunica National. In the spring and summer, I eat dinner at Tunica National several times a week.

What is your favorite thing about Tunica National? The peopleâ&#x20AC;Śand the sunset.

What is the most challenging hole at the course? I believe it is 16.

What is the best tip you have ever got? $1,000.

What SPF do you wear when out on the course? 15.

Favorite TV show? Gossip girl.

Favorite golf movie? Tin cup.

Tiger Woods or the Memphis Tigers? John Daly.

Golf Channel or Style channel? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a trick! Um... Golf Channel.

www.memphissport.net | 9

GREAT DEBATE Someone must be wrong.

Should Grizzlies fans be OK with the

THRee YeaRr PLAN Jan Michael: At this point, Grizzlies fans SHOULD NOT be okay with the three-year-plan. Look, this team is near the bottom of the league in wins and attendance. You have to win to put fans in the stands. Chris Wallace has to hit a home run in the draft because they can’t bring in big time free agents. Unfortunately, O.J. Mayo seems to be the only one they’ve hit out of the park. Kevin: In concept, fans SHOULD be okay with the three-year-plan. The team cannot afford to be stuck in a situation similar to where they were in when Jerry West was running the show. O.J. Mayo is the star of the future and the front office has to make wise decisions to create a winning group of players to play with and around their star. Right now, the team is a long way away from making the NBA Finals. What do you want them to do? Make some trades, so they can get back in the playoffs and be swept out?

It does take patience and luck ... and good players. Unless this team shows some progress, no big time free agents are going to sign here. Sooner or later, draft picks and cash considerations have to manifest themselves into wins. At this pace, I don’t think that will happen in three years.

There’s one thing we can agree on– Marco Jaric’s wife would certainly sell more tickets than he would.

I definitely don’t want them to do that. I’m saying that the only way to get to the playoffs and be successful is if there is a coach in place who can implement the proper system. And the only way that will work is if he has the right players. Obviously, Mark Iavaroni wasn’t the answer and at this point, I don’t think anyone is sold on Lionel Hollins either. We are not debating Hollins. We both agree he was the most uninspiring hire in franchise history. It would have only been a little more expensive and a hundred times more exciting to hire Bill Laimbeer, Mark Jackson, or any other assistant in the league. I just think Memphis fans need to understand the difference between college basketball and

10 | Memphis Sport

the NBA. You can’t build a contending team over night in the NBA. Memphis sports fans need to accept that. It takes patience, luck, and smart long-term decision making to build a contending franchise in the NBA.

Maybe it is the Grizzlies fault for not explaining the situation and the three-year-plan properly. The marketing of the plan is part of the problem. If you go to the games, you will see that the team may be terrible, but Mayo is fun to watch. The team’s entire advertising campaign should focus on O.J .Mayo. Instead, benchwarmers and role players get their turn to shine in the ads. Who is going to see an advertisement with Marco Jaric in it and say, “Let’s go to the Forum”? Maybe if it is his wife (Adriana Lima) in the ad, but not him. There’s one thing we can agree on- Marco Jaric’s wife would certainly sell more tickets than he would. And Mayo should definitely be the focal point of the ads. I would imagine LeBron James takes up the vast majority of ads for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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e n n a RO C K ! s Lau

Featuring Kevin Cerrito and Jan Michael Hartelust, hosts of Memphis Sport Live, Saturdays on Sports 56 WHBQ and online at memphissport.net.

Here’s an idea- Put a countdown clock on Grizzlies.com counting down the days until we reach the end of the three-year-plan.

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I’m not sure how much the clock will help, though it is a cool idea and at least something to give people a little hope. There are positive signs for this team. Mayo is going to be a star and Conley is playing much better. And you’re right, Mayo is fun to watch, and the team is sometimes too. Here’s another idea- If the Grizzlies want to get lucky in the draft lottery, stop having the official watch party at the same unlucky location every year… Yea, Grizzlies fans should hope to get the number one pick this year. I think Blake Griffin could give them something they’ve never had before an athletic post player who can score, defend and rebound. He would definitely be much better than the only No. 1 overall pick to ever wear a Grizzlies uniform.... Kwame Brown. Yikes. At least the Grizzlies didn’t draft Kwame.

www.memphissport.net | 11

by JAN MICHAEL HARTELUST

A senior bowler for Saint Benedict at Auburndale, Shelby Plass helped her team complete its third consecutive undefeated season en route to a remarkable fifth straight TSSAA State Championship. Shelby, who is a fouryear letterman, and her fellow seniors finished their careers with a 67-2 record. She was also the 2009 TSSAA Miss Bowler of the Year runner-up. She plans to attend either Christian Brothers University or Rhodes College. Andrew Madsen, who won his first tournament at the age of six, helped guide his Christian Brothers High School bowling team to win the state championship this season. The senior bowler also finished third individually at the tournament. The team captain holds an individual record of 35-3 and has been named to the Commercial Appealâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best of Preps the last three years.

12 | Memphis Sport

ALL-stars

The very best of prep athletics.

Erica Ousley–her friends call her E-lo–has been named Commercial Appeal Player of the Week twice this season for her Fairly High School basketball team. She is averaging 23 points a game, including a 42-point outburst as well as putting up 38 points twice. Though she has not yet decided where she will attend college, Fairly head coach Dexter Bryant believes E-lo is Shelby Metro’s top junior prospect. Amanda Martin, who is a senior for Evangelical Christian School’s girls golf team, has competed in the Optimist Tennessee State Championships four times – winning in 2006 – as well as finishing as high as seventh in the TSSAA State High School Championships. She has signed on to play her collegiate golf at Lee University in Cleveland, TN, where Coach John Maupin expects her to compete and make an impact as a freshman.

St. George’s Independent School is proud to be recognized by

Memphis Sport Magazine

for our outstanding athletic program! Football 2007

State Champions

Boys Golf 2007

Girls Soccer 2007

Boys Golf 2008

Boys Soccer 2008

Campuses are located in Collierville, Germantown, and Memphis. Visit www.sgis.org for admission information.

If you are in high school athletics and have an achievement worth noting or know someone who does, email your accomplishments along with a photo to allstars@memphissport.net, and you just may see your face here in an upcoming issue.

www.memphissport.net | 13

Team WORK There is no ‘I’ in team.

