Cavaliers land major recruiting target

Debbie Ryan and her staff sure does know how to recruit. A year ago, they bagged the nation's No. 5 incoming class according to ESPN. And on Thursday, the Cavaliers secured a verbal commitment from New York City guard Bria Smith, the No. 8 player in the country for the class of 2011.

And the Cavaliers may not be done yet. Smith was a member of the United States' U17 team that recently won the gold medal at the FIBA World Championships in France. One of Smith's teammates on that squad was Elizabeth Williams, the Princess Anne High star, the No. 1-ranked player in the 2011 class and a major Virginia recruiting target.

Could landing Smith help the Cavaliers in their pursuit of Williams? Who knows? And from everything we know and have heard about Williams, this is a young lady who will definitely make up her own mind.

But it certainly can't hurt.

Hey, Virginia, who made this schedule?

Here's hoping the Virginia Cavaliers are having a strong and productive offseason.

They'll need it the way their schedule is shaping up. The latest heavyweight confirmed to take on the Cavaliers is Tennessee, which released its schedule Wednesday. The Lady Vols will host Virginia on Nov. 18 (a Thursday).

This means that, over a 15-day span, the Cavaliers will face Tennessee (32-3), Iowa State (25-8), West Virginia (29-6), TCU (22-9) and Ohio State (31-5). That's five NCAA tournament teams, five 20-win teams, two 30-win teams and two major conference champions (Tennessee: SEC; Ohio State: Big Ten).

Oh, and zero home games. In addition to traveling to Tennessee and Ohio State, the Cavaliers will face the other three teams during the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands.

Keep working, Cavs.

Other tidbits from the Tennessee schedule:

- The Lady Vols' annual matchup with Old Dominion is set for Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. in Norfolk.

- Georgetown, featuring Suffolk's own Sugar Rodgers, will get its first-ever shot at Tennessee on Nov. 27 in the Virgin Islands during the Paradise Jam.

Click here to see what we know about the state's other team's schedules.

Dolgoff bolsters Old Dominion roster

Thank you, Monarch Nation.

For the past several days, some folks on the excellent Old Dominion message board have been buzzing about a new player, Ashley Dolgoff, becoming a Lady Monarch. Given the recent transfers by guards Pryncess Tate-Dublin (seemingly inevitable) and Carolann Cloutier (ouch!), it certainly made sense that ODU would be in the market for a late-summer addition.

But was it true?

"Yes, Ashley did sign with Old Dominion last Monday (Aug. 2)," Dolgoff's mother, Marilyn, said in an e-mail. "Ashley is a long wing from Ellicott City, Md. Her AAU coach, Otto Jett, matched Ashley up with ODU. With such a strong program, sense of tradition; and after spending the day with their friendly and knowledgeable staff it was an easy decision. Ashley hopes to bring versatility to the Lady Monarchs because she can score in a multitude of ways and defend several different positions."

Marilyn Dolgoff sounds like a coach, doesn't she? Not to mention one proud momma. But if Ashley's such a stud, how come it took until August for a school to snap her up?

"Ashley had a ACL tear after her junior year, in the spring of 2009," said Jett, who for the past six years has specialized in molding and developing unsigned seniors/under-the-radar talents and re-inserting them into the recruiting pool. "So she missed her big recruiting summer."

Dolgoff did recuperate in time to resume being the go-to girl at tiny Glenelg Country School (285 students in grades 9-12), where she averaged 27.3 ppg as a junior. But Jett estimates "it wasn't until probably about late May when Ashley began feeling like her old self."

Even then, Jett said schools such as Delaware, Loyola and American maintained a wait-and-see approach with Dolgoff. Midway through the summer, only one D-I offer was on the table - from New Mexico State.

Then ODU entered the picture.

"I just said to Ashley, 'Do you want to go to the desert, or do you want to go to the beach?"

So what kind of player is ODU getting?

"Well, she's a 6-2 guard, lefthanded, and a slasher," Jett said. "Can play the 2 or the 3. Very creative, and has a nice midrange jumper. She's not as consistent from 3, but she can shoot it from there. Has long arms and will block some shots. Just needs a little more upper-body strength.

"Plus she's hungry. Loves to play and compete. She's very quiet and has a high-pitched voice. But don't let that fool you. She can get a little nasty out there."

So there really will be another fresh lion in the Lady Monarchs' den. Welcome to ODU, Ashley. Thanks for the head-ups, Marilyn and Otto.

And thanks again, Monarch Nation.

Shells, Richmond ready to go

  Brittani Shells can't wait -- even if it means turning off her cell phone for 10 whole days. Shells and the rest of the Richmond team leave for a 10-day Scandinavian tour on Tuesday. The freshmen are coming, too, thanks to a new NCAA rule that allows freshmen to play abroad.

