How sweet it is, St. Michael’s Academy beats Murry Bergtraum 62-58 to capture their first New York State Federation “AA” title.

Bergtraum jumped out to a 7-0 first quarter lead, only to have St. Mike’s come back to close out the first quarter with 14-12 lead.

Bergtruam took control of the game in the second quarter to lead at half time 33-23.

Bergtraum maintain a 10 point lead early into the third quarter. St. Michael’s being pushed to the brink, mounted a come back, steadily chipping away at the Bergtraum lead, eventually closing to within 33-29 with approximately 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Bergtraum answered right with two threes extending their lead back to 10, 39-29. St. Michael’s fought hard and found themselves back in the game down only 47-41, at the end of the third quarter after a put back by Allysia Rohlehr.

St. Michael’s started the fourth quarter with five consecutive points from Allysia Rohlehr to close to with in 47-46 of Bergtraum. A 3-pointer by Janine Davis with approximately 6:30 remaining in the third quarter put St. Michael’s back in the lead for the first time since the second quarter. St. Michael’s extended to a 3-point lead, only to have CeCe Dixon tie the game at 56-56 on a 3-pointer with 49 seconds remaining.

In the final 15 seconds St. Michael’s got two free throws each from juniors Julleah Sidney and Jennifer O’Neill to put the stamp on the victory.

Leading the way for St. Michael’s was junior Jennifer O’Neill with 13 points, sophomores Taylor Ford with 10 points/13 rebounds, Tiffany Jones with 9 points/15 rebounds and Allysia Rohlehr with 10 points.

Contributing for Murry Bergtraum were junior CeCe Dixon with 20 points, senior Shanee Williams with 17 points. Junior Shukurah Washington fouled out with approximately 5:30 remaining in the game while being held to 4 points/8 rebounds.

(This is the third in a seires of player profiles done by Winston Kelly in the Class of 2010 that will appear during the spring and before summer competition) — Mike Flynn

GameBall Magazine/Blue Star Player Profile on Kaneisha Horn

 

Players Name: Kaneisha Horn

 

Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama

 

Class Year: 2010

 

Height: 6’1

 

Position: Wing

 

School Honors: Coach’s award, MVP, MVP Class 5A Girls Regional Basketball

 

Personal Honors: N/A

 

Goals: N/A

 

Why did you start playing basketball: N/A

 

What are your academic strengths: N/A

 

What are your athletic strengths: Rebounding

 

Your school GPA: 3.4

 

What are your favorite hobbies: Listening to music, Shopping with my mom

 

Favorite Food: T-bone steak

 

Favorite Movie: Love and Basketball

 

Favorite kind of music: R & B/Hip Hop

 

Favorite TV show: House of Payne

 

Favorite non-sport figure:  Beyonce

 

Favorite sports figure: LeBron James

 

Who is your role model, and why: My mother Connie, because she is the hardest working forty year old lady on earth and I LOVE her to death

 

Who would you like to meet, why, and what would you ask them: I would like to meet President Obama, I would ask him how, does he balance being the President of the United States and a father

 

Best academic memory: N/A

 

Best sports memory: Winning the State Championship as a freshman 2007

 

Colleges recruiting choices: Undecided

 

What would you like people to know about you: I would like people to know that I am very laid back and very silly

 

The Dynamic Roadrunner Kaneisha Horn

 

GameBall Magazine shines the spot light on the dynamic Kaneisha Horn, arguably the nation’s top junior.

 

Kaneisha, you had a tremendous spring, summer and fall of 2008, has the injury that you’ve suffered made you stronger? Yes it has made me stronger mentally, the physical part of my game isn’t an issue, and it was more of the mental part. I think if I get a lot stronger mentally, it will be make a big difference in my game.

 

Kaneisha, being considered arguably the nations top junior in the country, has the road to recovery been difficult for you not being on the court? It hasn’t been hard at all because, I know I can come back stronger than ever, so sitting out hasn’t really affected me as much as I thought it would. It has actually made me want it more.

 

Kaneisha, you suffered your ACL tear in late December, your surgery was successful. How is your recovery progressing? I’m recovery well. I have therapy 3 times a week, I’m also working on my own at home, my dad bought me some equipment, with that being said I will definitely bounce back for next season.

 

Kaneisha, what, if anything would you like to share with other female athletes about your injury and or recovery process, that might be beneficial to others? I would like to tell him/her to listen to everything their doctor tells them and keep GOD first.

 

Kaneisha, Is there a chance, even a slim chance that you might consider competing in July during the travel season, if your recovery continues positively? I’m just taking therapy day by day.