Truck of a Different Color by JAN MICHAEL HARTELUST

What’s the first thing that generally pops into people’s heads when they think of a fire truck. Fire? Duh. Emergency? Naturally. Red? OK. All of those would be pretty common responses. Maybe even the top three on Family Feud. But what about blue? Or more specifically, Tiger blue? Ed Henderson would love for that to be the first thing that pops into every Memphians head. Henderson, who is a lifelong Tiger fan and a member of the Highland Hundred’s Board of Directors, organized the creation of the Tiger Fire Truck and its parent, Tiger Blue Fire Crew, LLC. Henderson had always wanted to restore an old fire truck, paint it Tiger blue and use it for parades and tailgating. He shared that desire with former University of Memphis defensive back Rick Kale and they formulated a plan that has evolved into another symbol, much like Tom III and Pouncer, for Tiger fans. “People just go nuts when they see it,” Henderson says. “That’s the gratifying thing about it.” The truck, a 1965 International Harvester Pumper, was acquired from Bobby Wharton of B & G Diesel of Memphis and Pro Fire Suppliers of Olive Branch, MS. Henderson and Wharton are just a small part of a huge team effort that turned the Tiger Fire Truck into a reality. Kale’s company, Total Transportation of Mississippi, offered storage space while one of his employees, Jerry Logan, performed volunteer work necessary for getting the truck operational. The Tiger blue paint job is courtesy of Econo Auto Painting.

14 | Memphis Sport

Henderson even received help from parents of Tiger football players like Phillip Belilse and Ryan Williams. There was also support from other local businesses including Leonard’s BBQ, Chick-Fil-A, Miller Lite Brewing Company and Central BBQ. With all of the support and work put in on his idea, Henderson has made sure Tiger fans can see the payoff as often as possible. “It’s been in the Germantown, Collierville and Bartlett Christmas parades as well as homecoming parades,” Henderson says. He has also taken the Tiger Fire Truck to baseball games and to possibly the biggest Tiger game this city has ever seen – last season’s epic showdown between the Tigers and Vols at FedExForum.

During football season, the Tiger Fire Truck is parked in the Highland Hundred tailgate area for every home game. Right now, the truck stays parked outside of a local business, but Henderson has another grand idea about a future resting place.

FOOD, FUN & FRIENDS

“I want to build a glass garage somewhere near campus and have it lit up at night,” Henderson says. That dream will have to wait for now, but for Henderson, there is really only one wish he would like to see come true. “I wish all these people who live in the city and are fans of other teams would let Memphis be their second team, or their home team,” Henderson says. “Not only is it good for the university, but it’s good for the city, too.”

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www.memphissport.net | 15

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16 | Memphis Sport

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

SCORE 156

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

HARDING ACADEMY OF MEMPHIS SCORE 140

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

77.5

62.5

ST. GEORGE’S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SCORE 123.5

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

53.5

HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL SCORE 117

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

ST. BENEDICT AT AUBURNDALE SCORE 97.5

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

97.5

N/A

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL SCORE 92.5

photo

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

92.5

N/A

courte

sy HA

RDIN

G AC

ADE

MEMPHIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL SCORE 78.5

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

43.5

LAUSANNE COLLEGIATE ACADEMY SCORE 68

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

WHITE STATION HIGH SCHOOL

18 | Memphis Sport

photo cour

tesy HARD

ING ACAD

EMY

harding academ

About the only thin g that Kevin Starks could do was absorb ever y single moment of what wa s unfolding before his eyes. It is no Academy athletic di secret that the Harding rector and boys bask etb has strong ties and a deep sense of admira all coach tion for the Christian-driven pr ivate school that ha s essentially aided him to becom e an never in his twenty-p established citizen. But lus-year affiliation wi th the school did Starks fat hom his high schoo l alma mater being cast in the national spotlig ht. And so it came to pa ss, as thousands thro ughout the Mid-South watch ed and waited in gr eat anticipation as foot ball sat before a jam pack phenom Marlon Brown ed television audience, gymnasium and national mulling over where he would be playing co llege football this fal The University of G l. eorgia, as it turned capturing the Brow out, beat out Tenness n sweepstakes. But ee in the way Starks sees highlight of Nation it, that wasn’t the on al Signing Day. ly “I can not, with wo rds, describe how m emorable that day wa looked out at the stu s,” Starks says. “I de sitting there watchin nt body and they were incredible. And then later, I’m g ESPN and they ha d set. They all were as ked to give their best three college football analysts on the pr Marlon Brown of H arding Academy. So ospect and they just happened to say th e exposure we got wa While many of the s unprecedented.” Harding faithful lab ele Signing Day announ d Brown’s much-an ticipated National cement as the defin the school’s athletic the hoopla surrounding the recent cerem ing moment in the school’s 40-year hi program has flourish story ony was clearly a micr ed in recent years. ocosm of just how m , Among the obvious uch reasons that Harding assumed the top spot in the state champion overall is that the Li sh ons either won or ap athletic director five ip in nearly ever y sport since Starks re turned to the schoo peared years ago. l and took over the reigns as Besides the Lions’ 36 -34 heartbreaking lo ss Harding has captur ed back-to -back volle to Nashville Davidson Academy in th e D2-A football title yball state champion girls soccer and baseb game, ship all Harding boys, meanw in 2008, and is currently defending its s in 2007 and 2008, claimed a state title state championship in hile, placed second in boys basketball. Th in the state in cross 2008). And the Lion country in back-to -b e s bowling team has ack advanced to D2-A sta “It’s one of those th te tournament for th seasons (2007 and ings where it’s special e past three seasons to me because this is going to ever be a re . where I grew up,” St gular school to me. It makes me proud ar ks work with ever yday say s. “H arding is not and it makes you ap to make this happen preciate the people .” who you EMY

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www.memphissport.net | 19

SCORE

65.5

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 20 | Memphis Sport

SCORE

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

36.5

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

SOUTHERN BAPTIST EDUCATIONAL CENTER BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