Shells plans to blog and put together a video for the Richmond website, a natural idea for her given she wants a career in film. (Click here for insight from Shells and junior Rachael Bilney throughout the trip).

"Actually I've never been outside of the United States, so I'm really not sure what it will be like," said the Spiders senior guard. "Coach has been giving us a few trivia questions."

Seems like Coach (and that would be Michael Shafer) went a tad easy on the questions. Example.

"What's the capital of Sweden?"

Shells knew that one. "Stockholm. That's where we play our first game."

While playing four games will be part of Richmond's five-city tour (Stockholm, Oslo, Lillehammer, Uppsala, Bergen), checking out the sights is what it's all about.

"I was watching this 'Millionaire' show today and they were talking about the queen of Sweden," Shells said. "Coach said we're going to be able to see where she lives."

The Royal Castle is what's pictured above (and here's a bit of fun trivia. With 605 rooms, it is the largest castle still used by a king. The Royal Guard has protected the castle since 1523.) The Spiders will also get to see City Hall and the Opera House in Stockholm and the Winter Olympic ski jump in Oslo.

"We know it's going to be something like 70 degrees during the day and at night something like 50," Shells said. "I'm packing some jeans and sweat shirts and definitely some dress gear."

As for the cell phone, that will make the trip, but Shells doesn't even want to chance the temptation to text, so she's turning hers off. "My godmother told me once I get in the airport to turn it off. It cost a lot of money just to open a text," she said. "They're telling us all to have watches. Nobody wears watches anymore."

Kos deg, Spiders!

2011 verbal commitments

Virginia
Bria Smith, 5-8 G, Christ the King (N.Y.)
Sarah Imovbioh, 6-2 F, St. Anne's-Belfield (Va.)

Virginia Commonwealth
Melanie Royster, 6-2 F, Elizabeth Seton High (Md.)

James Madison
Achiri Ade, 6-1 F, Seton Keough School (Md.)
Jazmon Gwathmey, 6-2 F, Liberty High (Va.)
Briana Jones, 6-2 C, Whitfield Academy (Ga.)
Toia Giggetts, 5-11 F, Lake Taylor (Va.)

Old Dominion
Kaneisha Atwater, 5-7 G, Fort Pierce Westwood (Fla.)
Queen Tiye Jackson, 5-11 F, Trenton Catholic (N.J.)
Myeisha Hall, 5-7 G, Palm Beach Lakes (Fla.)
Ashley Betz-White, 5-5 G, Trinity High (Pa.)
Tiffany Minor, 5-11 F, Maret High (D.C.)

George Mason
Annie Lawler, 6-0 F, South Kingston (R.I.)
Rachel McNair, 6-2 F, Blessed Sacrement (N.Y.)
Talisha Watts, 6-2 F, Brookeville High (Va.)
Karin Robinson, 5-6 G, Mary Louis (N.Y.)

Richmond
Miah Register, 5-9 G/F, Trenton Catholic (N.J.)
Amber Battle, 6-2 F, Middle Creek (N.C.)

Liberty
Catherine Kearney, 6-5 C, Gloucester County Christian (N.C.)
Ashley Rininger, 6-5 C, GlenOak (Ohio)

Hampton
Benee' Glanton, 6-3 C, Jefferson High (Fla.)
Kenia Cole, 5-6 G, Paint Branch High (Md.)
Evany Dickerson, 5-5 G, Heritage High (Va.)/Patrick Henry CC
Alyssa Bennett, 6-2 F, Hampton High (Va.)/Gulf Coast CC

Longwood
Maryah Sydnor, 6-1 F, Radford High (Va.)

Virginia Tech
Larryqua Hall, 5-10 F, Hillgrove High (Ga.)

Duke to invade Harrisonburg

Fresh scheduling nugget: Mighty Duke will visit James Madison on Nov. 30. The Blue Devils went 30-6 last season, won the ACC and reached the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. In addition to three returning starters, the 2010-11 Blue Devils will feature the nation's No. 1 recruiting class and could be a Top-5 ranked team when the season begins.  

When the teams met in Durham last season, Duke rolled to a 79-65 victory despite 31 points from JMU's Dawn Evans. The Blue Devils lead JMU 4-1 in career meetings. 

Richmond wins Battle

That's Amber Battle, a 6-2 post player from North Carolina who verbally committed to the Spiders for the 2011-12 season earlier this week. Not to be confused with New Mexico's Amber Battle, a 5-9 guard who is ranked No. 60 nationally by ESPN. That Battle's headed to Texas Tech.

