Tuesday, May 18, 2010 SPORTS The Birmingham News j 3D **ALABAMA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Ramsay girls basketball coach set for UA job

By DENNIS VICTORY women’s coach Wendell Hudson The 35-year-old Mosley guided As for Mosley, he was selected players of his decision today. For The Birmingham News offered him the chance to become the Rams to an 187-48 record. He Coach of the Year by the National “It was the toughest thing I’ve Robert Mosley knew it was time an assistant coach on his staff. coached more than 20 players who Federation of High School had to do since I’ve been there,” to move on. “I’m excited about the opportu- became college players, including Coaches Association in 2006. Mosley said. “You think after the During his seven years as girls nity to go to Alabama and coach Alabama’s prized recruit from this “Robert brings a wealth of last game, the speech you give the basketball coach at Birmingham’s in-state at the next level, in the year’s class, Miss Basketball Ka- knowledge and experience in high seniors, that’s the toughest thing Ramsay High School, where Mos- SEC, which is one of the better neisha Horn. school basketball spanning the you have to do. Some of the kids ley won four straight state cham- conferences in women’s college The 6-foot-1, 178-pound for- state of Alabama and the South- that are there, they came for an pionships, he said there were op- basketball,” Mosley said. “To stay ward helped Ramsay capture four east to our coaching staff,” said opportunity to play for you and I portunities to leave. here, where I was born and recruit straight Class 5A championships Hudson. “I have no doubt he will take that very seriously. To tell Mosley said the timing just state kids, and give them an op- from 2004-2007 and earn five help us tremendously.” those young ladies that I was leav- never felt right until Alabama portunity to play here is exciting.” straight Final Four appearances. Mosley informed his Ramsay ing was tough.” NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS school relations. SCARBINSKY He had two former high From Page 1D school football coaches from this state on his staff Kobe gets 40 How could a reporter be last year in Willie Carl Mar- the first to tell him about tin and Jeremy Pruitt as di- another one of his players rectors of player develop- who may be considering a ment. in Lakers rout transfer when the tip came When assistant coach from a person involved James Willis left after the By GREG BEACHAM second half highlighted by with AAU basketball? season to become Tommy The Associated Press Bryant’s 21-point third And no, that AAU type Tuberville’s defensive LOS ANGELES — Even on quarter. wasn’t Darien Knox. coordinator at Texas Tech, a balky knee, Kobe Bryant The defending NBA It’s not a head coach’s Saban promoted Pruitt to job to scan message had no problem giving the champions beat the third- an on-field position coach- boards or gossip with AAU Los Angeles Lakers an early seeded Suns at their own ing linebackers. coaches — although the leg up in the Western Con- uptempo game when nec- Those moves have made gossip couldn’t hurt — but ference finals. essary, fluidly running the a strong impression on he better have someone on Bryant scored 40 points, court to set up baskets for high school football Bryant in his sixth straight his staff who’s plugged coaches from Huntsville to Lamar Odom added 19 into the grapevine, espe- points and 19 rebounds, 30-point game. Bryant then Mobile. rested his sore knee for most cially in his own state. Putting restrictions on and the Lakers opened the The head coach has to series with ruthless offen- of the fourth quarter in the the transfer of Knox, a Tus- 11th 40-point game of his be able to lean on some- caloosa native, hasn’t sive efficiency in a 128-107 one who has a finger on playoff career. helped Grant in the eyes of victory over the Phoenix the pulse of the state’s high Suns on Monday night. Game 2 is Wednesday some high school basket- school and AAU coaches, ball coaches, which may be Pau Gasol had 21 points night at Staples Center. which are two very differ- for the top-seeded Lakers, Amare Stoudemire scored one reason he’s distanced AP ent constituencies. himself from that decision. who won their seventh 23 points and Steve Nash Grant’s been in Tusca- straight playoff game and had 13 points and 13 assists Kobe Bryant scored 40 points Monday night to lift Failing to sign a single loosa for a year, but bas- player with state ties in his snapped the Suns’ six-game for the Suns, who hadn’t the Los Angeles Lakers over the Phoenix Suns in the ketball insiders in this state streak with a phenomenal lost since April 24. Western Conference finals. year on the job hasn’t say he has yet to fully con- helped, either, at least from nect in that regard. a perception standpoint. One former high school ball. HUEYTOWN GOLDEN GOPHERS Coaches like to say that coach who knows the terri- recruiting is all about rela- HUEYTOWN: A pitcher/outfielder in tory as well as anyone said baseball, he’s also a major Class 5A tionships, but that’s too QB impresses Grant needs help in that limiting. Everything in college prospect in that Head coach: Matt Scott (2nd ceiver Davion Johnson was re- area and added that he sport as well. year, 5-5 overall) cruited from the basketball coaching is about relation- college coaches would go to work