31.5

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

63.5 COLLIERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL SCORE

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

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GIRLS SCORE

36.5

59.5 EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SCORE

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

31.5

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

57.5 BARTLETT HIGH SCHOOL SCORE

49 SCORE

48 SCORE

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

38.5

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

10.5

BRIARCREST HIGH SCHOOL BOYS RANK

N/A

BOYS SCORE

N/A

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

ST. AGNES ACADEMY BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

27.5

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

43.5 CORDOVA HIGH SCHOOL SCORE

41.5

BOYS RANK

N/A

BOYS SCORE

N/A

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

41.5

HUTCHISON SCHOOL

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ol officials dent Scho ville n e p e d In Collier George’s When St. stablish a campus in urdles the e h decided to , among the biggest as developing w go six years a on wanted to clear nt body e ti d a u tr st is its vate admin lan to help e same level as its pri p f o rt so th n some o y thleticall compete a terparts. n u athletic school co cess of the e’s is c su t n e c the re Georg Judging by safe to say that St. is it , . m hedule progra tball ahead of sc time baske g n lo in somewhat g men’s ool brin emphis wo did the sch Not only er University of M to help elevate its rm ns g uru in fo ach Mar y Lou Joh yphons football o c eG basketball all program, but th ar removed from tb y e a sk than e -A state girls ba little more ing the Division 2 tles in a st ju is earn team te ti earned sta e table and running th ip. St. George’s also 08), finished D2-A 0 sh champion (2008), boys golf (2 7, not to mention r 0 e 2 c c in 0 and field boys so in football ball (2008), track p u re n n ft s in so state ru mpionship is. region cha girls and boys tenn des, as a d son accola letic a se (2008), an st o p d ’s ath s an f state title catapult St. George h school o w e sl e Th ig enough to nt ot in the h result, were the No. 2 overall sp thletic director Bre a ’s to e m rg o ra prog St. Ge a feat that rankings, student body. d year e in his thir rcrest. th w y o b n l, in il t pu rts,” says H l and Bria less hours ultiple spo cal Christian Schoo r y hard and to the tire m y ly la le p so o s h li it v nge ave e ids w Hill cred we have k er brief stints at Eva s. And No. 2, we h ” t a th is n sport reaso e’s aft aches. “ The main irector at St. Georg ve a kid playing two g hard with our co a athletic d in h c rk ti o to le e school’s al in terms s are w as ath eorge’s th id G t k u r t. o u S h o t g a ll u re te vit ro “It’s not ra coaches. You could coaches th s – that has proven d a e h f o y rt d committe the stabilit varsity spo d ill says, it is ear of competing in phy. H , e ls understan e g y hiloso ys. “ They ay, p fourth sa If nothin s s’ l e it il h c ly H a n ” , o o e ec yd in gs are don nged ever program – g students buy in th w how thin y are getting challe sa in d lp n e a h n e o e of th picked up r places. Th nts quickly gs are done at othe e d u st r u in “O the way th that this is and academically.” y athleticall

www.memphissport.net | 21

ST. benedict at auburndale When the TSSAA decided to acknowledge swimming and bowling as varsity sports years ago, it seemed St. Benedict at Auburndale’s athletic department embraced the concept. The private institution, which was established in 1966, has built a reputation for assembling competitive softball, football, baseball, and wrestling programs over the past decade or so. But today, there isn’t much debate that bowling has emerged as the premiere sport on the 1000-plus student campus. The Lady Eagles undoubtedly have established themselves as a dynasty among private school bowlers, recently capping off their third straight undefeated campaign with an unprecedented fifth consecutive state title. The streaking Lady Eagles rallied from a 9-7 deficit in the deciding game to defeat crosstown rival St. Agnes, 16-11, setting a state record (with 3,146 pins) in the process. St. Benedict’s latest state crown, as a result, helped earned the school’s athletic program the No. 4 overall ranking, a milestone SBA’s longtime sports information director Sharon Masterson attributes primarily to the school’s rapid enrollment growth. “We’ve grown quite a bit,” says Masterson, now in her 20th year as the school’s sports information director. “We’ve grown from 130 to 1000 (students). We started growing rapidly less than ten years after we had opened. “We need to credit a lot of the success to our parental involvement and their help in expanding our facilities.”

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL Now that the Walnut Grove road construction project is finished, Memphians can really get a glimpse of how dedicated Christian Brothers High School is about athletics. Over the past couple of years, the Christian-based private institution has renovated its historic baseball field and upgraded its dugout drainage system. Additionally, school officials replaced the grass surface in their football stadium with artificial turf three years ago, a trend that has become customary among high schools throughout the Mid-South. “That’s been a blessing for our athletic teams to practice,” says John Morris, CBHS’s Director of Communications. “When I came to CBHS, I knew we had a pretty strong tradition in most of the sports.” Seizing regional championships in eight varsity sports within the past year helped elevate the Brothers to No. 5 in Memphis Sport’s numerical rankings. “We get strong support from the administration, as well as from the parents,” Morris says. “And the most important thing is that this school has been around since 1871, meaning we always get strong support from our alumni. We have over 10,000 living alums.”

22 | Memphis Sport

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16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

SCORE 41.5

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

24.5

MITCHELL HIGH SCHOOL SCORE 41

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

N/A

ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL SCORE 39

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

15.5

23.5

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL SCORE 38.5

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

21.5

ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL SCORE 38

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

7.5

BOLTON HIGH SCHOOL SCORE 27.5

RIDGEWAY HIGH SCHOOL SCORE 23.5

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

9.5

FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SCORE 22.5

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

10.5

TREZEVANT HIGH SCHOOL SCORE 21.5

BOYS RANK

BOYS SCORE

GIRLS RANK

GIRLS SCORE

1.5

GERMANTOWN HIGH SCHOOL www.memphissport.net | 23

N HIGH SCHOOL photo courtesy HOUSTO

HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL

Leisa Justus insists she wasn’t nervous, just a bit overanxious. When Houston traveled to neighborhood rival Germantown in a crucial District 15-AAA basketball game in early Februar y, Justus–the former Germantown assistant principal and current Houston principal–knew she would be peppered with questions regarding which team she would be rooting for. Perhaps, that explains why she elected to sit in the upper bleachers, some 20 to 30 feet away from the court, hidden amongst the overflow crowd in Germantown’s gymnasium. “I felt a little bit of anxiety for the coaches,” Justus says. “When we play Germantown, it’s like I want us to do well even more. Even at football games, I stand beside the press box, just so I can see everything.” At this point, Justus is starting to sound like the selfproclaimed “sports nuts” that emerged when she was a child growing up in North Carolina. Justus’ father is a former Division 1 football coach, which meant most of her Saturdays during the fall months were spent watching games in some crowded stadium. “I would be at stadiums before they open the gates,” Justus says. “I’m a little crazy about sports. I think it’s just the competition I love.” During her six-year tenure as Germantown’s assistant principal, she was fully aware of the success of Houston’s athletic program, one of several key factors in her decision made tremendous to accept the promotion as the school’s top administrative official. Houston has gs’ collection Mustan the r, Howeve years. four past the over sports varsity its of strides in nearly each is Sport’s Memph taking of state titles in tennis ultimately is what led to Houston’s athletic program No. 3 overall ranking. nships in 2006 and The Mustangs earned back-to-back TSSAA Class AAA girls doubles champio brought home a state also team country cross boys The 2008. and 2007 in 2007, and singles state titles ent for the tournam title this year, and the Mustangs volleyball team recently appeared in the state year, straight third a for state the to d third consecutive season. Additionally, the golf teams advance 2008. in nships champio al individu girls winning it all in 2007 and claiming boys and to work with. They’ve “We’ve had great year,” Justus says. “The coaches in all our sports have been fun There haven’t been staff. g coachin our in stability have we thing, one For vision. shared with me their a lot of changes. And that kind of continuity builds the programs.”

