After two months on Google’s Blogspot site I have decided to move my blog over to Wordpress site. The new format will allow me to do a few more things that I want, plus I am able to really improve the look of the site. Wordpress’s format is not as intuitive and Blogspots and it has taken me a while to figure it all out, but over all it will improve the way I can present information. Please follow the link below to my new site:

http://mslacat.wordpress.com/

The Lady Griz have received a commitment from Kalispell’s 5-4 Kelsey Hildal. Hildal is dynamo on the floor from the point guard position, averaging about 19 points a game. Her high game this season was a 39 point out burst against Missoula Big Sky. Hildal is the first Montana player this year to commit to the Griz and should be a great walk-on pick up for the Griz. With a little seasoning … i.e. a redshirt year and maybe a development year she should be able to give the Griz a nice change of pace option off the bench.

As a walk-on she will not sign an official letter of intent and will have free to accept any other offer that may come her way, up until she starts classes at UM.

The Bobcats are recruiting a JC center from Ohlone Junior College in California named Alpha N'Diaye. N’Diaye is a 6-9 center who averaged 10 points, 8 rebound and 3 blocks a game while shooting 53% from the field and 58%from the line. N’Diaye is originally from Africa and has only been playing organized basketball for the past 3-4 years. He is a very athletic player, and with a 7-1 wing span would fit the bill for the new key word in college basketball as “plays long”. He earned second team all Northern Division in the California JC ranks, and is ranked by numerous web sites as a top California D-1 recruit. Ohlone JC finished the season with a 25-9 record and was ranked in the California JC top 20 most of the season.

Here is what the website jucojuntion had to say about N’Diaye last August.

Alpha N'Diaye (SO) 6-foot-8 (215) from Mali, Africa, averaged 5 ppg and 4.7 rebounds last season for the Renegades. Alpha has really only played one year of organized basketball

"Alpha is a high major athlete, he has added 15 pounds to his frame since coming back from visiting his mother in Mali. While in Mali he got malaria and his now just getting back to full strength,".

N'Diaye has a 7'1 wingspan.

I have fielded a handful of questions the last few months on Bobcat recruit Dominique O’Connor from Westchester high school in Los Angeles. My response as of late, has been, that I do not thing we have much of a chance and are probably not recruiting him any more. It sounds like I am only half right.

Just to review, Dominique O’Connor is a 5-9 to 5-10 true point guard, with a set of jets, who averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 assists and 2.3 steals a game. He was named the LA City player of the year by a panel of sportswriters. His Westchester high school team went 34-2 this year winning the California state championship. In the championship game his Westchester team beat future Grizzly, Will Cherry’s McClymonds high school. O’Connor’s stock has been going through the roof this year, from a possible D-2 or Low D-1 recruit to a possible Pac-10 caliber player right now.

A few weeks back I read an article where O’Connor stated he wanted to stay close to home, and had crossed a handful of teams off his list that did not meet those requirements. He also stated, USC, Fresno State, San Francisco and San Diego State his four favorites, and schools he wanted to visit. At that time USC had not offered him but was the team he grew up cheering for. In an article published in Scout.com today, O’Connor mentions that that USC offered him this week end and they have moved to the head of his list with San Francisco second and a trip scheduled to Fresno State for this week-end. Now despite this he did, though, mention that he is also still receiving recruiting interest from Montana State, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara, and he may entertain a visit from one of them. It looks like the Bobcat’s are kind of sort-of still in the picture. So for the extreme optimists among you keep you fingers crossed, but I would not go printing up any jerseys quite yet.

The Great Falls Tribune girls Super-State team was announced today, and you should go and check out the Trib’s excellent article on the team. Here is their list of players and where they are planning to play school next year.

