HENDERSON, Tenn. - It may or may not have been a statement game, but the Freed-Hardeman Lions should definitely turn some heads following a 90-67 win over No. 12 Lee (Tenn.) University on Saturday afternoon in front of a large Homecoming crowd.
The No. 23 Lions outscored Lee 40-20 in the second half, largely because the Flames' Jerel Blocker cooled off after a blistering first half that saw the senior score 20 points.
But while he and his teammates struggled from the field in the second half, the Lions didn't.
After shooting 65.5 percent in the first half, FHU stayed hot with high-percentage looks and connected on 50 percent of its shots after halftime while Lee - which shot 63.3 percent in the first - could manage just 27.3 percent in the second half.
That helped FHU to go on runs of 10-0 and 8-0 as the Lions turned a 50-47 halftime lead into a 71-54 lead with 12:21 to play. Lee would only get as close as 13 points the rest of the way.
It was a rare double-digit win in a series that has produced close games over the last few seasons. Three of the last four meetings before today went into overtime, and the other was a two-point game decided at the buzzer.
Freed-Hardeman got a huge game from Kyle Teichmann, who had 18 first-half points on his way to a career-high 29. Cedric Austin was the only other Lion in double figures with 15.
For the second straight game, FHU connected on double-digits in 3-pointers making 13-of-23 from behind the arc. Austin and Anthony Sampson each went 3-for-4.
The Lions will play their first road game of the season on Nov. 18 as they travel to William Carey (Miss.) University for a 6:00 PM tipoff.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Lions hang on to win season opener over Bryan College
The No. 23 Freed-Hardeman Lions held off an experience Bryan (Tenn.) College team in their season opener, starting the year off with a 64-58 win on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions got 29 points from their point guard combination of Anthony Sampson and Cedric Austin. Sampson tied his career high with 16 points while Austin, in his first game back after missing the 2009-10 season, contributed 13 off the bench. Both hit big shots in crucial moments and combined to go 5-for-6 from behind the arc.
FHU led for the majority of the game but couldn't quite put away Bryan (3-2), who stayed close by knocking down mid-range jumpers and playing an aggressive defensive style that resulted in 21 turnovers by Freed-Hardeman.
The Lions, though, canned 11 3-pointers, many of which seemed to come when Bryan was chipping away at the lead.
Freed-Hardeman heads to face Murray State (Ky.) University on Tuesday night in an exhibition contest. Last season, the Racers made a Cinderella run to the NCAA Sweet 16.
The Lions got 29 points from their point guard combination of Anthony Sampson and Cedric Austin. Sampson tied his career high with 16 points while Austin, in his first game back after missing the 2009-10 season, contributed 13 off the bench. Both hit big shots in crucial moments and combined to go 5-for-6 from behind the arc.
FHU led for the majority of the game but couldn't quite put away Bryan (3-2), who stayed close by knocking down mid-range jumpers and playing an aggressive defensive style that resulted in 21 turnovers by Freed-Hardeman.
The Lions, though, canned 11 3-pointers, many of which seemed to come when Bryan was chipping away at the lead.
Freed-Hardeman heads to face Murray State (Ky.) University on Tuesday night in an exhibition contest. Last season, the Racers made a Cinderella run to the NCAA Sweet 16.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
COACH MEYER'S BOOK SOON TO BE RELEASED!!! SPREAD THE WORD
Here is a link with more information about the book including ways your can purchase it in advance on-line:http://bit.ly/9xlERg
I NEED A FAVOR! First, I would love for everyone that teaches or coaches any sport on any level to purchase this book. You will be a better coach/teacher for it. I purchased five for our staff. But we really need to spread the word about this book and I would very much appreciate it if everyone that reads my blog would copy this link:
...
http://bit.ly/a3Awkz
...
and email it to as many people in the coaching/teaching profession that you know.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!
"Don Meyer is a dear friend to me and the entire Basketball Community. His passion to teach, to share, and to live is unmatched. Buster Olney does a magical job of capturing this truly unique man and presents him in a way that is surprising and unforgettable."
-Mike Krzyzewski, Coach of the Duke Blue Devils
"There are very few coaches who have positively impacted the game of basketball and the people who coach it as Don Meyer has done. His passion for the game, for teaching and for building character as well as his commitment to team are legendary. Coach Meyer has taught and given so much to us, and our game is better for it. This book chronicles not only his life as a coach, but his journey as a man through triumph and adversity. His story is a true inspiration and one which everyone should know."