24 | Memphis Sport

The Memphis Sport High School Scoring System Baseball – 5 points for making the 2008 TSSAA State Regional Baseball Tournament. 5 points for runner-up. 11 points for state champion. Basketball – 3 points for making the 2008 TSSAA Basketball Tournament. 3 points for runner-up. 7 points for state champion. Bowling (Team) - 6 points for any team entry at the 2008 TSSAA State Bowling Team Championships. 6 points for runner-ups. 13 points for state champions. Bowling (Individual) - 2 point for any individuals making the 2008 TSSAA Bowling Individual Championships. 4 points for making the finals. 9 points for state champions. Cross Country (Team) - 3 points for any team entry at the 2008 TSSAA State Cross Country Meets. 3 points for runner-up. 7 points for state champion. Cross Country (Individual) – ½ point for all individuals making the 2008 TSSAA State Cross Country Meet, 1 point for finishing top ten. 3 points for state champions. Decathlon – 3 points for making the 2008 TSSAA State Decathlon. 3 points for runner-up. 7 points for state champion. Football – 4 points for making the 2008 TSSAA BlueCross Bowl playoffs. 4 points for runner-up. 9 points for state champion. Golf (Team) – 3 points for making 2008 TSSAA Team State Golf Championship. 3 points for runner-ups. 7 points for state champions. Golf (Individual) – 1 point for each individuals making the 2008 TSSAA State Golf Championships. 2 points for finishing in the top five. 5 points for state champion. Pentathlon – 3 points for making the 2008 TSSAA State Pentathlon. 3 points for runner-up. 7 points for state champion. Soccer – 6 points for making sub-state or regional 2008 TSSAA State Soccer Tournament. 6 points for runner-up. 13 points for state champion. Softball – 5 points for making the 2008 TSSAA State Regional Softball Tournament. 5 points for runner-up. 11 points for state champion. Track and Field – ½ points for making the 2008 TSSAA State Track Championships. 1 point for each for runner-up. 2 points for state champion. Tennis (Team) - 4 points for making the 2008 TSSAA State Region and Sectional Tennis Tournament. 4 points for runner-up. 9 points for state champion. Tennis (Singles) - 2 point for making the 2008 TSSAA State Singles Tennis Tournament. 2 point for runner-up. 5 points for state champion. Tennis (Doubles) - 2 point for making the 2008 TSSAA State Doubles Tennis Tournament. 2 points for runner-up. 5 points for state champion. Volleyball – 5 points for making the 2008 TSSAA State Regional Volleyball Tournament. 5 points for runner-up. 11 points for state champion. Wrestling (Team) - 3 points for making the 2008 TSSAA State Wrestling Tournament. 3 points for runner-up. 7 points for state champion. Wrestling (Dual) - 3 points for making the 2008 TSSAA State Dual Wrestling Tournament. 3 point for runner-up. 7 points for state champion. Wrestling (Individual) – ½ point for making the 2008 TSSAA State Wrestling Tournament. 1 points for runner-up. 3 points for state champion.

1 HARDING ACADEMY OF MEMPHIS 2 ST. BENEDICT AT AUBURNDALE 3 ST GEORGE’S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL 4 HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL 5 ST. AGNES ACADEMY 6 HUTCHISON SCHOOL 7 ST. MARY’S EPISOCPAL SCHOOL 8 EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 9 LAUSANNE COLLEGIATE SCHOOL 10 COLLIERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

1 CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL 2 MEMPHIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL 3 HARDING ACADEMY OF MEMPHIS 4 ST. GEORGE’S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL 5 HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL 6 ST. BENEDICT AT AUBURNDALE 7 WHITE STATION HIGH SCHOOL 8 LAUSANNE COLLEGIATE SCHOOL 9 BRIARCREST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 10 SOUTHERN BAPTIST EDUCATIONAL CENTER

www.memphissport.net | 25

JERRY G ALLIK

MEMPHIS UNI VER

photo by

SITY SCHOOL

Memphis University Sc director Bobby Alsto hool athletic n makes it a point, ever y now and then , to take time to asses s the overall progress of the school’s athlet ic program.

Of course, consideri ng many affiliated with Alston has been apart of MUS for a lit tle more than three the school would ag decades, re contributed immen sely to the strides th e that the Owls’ long time football coac h has e program has prod uced in recent year MUS, fresh off a TS s. SAA Division 2-AA football championsh sportsin the High Sc ip hool Rankings beca use of championship , came in at No. 2 in boys over the past year. s in golf, tennis and football In addition to runn ing the table this ye ar and claiming its fir years, MUS won ba st fo ck-to -back D 2-AA football titles in 2004 otball state title in three the school’s second and 2005. The Owl state soccer champi s earned onship crown in 2005. Addi tionally, MUS has wo in 2004 and their thirteenth state ten nis n four state golf cham ’96, and ’98), not to mention back-to -bac pionships (1991, ’94 k , cro ss co untry state titles in “It starts with our ki 1991 and 1992. ds and their willing ness to work hard an competitive,” Alston d just having a desir say e to be are not only knowled s. “I think we’ve assembled a real good staff of coaches who geable about their sp ort, but have a dedi And the school reco cation to their team gnize s. taught in the classroo s that there is a lesson to be taught in athletics that can’t be m.”

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l. 06 all too wel lls the year 20 ca re o ll re d n ys. Jim Lassa rring to the season,” he sa cademy, is refe asons ago two goals all A ed es w gn lo A al . St ly r fo “We on e table three se letic director longtime ath ol’s soccer team that ran th e th , o ll re d n Lasse ion. e scho dramatic fash roduced by th dominance p to claiming a state title in te (23-0) en rou gs, that it chool Rankin that, S h ig ? H ic e at th m ly ts in How dra season. Not on h in girls spor St. Agnes, fift bined 122-2 for the entire nsecutive seasons from as w t an in ur co So dom a com ea team for fo r any other opponents by outscored its n’t suffer a defeat to any ar ill be extremely difficult fo id w d s the program drello believe , a feat Lassen countr y and 2003 to 2007 e title in cross orts are at st s. as ve ti rp cu su se team to a second con ther varsity sp ey Nobert won ng to witness now is that o ac K , ly al n io Addit is starti says what he e. Lassendrello on a larger stag extremely e et p m co to se and that we’re ca d o go ry ve making a f is that we’re m proudest o “The thing I’ over,” Lassendrello says. l competitive al

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THE REST OF THE LIST... (OTHERS RECEIVING POINTS)