 

Kaneisha, who, if anyone has you patterned your game after? I haven’t patterned my game after anyone. I just try to play my game. I have been successful doing me, so I will continue doing so.

 

Kaneisha, who has been the most instrumental in your development as arguably the nation’s top 2010 junior? My coach Robert Mosley was the biggest part in me becoming the top junior in my class. If I had gone somewhere else other than Ramsey High School,  I wouldn’t be this far, he really took my game to another level and I’m glad I made the right choice and most of all my parents because with out them I would not be here. I LOVE them both to death.

 

 

Kaneisha, you compete with such a high level of aggressiveness and physicality, where did you develop that style? I would have to say I developed my aggressiveness from my dad (Ben) and brother (Terence). When I was younger we would go out and play in the backyard, it helped me because now when I play girls it’s a lot easier for me.

 

Kaneisha, what have been some of the biggest adjustments you’ve had to make, if any due to your injury and recovery process? Not being able to play, having to sit and watch is very difficult because, I love being out there on the court.

 

Comments from the parents (Connie and Ben Horn)

 

How has Kaneisha handled her national notoriety? Kaneisha is a very reserved young lady, so the national notoriety being a huge honor has simply added to her grace and poise. She is as always, very humble and grateful for the great gift that GOD  has bestowed upon her.

 

As a family unit, what keeps Kaneisha grounded? As a family we talk a lot about the good and the bad in life, so I think that has really helped her and we support each other in whatever we are doing.

 

When you look back, when would you say you realized Kaneisha was becoming a special athlete? The first time I saw Kaneisha on the court and she showed her true passion for the game. She was focused, determined, and dedicated to her team. She had a drive that I hadn’t realized before, a drive to be victorious and  it wasn’t just on the court, and it was an all around motivation to succeed.

 

What lasting impression would you like everyone to come away with from this  spot light profile on Kaneisha? I’d like people to know that Kaneisha’s a strong, motivated, determined, and graceful young female athlete, who strives for excellence in all the she does, be it  on the court and off.

 

Comments from Ramsey High School, Head Coach Robert Mosley

 

Coach Mosley, was it clear from the out set how talented Kaneisha would become in such a short time? It was quite evident that kaneisha was blessed with outstanding athletic ability. The way she rebounded, handled, and her ability to finish with either hand was unbelievable for a freshmen. I remember during preseason workouts having several major D1 programs coming to watch her agility drills and left weights. I was accustomed to having schools come to preseason conditioning, but never to see a kid who had yet to play  her first high school game.

 

Coach Mosley, with Kaneisha’s presence missing on the court this season, has her presence rubbed off on her team mates off the court? I would love to say that it did, but it didn’t. When Kaneisha was a freshman, she came into a situation in which we had 7 seniors, two of whom were highly recruited. They were a huge asset to kaneisha during her maturation process. She would listen and embrace the advised they provided for her. I say that to say that I believe that a person has to be receptive to advise  and be willing to adhere to it. Kaneisha’s teammates this year were not as  receptive.

 

Coach Mosley, how rewarding has it been for you, to watch Kaneisha develop into the athlete and person she has become? It’s been extremely rewarding. When Kaneisha arrived at Ramsey High School, she was a post player…period!!! I have watched her develop her perimeter skills and become a very effective player. Kaneisha has committed herself to working hard in the summers by coming to the gym and working on the areas of her game that  she needed to improve in. She has allowed herself to be coached and accepted all demands placed on her. I think all of that speaks volumes about the type of person she is and the family she comes from. The Horn family, their, humble and hard working.

 

Coach Mosley, Kaneisha returns for her senior season in the fall to cap off her brilliant career at Ramsey High School, what do you anticipate that experience will be like next season? Emotional and intense are the two words that come to mind. Emotional, because I know that this year will be a year of last. Her last summer working out, her last season at Ramsey, the last time I get to see #40 run out the locker room and also senior night when she plays her last home game. Intense, because Kaneisha has personal goals she wants to accomplish before she leaves. She has one state championship, but her goal is to have multiple championships. She missed the majority of her junior year due to an ACL injury, so I know she is focused on going out the way she came in, a champion!  I challenge you to find a more manner able, humble and down to earth kid than Kaneisha Horn.