Joslyn Tinkle, 6-3 Missoula Big Sky (Stanford)
Chelsea Banis, 6-4, Fairfield. (Montana State)
Rachel Semansky, 6-0 , Highwood (Montana State)
Ashley Albert, 6-1, Hamilton (Montana State)
Kelsi Brekke, 5-7, Helena Capital (Carroll College)
Megan Patterson, 5-8, Columbus (Weber State)
Jordan Sullivan, 6-2 , Sidney (junior)
Carly Selvig, 6-2 , Glendive (junior)
Lexie Nelson, 5-9, Butte High (junior)
Torry Hill, 5-7, Anaconda (junior)

Looking over the list, the one name I would have added to the list would be sophomore 5-8 Kalli Durham of Miles City, but then who would I take off? That really is a pretty impressive, though of girls basketball players. In a couple years you are not only going to be seeing 9 of the 10 players playing D-1 ball, but you will see them excelling at the next level.

Normally I do not, do a lot of posting on on players the Griz or Cats do not get. I do get questions from time to time though on players I have mentioned before, and I am happy to give an update if someone is curiuos, though. Sometimes though who the schools do not get is as telling as who they do land.

I have heard that bothe the Bobcats and Griz were recruiting 5-9 point guard Amir Rashid from Trinity Valley Community College in Texas. Trinity is a traditional power in the Texas JC ranks. Rashid averaged 12 points, 5.3 assists and two steals per game this season and was selected 3rd Team NJCAA All-Region XIV. I beleive he was a prime target of both programs but he recently commited to Central Michigan University after an official visit.

I found this atricle on Rivals.com this today and thought I would share it. I am post only the section that deals with Capitals high schools Matt Miller.

Montana is hardly one of the nation's top recruiting hot spots, but college coaches this spring will be flocking to Big Sky Country to check out athlete Matt Miller of Helena Capital.


Montana's Matt Miller is getting national attention. For the first time in quite some time, Miller could be a national recruit from the state.

He already has scholarship offers from Stanford, Boise State, Oregon State, Arizona State, Wyoming, Colorado State, Washington State, Oregon, Montana, Montana State, Harvard and Dartmouth. He is also starting to get some major attention from national powers all over the country.

"Matt is a tremendous athlete," Capital coach Pat Murphy said. "He's probably the best football recruit to come out of Montana in a long time."

What makes Miller such an attractive prospect is his versatility.

At 6 feet 4 and 205 pounds, Miller was named the state's offensive most valuable player at receiver in 2008. Last year, he had 932 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns. He also had an additional 663 yards on the ground and six more scores. Miller also was named to the all-state team on defense in both 2007 and 2008 and helped his team win state championships in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

"He could play big-time football at receiver, defensive back or linebacker," Murphy said. "I think his best chance at success would be to play safety or outside linebacker. He is 6-4, 205 now, but he could easily put on 30 pounds in a few years. Then you would have a very fast athletic 6-4, 235-pound wrecking ball.

"But again, he is a great receiver, too, because he runs so well."

Murphy said Miller is a complete player both on and off the field.

"What makes him special is his size and speed," Murphy said. "Even though he is tall, he moves like a quick little guy. He has speed, athleticism and can jump. To top it off, he is aggressive and has great football instincts. He is very smart as well and takes honors classes. He's the complete package."

A complete package who is about to become one of the most heavily recruited players in the nation.

"We're excited about the amount of attention Matt's received so far," Murphy said. "But we're not surprised. He's a very talented player and is worthy of all of the interest that he's been receiving."

It has almost a week and the only confirmed signing that has been reported by the Bobcat or Grizzlies at this point. The one athlete that has been reported is Rachel Semansky by Tricia Binford’s Lady Bobcats. North Idaho College and the Spokane Review reported last week that Michel Swita has signed with the Bobcats, but nothing official from MSU.

I thing I keep hearing though, is that this signing period has been incredibly difficult, more so for the men than the women to get things done this spring. It seems that between the NCAA tourney, Easter, and high school basketball last into March coaches have been having a very hard time getting in to prospective students homes and then on campus. This is even worse for JC players. A lot of players are just now in the middle of taking their trips, and if a player takes all 5 trips it could be a while before things shake out. The other thing that drags this whole thing out is that Tinkle, Huse and Selvig have a history of waiting until they have all or most of their recruits signed before issuing a press release.

