Reclassifying opens up options for Southwind’s Freeman
Mark Freeman,
For the decision to reclassify to the class of 2019 and put his college basketball career on hold for another year wasn’t an easy one. But it’s one that he hopes will pay off.
And his summer team should afford him plenty of opportunities to showcase himself.
Freeman — the all-state point guard from Southwind — said Monday that he will play this summer with the Bluff City Legends on the EYBL circuit. The Legends are the old Team Penny organization that was renamed after its founder, took over the head coaching job at the University of Memphis.
Freeman announced on Twitter late last week that he would not be attending LIU Brooklyn and was re-opening the recruiting process.
“I’m going to run with them,” Freeman said. “Reclassifying ... another year of playing EYBL I believe will get me some more and better options. Me and my mom and dad talked and we just decided re-opening my recruitment was best for us.
“It was very tough. I love DK (LIU Brooklyn coach and my decision isn’t anything against him. It’s just ... playing with Bluff City Legends will help my exposure.”
When Freeman Tweeted news of decision last week, speculation quickly began that he would be heading to the University of Memphis. And although that could present a challenge basketball-wise — the Tigers have already signed point guards (East) and (Cordova) — Freeman didn’t completely rule out the possibility of staying home.
“Memphis ... I’m not sure,” he said. “It would just depend on how hard they recruit me over the summer.”
The 6-0 Freeman averaged 22 points and 8 assists this past season while leading Southwind to a 29-2 record and a spot in the region semifinals, where it lost to eventual state runner-up Whitehaven. He was one of three finalists for the Class AAA Mr. Basketball award alongside Harris (the winner) and Lomax.
Freeman added he has been in talks with a couple of prep schools but has yet to decide where he’ll play in 20182019.
Penny Hardaway, Tyler Harris Injuries can’t keep Saluqi standouts down
It took a while for them to get healthier. But now that they have, Southwest Tennessee’s softball team can boast two of the hitters with the healthiest batting averages in the TCCAA.
Entering this weekend’s action, sophomore first baseman
ranked fourth in the league with a .441 average to go along with four home runs and 32 RBIs. Right behind in sixth place is freshman shortstop
who was batting .429 with 36 runs and 17 steals.
For Stajduhar — a Colorado native who ranks among Southwest’s all-time leaders in several offensive categories — it’s been a particularly trying year. She returned from Christmas break with a case of mono that was further compounded by a severe case of the flu.
“For the most part, I’m over everything,” she said. “(Mono) is a virus that attacks your whole body and makes your spleen really swollen. That makes
Stajduhar Stricklin, Derek Kellogg) Alex Lomax Melanie Cailin
it dangerous to play.
“It was really difficult because it’s my last season here and I wanted to go out with a bang. Mentally it was the hardest because I didn’t know when I would be back and I lost a lot of strength.”
In contrast to the slugging Stajduhar, Stricklin is a slap-hitter, meaning she’ll begin her run down the base line while simultaneously putting the ball in play. Pulling a quad muscle early on didn’t make her job any easier.
“It was my first ever injury,” the Hardin County grad said. “I was just running to first base ... and I couldn’t even run after that. I was like, ‘Well, I’m a slapper and if I don’t get better I won’t be able to run. And that’s part of my game.”
Stajduhar and Stricklin have at least a couple more games left to add to their impressive totals; the Saluqis travel to Chattanooga for the double-elimination Region VII tournament.
Tennessee Sports Hall to recognize locals
Several athletes with Memphis ties will be honored at the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet, which takes place June 16 at the Omni Nashville.
Heading the list is former University of Memphis kicker Joe Allison, who played from 1990-93 and won the inaugural award in 1992. That year, the Florida native connected on 23 of 25 field goals and all 32 extrapoint attempts.
Former Munford High and Tennessee running back will also be inducted along with several others, including former Vol and New York Knick Tennessee Titans’ All-Pro and legendary Maryville High football coach
Lou Groza Allan Houston, Blaine Bishop George Quarles.
The PCL champion Memphis Redbirds will be honored as the 2018 team of the year along with the Chattanooga Lookouts, co-champs of the Southern League. The Rhodes women’s golf team will be recognized as the amateur team of the year after winning its third NCAA Division III title. Former East basketball star — the Conference USA player of the year — will share male amateur athlete of the year cohonors with SEC player of the year
of Tennessee.
Nick King Grant Williams Johnnie Jones
Nine Memphis Redbirds Sunday home games will be televised this summer on WLMT CW30 with play-by-play man on the call.
The first game will be Sunday’s contest against Round Rock. Other contests will be May 13 (Nashville); June 10 (Reno); June 24 (New Orleans); July 8 (Omaha); July 22 (Colorado Springs); Aug. 5 (Fresno); Aug. 19 (Round Rock) and Aug. 26 (Nashville). All games will start at 2:05 p.m.
Baseball league holding tryouts
The National Urban Professional Baseball League is holding tryouts Sunday through Wednesday at USA Stadium in Millington. The tryouts are open to players age 17 and over and begin at 10 a.m. each day.
“Having the opportunity to help young men fulfill their dreams of playing baseball past the high school and college level is very inspiring,” said
in a statement. The former college coach and major league scout will manage the Rube Foster AllStars team that will be based in Millington.
Based in Chicago, the NUPBL has teams in several Southern states with the goal of developing the skills of talented athletes who might not otherwise have the opportunity to play professionally.
For registration information call 972-546-8894 or visit nupbl.com. Sponsorship opportunities for the Millington team are also available.
Mayden Softball star to speak at SCIAA banquet
Former LSU softball standout
will be the featured speaker at this year’s SCIAA Athletic Banquet of Champions, which takes place May 16 at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis.
Andrews helped the Tigers to two College World Series berths during her career and was a three-time All-SEC performer, ending her career with a .354 average and 97 stolen bases. Now a professional with the Houston-based ScrapYard Dawgs, she became the first woman to receive a Rawlings Gold Glove award in 2016.
In addition, Andrews will host a softball clinic on May 15.
The banquet will honor SCIAA champions in each of the fall, winter and spring sports. Scholar-athlete winners will also be announced.
Andrews Odds and ends Michael A.J.
Former White Station basketball standout was named Saint Louis’ male athlete of the year at the school’s recent SLUSpys. The 6-4 guard averaged 11.5 points this past season and ended his career with 1,160 points . ... Cornerback tight end
Adoree Jackson, Jonnu Smith Antwaun Woods
and nose tackle will be in the area May 5 when the Tennessee Titans Caravan makes a stop at Academy Sports in Collierville. The event begins at 11:30 a.m.
Sunday Sports Brunch is a weekly look at movers, shakers and newsmakers on the Memphis sports scene, from youth level to the pros. If you have an item of interest, please contact John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com.