-Pat Summitt, Coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols
"Those of us who savor fine sports journalism have long known that Buster Olney knows the baseball beat. Now, with this beautifully conceived and elegantly executed book Olney shows that he knows the beating heart of life and the pulse of humanity that makes sports matter."
-George F. Will, Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist
First review of Buster Olney's book on Coach Don Meyer!!! http://bit.ly/a8C0m8
Copied from Coach Starkey's Blog at http://hoopthoughts.blogspot.com/
Lions looking for a return to Kansas City in 2011
HENDERSON, Tenn. - After narrowly missing out on a bid to the NAIA National Tournament last season, the Freed-Hardeman Lions are eager to earn another trip to Kansas City in 2011.
Though a solid nucleus returns, the Lions did graduate two-time All-American Zack Frey along with two other starters, Logan Greer and Kirtiss Brown.
"Those three guys had been in the program for four years and played significant roles from the time they got to Freed," said FHU head coach Jason Shelton. "Losing Zack, a two-time All-American, in the post is substantial."
With that in mind, the talent pool of the returning players is hardly shallow.
Leading the way are Ken Bingham and Kyle Teichmann. Bingham (6-4; Sr.) was named the TSAC Newcomer of the Year last season after averaging 15.4 points per game and shooting 83.1 percent from the foul line.
"Ken is a strong, physical wing," said Shelton. "He shoots it well, finishes at the basket and can get to the line."
Teichmann (6-6; So.) earned Freshman of the Year honors, averaging 12.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while backing up Frey and Greer in the four and five spots. This year, he will be expected to fill the offensive void left in the post after Frey's graduation.
"Kyle plays differently than Zack," Shelton said. "He can face the basket and is a good passer out of the post. He's not as physical [as Zack] but is a very good player in his own right. He can stretch the defense with his ability to shoot the 3 and play on the perimeter."
Also returning in the backcourt are Jesse Moulton (6-4; Sr.) and Anthony Sampson (5-3; Jr.). Moulton led the team in 3-pointers made (66) while averaging 11.4 points per game.
"Jesse has a good understanding of how to play the game, particularly in our motion offense," said Shelton. "He is a very good post feeder and knows how to get others and himself open."
Sampson, meanwhile, came into his own midway through the season to lead the team in assists (4.1 per game) and steals (1.6 per game) while posting three games with double digits in assists.
Those two will be joined by Brian Pearson (6-3; Sr.), Cedric Austin (6-0, Sr.), Jonathan Milewski (6-0, So.) and Michael Young (6-2, So.) to give the Lions a deep and talented backcourt.
Versatile forward Vincent Barnes (6-3, Sr.) elevated his level of play last season and will be counted on as a key contributor in the frontcourt this year, as will James Haddix (6-9, So.).
Austin, Pearson and Barnes have all been with the program for five years.
"They bring an understanding of how we want to try to play," Shelton said of his seniors. "They all bring different things to the table."
The Lions also look for quality minutes from redshirt freshman Daniel Gravatt (6-7), an exceptional athlete who can play multiple positions.
Shelton, who begins his sixth season, will test his team with its non-conference schedule with six games against teams which played in the national tournament last year.
Though a solid nucleus returns, the Lions did graduate two-time All-American Zack Frey along with two other starters, Logan Greer and Kirtiss Brown.
"Those three guys had been in the program for four years and played significant roles from the time they got to Freed," said FHU head coach Jason Shelton. "Losing Zack, a two-time All-American, in the post is substantial."
With that in mind, the talent pool of the returning players is hardly shallow.
Leading the way are Ken Bingham and Kyle Teichmann. Bingham (6-4; Sr.) was named the TSAC Newcomer of the Year last season after averaging 15.4 points per game and shooting 83.1 percent from the foul line.
"Ken is a strong, physical wing," said Shelton. "He shoots it well, finishes at the basket and can get to the line."
Teichmann (6-6; So.) earned Freshman of the Year honors, averaging 12.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while backing up Frey and Greer in the four and five spots. This year, he will be expected to fill the offensive void left in the post after Frey's graduation.
"Kyle plays differently than Zack," Shelton said. "He can face the basket and is a good passer out of the post. He's not as physical [as Zack] but is a very good player in his own right. He can stretch the defense with his ability to shoot the 3 and play on the perimeter."
Also returning in the backcourt are Jesse Moulton (6-4; Sr.) and Anthony Sampson (5-3; Jr.). Moulton led the team in 3-pointers made (66) while averaging 11.4 points per game.