Here is what I hear.

Bobcat Men: I was told that the Bobcats will announce a group of signees today or tomorrow. I expect it will be Michel Swita and Colt Idol … possibly more but I doubt it. I believe they are waiting on a couple athletes who have already been on campus who are priority.

Bobcat Women: While announcing Semansky’s signing Binford said she hopes to announce two more signees this week. I believe both recruits are already committed, with one being 6-0 Carrie Ojeda and the other is unknown (to me) at this point.

Griz Men: No word on anything yet, but I have been keeping my eye 5-7 point guard Steven Bennett of Citrus JC in California who I have heard the Griz are looking hard at. Four of Bennett’s team mates from Citrus JC have already committed, but not him. Also high schooler Marcus Tibbs is in the midst of taking his trips and it appear to be looking hard at Montana and Portland State after San Francisco and Montana State have backed off.

Lady Griz. Typically Robin gets this done quick so I would expect to hear something early this week.

Most Charges Taken Award: Eric Rush
It must be noted that Rush beat out Brandon Johnson by only1 charge this year, this notable because Brandon had 3 total charges taken in his first two years. This was a point of emphasis for Brandon this year.

Academic Award: Brandon Johnson
Brandon will graduate this semester, and will come back as a graduate student next year.

Weight Room Award: Eric Rush
2nd year in a row Eric has won this award.

Community Service Award: Austin Brown

Most Improve Award: Austin Brown

Defensive Player Award: Divaldo Mbunga
Huse mentioned that he thought Divaldo was robbed for the league defensive award. Will Bynum as a strong contender,

Team MVP: Divaldo Mbunga

Bobcat Award: James Hennessy
Player who best represents the Bobcats on and off the court.

Additionally the M-Club presented Divaldo Mbunga with his jersey framed under glass.

Ok, Tom Brokow, I am going to call it. I am predicting based on exit polling of my different contacts, that Carrie Ojeda from Mount Tacoma high school in Washington will or has already signed on to play for Tricia Binford and Montana State Bobcats women’s team. Carrie Ojeda is a 6-0 player who averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 steals, and 2 assist while shooting 55% from the field (37% 3fg) and 60% from the line. For the first half of the season she led the state of Washington is scoring at over 26 per game, but had some injury problems mid season that hurt her average. Her best game of the season was a 42 points, 17 rebounds, and 7 blocks game against Mercer Island high school. Ojeda is an All-Narrows League Bay Division First Team selection. Ojeda is also a very accomplished track athlete, in the high jump, long / triple jumps and the 4x100 relays.

Ojeda is a typical Binford recruit, athletic and with the ability to play more than one position. While Ojeda, was recruited by the ‘Cats to play the power forward spot, she has the toughness to play the center position, and the perimeter shooting, and athleticism to play the small forward. I think she will remind a lot of Cat fans of Nubia Garcia. She is a very physical player, who does not mind doing the dirty work, and plays defense. Her defense though is an area that she could use, a little bit of refinement in. As a shot blocker and an interior defender she has at time swatted/hacked too much at the ball. She needs to get a little smarter some times about how she plays defense.

This signee is a statement maker for Binford. With a real lack of 4’s and 5’s returning next year it must have been real tempting to recruit a quick fix JC big to round out her roster, but she went for the long term program building player in Ojeda. While Ojeda is going to have to battle incoming freshman Banis, and Semansky for playing time the returnees better show up ready to play next fall because they will be pushed

This is the second part of a two part series about the April signing period. Part 1 the Bobcats, Part 2 The Grizzlies

The Grizzly Men: I believe the Griz will sign 1 player, with the outside chance of more during the late signing period. The Griz have been rather quiet this spring in the recruiting circle, at least as far as I can tell. Clearly though, they seem very interested in signing a point guard this spring. I have heard that they were recruiting point guards at the NJCCA tourney earlier last month, and almost all recruiting buzz I have heard has been around recruiting point guards. The seem to be recruiting JC’s the hardest but also looking at the high school ranks. I have a little bit of buzz around some big men hear and there but most of that seems to be focused on high school guy’s they were recruiting last fall. Just my gut feeling, but to me it seemed more “just in case” recruiting, than actively trying to fill a spot. Here is a name to keep an eye out for “just in case” 6-8 Brandon Durham from Washington.

