LSC Roundup 7-17

It looks like Owen Dixon (who was linked with two LSC schools) will be playing at Valdosta State. Of course that is subject to change as well.

Lancers' Football Places 7 At Next Level
After posting a 7-4 season and a victory at the Tremblay Financial Services Bowl in 2008, the Pasadena City College football team has placed seven players at four-year universities, according to Acting Head Coach James Kuk. PCC had a primarily freshmen team in '08 with just 13 sophomores on the roster.

Wide receiver Owen Dixon committed to Valdosta State University in Georgia (NCAA Division II), a member of the Gulf South Conference. Dixon was PCC's leading receiver with 54 receptions for 828 yards and one of just two Lancers to be named All-National Northern Conference First Team.

Dixon, a 6-1, 195-pounder from Miami Killian High, Florida, is third on PCC's all-time receivers list with 89 catches for 1,277 yards over two seasons. He is one of only five Lancer players to ever record 50 catches in a season.

Running back Joshua Morgan accepted a scholarship at Abilene Christian University, Texas (Division II), a member of the Lone Star Conference. Morgan became just the 12th back in PCC history to rush for a 1,000 yards in a season. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound rusher from Encino's Crespi High is 18th on the Lancers' all-time rushing list (1,215 yards), right behind the college's most famous alumnus Jackie Robinson (17th, 1,251 yards, 1937-38).

Morgan was an All-NNC Second Team selection and led the Lancers in all-purpose yards in '08 with 1,347.

Anthony Armstrong hoping to be the jewel of the Dolphins
MIAMI -- Players with Arena Football League roots have made NFL rosters. Players make NFL rosters off practice squads every year. But you don't find too many players making NFL rosters a few years after being on an Arena Football League practice squad - while selling jewelry.

That's the deep route that slight, swift wide receiver Anthony Armstrong is running toward a Dolphins roster spot.

Although there's only so much stock you can put in minicamp - touch football with helmets - Armstrong counted as one of the surprises by streaking behind coverage on deep routes and running better routes in the medium and short zones. Last year's practice-squad member commanded notice running drills alongside last year's receivers plus 2009 draftees Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline. Still, wideout is one of the most competitive positions on the team.

"I can say that every day Anthony Armstrong has done something like that right now," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said during minicamp last month a few hours after Armstrong beat Eric Green for a big play. "To the point that I see these quarterbacks are trying to find him in matchups. Now what I can take from that: Until I see it in a game, I am still at 50 percent that way with the evaluation part of it."

Coaching the fundamentals
YOAKUM - Kaitlin McCool loves to help younger softball players because she sees a lot of herself in them as she watches them learn.

"I remember going to high school and then college camps, and you meet older girls that you look up to," she said. "I always thought 'I want to be like them.' Now, I'm hoping that I'm doing that for these girls and teaching them to love the sport as much as I do."

McCool, who graduated from Woodsboro and will play at Texas A&M-Kingsville next season, was one of the student coaches at the Texas Trouble Softball Clinic in Yoakum on Thursday. Her team, Texas Trouble, are the American Softball Associate 18U "A" state champions and are running the clinic to raise money for a trip to the national championship tournament from July 26 to August 2 in Las Vegas. There have already been clinics in Woodsboro and Hallettsville, and there will be a final clinic on July 23 in Victoria.

Hidalgo Coach, Player Lead South All-Star Team To Victory
Hidalgo girls basketball coach Monica Rodriguez capped off a very good year Thursday night in Austin, as she coached the Sub-4A South girls All-Star team to a 57-49 win over the North at St. Edward's University. Three months ago, Rodriguez and the Lady Pirates made another trip to the state capital, that time as one of the final four 3A hoops teams in the state.

As she did back then, the Hidalgo coach once again received solid support from one of her finest players, as all-stater and soon-to-be-Javelina Victoria Gonzalez scored 12 points in the win.

Coaches select Cole Hicks to play in state all-star bash
Cole Hicks, former Bandera High School All State wide receiver, will play in the 75th annual Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game.

The most prestigious game for high school gridironers in the Lone Star State takes place Tuesday, July 21, at DKR Memorial Stadium, home of the Texas Longhorns. Kick-off is set for 7:30 pm. High school football coaches selected all participating players, who will report to Austin on Friday, July 17.

For the next three days, the players will attend rigorous two-a-day practices in preparation for the game. The practices, which are open to the public, will also be held at Memorial Stadium on the University of Texas campus.

The Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) funds transportation and room and board for the players. They will also receive an engraved wristwatch to commemorate their achievement. “It’s a fun time for athletes, coaches, parents and fans of the game with memories they will treasure for a lifetime,” said a THSCA spokesman.

In the past, the Coaches All-Star Game has featured National Football League greats such as Earl Campbell, Don Meredith, Drew Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson. The All-Star football game began in 1935.

Meanwhile, Hicks has signed to play with West Texas A&M and will report to practice on August 4. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A&M is located about 15 miles south of Amarillo.

Schaef Announces Signee Class
Schaef Announces Signee Class
July 16, 2009
WEATHERFORD, Okla. - First-year Southwestern Oklahoma State University men's basketball coach Charlie Schaef has announced the signing of eight players to National Letters of Intent and committing themselves to play for the Bulldogs during the 2009-10 season.