for Ala- ships. Scott said when baseball 2009 record: 5-5, 3-4 in Class team to play and has im- bama in that capacity in a From Page 1D season ended and the Go- pressed the coaching staff. He And relationships begin 6A Region 5 minute, if asked. at home. phers were starting spring needs work at the mechanics It’s just good manage- “Heupel called on Friday football, he told Winston to Returning starters: 8 offense, of receiving, but has great and he’s here (on Monday),” 7 defense, 2 specialists ment. take it easy the first few speed and leaping ability. Look at Nick Saban. Join the conversation by said Scott. “A lot of coaches days, since some players in What’s new in 2010: 1) The Senior prospect to watch: Football’s a different ani- commenting at Scarblog on don’t want to look at his similar situations have arm Gophers drop to Class 5A and Ronald Stewart is being mal because it has no AAU al.com. Go to blog.al.com/ film because he’s just a trouble coming out of base- in the toughest region in the looked at by Tennessee-Chat- equivalent, but the Ala- kevin-scarbinsky. Or write sophomore. They see ‘Class ball season. state; 2) New defensive tanooga and has the potential bama football coach rec- him at kscarbinsky@bham- of 2012’ on it and they don’t Winston politely declined, coaching staff; 3) Revamped to play in similar-size schools. ognizes the value of high news.com. want to start looking at 10th offering that throwing keeps strength and conditioning graders. Then they look at his arm strong. A week after program. Underclassman with college the film. Every team that potential: Rising junior Jameis pitching in the state semifi- Knox is still free to trans- sees his DVD winds up of- Key Gophers: Junior QB Ja- Winston can name his own nals, he was 15 of 19 for 246 KNOX: fer to UAB after finishing fering him. He could be the yards in an intrasquad meis Winston (6-4, 190); Se- college, but junior defensive No. 1 quarterback in the na- nior RB Ronald Stewart (5-8, lineman Chris Raab (5-11, 210) Can’t transfer his undergraduate degree scrimmage. at Alabama this summer, tion for the Class of 2012. “He is a freakish athlete,” 175); Senior WR Jefferson will be a two-year starter and but according to NCAA By- “What’s so impressive said Foy. “He can throw, he Chandler (5-8, 165); Senior C has potential to play at a to UAB Blake Jones (6-0, 230) law 13.1.1.3, he would not with him is how fast he can run, he can throw a smaller D1 school. From Page 1D picks up on things. He re- baseball, he can block well. I Spring surprise: Senior re- First game: Pelham, Aug. 26 be able to receive “athleti- tained a lot from last year have never seen a quar- That means Knox will cally related financial as- and he’s pretty much pick- terback that runs down field get better,” said Winston. “We have a whole new de- have to scratch Ole Miss sistance” for a year, nor ing up where he left off.” to block so well. He’s like “Some people get a big head fensive staff coming in this and UAB from his short list would he be able to play Four teams, Alabama, Au- Rolando McClain was at but I want to get better and year, with new terminology of schools where he might the upcoming season as a burn, Miami and Ohio State, middle linebacker (for Ala- be the best I can be. Even and stunts, so we’re going to like to play his final season walk-on. are already knocking on his bama) because he’s an ex- when people say you can’t be different there too,” said in 2010-11 as a graduate The 6-foot-9, 245-pound door, as college recruiters tension of Coach Scott. go any further, you can Scott. “Last year, we weren’t student. post player has other op- are starting to discover ath- When the pocket collapses, always get better. I don’t able to put half the offense “I think he was leaning tions. His uncle accompa- letic ability that is remind- he jumps to the outside, want to settle.” in so we’re going to have a toward UAB,” Darien Knox nied him on an official visit ing them of another Bir- pump fakes and takes off.” Scott knows his offense, lot of things different from said, “because (UAB to North Carolina on Sun- mingham area prospect that And yet, with all the hype, which he is tweaking, has a last year. On the flip side, coach) Mike Davis re- day and Monday, and they went on to greatness — all the attention means chance to be good, but it’s we’ve got a new defensive cruited him out of high plan to travel from there McAdory’s Bo Jackson. nothing to Winston unless his defense that needs to staff with new looks from a school and knows his today to another official Like Jackson, Winston is Hueytown wins. come through this season 4-3 to a 3-4 and new funda- game. It would’ve been a visit at Georgia Tech. turning heads with his ex- “I want to win a state for Hueytown to reach mentals, so that’s going to good fit.” Knox played pick-up ploits in baseball and foot- championship and I want to many of its goals. be new.” The only reaction from games with some current Alabama to the appeal North Carolina players committee’s decision was Monday, his uncle said. this statement from Athlet- one wanted was on every- As he did, he noticed his By the next fall, as a true “They’re showing us a lot ASHOF: one’s list. He visited Ala- lifetime allegiance changing freshman, Tamburello was a ics Director Mal Moore: “We wish nothing but the of love,” Darien Knox said. bama during the Tide’s on the spot. starter in the middle of the “They’re treating us like AU lineman homecoming game against best for Justin and all of his “I remember sitting in the offensive line against South- family. Coach (Roy) Wil- Southern Miss. LSU Stadium thinking, future endeavors.” joins Hall ern Miss. A star was born. liams is a class act.” But an upset loss, engi- ‘Golly, Auburn’s going to “First of all, he had the The appeal appears to NCAA rules allow Knox From Page 1D neered by Reggie Collier, win.’ And I was really pull- mentality,” Dye said. “He be Knox’s last resort within to take up to five official signaled something trou- ing for them. They were the was tough, big, talented, the NCAA system. SEC as- He will join the rest of the bling to Tamburello. The underdog. quick and a great leader. Ev- sistant commissioner Gil visits. His uncle said he Class of 2010: Reita Clanton, legendary Bryant seemed to “I’d always been an Ala- erything you’d want in an Grimes, who spoke in gen- may add South Alabama, Howard Cross, Robert be slowing down and the bama fan. But Coach Dye offensive lineman, espe- eral terms and did not ad- Southern Miss and Georgia Horry, Bobby Johns, Ronald prospect wondered if he was a terrific recruiter, the cially a center. dress the Knox case specif- State to his list of trips, or McKinnon and Ed Salem. would be around for an- kind of guy you wanted to “But I’m more proud of ically, said NCAA relief is “he may just decide be- Part of Tamburello’s other four seasons. play for. You just connected the man and the daddy he’s “generally not” available to tween Georgia Tech and problem coming out of high Tennessee, led by head with him. become.” a student-athlete when his North Carolina.” school was his youth (he coach Johnny Majors and “I felt that for the next For a kid who couldn’t get institution refuses to issue was only 17 when he grad- offensive line coach Phillip four years Auburn was on a first look, the college desti- Permission to Contact let- E-MAIL: kscarbinsky uated) and lack of size. Fulmer, wooed him. Auburn an upswing, a place that nation turned out pretty ters to specific schools. @bhamnews.com Shades Valley High coach invited him down the week would compete for champi- well. Robert Higginbotham sug- of 1983 Iron Bowl practices, onships. Fortunately, it “I played with a Heisman gested he go to Tennessee and immediately turned worked out for me.” Trophy winner. We won a Military Institute for an- Tamburello’s head. So Tamburello signed. championship there. I met other season of seasoning. “I just remember the in- Before he showed up on my wife at Auburn and got The move paid off. tensity of the practices,” campus, Bryant announced my degree.” Tamburello “We played college JV said Tamburello, who his resignation in Tusca- said. “It all worked out.” teams — Notre Dame, Ten- planned to enroll by January loosa. Losing Tamburello nessee, South Carolina, to start early. wasn’t the last straw. Still, Georgia. When you’re doing The day of the Iron Bowl Bryant told confidantes that Join Doug Segrest for his that, they notice you. You game, he was at Tiger Sta- he knew things were chang- weekly SEC chat Thursday at get some fantastic expo- dium watching Tulane and ing when Alabama lost a kid 1p.m.onhisblog: sure,” Tamburello said. LSU. But he was listening to from Birmingham who grew blog.al.com/segrest. By October, the kid no the Iron Bowl on the radio. up a Crimson Tide fan.” E-MAIL: [email protected]

the topic.” discussion and wants to don’t start and end with ex- C-USA: UAB men’s basketball keep the process open pansion or realignment. head coach Mike Davis said among conference mem- “I think we’ll be ready but Expansion not the subject didn’t come up bers. we can’t stop what we’re topic for coaches Monday in the first of three “It’s OK to change confer- doing and sit around and try meetings for the basketball ences,” Banowsky said. and react to something that From Page 1D coaches. The football “Unlike other conferences, may or may not happen and “Some are more comfort- coaches also didn’t talk we’re generally comfortable may or may not happen in a able with the dialogue be- about the matter but it will with that concept. We have way that is very dramatic in cause they have more expe- come up before the spring no problem with having that impact,” Banowsky said. rience with it and they meetings come to a close. conversation and we have it “We actually will spend understand that it doesn’t The subject didn’t get openly. more time and are more fo- have to be emotionally su- much discussion in the C- “We do believe though cused because of the possi- per-charged,” Banowsky USA athletics directors that when you’re on the bilities but we’re not going said. “Others, I think, are meetings on Monday either. team, you’ve got to support to take our eye off the ball just less familiar with the “We did have some open the team and that’s some- from what we’re doing.” range of issues on the topic. dialogue about it and the di- thing we talk about.” We did talk about it, which alogue basically centered With that in mind, Ba- Check out Irvine’s blog at is good. I think 10 or 12 around there may be oppor- nowsky said there are a lot blog.al.com/offthevine. years ago, we might have tunities,” Tribble said. of important subjects to dis- had a hard time engaging on Banowsky welcomes the cuss this week and they E-MAIL: [email protected]