The Winston-Salem Stealers & The Women's Basketball Coaches Association
A Little Bit About The WBCA...
Founded in 1981, the mission of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is to promote women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport of women's basketball and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as a sport for women and girls. (Borrowed from the WBCA Web Site at www.wbca.org.)
Three of our program participants had WBCA ties. Chante' Black was selected to play in the All-American Game in 2004, while Brittany Strachan was an honorable mention for the 2007 Team. In 2011, Megan Buckland was named as an honorable mention. Also, Coach Robinson was selected to be a member of the WBCA High School All-American Committee in 2007, and then was named Chair of the committee in 2011.
WBCA's "THINK PINK".
December 20, 2008.
In Honor of a good friend of our program, Kay Yow, we try to honor the WBCA's "Think Pink" Week. In 2009, our program gave out free pink T-Shirts at our two fall season invitational tournaments.
High School All-American Game Committee.
Coach Robinson was selected to the Nine-Member WBCA High School All-American Game Committee in 2007. Coach Robinson is in charge of District 3 which covers North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Twenty graduating high school seniors are nominated and selected to play in the game by the nine-member committee. The game takes place during the Women's Final Four. Twenty other graduating high school seniors are named to the honorable mention team, for a total of forty players nationally.
Twenty graduating high school seniors are nominated and selected to play in the game by the nine-member committee. The game takes place during the Women's Final Four. Twenty other graduating high school seniors are named to the honorable mention team, for a total of forty players nationally.
Chaperone For The 2008 All-American Game.
WBCA Chaperone Committee.
Coach Robinson was named as a chaperone for the 2008 WBCA All-American Game. Coach Robinson was one of three committee members selected for this opportunity over a four day period at the Women's Final Four in Tampa, Florida. Below are some of the activities that the All-American Team, the game coaches, and chaperones took part in during the week.
The two other chaperones for Tampa were Teri Morrison from Carroll Senior HS in Texas and James Anderson from Narbonne High School in California. Committee Chair Gary Glasscock from Missouri also attended and served as a guest chaperone.
The two other chaperones for Tampa were Teri Morrison from Carroll Senior HS in Texas and James Anderson from Narbonne High School in California. Committee Chair Gary Glasscock from Missouri also attended and served as a guest chaperone.
Out On The Town In Tampa.
Players Visit Downtown.
The twenty players and game coaches had the opportunity to see the Final Four activities taking place in downtown Tampa on their first night in the city.
The players received their game credentials, went through the mandatory NCAA Educational Session, and got the opportunity to shoot-around on the game floor used for the Final Four.
The players received their game credentials, went through the mandatory NCAA Educational Session, and got the opportunity to shoot-around on the game floor used for the Final Four.
Attending The State Farm Awards Presentation.
Stacey Dales At The Press Conference.
The players attended the State Farm Awards Presentation Press Conference in downtown Tampa. Stacey Dales and Trey Wingo (ESPN) were the presenters at the press conference. Candice Wiggins from Stanford was named the National Player-of-the-Year and Candace Parker from Tennessee was Runner-Up. Maya Moore from Connecticut was the lone freshman up for POY.
Practicing At The University of South Florida.
Elana Delle-Donne Warms-Up.
The two teams got in a brief practice before the actual game at the University of South Florida. The teams ran through drills and plays, before departing back to the hotel to get changed for the game later on in the day.
Pre-Game Activities.
Red & White Teams.
The twenty players were split into two teams (Red and White). Here were the game rosters: Red: Amber Gray, Elana Delle-Donne, Ayana Dunning, Chay Shegog, Whitney Hand, Tiffany Hayes, Angel Goodrich, Glory Johnson, Alyssia Brewer, Shekinna Stricklen. White: AshleyGayle, Lynetta Kizer, April Sykes, Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Shay Shelby, Shenise Johnson, Brooklyn Pope, Cierra Bravard, Jasmine Dixon, Chelsey Lee.
WBCA All-American Game.
Coach Robinson On Game Bench.
Elana Delle-Donne was named the game MVP scoring 17 points as the red team won 114-95. Coach Robinson served as bench personnel for the game for the white team.
Visiting The Children's Hospital.
Tampa Children's Hospital.
The girls visited the Children's Home in Tampa following the All-American Game. The players toured the facilities at the hospital and got to visit with the kids.