"We are extremely proud of this class," Schaef said. "Coach (Wayne) Anderson and I hit the ground running in April. We think we have a fantastic group of young men that SWOSU can get excited about supporting."

Schaef and Anderson had extensive work heading into their first season together as the top seven scorers from last year's Lone Star Conference Tournament runner-up team have graduated.

"We were able to cover our needs across the board," Schaef said "Most importantly, we wanted great student-athletes on the court and in the classroom. These young men will be fun to watch and will be tremendous examples for kids in the Weatherford community."

The following is a list of the eight basketball players who have signed letters of intent. SIGNEES

Damian Henderson, 6-4, 200, Sr., G/F, Texarkana, TX (Texas Southern/Weatherford JC)Played in all 32 games for Division I Texas Southern where he was the No. 1 play on ESPN's Sportcenter on Feb. 16, 2009 for a dunk in which he leaped over a defender from Grambling.Coaches Comments: "Damian is a versatile athletic talent that will bring D-1 experience into our program. He should fit great with our style of play. We expect great things from Damian this upcoming year."

Ty Pace, 6-7, 210, Jr., F, Buffalo, NY (Gannon/NOC-Enid)All-city first-team selection at Burgard High School before transferring to Plano East...Played two seasons at Northern Oklahoma College Enid where he averaged 11.7 points and 7.6 rebounds...Led the Jets to a 19-14 record and a Region 2 second-place finish...Signed with Gannon University but did not play during the 2008-09 season.Coaches Comments: "Ty will be an immediate impact player in our program. He has the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket as well as post up and score. He has a tremendous work ethic on the court."

Curtis Nickson, 6-9, 275, Jr., C, Boligee, AL (Mississippi Gulf Coast)Signed with the University of Alabama-Birmingham out of high school with Coach Mike Anderson, now current coach at the University of Missouri...Top high school football and basketball recruit in the state of Alabama...Played on a team that went 19-11 and made its first trip in 15 years to the Junior College National Tournament at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.Coaches Comments: "Curtis is a great low block player with tremendous hands...He should be an outstanding scorer and passer down low in our program as well as a solid defender and rebounder. He will be a "go-to" guy on the block."

Charleston Flemmings, 6-0, 185, Jr., G, Austin, TX (Navarro JC)Averaged 14 points and 4.0 assists in Navarro's undefeated Region XIV Tournament run...Team finished 24-10 and advanced to the National Junior College Tournament...Played at Austin's McCallum High School where he averaged 18 points and 4.0 steals a game...Selected to Austin American Statesman's All-Central Texas team.Coaches Comments: "Charleston is a very talented guard with the ball in his hands as well as one of the best defenders at the junior college level last year. He has great lateral speed and his toughness is perfect for our full court defensive style of play."

Jamere King, 6-2, 190, Jr., G, Tulsa, Okla. (Centenary/Northeastern A&M)Star at Tulsa's Booker T. Washington High School where he originally signed with Division I Centenary...Played in 21 games for the Gents where he was considered their best player as a true freshman...Played last season at Northeastern A&M Junior College.Coaches Comments: "Jamere is a tremendous young man on the court, classroom and community. He is a great shooter with a high basketball I.Q. He also has the ability to run multiple guard positions and will be an exceptional defender in our system."

Chancellor Jones, 6-3, 190, Jr., G, Little Rock, AR (Arkansas Baptist)Played at North Little Rock High School where he was named All-Conference in Class 7A...He averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds at Arkansas Baptist this year.Coaches Comments: "Chancellor is another skilled athlete that will add athleticism to our team. He is long and athletic which is the perfect combination for success in our philosophy."

Jarett Boss, 6-4, 190, Fr., G, Tulsa, Okla. (Noah Home School)School career scoring leader with over 2,700 points at Tulsa's Noah Home School...Two-time MVP at the NCHBC National Tournament...Helped guide high school team to the 5A Championship of the National Prep School Tournament in Springfield Mo...Played AAU basketball with PWP and Team Oklahoma.... Two-time Tulsa World all metro and all state selection...Played with Score Internationals, a high school all star team in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic...Played for his father, Chad, in high school.Coaches Comments: "Jarett is one of the best shooters in the state of Oklahoma. His range allows us to really spread the floor on the offensive end...Being the son of a basketball coach, he has tremendous basketball I.Q. and court awareness...His footwork is among the best we've seen in some time."

Aleksa Rovic, 6-5, 190, Fr., G/F, Waterloo, Ontario (Blue Vale)Played at Blue Vale Collegiate Institution in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.Coaches Comments: "Aleksa is a very skilled shooter that has the ability to come off screens and shoot jump shots extremely well. He has really good size and strength for an incoming freshman."

Nonconference Hoops Schedule Announced (Brigham Young)
The final home nonconference game will be against Eastern New Mexico on Jan. 2

Rule helps freshmen enter school in summer
Tech's Harrell inks with CFL squad
Local sports roundup - 7/16
Nicholls State hires 3 football assistants