Scheduling tidbits slowly trickling in

Complete schedules
Norfolk State
Hampton
Liberty
VCU

Non-conference schedules
George Mason
Richmond

Other teams so far:

Virginia
Nov. 12 - at Hofstra (20-14, WNIT 2nd round)
Nov. 18 - at Tennessee (32-3, SEC champs, NCAA Sweet 16)
Nov. 25 - vs. Iowa State (25-8, NCAA Sweet 16) in Paradise Jam (Virgin Islands)
Nov. 26 - vs. West Virginia (29-6, NCAA 2nd round) at Paradise Jam
Nov. 27 - vs. TCU (22-9, NCAA 1st round) at Paradise Jam (Virgin Islands)
Dec. 2 - at Ohio State (31-5, Big Ten champs, NCAA 2nd round) in ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Dec. 28 - vs. TBA at UVa.'s Cavalier Classic (field: North Carolina A&T, 2 teams TBA)
Dec. 29 - vs. TBA at Cavalier Classic
Jan. 3 - vs. Richmond (20-13, WNIT 2nd round)

James Madison
Nov. 12 - vs. Hampton (20-12, MEAC Tournament champion, NCAA first round), Preseason WNIT
Nov. 25 - vs. TBA at Caribbean Challenge in Cancun
Nov. 26 - vs. TBA at Caribbean Challenge in Cancun
Nov. 30 - vs. Duke (30-6, ACC champs, NCAA Elite Eight)
Dec. 5 - vs. Liberty (29-6, Big South Tourney champs, NCAA 1st round)
Dec. 12 - at Middle Tennessee St. (25-6, NCAA 1st round)

Virginia Tech
Nov.. 14 - vs. Wofford (8-21)
Nov. 21 - vs. VCU (22-13, WNIT 3rd round)
Nov. 25 - vs. Florida Gulf Coast (24-7, WNIT 1st round) at Caribbean Challenge in Cancun
Nov. 26 - vs. TBA at Caribbean Challenge in Cancun
Dec. 2 - at Minnesota (13-17) in ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Dec. 29 - Virginia Tech Tournament (field: Delaware, 2 teams TBA)
Dec. 30 - Virginia Tech Tournament
Jan. 2 - at Charlotte (18-14, WNIT 2nd round)

Radford
Nov. 21 - at Pitt (16-15, WNIT first round) on Nov. 21
Nov. 26 - at George Mason (10-20)
Nov. 29 - vs. Hampton (20-12, MEAC Tourney champs, NCAA 1st round)
Dec. 23 - vs. VCU (22-13, WNIT 3rd round)
Dec. 30 - vs. Richmond (20-13, WNIT 2nd round)
Jan. 17 - at Liberty (29-6, Big South Tourney champs, NCAA 1st round)
Feb. 19 - vs. Liberty (29-6, Big South Tourney champs, NCAA 1st round)

Longwood
Dec. 5 - vs. Gardner-Webb (28-5, WNIT 1st round)
Dec. 11 - vs. Wright State (11-19)
Dec. 18 - at VCU (22-13, WNIT 3rd round)
Dec. 21: vs. IPFW (13-17)
Dec. 22 - at George Mason (10-20)
Jan. 14 - vs. Liberty (29-6, Big South Tourney champs, NCAA 1st round)
Feb. 2 - vs. Cal State-Bakersfield (16-13)
Feb. 19 - at Cal State-Bakersfield (16-13)

 Old Dominion
Nov. 14 - vs. Georgia Tech (23-10, NCAA 1st round)
Nov. 18 - vs. North Carolina A&T (23-11, WNIT 3rd round)
Nov. 30 - at Florida (15-17, WNIT 2nd round)
Dec. 5 -  vs. Tennessee (32-3, SEC champs, NCAA Sweet 16)
Dec. 8 - vs. George Washington (6-22)
Dec. 12 - at Richmond (20-13, WNIT 2nd round)
Dec. 28 - Charlotte (18-14, WNIT 2nd round) in Tulane Christmas Tourney
Dec. 29 - vs. Nicholls State (4-24) or Tulane (26-7, Sun Belt champions, NCAA 1st round) in Tulane Christmas Tourney

William and Mary
Nov. 14 - at Wisconsin (21-11, NCAA 1st round)
Nov. 26 - vs. Bradley (17-14, WBI quarterfinals) in Cancun Thanksgiving Classic
Nov. 27 - vs. Buffalo (7-23) in Cancun Thanksgiving Classic
Dec. 20 - vs. Richmond (20-13, WNIT 2nd round)

VCU
Nov. 12 - at High Point (17-14)
Nov. 17 - vs. Winthrop (13-18)
Nov. 21 - at Virginia Tech (15-15)
Dec. 2 - vs. East Carolina (23-11, WNIT 2nd round)
Dec. 5 - at Richmond (20-13, WNIT 2nd round)
Dec. 8 - at Coppin State (10-19)
Dec. 11 - at Charlotte (18-14, WNIT 2nd round)
Dec. 18 - vs. Longwood (9-20)
Dec. 21 - vs. Liberty (29-6, Big South Tourney champs, NCAA 1st round)
Dec. 23 - at Radford (6-22)

Have any other scheduling details? E-mail 'em to us at ladyswishing@hotmail.com

Kobe or LeBron?