Attending The Women's Final Four.
2008 Women's Final Four.
The girls, coaches and chaperones received passes for the semifinal round of the Women's Final Four.
In the first semifinal, Stanford defeated UConn and in the second semifinal, Tennessee hit a last second shot to nip LSU. Tennessee wound up winning the National Championship two nights later.
In the first semifinal, Stanford defeated UConn and in the second semifinal, Tennessee hit a last second shot to nip LSU. Tennessee wound up winning the National Championship two nights later.
Coach R's:) Daily Blog From Indianapolis & The Women's Final Four!!!
Coach R's Blog From Indianapolis!!!
Coach Robinson:) did a blog from Indianapolis, Indiana for the Women's Final Four March 30 - April 4.
Coach R:) was a chaperone for the WBCA High School All-America Game and then spoke at the National High School Roundtable.
Monday, April 4: Interesting games last night as both favorites lost: Stanford to Texas A & M, and UCONN to Notre' Dame. We are shuttling the girls to the airport this morning for their departures, then I have to drive downtown to speak at the high school coaches roundtable between 10:00-12:30. I will then make my way back to the hotel and prepare to depart this evening around 7:00 PM. More pictures hopefully coming later this afternoon.
Sunday, April 3: Our final full day of All-American Activities concludes with a trip to Women's Final Four Games this evening. The day begins with a visit to the "Hall of Champions" this morning. The girls will then participate in Circle City Dribble in downtown Indianapolis. Following lunch in-between, we will head over to Tourney Town to participate in the Final Four Pep Rally. The girls will then get to hang out in Tourney Town before departing for the games tonight. First set of trips to the airport on Monday begin at 4:00 AM Monday Morning to get the girls and coaching staff back to their respective homes. Pictures from Saturday's All-American Game are posted below.
Saturday, April 2: Today is the High School All-American Game. We begin Saturday with a trip to the Westin Indianapolis in downtown to watch the State Farm Coaches' All-American Team Selection Presentation and the State Farm Wade Trophy Announcement. We follow that by heading over to Tourney Town as the game coaches in our group run a clinic for Girls Inc. Follow lunch, the girls stretch with Jackie Ansley, then begin warmups for the game. Following the game, our group heads back to the hotel to watch the Men's Final Four Games and have dinner. Up-to-this-point, the activities have been non-stop, but the girls have been receptive. I have now posted some pictures here for you. As noted yesterday, the girls practiced in Hinkle Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University. To all familiar with the movie "Hoosiers", this is where the final scenes were shot. More pictures coming from Saturday posted soon.
Friday, April 1: We have a full day on tap. We have team breakfast at 7:30 AM, then drive out to Conseco Fieldhouse so the players can take their photos and do some video shoots for the game tomorrow. We'll have lunch and then head over to Tourney Town for an autograph session (I won't be signing any autographs:), I don't think... ). We then head over to Butler University so the team can practice. We will practice in Hinkle Fieldhouse. The city is buzzing with Butler being in the Men's Final Four. We'll then make our way back to Conseco this evening as guests of the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are providing the team, coaching staff, and chaperones with a box suite for the NBA Game tonight between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks. I should hopefully have some pictures on here tomorrow for you all.
Thursday, March 31: Today will be player and coach arrival day. Seventeen of our twenty players participated in the McDonald's All-American Game last night, so they will be bussing from Chicago to Indianapolis today. That drastically cuts down on our trips to the airport. We will have a few pickups, though. Tonight, the girls have a Nike Welcome Party and then an NCAA Educational Sesson. Following that, we have our dinner and then lights out. We have a big day on Friday. Some have asked who is playing in this game? The answer is: Twenty high school seniors. They are: Taylor Greenfield and Amber Orrange will both attend Stanford next year, Krystal Forthan (LSU), Briyona Canty and Shakena Richardson(Rutgers), Samantha Logic (Iowa), Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Kiah Stokes (UCONN), Elizabeth Williams and Amber Henson (Duke, side note: Henson is the sister of UNC's John Henson), Cierra Burdick and Ariel Massengale (Tennessee, side note: Burdick is the only player from North Carolina in the game), Ariya Crook-Williams and Alexyz Vaioletama (Southern Cal), Morgan Jones (Northwestern), Bria Goss (Kentucky), Justine Hartman (UCLA) and Eliza Normen (Arizona State). Two players are uncommitted: Bria Smith and Betinjah Laney. Another side note: our very own Megan Buckland was one of twenty players selected to the game's Honorable Mention List. Megan was the only player from North Carolina on the WBCA's Honorable Mention List. Megan joins former Stealers Chante' Black (Duke 2003) and Brittany Strachan (NC State 2007) as the only players from our program to make the team (Chante') or be named honorable mention (Brittany). Also, there two player representatives from the WNBA: Alana Beard (Duke, Washington Mystics) and Kristi Toliver (Maryland, LA Sparks).