(This is the second of a series of player profiles done by Winston Kelly on the top players in the Class of 2010 that will appear during the spring and before the summer competition.) – Mike Flynn

By: Winston Kelly
GameBall Magazine/Blue Star Player Profile on Laurin Mincy

Laurin Mincy runs the show at University

 

Hometown:                Newark, New Jersey

Class Year:                2010

Height:                       5”11

Position:                     Wing Forward

School Honors:             National Honor Society,

Personal Honors:             Rank 7th in 2010 graduating class

Goals:                         Graduate from high school and college, pursue a career

 

Why did you start playing basketball: It caught my attention at a young age (2 yrs old) and it naturally became a part of my life

What are your academic strengths: persuasive writing and history

What are your athletic strengths: Jumping, court awareness and shooting

Your school             GPA:3.3

What are your favorite hobbies: dancing, listening to music and shopping

Favorite Food: shrimp and rice

Favorite Movie: Love and Basketball and Stomp Yard

Favorite kind of music: R & B

Favorite TV show: Fresh Prince of Bellaire

Favorite non-sport figure: My high school coach (Felicia Oliver)

Favorite sports figure: Dwayne Wade

Who is your role model, and why: My mom, because she is intelligent and independent

Who would you like to meet, why, and what would you ask them: President Barack Obama, because he is a prime example of how hard work pays off. I would like to ask him, how it feels being the first African American President

Best academic memory: Joining the National Honor Society

Best sports memory: Winning the Tournament of Champions as well as the Essex County Player of the Year (2006-07)

Colleges recruiting choices: Maryland, Rutgers, UCONN, South Carolina, Miami, Georgia, and Florida

What would you like people to know about you: I am very outgoing and I love to laugh.

 

Meet Laurin Mincy “Lady LaBron”

 

GameBall Magazine shines the spot light on Laurin Mincy “Lady LaBron”

 

Laurin, what’s it like to be labeled the Lady LaBron? It’s an honor to even be compared to LaBron James. He is one of the best. It gives me a boost of confidence.

 

Laurin, you arrived at University High School and put the program on your shoulders, do you any added pressure being the face of the program? No, the added pressure makes me work harder. It pushes me as well as my teammates.

 

Laurin, your considered amongst the top 2010 juniors in the country, what it like every time you step on the court knowing your opponent is inspired to shut you down? It’s hard at times, because I must live up to the hype every time I step on the floor. It lets me know that I have to work even harder, so there is no way for them to shut me down.

 

Laurin, have you and your parents decided who you’ll be playing with this spring and summer during the travel team season? No, we haven’t. I am looking to  play with and against good competition.

 

Laurin, you have an opportunity to be selected for Nike’s National and Regional  Skills Academy, are you excited about the possibility? Yes, I’m very excited, I will  have a chance to compete against the top prospects and see where I stand  amongst them.

 

Comments from the parents: Duane Mincy

 

When did you realize your daughter had special talent? I think she was about 8 yrs old and she was at her first basketball camp. While at the camp during breaks, you could do other things, like swimming, play games, draw, and etc., Laurin would be the only kid in the gym working on her basketball game and she won every award at camp.

 

Has the national recognition changed Laurin any? Not one bit, she is a very humble and respectable teenager.

 

How have you helped Laurin adjust to the challenges she now faces as an elite player? Letting her no that there is a great responsibility with being an elite player and remembering these simple words, all that I am, I owe, I live eternally in the red. Meaning that she can never repay the elite players that came before her, she can only honor the game the way they did by also being a role model for young girls who look up to her.

 

How has your family kept Laurin grounded? Laurin has a big family who helps to make sure that she does the little things, whether it be teaching her little brother about life things that she has learned thus far. We all make sure that her faith is strong and balanced.

 

Comments from University High School Head Coach Felicia Oliver:

 

Coach Oliver, you’ve been around the game a long time, what intangibles does Laurin bring to her game, that elevates her above other players? Laurin is very humble, maintains her composure, so artistic in her game, intelligent beyond her sport, makes personal sacrifices at her own expense, and she has he ability to stay in the moment during period of intense pressure. Laurin will tend to let things happen and not force the issue, especially since she uses her innate ability to trust the moment…

 

Laurin is creating her own legacy right now, she can make her team win, she fills up a stats sheet. Laurin is very versatile and can play multiple positions and she does all of this from the guard position

 

Laurin has the ability to take over every game, but she will spend time working on building her teammates confidence, understanding at an early age that its about we and not me. Laurin will make self-sacrifices and play with her friends during the off  season with her main focus being helping others to improve their game and  quality of life in this basketball world.

 

Laurin glides down the court, artistically as if she were poetry in motion , she has the ability to be super clutch down the stretch. Laurin also understands that everyone else plays the game against her not wanting to admit that it builds their confidence more  and helps elevate their game when they step on the court to compete against thee “Laurin Mincy”

 

Players Name:             Laurin Mincy