26 SHEFFIELD HIGH SCHOOL 27 WHITEHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL 28 MANASSAS HIGH SCHOOL 29 BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL 30 HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL 31 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL SCHOOL 32 KINGSBURY HIGH SCHOOL 33 OVERTON HIGH SCHOOL 34 CARVER HIGH SCHOOL 35 MILLINGTON CENTRAL 36 MELROSE HIGH SCHOOL 37 MILLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL 38 FAIRLEY HIGH SCHOOL 39 CRAIGMONT HIGH SCHOOL 40 WOODDALE HIGH SCHOOL 41 FRAYSER HIGH SCHOOL 42 NORTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOL 43 MEMPHIS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 44 OAKHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL 45 RALIEGH-EGYPT HIGH SCHOOL 46 WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 47 BISHOP BYRNE HIGH SCHOOL 48 EAST HIGH SCHOOL 49 TREADWELL HIGH SCHOOL 50 HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL 51 KIRBY HIGH SCHOOL 52 SOUTHWIND HIGH SCHOOL www.memphissport.net | 27

ANDERSON DOZIER They came to the University of

Memphis in 2005 along with six other freshmen. Some of them

have gone on the riches of the NBA, others to different schools. There have been a staggering number of highs – three consecutive Conference USA

Championships, three straight Elite Eight appearances, a Final Four, last year’s expert-defying national championship appearance – and a scarce number of lows – only 13 losses (so far), the most devastating coming in the aforementioned national championship game. Now, after 130 wins (and counting), seniors Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier reflect on what will go down as one of the greatest four year runs by a school in NCAA history.

by JAN MICHAEL HARTELUST photos by SHARON BICKS action photos by JOE MURPHY

28 | Memphis Sport

www.memphissport.net | 29

You’re only a couple wins away from becoming the winningest players in the history of college basketball. Are you counting down? No, no. You know, if we keep playing the way we’ve been playing the wins will come. You can’t be so anxious, you know. We’ve just got to let it come to us. I don’t think it’ll really hit us ‘til we’re gone. Right now you’re just kinda living in the moment, you know. Just game after game, you know, just doing what you’ve got to do for the next game. I hear people talking about it, but when I hear it, it doesn’t excite me. I’m not like, “Oh my God,” you know? Maybe it’ll hit me a little later on. Now Antonio, technically you’ve played more minutes than Robert so are you going to claim a bigger part of all these victories? (Smiling) No, no, no. Honestly it’s both of us, you know. And it’s not just us – Chris (Douglas-Roberts), Derrick (Rose), the guys this year, Rodney (Carney) our freshman year, Joey (Dorsey) … so everybody contributed. It’s not just us. We’ve just been here through that span. We also have to give coach Cal the respect for recruiting us, too. (Laughing) He deserves it. He deserves it. Speaking of Coach Cal, you guys have been with him as long as any other players have. Has he changed at all since the moment he recruited you? No, man. Coach never changed. Coach’s attitude has always been the same – always positive, always happy. Well this year it changed a little bit because he’s been working out 82 straight days. He runs on the treadmill every day. He’s got a countdown. He’s a freak about it, you know. We tell him he’s got a little gut going. He’s a determined coach and he stays on us about being determined. He just wants the best for all of us.

My biggest challenge is, you know, trying to be a leader – be more of a vocal leader. - ROBERT DOZIER

30 | Memphis Sport

No. He’s the same guy, you know? He wants the best out of you. He wants the best for you. At the end of the day, he does everything he does because he cares about you. He hasn’t changed a bit. But he’s definitely getting a gut. That’s definitely going, no matter workout or no workouts.

Does Coach Cal have a set goal on how many days he’s trying to work out in a row? He’s trying to run five miles in 40 minutes. He’s not trying to match Pierre in terms of pounds lost is he? No, no. He’s got him beat already. Coach is a workaholic. That’s what he said. That’s according to Coach Cal. With such a young team coming into the season, what has been the bigger moment thus far–the redemption win in Knoxville against UT or Tyreke’s move to point guard? I’d say Tyreke’s move to the point guard spot because that helped everybody. That helped him as a player, me and Dozier. Not knocking any other player that played the position, but when they were at the point guard spot, teams wouldn’t help as much. Now, when Tyreke’s got the ball in his hands, we’re bigger, faster and we have a lot more options. Teams know he can score and so they have to help off me and Rob. That allows us to score as well – Shawn to score and Doneal can get shots. It just makes it a whole lot easier. Yeah, Tyreke’s move to point guard. It kinda freed the offense up. I mean, he takes so much pressure off us, you know, as a team. When he gets to penetrating, you got to put your whole team in there to help which leaves like four guys open, you know, two guys open every play. He’s making it easier. Even though you guys are ranked as high as you are, do you still feel like this team and C-USA are still overlooked a little? Well, that always happens. With the exception of last year, our sophomore and freshman years we go overlooked. You can’t pay that any mind. It’s the media that’s overlooking you, but deep down inside you know that the coaches on the opposite teams come March, they don’t want to play Memphis. When they see us in their bracket they get a little nervous.

always going to be something. But guys around here are used to it. We kinda use it as a motivational tool. What has been the biggest challenge for each of you in your careers here? You know, it’s just been having slow starts. This year and last year I started off pretty slow. I had a bad first 10 games or so and you’ve just got to overcome that. You just got to stay in the gym and believe in yourself. Coach believed in me, and my teammates believed in me. Everything like that really helped. It’s what I’ve overcome the last two years and I feel good about that. To be honest, I think coach thinks I’m still going through it. My biggest challenge is, you know, trying to be a leader – be more of a vocal leader. I’m more of a quiet person and what not. I don’t talk too much. I just go out and do what I do and I don’t show any emotion. So he wants me to go out there and start showing more emotion and be more vocal out there. Who is the best player each of you has played against? Conference wise, I’d probably say (Rob) McKiver – Houston – and (Robert) Vaden – UAB. Out of conference wise, I have to go with guys like ( Jordan) Farmar – UCLA – and Acie Law – Texas A&M. Those guys have probably been the toughest. Toughest player? Man, there’s been a lot. Probably Paul Millsap (former Louisiana Tech player, currently a member of the Utah Jazz). I remember him. I think it was my freshman year and we played ‘em and he was just tough. He was giving me and Joey problems. He was just a workhorse. He goes after every loose ball, tries to block every shot. He’s strong. What’s the toughest place to play? It has to be either UAB or Gonzaga. Their places are extremely loud and they [the fans] are right on top of you. UAB. No doubt. UAB.