Wednesday, March 30: I have arrived in Indianapolis and it is COLD (at least colder than home)!!! I flew from Greensboro to Newark and got a nice view of Manhattan Skyline on the way in. It was neat seeing the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, albeit from a distance. From Newark to Indianapolis was a turbulent flight, as it snowed earlier this morning here. Tonight, we have a chaperone meeting to go over the Thursday Activities, which basically will be running back-and-forth from the airport to pick up the student-athletes and coaches for the game which will be played on Saturday.
Coach R:) was a chaperone for the WBCA High School All-America Game and then spoke at the National High School Roundtable.
Monday, April 4: Interesting games last night as both favorites lost: Stanford to Texas A & M, and UCONN to Notre' Dame. We are shuttling the girls to the airport this morning for their departures, then I have to drive downtown to speak at the high school coaches roundtable between 10:00-12:30. I will then make my way back to the hotel and prepare to depart this evening around 7:00 PM. More pictures hopefully coming later this afternoon.
Sunday, April 3: Our final full day of All-American Activities concludes with a trip to Women's Final Four Games this evening. The day begins with a visit to the "Hall of Champions" this morning. The girls will then participate in Circle City Dribble in downtown Indianapolis. Following lunch in-between, we will head over to Tourney Town to participate in the Final Four Pep Rally. The girls will then get to hang out in Tourney Town before departing for the games tonight. First set of trips to the airport on Monday begin at 4:00 AM Monday Morning to get the girls and coaching staff back to their respective homes. Pictures from Saturday's All-American Game are posted below.
Saturday, April 2: Today is the High School All-American Game. We begin Saturday with a trip to the Westin Indianapolis in downtown to watch the State Farm Coaches' All-American Team Selection Presentation and the State Farm Wade Trophy Announcement. We follow that by heading over to Tourney Town as the game coaches in our group run a clinic for Girls Inc. Follow lunch, the girls stretch with Jackie Ansley, then begin warmups for the game. Following the game, our group heads back to the hotel to watch the Men's Final Four Games and have dinner. Up-to-this-point, the activities have been non-stop, but the girls have been receptive. I have now posted some pictures here for you. As noted yesterday, the girls practiced in Hinkle Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University. To all familiar with the movie "Hoosiers", this is where the final scenes were shot. More pictures coming from Saturday posted soon.
Friday, April 1: We have a full day on tap. We have team breakfast at 7:30 AM, then drive out to Conseco Fieldhouse so the players can take their photos and do some video shoots for the game tomorrow. We'll have lunch and then head over to Tourney Town for an autograph session (I won't be signing any autographs:), I don't think... ). We then head over to Butler University so the team can practice. We will practice in Hinkle Fieldhouse. The city is buzzing with Butler being in the Men's Final Four. We'll then make our way back to Conseco this evening as guests of the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are providing the team, coaching staff, and chaperones with a box suite for the NBA Game tonight between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks. I should hopefully have some pictures on here tomorrow for you all.