The Lady Griz: Robin Selvig will sign two players this spring and he will get it done early. Robin always signs all of his scholarships, and he always gets it done early. There is no doubt in my mind that Selvig will sign a point guard. Robin (almost) never signs JC’s and with only two point guards on his roster (one being a senior) he is going to need to get a freshman in this year to get her seasoned enough to play major minutes the following year. In his scheme of thing he will not have the luxury of bring in a JC next year. I have heard that they have at least one commit already.

Carrie Ojeda

Carrie Ojeda could be a player that either the Griz or the Cat’s sign this spring, or maybe not. A while a go I had heard a rumour the Lady Griz had received at least one verbal commit but no name. A couple days’ later I heard from another source I the Lady Cats received a commit from a post player from the Seattle Washington area. I talked to a source in Washington and she gave me a couple names that she the Cat’s may have gotten. Those names were more of an educated guess than any thing, so continued scratching around trying to see if I can identify the Montana State player. Last week another source told me that he has heard that Carrie Ojeda a 6-0 post player from Mount Tacoma had signed with Montana State ....... or may be Montana. That was followed up by another source emailing me and telling me no it was Montana who got Ojeda. Like I said earlier I do not know if one or the other or none of them will pick up Ojeda, but I am going to be curious to see where she does land..

Ojeda is cross between the Griz Sara Ena and Bobcat Nubia Garcia. She is a very athletic and physical (almost too physical) forward who is built more like a track athlete which she is. She runs the sprints and relay in track. She averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks a game. She also shoots the ball out to three point range. At one point this season she was averaging 26 points a game but had some knee and foul problems late in the season which knocked her average down.

Also keep an eye out for Marcissa McMillan and Sara Paponjak for no other reason than those names were thrown at me, too.

This is the first part of a two part series about the April signing period. Part 1 the Bobcats, Part 2 The Grizzlies

The Men: The Bobcats will initially sign two athletes in the first day’s of the signing period, and then there could be a week or two before any other players or signed. Michel Swita a 7-0 commit from France, by way of North Idaho committed last December and he will sign. Swita was one of two major targets the Bobcat’s identified for the November signing period, visited last October, but put off his decision until after the early signing period. I heard last fall he was getting recruiting attention from Eastern Washington and Tulsa. Brad Huse is very high on the long term prospects for Swita who will have 3 years of eligibility for the Cats. Swita has been slowed by a bone bruise in his knee most of the season at North Idaho. The other signee should be Colt Idol a 6-3 guard from Whitefish Montana. Colt also committed last December, with a couple day’s of Swita. The Bobcat coaches really thought Colt a hidden gem in Montana and really tried to keep their recruitment of Colt under the radar until he committed. If they would have had there way, I do not think they would have had Colt announce his commit until April 15th. These are the players we know about.

The Cats are also looking to sign at least one more (possibly two) more athletes this fall. There initial needs would seem to be a point guard to replace James Hennessy; it seems they are looking at the best players possible right now. I think you will see a tiered approach to their recruiting, and they are taking their time. I believe they have only had 1 or two athletes in this spring so far and those athletes were high priority/ instant impact (high school) guy’s. I think they are going to see where they land with these players before bringing in the second tier if you will players. They also have a couple players who should just now be receiving ACT/SAT scores back. It could be a few weeks before thing shake out.