Definitely. I mean, it’s been that way since we’ve been here. I don’t expect it to change, you know. They’re still going to find something to say. Whether it’s your conference or you can’t shoot free throws, you know. It’s

www.memphissport.net | 31

What places do you just dread playing? Southern Miss Knoxville. Southern Miss, too. They’re second. This season, your team is ranked fourth in the nation in opponents’ field goal percentage and 18th in opponents’ points per game. Those two stats are actually the best they have been since you guys have been here. Why is that? We’re longer. The last couple years all our point guards have been short. Derrick’s a tremendous player, but he was 6’3” and now we’re 6’6”, 6’5”, 6’8”, 6’9” with Dozier, 6’10” with Shawn. Everybody’s longer and more active. We’ve got to commit to defense. That’s how it is. We just go out and play hard every game. We know we’re not as strong on offense as we have been in the past, so guys make the extra effort on defense. We’re just out there going hard. We all help each other. We’re talking to each other and that’s been like the biggest difference for us this year. There was talk of wearing purple and orange jerseys to honor FedEx, but that ultimately didn’t happen. Were you guys looking forward to that? I wanted to wear ‘em, you know – show our appreciation for FedEx. Yeah, I wanted to wear ‘em. At least it would’ve been something different. Who looks better in purple? Nobody looks good in purple. Which former Tigers do you keep up with the most? Derrick. No, not even Derrick. I speak to him, honestly, but Chris and Joey. I speak to Joey on like a daily basis.

It’s the media that’s overlooking

We don’t call, you know? I might text ‘em. They’ll probably call one person in the house and then all of us will be around, and we all just kindana sit around, put ‘em on speakerphone and talk to ‘em like that. It’s whoever calls – probably Joey the most though. He’s the one always lonely, I guess. He’s constantly calling one of us up here.

know that the coaches on the

32 | Memphis Sport

you, but deep down inside you opposite teams, come March, they don’t want to play Memphis. - ANTONIO ANDERSON

ull color/full page 1

8/4/03

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Why do we play sports? W do we exhaust ourselves endlessly chasing Why hy do we play sports? one another within fence enclosed grassy meadows or W ourselves endlessly chasing Why hy do do we we exhaust play sports? frustrate ourselves by attempting to thwart the laws oneW another fenceourselves enclosedendlessly grassy meadows hy do within we exhaust chasing or of physics that dictate an object at rest will remain at rest frustrate ourselves attempting thwart the lawsor one another withinby fence enclosedtograssy meadows or punish ourselves with the unnatural pursuit of of physicsourselves that dictate an object attorest will remain frustrate by attempting thwart the lawsat rest conquering environments we have no business or punish theatunnatural pursuitatofrest of physics that ourselves dictate anwith object rest will remain wading into? conquering environments weunnatural have no business or punish ourselves with the pursuit of W hy? Because it is there. Because the human wading into? conquering environments we have no business spirit won’t take no for an answer. Because adrenaline is Why?into? Because it is there. Because the human wading a drug that feeds the soul. And because for those lucky spirit won’t no foritan answer.Because Becausethe adrenaline Why?take Because is there. human is few able to run faster, jump higher, throw farther and aspirit drugwon’t that feeds thefor soul. And because for adrenaline those luckyis take no an answer. Because dive deeper, glory awaits. few able to run jumpAnd higher, throw and a drug that feedsfaster, the soul. because forfarther those lucky S o we play. dive deeper, glory awaits. few able to run faster, jump higher, throw farther and B ut not all of us are built for speed. Fewer still are built S o we play. dive deeper, glory awaits. to absorb the punishment sports inflict. And B all of us are built for speed. Fewer still are built Soutwenotplay. none of us are eternally sixteen years old. punishment sports still inflict. But not alltoofabsorb us arethe built for speed. Fewer are And built S o we get hurt. ofthe us are eternally sixteen years old. to none absorb punishment sports inflict. And B ut we don’t mind. Even the biggest, S o we get hurt. none of us are eternally sixteen years old. strongest, and fastest of us get hurt. We don’t mind. Even the biggest, SBoutweweget hurt. accept that as part of sport. What we strongest, us get We But we and don’tfastest mind.ofEven thehurt. biggest, don’t like, what we detest, is not being accept thatand as part of of sport. What strongest, fastest us get hurt.we We able to play. don’t like, not being accept that what as partweofdetest, sport. isWhat we T hat’s where Campbell Clinic ablelike, to play. don’t what we detest, is not being comes in. T hat’s where Campbell Clinic able to play. comes in. where Campbell Clinic That’s

Our sports medicine staff specializes in getting athletes off the training table and Our sports medicine staff specializes in back on the field as quickly as possible. But getting athletes off the training table and Our sports medicine staff specializes in we’re not just experts in sports medicine, back on the field as quickly as possible. But getting athletes off the training table and we’re also the leader in general orthopaedics. we’re notthe justfield experts in sports medicine,But back on as quickly as possible. So is it any wonder that the most serious of we’re the leader orthopaedics. we’re also not just expertsiningeneral sports medicine, athletes, those from the professional and So is italso anythe wonder the most serious of we’re leaderthat in general orthopaedics. college ranks, choose Campbell Clinic? athletes, those fromthat the professional and of So is it any wonder the most serious A nd if people whose careers are dependent college Campbell Clinic? athletes,ranks, thosechoose from the professional and upon healthy bodies think we’re the best, then A nd if people whose careers are dependent college ranks, choose Campbell Clinic? odds are we’re a pretty good choice for weekend upon healthy bodies think we’reare thedependent best, then And if people whose careers warriors, long-time couch potatoes, or anyone odds we’re bodies a prettythink goodwe’re choice weekend uponare healthy thefor best, then who turns an ankle, wrenches a back or twists a wrist. warriors, long-time couch potatoes, or anyone odds are we’re a pretty good choice for weekend Because even if you’re tough enough to play with pain, who turnslong-time an ankle, couch wrenches a backor oranyone twists a wrist. warriors, potatoes, there’s no reason you should have to. Because even you’rewrenches tough enough with pain, who turns an ifankle, a backto orplay twists a wrist.

#43 #43 #43

there’s noeven reason you should to. to play with pain, Because if you’re tough have enough

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#43 #43 Orthopaedics #43 C A M PBELL C LI N I C w w w. ca m p b e l lc l i n i c . co m

Orthopaedics

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Orthopaedics

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comes in.

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MEMPHIS MADE Keeping it real.