Thursday, March 31: Today will be player and coach arrival day. Seventeen of our twenty players participated in the McDonald's All-American Game last night, so they will be bussing from Chicago to Indianapolis today. That drastically cuts down on our trips to the airport. We will have a few pickups, though. Tonight, the girls have a Nike Welcome Party and then an NCAA Educational Sesson. Following that, we have our dinner and then lights out. We have a big day on Friday. Some have asked who is playing in this game? The answer is: Twenty high school seniors. They are: Taylor Greenfield and Amber Orrange will both attend Stanford next year, Krystal Forthan (LSU), Briyona Canty and Shakena Richardson(Rutgers), Samantha Logic (Iowa), Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Kiah Stokes (UCONN), Elizabeth Williams and Amber Henson (Duke, side note: Henson is the sister of UNC's John Henson), Cierra Burdick and Ariel Massengale (Tennessee, side note: Burdick is the only player from North Carolina in the game), Ariya Crook-Williams and Alexyz Vaioletama (Southern Cal), Morgan Jones (Northwestern), Bria Goss (Kentucky), Justine Hartman (UCLA) and Eliza Normen (Arizona State). Two players are uncommitted: Bria Smith and Betinjah Laney. Another side note: our very own Megan Buckland was one of twenty players selected to the game's Honorable Mention List. Megan was the only player from North Carolina on the WBCA's Honorable Mention List. Megan joins former Stealers Chante' Black (Duke 2003) and Brittany Strachan (NC State 2007) as the only players from our program to make the team (Chante') or be named honorable mention (Brittany). Also, there two player representatives from the WNBA: Alana Beard (Duke, Washington Mystics) and Kristi Toliver (Maryland, LA Sparks).
Wednesday, March 30: I have arrived in Indianapolis and it is COLD (at least colder than home)!!! I flew from Greensboro to Newark and got a nice view of Manhattan Skyline on the way in. It was neat seeing the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, albeit from a distance. From Newark to Indianapolis was a turbulent flight, as it snowed earlier this morning here. Tonight, we have a chaperone meeting to go over the Thursday Activities, which basically will be running back-and-forth from the airport to pick up the student-athletes and coaches for the game which will be played on Saturday.
From Left-to-Right above: Our Committee & Game Coaches At Tourney Town; Coach R:) at Hinkle Fieldhouse; Team Athlete Representative Alana Beard. Eliza Normen, who was sitting out the game with ACL Injury, takes time to picture at the WBCA All-American.
Below: Pre-Game from Our Suite at the Indiana Pacers / Milwaukee Bucks Game; Jackie Ansley Prepares the Girls to Stretch at Friday's Practice; High School All-American Team.
Below: Pre-Game from Our Suite at the Indiana Pacers / Milwaukee Bucks Game; Jackie Ansley Prepares the Girls to Stretch at Friday's Practice; High School All-American Team.
Below: The All-Americans get ready to lead Circle City Dribble in downtown Indianapolis; Coach R:) at the Hall of Champions; Circle City Dribble is in full swing with over 500 kids dribbling through the city.
Above (L-R): Final Four Scoreboard; Pre-Game Speech; Notre' Dame Women's Team on the court practicing before the start of the All-American Game. Below (L-R): First half of the High School All-American Game; Coach Bamford talks to the Red Team at halftime; Jump Ball to start the game
Below is the pre-game warmups for the Stanford / Texas A&M Game.
Below: Jackie Ansley demonstrates to the girls; Coach R:) in front of Lucas Oil Stadium where the STEELERS will beat the colts later this season :), if we have NFL; The girls warm-up for practice at Butler University.
Coach R:) Selected To Be Chairman Of WBCA High School All-American Game!!!
Coach R:) With HSAA Committee Members.
Coach Robinson:) was selected by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Board of Directors to be the new chairman of the WBCA High School All-American Game Selection Committee.
Coach R:) has served as a committee member since 2008.
The position requires Coach Robinson:) to oversee all high school All-American Selection Conference Calls, all activities before, during and after the High School All-American Game which will be played in Denver, Colorado in 2012 (and in other cities in years to come), and to help with the evaluation of players for the Nine (9) Districts that nominate players for the game (among other duties).
The WBCA High School All-American Game features 20 of the top high school senior girls basketball players in the United States and is held in conjunction with the WBCA Convention and Women's Final Four each year.
Click HERE for an article on Coach R's :) new job.
Click HERE to learn more about the WBCA.
Coach R:) has served as a committee member since 2008.
The position requires Coach Robinson:) to oversee all high school All-American Selection Conference Calls, all activities before, during and after the High School All-American Game which will be played in Denver, Colorado in 2012 (and in other cities in years to come), and to help with the evaluation of players for the Nine (9) Districts that nominate players for the game (among other duties).
The WBCA High School All-American Game features 20 of the top high school senior girls basketball players in the United States and is held in conjunction with the WBCA Convention and Women's Final Four each year.
Click HERE for an article on Coach R's :) new job.
Click HERE to learn more about the WBCA.