The Maryland Belles Pay Tribute to Notable Black Female Basketball Players
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FEBRUARY 15, 2021 VOL. 5 ISSUE 1 THE BASELINE The Maryland Belles BACKBOARD Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated in February in the United States and Canada, while in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom it is observed in October. Black History Month was first proposed by black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State one year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970. Six years later, Black History Month was being celebrated all across the country in educational institutions, centers of Black culture and community centers, both great and small, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976, during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. He urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history". FIVE BLACK HISTORY BASKETBALL FACTS 1. Chuck Cooper became the first African American to play in the NBA in 1950. He signed with the Washington Capitals. 2. Before The NBA Was Integrated, Black Basketball Players played in The Black Fives, where all black teams emerged, flourished, and excelled 3. With a 67-55 win over Mississippi State in 2017, Dawn Staley became the second African-American coach to win a title since the NCAA began sponsoring a women's basketball tournament in 1982. 4. Lusia Harris - First and only woman officially drafted by the NBA in 1977 5. On Jan. 26, 1982, Cheryl Miller scored a remarkable 105 points in Riverside Poly’s 179-15 win over Riverside. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Tribute to Notable Black Female Players, Page 2 Meet the Belles Event Coordinator Extraordinaire, Page 3 Belles Coaches Fav Love Movies, Page 4 Belles 2027 71-0 Win, Page 5 Monthly Coach’s Tip, Page 6 Recruiting Tips, Page 7 Annual Double Good Fundraiser, Top Seller, Page Administrative Items, Page 9 FEBRUARY 15, 2021 VOL. 5 ISSUE 1 THE MARYLAND BELLES PAY TRIBUTE TO NOTABLE BLACK FEMALE BASKETBALL PLAYERS In 1995, Sheryl Swoopes -- the Hall of Fame player and coach. Professional basketball player for first woman signed to the Staley is a three-time Olympic the Chicago Sky of the Women's WNBA in 1996 -- became the gold medalist. She played National Basketball Association first woman to have a professionally in the American (WNBA). She was the first overall signature athletic shoe. Basketball League and the pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft. In WNBA. In 2011, Staley was voted 2016, Parker helped the Sparks to She is a three-time WNBA in by fans as one of the Top 15 win their first WNBA Finals title MVP, and was named one of players in WNBA history. Staley since 2002. In high school, Parker the league's Top 15 Players of was inducted into the Women's won the 2003 and 2004 Gatorade Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012, National Girls Basketball Player of All Time at the 2011 WNBA and the Naismith Memorial the Year awards, becoming just All-Star Game. Swoopes has Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. the second junior and the only won three Olympic gold woman to receive the award medals and is one of ten While still a WNBA player, she twice. women's basketball players to started coaching the Temple have won an Olympic gold University Owls women's A versatile player, Parker mainly basketball team in 2000. plays the forward position. In medal, an NCAA college she was listed on Championship, and a WNBA On May 7, 2008, she was named Tennessee's roster as a forward, title. In 2017, she was inducted head coach for women's center and guard. Parker was the into the Women's Basketball basketball at the University of SC. first woman to dunk in an NCAA Hall of Fame. She improved her program's tournament game and the first record every year, up to winning woman to dunk twice in a college the SEC in 2013–2014. game. She set both milestones as On April 2, 2020, Staley became a redshirt freshman on March 19, the first person to win the 2006. Parker became the second Naismith Award as a player, and player to dunk in a WNBA game also as a coach. on June 22, 2008. FEBRUARY 15, 2021 VOL. 5 ISSUE 1 MEET THE MARYLAND BELLES EVENT COORDINATOR Kelly grew up in Frederick County, MD, and Kelly is married to her husband Mike, and has lived in the Baltimore area since they have two children. Matthew (15) and attending college at Towson University. Kara (9). Fun Fact Kelly and her sister share the same birthday! They are exactly two years apart. Kelly is two years older, to the day! Kelly has been employed at the Johns Hopkins Kelly enjoys coffee, wine, chocolate, reading Bloomberg School of Public Health for over 19 magazines, yoga, laughing with friends, years (even though she only looks 20 ) and all genres of music! Kelly is the Belles Special Event Coordinator Extroidinaire! She has been a Belles Supporter for years, and has met several NBA Stars over the years. Do you know who Kelly is posing with in the pic below? FEBRUARY 15, 2021 VOL. 5 ISSUE 1 BELLES COACHES FAVORITE ‘LOVE’ MOVIE PLAYLIST FEBRUARY 15, 2021 VOL. 5 ISSUE 1 MARYLAND BELLES 2027 DEFEATS FALLS CHURCH 71-0 The winter season tested the patience of the Maryland Belles 2027 team, as multiple leagues and tournaments had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. In late January, we were able to join the Middle School Basketball League at The St. James sports complex in Springfield, VA, opting to play up one grade in the 7th grade-competitive division. To say the girls were excited to finally play a game is an understatement. After waiting for months, on January 23 they came out with incredible energy. Three players scored in double figures, led by Naomi Koldobskiy with 23 points. Ifee Umeh controlled the glass with 9 rebounds, including 5 offensive rebounds. Calia Carter led in assists and Kayden McDaniel played smothering defense, leading in steals. The final score in the win was 71-0. It was a joy to see the girls moving the ball and playing unselfishly, and we expect great things from this group as they gain experience playing together. FEBRUARY 15, 2021 VOL. 5 ISSUE 1 MONTHLY TIP FROM MD BELLES 2028 COACH STAN #1 QUIT MAKING EXCUSES – Every time you step on the court, believe that you are the best at your position. Instead of thinking about what everyone else can do better, think of all the strengths that you have. “She’s bigger than me, but I am quicker!” Work on not letting her catch entry passes into the post so you don’t have to play defense behind her. “She is really good at going right and making right handed layups.” Force her left every time. “I’m not shooting 3’s well.” Drive in and finish under the rim and possibly get fouled. “My teammates don’t look to pass it to me.” Crash the offensive glass every time to get second chance shots for yourself and your team. There is nothing worse than coaching a player that has an excuse for everything. You won’t hear a coach or trainer complain about a player that leaves the gym having given it their all even if they had a tough game. #2 GO AFTER EVERY REBOUND – When in doubt, box out! You will have days when your shot just isn’t going in. You will have days when you have more turnovers than normal. But you can NEVER be off when rebounding. Rebounding is understanding some fundamentals and giving your best effort. Make it a goal to go after every rebound. And if you don’t get it, make sure the person you’re guarding doesn’t either. It’s easy, and it not only gets you second chance opportunities on offense, but it can also make playing defense a little easier. Coaches love players that can rebound! #3 DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET DIRTY – There are 2 meanings to this. The first is to get on the floor for loose balls. If there is a 50/50 ball, don’t let your opponent out hustle you for it. Dive for the ball, show some passion, and play with heart! A lot of women college coaches talk about the type of girl basketball players that they recruit. Like me, some are not the most talented, they are the ones who have passion for the game, is a good team player, and out hustles everyone else. Coaches know that they will not only get a work horse on the court, but they will see the same type of work-ethic off the court. This is HUGE because, no coach wants to recruit a player that can’t consistently perform in the classroom. There is nothing that gets the crowd and your team more pumped up than seeing some all-out hustle from a player. Getting dirty also means showing the other team that you’re going to try to win at all costs.