Is Kobe a better baller than LeBron? What's the top smartphone on the market? And is Team Edward really hotter than Team Jacob?

Beats us. Fortunately, we were able to assemble a quality panel of basketball/pop culture experts (a thousand thanks, guys!) to help us out.

The panelists

Destiny Spence, Norfolk State: Promising newcomer, diehard Celtics fan (we're getting Shaq!) and owner of one of the great names in the game (Sounds like a secret agent, right? I mean, forget James Bond. Send in Destiny Spence!)

Mairi Buchan, Old Dominion: Scotland-born European U20 Championships gold medalist (Great Britain) and (cross your fingers) potential 2012 Olympian.

Victoria Willems, William and Mary: Brainy Lady Brahma (high school team nickname) with a Texas-sized upside.

Recca Trice, Norfolk State: Exciting young point guard who, at least in this exercise, is a young woman of few words.

Chikilra Goodman, Hampton: Instant offense (just add basketball) baller who led the nation in scoring as a high school senior last year.

And now, the questions

Kobe or LeBron?

Destiny - Kobe-plain and simple, he's just amazing. He has multiple MVP awards and championships. He works hard to be the best. I admire his drive.

Mairi - LeBron

Victoria - Kobe all the way, he's classic.

Recca - Kobe

Chikilra - LeBron because I look up to him and that's my favorite player!

Candace (Parker) or Diana (Taurasi)?

Destiny - Candace- she brought so much joy and a new fan base to women's basketball.

Mairi - Diana Taurasi

Victoria - Diana Taurasi. I used to watch her as a kid growing up and I idolized her.

Recca - Diana

Chikilra - Candace, because I love her game.

Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Destiny - Without a doubt, Team Edward- He is so ROMANTIC and beautiful.

Mairi - Neither: Never seen Twilight!

Victoria - Team Jacob because he is sooooo much hotter haha.

Recca - No answer (apparently not a Twilight follower)

Chikilra - Team Edward, because I like Team Edward!

Drake or Taylor Swift?

Destiny - Drake- he is an awesome lyricist.

Mairi - Taylor Swift

Victoria - Drake all the way. I can't stand listening to Taylor Swift.

Recca - Drake

Chikilra - Drake, because I can relate to Drake's music.

iPhone or Droid?

Destiny - Droid-It's the phone I have. I blame Verizon for this choice since they don't have the iphone 4.

Mairi - iPhone

Victoria - I would have to say Droid since I actually have that phone, although I wouldn't mind an iPhone haha.

Recca - Droid

Chikilra - iPhone, because I have one and I love it!

"Jersey Shore" or "The Real Housewives of New Jersey"

Destiny - Jersey Shore! I absolutely love it. It's so funny. But makes me a little stereotypical; I assume everyone in jersey fist pumps, has really tan skin, and has dark hair. Oh, and a lot of girls probably have Snooki humps in their hair. :)

Mairi - Neither: Never seen either!

Victoria - Neither, I don't really watch either of them, but if i had to pick i would say Jersey Shore because I'm always hearing outrageous stories about the show.

Recca - Jersey Shore

Chikilra - Jersey Shore, because I love that beach!

Want to play along? E-mail your responses to ladyswishing@hotmail.com

Richmond preps for overseas trip

Two practices down, eight more to go for the Richmond Spiders as they prepare for their Scandinavian tour Aug. 10-19. What have we learned so far? That the Spiders apparently have some pretty smart newcomers. Thanks to a new NCAA rule, incoming freshmen are now eligible to make these summer trips.

Obviously, we are ahead of the game at this point, but I have been impressed with the freshmen's ability to pick up specific concepts," Spiders coach Michael Shafer said.

Becca Wann

The Spiders will take all their newcomers except walk-on Becca Wann, the Cosby High two-sport star who is on scholarship with a Richmond women's soccer team that begins its season on Aug. 20. Last week, Wann was named to the women's soccer preseason All-Atlantic 10 rookie team.

As for the basketball team, time will tell how much this Scandinavian adventure will serve as a prelude to a successful regular season. But if recent Richmond history is any indication, the Spiders could be poised for a big year. The last time Richmond ventured overseas, to Spain and Portugal in the summer of 2004, they finished the 2004-05 season with a 23-8 record and the Spiders' first-ever at-large NCAA tournament bid. And after a 2000 summer trip to England and France, the Spiders' posted 16 victories, four more than the previous season and tied for the most since the 1996-97 campaign.