Netting CDR by ANDRE JOHNSON photo courtesy NEW JERSEY NETS

ew Jersey Nets rookie Chris Douglas-Roberts is sitting in front of his locker in the FedExForum following a recent game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He’s joking and jiving with team president Rod Thorn and teammate Josh Boone, carrying on as if he’s got all the time in the world. While the rest of the Nets are getting dressed and preparing to head off to Oklahoma City for the last of a four-game road trip, a shirtless Douglas-Roberts is taking his time making his way to the showers. Of course, Thorn and the rest of the Nets seemingly understand why Douglas-Roberts, known by many as CDR, is moving at a relatively slow pace moments after the Nets had snapped a five-game skid against the hapless Grizzlies. CDR isn’t enjoying the kind of rookie season as, say, ol’ college buddy Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls. Nevertheless, he sure seemed ecstatic being back in the Bluff City for the first time since he watched in amazement as his alma mater raised its NCAA national runner-up banner

34 | Memphis Sport

“I’m patient with it,” CDR says, grinning. “I know I have a place on this team.” to the FedExForum rafters during the University of Memphis’ Midnight Madness festivities in October. “When I came back, it was for the last time,” CDR says of his return here for Midnight Madness. “It was like, ‘I’m gone for good.’ Today was just another game.” Another game for CDR, maybe. But that’s not exactly how the announced crowd of 12,817 in FedExForum assessed the former U of M AllAmerican’s first appearance in Memphis as a professional player. He checked into the game at the 10:38 mark of the second quarter and was met with a rousing standing ovation from the very same fans who had come to embrace his unorthodox style of play during his illustrious three-year stint

at the U of M. He drained his first three baskets, one of which was his signature driving baseline floater that had become customary during his prosperous collegiate career. He even drew a hard foul on Grizzlies forward Hakim Warrick during his eight minutes of action. By game’s end, the 6-foot-7 shooting guard had managed just six points on 3-of-5 field goals, a far cry from the compelling numbers he registered time and again for the national standout Tigers, who advanced to last year’s NCAA championship game. Of course, no one, it appeared was more intrigued by CDR’s brief display against the Grizzlies than Nets head coach Lawrence Frank who, along with Nets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe, had been high on CDR long before last June’s NBA draft. Frank emerged from the locker room and, before reporters could form a huddle around him, he immediately began praising his stellar newcomer’s contributions. “He gave us a big lift in the first half,” Frank says of CDR. “For him to return home where he played college ball and do what he did in the first half was huge for us.” That he is playing behind a number of key veterans, most notably eighttime NBA All-Star Vince Carter, the 22-year-old CDR realizes that his development into a big-time NBA player could be a lengthy and somewhat discouraging process. Frank and his staff wasted little time throwing him in the fold, particularly during the first month of the season as CDR played nearly thirty minutes in four of the Nets’ first eight games. However, over the past three months, his minutes had dwindled considerably, to the point where CDR publicly expressed his displeasure for seeing his playing time cut in half. His occasional mouthing off consequently resulted in him being slapped with fines for conduct detrimental to the team, something he insists he’s gotten a firm grip of now, especially since he he’s been hit hard in the pocket.

“I’m used to speaking my mind,” says CDR, whose base salary for this season is $442,114. “The main thing I’ve learned is how to be professional. At times, I would come in (to postgame press conferences) and say something negative. But that’s over and done with.” One reason CDR’s disposition about adjusting to life in the NBA has quickly changed is that Carter has been shepherding him through much of the process ever since he arrived in East Rutherford. Carter says minutes before the Nets were due to make a selection with the tenth pick in the second round of last summer’s draft, team officials asked him what they thought of CDR. Carter, it seems, was ready to welcome the Tigers’ ninth all-time leading scorer with open arms.

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“I told them he would be a good fit here and I know he’s going to be a great player in this league,” Carter says of CDR. “I want the best for him. He’s a guy I look at as my relief guy. I know it’s tough for guys to sometimes feel like they can say what they want. But you’ve just got to be smart about it. Once he learns the ins and out and establishes a resume, he may be able to get away with some things.” Having Carter around, particularly during his first year in the league seems to be just what CDR needs in what he describes as a roller coaster rookie campaign. At the same time, he realizes the Nets have big plans for him down the road. “I’m patient with it,” CDR says, grinning. “I know I have a place on this team.” At this moment, CDR springs out of his chair in front of his locker and began heading toward the showers in what is now a mostly empty dressing room. But the rest of the Nets didn’t seem to mind that he is moving at a considerably slower pace. The team bus wasn’t even thinking of leaving behind its prized rookie who had been the center of conversation around the Nets front office long before his name was called in last June’s draft.

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www.memphissport.net | 35

GYM CLASS

Learn about the best fitness opportunities in the area.

For the

Self-Motivator Not looking for a personal trainer to become your best friend? Would you rather create and perform a personalized workout regime that you can squeeze in any time, day or night? ATC Fitness might just be the perfect fit for you. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ATC Fitness has created an oasis for every fitness level on any schedule. If you want to kick your day off with a 4:00 AM wake-up call to go break a sweat, head to one of its eight locations and hop on that treadmill! Beginning in 1992 with one location in Bartlett, ATC Fitness eventually began expanding in 2005. Now with eight locations across Memphis and the Mid-South–convenience, flexibility and comfort are easy to find. With a friendly atmosphere, approachable staff and the ability to exercise without the pressures of a personal trainer or overcrowded facility, ATC Fitness caters to the needs of people who simply want to get into shape. No gimmicks,

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www.memphissport.net | 37

FOODFORUM

Where sports collide with beer and food.

by ROBERT BIGGS

Congratulations Memphians. You have made it an entire year. It is now the most anticipated time for every Memphis resident. It is the most exciting roller-coaster in the city. No, not the Zippin Pippin (sorry Elvis). It is March Madness in Memphis and according to Calipari, you can do U-turns on Poplar Avenue. As your sole magazine support system for Memphis sports, we have deemed it our responsibility to find the best sports bar to cheer the Tigers back to the Final Four. For this issue, our search sends us to the Newby’s Memphis on the Highland Strip.

ATMOSPHERE

When I cheer for the Tigers in March, I desperately need TV’s so that I do not miss one breathtaking, season-making, and dynasty-establishing play. If its halftime, I need to hear Eye of the Tiger by Survivor on the jukebox. Quite honestly, I need to be in a college bar. If there ever was a college bar, Newby’s is it. Each booth has its own television and almost every wall has a projector screen. They also have a great jukebox for commercials. Which makes sense, because Newby’s is known best for its music. It is the premiere place to watch local and national bands. And most notably, this is a college bar. As proof, hanging near the bar is a John Belushi “COLLEGE” poster. Newby’s is the closest thing Memphis has to an Animal House bar.

SERVICE

When I am watching Memphis in March, I am unable to look away from

38 | Memphis Sport

the television. I need a bartender who understands that I do not know when my beer is getting low, so I need her to let me know before I hit the bottom of the glass that I need a refresher. At Newby’s, a Tiger supporter has the option of a table or the bar. Even though every booth has a personal television, let me assure you that a booth is not THE option. Sadly, the booths are just the seats remaining after the bar. The bartenders are knowledgeable about sports and drinks. When you get there, tell a sassy brunette named Lauren that I sent you. She has great musical taste and you saying I sent you could possibly help me get a free beer. Go Me!