"Jesse has a good understanding of how to play the game, particularly in our motion offense," said Shelton. "He is a very good post feeder and knows how to get others and himself open."
Sampson, meanwhile, came into his own midway through the season to lead the team in assists (4.1 per game) and steals (1.6 per game) while posting three games with double digits in assists.
Those two will be joined by Brian Pearson (6-3; Sr.), Cedric Austin (6-0, Sr.), Jonathan Milewski (6-0, So.) and Michael Young (6-2, So.) to give the Lions a deep and talented backcourt.
Versatile forward Vincent Barnes (6-3, Sr.) elevated his level of play last season and will be counted on as a key contributor in the frontcourt this year, as will James Haddix (6-9, So.).
Austin, Pearson and Barnes have all been with the program for five years.
"They bring an understanding of how we want to try to play," Shelton said of his seniors. "They all bring different things to the table."
The Lions also look for quality minutes from redshirt freshman Daniel Gravatt (6-7), an exceptional athlete who can play multiple positions.
Shelton, who begins his sixth season, will test his team with its non-conference schedule with six games against teams which played in the national tournament last year.
Lions ranked No. 23 in preseason NAIA coaches poll
KANSAS CITY - For the second straight year the Freed-Hardeman Lions found themselves among the NAIA's top 25 preseason teams, coming in at No. 23 in the preseason poll released on Monday, Oct. 25.
The Lions were also picked to finish second in the TranSouth Conference behind defending champion Union (Tenn.) University, as was announced at the annual basketball media day held on Union's campus and broadcast on Jackson's EPlusTV6.
FHU was one of two TranSouth teams to rank in the top 25, with Union checking in at No. 10. The Bulldogs were the only conference team to play in the national tournament last March.
Ken Bingham and Jesse Moulton were among the 10 players selected to the preseason all-conference team, with Bingham finishing second in the voting behind preseason player of the year Michael France of Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) University.
The Lions open their season on Saturday, Nov. 6, hosting Bryan (Tenn.) College at 4:00 PM.
The Lions were also picked to finish second in the TranSouth Conference behind defending champion Union (Tenn.) University, as was announced at the annual basketball media day held on Union's campus and broadcast on Jackson's EPlusTV6.
FHU was one of two TranSouth teams to rank in the top 25, with Union checking in at No. 10. The Bulldogs were the only conference team to play in the national tournament last March.
Ken Bingham and Jesse Moulton were among the 10 players selected to the preseason all-conference team, with Bingham finishing second in the voting behind preseason player of the year Michael France of Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) University.
The Lions open their season on Saturday, Nov. 6, hosting Bryan (Tenn.) College at 4:00 PM.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Follow the Lions on Twitter
I have set up a twitter account for the program. If you would like to follow us, go to http://twitter.com/fhulionsbball and click follow. It will have quotes of the day from practice and also some inside info. I will be tweeting as well as one of our Senior players to give everyone a peak into the every day happenings of the program.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Lions ink Chandler Mack to incoming class
The Freed-Hardeman Lion basketball team added another player to its incoming recruiting class with the recent signing of Chandler Mack of Huntsville, Ala.
Mack, a 6-foot-7 forward, played his senior season at Madison Academy in Huntsville under head coach Andy Blackston, where he helped lead the Mustangs to the AHSAA Class 3A state championship game. He averaged 14 points and four rebounds per game on his way to being named Northwest Regional MVP, Area MVP and second team All-State.
Before coming to Madison Academy, Mack played his freshman through junior seasons at Mary Carroll HS in Corpus Christi, Texas.
"The term 'tremendous upside' is thrown around a lot these days, but Chandler is definitely in that category," said FHU head coach Jason Shelton. "He is a 6-foot-7 athletic perimeter player who with added weight and strength will be able to excel at our level. Chandler's year with Coach Blackston has him on the right path to success."
Mack joins six other players in FHU's 2010-11 recruiting class: Vincent Dotson (Charlotte, Tenn./Creek Wood HS), Ben Meis (Memphis, Tenn./FCA Nighthawks), Michael Tomlin (Jackson, Tenn./North Side HS), Quintin Lee (Ripley, Tenn./Ripley HS), Reginald Gilmore (Chattanooga, Tenn./Tyner Academy) and Sam Fleischman (Hartselle, Ala./Hartselle HS).
Chandler is the son of Brenda Mack.
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