The Women: I believe the Women may sign two athletes this fall and get it done rather quickly. The one commit who we know is scheduled to sign in the first few day’s is Highwood’s 6-0 power forward Rachel Semansky who committed last January. Semansky is a big signee for Binford’s Bobcat’s because Semansky is another top notch Montana athlete to chose the Bobcat women’s team and help Binford chip away at the strangle hold the Lady Griz have had on recruiting Montana. Semansky is also important because she plays a position that the Cat’s will need help with and she has the talent to contribute next year. The second signee, if Binford does indeed fills up her 15 scholarships, should be a post player. I would have you check out Part 2 of these series for a possible signee.

The Bobcats are recruiting 6-7 230lb Matt Qualls of Tahlequah high school in Oklahoma. I knew the Bobcat’s were recruiting Matt last fall but given the way his senior season was going I was figuring that he may be getting some looks from mid majors this spring. I have just heard that he has narrowed his list Montana State, Northern Arizona, and Stephen F. Austin. Matt is a coach’s son and as I understand it now, his father want him signing a letter of intent until the late period. Matt just finished up his senior season with eye popping 23.5 points, 14 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 2 assist and 2 steals a game while shooting 68% from the field.

Some of his highlights:

• His points, rebounding and blocks were top in Oklahoma this year.
• Quallis was a model of consistency shooting under 50% in only 3 games this winter (45%, 44% and 33% games).
• He went perfect from the field twice (12 for 12 both games) this season, had some huge games scoring 38 points in two games.
• He pulled down 11 or more rebounds in every game this season.
• Averaged a double-double in all four of his high school seasons
• High school career totals of 2,123 points and 1,291 rebounds.
• 5A MVP, State tourney all star team, Oklahoma All-State first team.

This is one of those stories that does not fit in perfectly to this blog but I really find this interesting. First most people in Montana do not even realise Little Big Horn College has a basketball team, second the recruit and sign almost the entire starting line up of this high school team, and third they go all the way to the Bahama's to get these players. Now I garentee you LBHC's recruiting budget has to minuscule. Fourth it is my blog and I like this story, becuase it put a smile on my face for sooooo many reassons.

Triple Threat- Tracy, Tiffany And Taniel Off To Little Big Horn
College
By Gerrino Saunders

Three Cybot Queens soon to become Lady Rams playing for the Little Bigh Horn College in Montana seen warming up for practice at Betty Cole Park on East Bay STreet. (L-R) Tracy Lewis-5’ 10” forward; Taniel Poitier - 5’ 6” guard; Tiffany Wildgoose – 5’ 10” guard. (Photo: Gerrino Saunders)

The women’s basketball program at Little Big Horn College (LBHC) in Crow Agency, Montana is just three years old but it is already looking to become a formidable team in the National Junior College Athletic Association. And according to head coach of the women’s basketball team Dominic Gaglia, he believes the three Bahamian players he expects to join his program this year will make a huge difference. He first learned of the three girls through National Coach Jurell Nairn.

Tiffany Wildgoose, Tracy Lewis and Taniel Poitier all recently graduated high school and are currently members of the Electro Telecom Cybot Queens that play in the local New Providence Women’s Basketball Association (NPWBA) where they have been honing their skills and preparing for the college game.

The three ladies that also have scholarship offers to other schools are expected to sign their letter of intent today April 8th to attend LBHC. In a recent interview they all seemed eager to get into school and begin working.

Poitier, 5’ 6” began playing basketball as a seventh grader with coach Simmons at SC McPherson Jr. High School before moving on to RM Bailey Sr. High School where she continued her basketball dreams while running track and field for a few years until deciding to focus on just basketball.

About seven years after she first picked up a basketball, the speedy Poitier is know speaking the basketball language explaining that she plays the number one (point guard) and number two (shooting guard) positions on her team.

“At this stage of my development in the game while playing the one I think I need to work on keeping my head up and knowing what is happening around me which will allow me to become a better play maker for my team, and when I’m at the two position I think I need to strengthen my shooting,” explained Poitier.

She say’s if she could choose which four-year college she would want to play for, she said UCLA. Poitier plans to study Computer Technology once she begins college.

LBHC is a public two-year community college chartered by the Crow Tribe of Indians. Eight Associate of Arts degrees are offered at LBHC.