DRINKS

A Memphis fan knows that watching a game is not only tiring but also dehydrating. Your throat can get sore after screaming at the TV for two hours. Calipari might be the only one with an

excuse to cuss that much, but you have the right to get emotionally involved. Newby’s does not offer draft beers. They have about twenty beer bottle selections. If so many games in one weekend have you exhausted, ask for a Newby’s Rockstar. This beverage is Long Island meets Energy drink. I was also told to expect serious March Madness drink specials. No promises, but look for a Tiger Blue shot. For the first time, I am proud to announce that I can finally approve a nonalcoholic drink for the Tiger fans who want to remember every moment. Newby’s has RC Cola. That’s right, I said RC Cola.

FOOD

When I get finished writing these foodforums, I will develop an International Requirement for Bar Food (IRBF). I am a firm believer that a bar kitchen without a fryer is no bar kitchen at all. When I finally do get time to develop my IRBF guide, it will be loosely based on the menu at Newby’s. Half their menu consists of appetizers–fried cheese, chicken tenders, wings, etc. Newby’s also offers pizzas and burgers. And most notably if you do get a burger, you have the option of french fries or tater tots. My advice–do not get french fries because the tater tots are awesome.

HOMETOWN SUPPORT Anyone who knows me or has ever read my articles knows that this is the most important part of my scale. During March, the Tigers should be ahead of all other sports and other Memphis organizations. This is the time of year, where a bar that promoted our 6-3 Tigers in December can shine for their unwavering support.

Newby’s is on the Highland Strip. They are so close to the University that in the past I have been closer to the bar then I was to my next class. (So long engineering degree.) The mirrors are painted with Memphis logos, and Tiger flags cover the entire establishment. Newby’s is not just a college bar, it is the U of M bar.

OVERALL

It finally happened. I don’t know if it is because I am so excited about our March redemption. I don’t know if it is because my second all-time favorite Tiger is a senior and will be graduating with Dozier and Chance as the all-time winningest men’s college basketball players (Yes, my second all-time favorite is Antonio Anderson and yes, my favorite will always be Penny). I don’t know what it is, but Newby’s is my first five for five. As Dorsey would say– perfection is a snowflake. And snowflakes are so hard to find in Memphis. If you want to meet me, go to Newby’s during a Tiger game in March. I’ll be there waiting on you to say GO TIGERS!

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Memphis Sport’s ace sports bar reviewer takes on one sports bar each issue. Send us your suggestions for the next FoodForum review to foodforum@memphissport.net.

www.memphissport.net | 39

HOT SHOTS Everyone has a camera.

Send your photos to hotshots@memphissport.net We just may print them in our next issue.

40 | Memphis 40 | Memphis Sport Sport

www.memphissport.net | 41 www.memphissport.net | 41

42 | Memphis Sport

TAILGATING

Sports was happening and you were there. photos by CHASE GUSTAFSON

LeMoyne-OWEN

HOMECOMING PARADE January 31, 2009 at the LeMoyne-Owen campus 1. DeAndre Gant, Rashad Weathers, Goel Kanyabugoyi and Darren Green 2. Jessica Mitchem, Rochel Holder, Meri Napier and Patricia Watts 3. Patrick Dandridge and Milton Palmer 4. Kenya Wright, Mary Hopkins and Pearlie Jordan 5. Myles Smith and Christy Smith 6. A great hat in the parade. 7. Roger Brown and Damita Dandridge

8. William “Kid” Carter, Christopher Carter, Larry Lewis and Stanley Dentley

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JACK’S BACK A Memphis legend takes a look back.

More This and That by JACK EATON

No Field Goal...

One of the more exciting football games I ever called on the radio happened back in 1976. It pitted the Memphis State Tigers against the Tigers of Auburn. In 1975, Memphis State traveled to Auburn and won the game 31 to 20, so Auburn was looking to return the favor. Boy, oh, boy was it exciting. Our Tigers had the lead 28 to 27 late in the game. Auburn had the ball at about their own 25 yard line. Auburn had one of the greatest place kickers ever. His name was Neil O’Donahue and he could kick 60 yarders with relative ease. So the Auburn strategy was obvious– get near the MSU 45 yard line and give O’Donahue a shot. A short pass put the ball at their 35. A slant off tackle gained a few more. They connected on a pass play that put Auburn near midfield. Time was running out. The fans were going crazy. A running play put them at our 47. Auburn hurried to the line– only a few more yards and it would be a long field goal... But, sorry War Eagle fans, the clock ran out and O’Donahue never did get his shot. My recollection is that O’Donahue had a fine career in the NFL.

The score is tied - 7 to 6...

It happened in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl basketball tournament. I went to the Loyola Field House thinking I would do the radio play-byplay of the Memphis State vs. Michigan State game. But when I got there a

44 | Memphis Sport

couple of hours early, I was told that I had to do the telecast of the VandyDavidson game. Of course, I knew nothing about either team. So I studied stats and stuff and was ready for the tip off. The game went into OT and when it finally ended, I had no time to prepare for the Memphis State game. The game was starting. “Wait,” I said, “I’m not ready.” “That’s your problem. Get on camera. NOW!” So I began the game with zero knowledge of Michigan State. I did the best I could and at one point while trying to do three things at once I said, “The score is tied 7 to 6.” I never lived it down. No amount of explaining did any good. “Eaton,” they said, “that’s the dumbest thing–EVER.”

Ahhh, Craps...

When I was with the Memphis State basketball teams we used to take some exotic trips. One year we played in Las Vegas on New Years Eve. I forget who won the game but I do remember my stint at the crap table. Let me explain–I am not a gambler and my knowledge of craps is a two on a scale of ten. But there I was with the dice in my hands and seven straight times I either rolled a natural or made my point. I had a handful of chips. I cashed them in and went to the slot machines where I promptly lost everything. I learned a lesson–when way ahead, QUIT. Period. Even when I’m slightly ahead these days, I quit.

Plus, there is no such thing as “house money.” Once you win it is your money, not the house’s money. My old buddy Jack Croner taught me that.

Vollmer the Great...

One of most successful quarterbacks in Memphis State/U of M history was Russ Vollmer. He quarterbacked the Tigers in 1962-63 and lost a total of 2 games. No one else has come close.

Unbelievable Stat #1...

I heard this stat but I can’t confirm it. In 1955 or 56 there were nine field goals kicked in Division 1 NCAA football and Ole Miss kicked six of them. If someone could look it up–I can’t find it–and let me know. This is called reader participation journalism and I am good at it.

Unbelievable Stat #2...

I did play-by-play of Ole Miss football games for five years. During that time the Rebels won four SEC Championships. Four. I left after the 1963 season, 45 years ago. How many SEC Championships have the Rebels won in that time? Zero. What does that prove? Nothing. I wish they would win another one. Big Jack’s new book, “Jack Eaton: Great Scott, I Rhyme A Lot”, is still available for purchase in both autographed and non-autographed versions at memphissport.net.

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