Coach Wade Watson head of the Electro Telecom Cybots local men’s program trained Lewis who has been playing for six years beginning at Yellow Elder Primary School, before moving on to AF Adderly Jr. High School where she continued to “learn the fundamentals.”

Lewis, 5’ 10” small forward says right now she is more of a slasher, and that she is still working on perfecting many of the fundamental skills and developing a more consistent jump shot “because that is what coaches usually look for,” she said.

Lewis who played a big roll in helping the first-year Queens reach the NPWBA playoffs says she would like to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels once she has completed her eligibility at LBHC. Bahamian Waltia Rolle 6’6” recently signed a full scholarship to attend UNC.

Wildgoose who also likes UNC, already has a feathery touch on her perimeter jump shot. She has been playing since the fourth grade at Temple Christian School under the guidance of coach Keno Demeritte but is now “excited” to start college and begin studying Computer Information Systems and playing basketball.

“Playing in the NPWBA this year with a better team than the year before has given me a lot of experience and has helped to keep me in good condition, said Wildgoose.

However, the 5’ 10” guard who has very good ball handling skills admits that she has to strengthen her man-to-man defense, and it has been an area she has beenworking on and is willing to continue to work hard to improve.

All three of the players say they are ready for the physical and mental demands of college life for an athlete.

On Tuesday, coach Gaglia said that in his first year in 2008 after taking over the
position four days before the start of the season and with no recruits, the ladies team was able to win 10 games.

“I believe if we had Tracy, Tiffany and Taniel on our team last season we could have competed for the regional title,” he said.

The scholarship offer for each player was increased from the initial offer and now includes full tuition, textbooks, housing, meal plan and a round trip ticket to and from Montana.

Gaglia reminded that LBHC has a high set of academic standards and that major four-year universities “recruit heavily” from their region.

Galia has “personally” promised each of the players that he would help them with placement in a four-year school once they have completed their eligibility, provided they live up to agreed terms that include maintaining a 3.0 GPA at the end of the second year, have perfect attendance to class, practice and mandatory study table and cannot be caught in a position where they are disciplined by the school.

Additionally, each player must be able to complete a mile run at six minutes or under, score 200-plus on a basketball skills test, complete a 20 minutes conditioning station at an acceptable standard and pace, complete and document off season workouts as required and the student-athlete must be coachable.

Tiffany, Taniel and Tracy that spent the past year playing for the Queens will now become LBHC Lady Rams.

With the spring signing period starting April 15th I thought I would give you a little scuttlebutt that I am hearing one the 4 Montana D-1 schools. Earlier I talked abut the calendar leading up to the signing period, as well as scuttlebutt on the Bobcat’s. The following is a the same for the Griz.

Grizzly Men’s Basketball – The Griz men I believe will look to sign one player possibly two. Shawn Stockton is gone, so the Griz are really looking over the JC ranks for a point guard who can come in and contribute right away. If they can not find the right JC player look for the Griz to sign another high school point, to go along with fall signee Will Cherry and let them battle it out. Winner gets the back up spot the other a redshirt. On another interesting recruiting note it appears the Griz have been contacting some of the power forwards /center they recruited last fall. They have also been contacting some upper end JC big men to see if they get any bites. I am not sure if they are actively recruiting big men, I do not believe they have offered anyone, or just testing the waters.



Lady Griz Basketball - The Lady Griz will be looking to sign at least two players this spring. I have heard that they are interested in signing a point guard for the future with at least one. I am not sure what they will be looking for at the other spot but the look really stacked at the wing position, so unless someone leaves the program I would guess they will stand pat at the 2 and 3. I am told they have at least one commit already but who and what position I am not clear.

Over all the Griz have been a lot quieter on the recruiting trail. Of the four programs the men’s Griz program is the only one that I have not heard of a possible commit. I think both programs are being pretty picky right now with who they offer. Niether is in a position of absolutely having to sign a particular player, so they can afford to be picky.