Harlem Globetrotter Returns to Former High School

Can't see the video? View it here.
Lili Thompson went from being a Lady Wolf to being on the world-famous Globetrotters, and she returned to where it started to encourage students to follow their dreams.

Thompson graduated from Timberview High School in 2013. During her tenure, she was the leading point guard on a winning team, member of the debate team and member of the student council. She went on to have a standout college basketball career at Notre Dame and Stanford University.

All the while, her eyes were set on something bigger—going pro. She accomplished that when she was drafted by the Harlem Globetrotters in November as one of only two female players to be selected.

“I always wanted to be a professional basketball player, and I always wanted to use basketball as a vehicle to take me places in life, both physically and in terms of opportunities, and it’s done that,” said Thompson. “The Globetrotters have an amazing legacy, and I’m really proud to step in and be part of it.”

Thompson, also known as Champ, made her way back to her former high school to motivate them to aspire for something greater and never give up. She said she also wanted to show her support of the Timberview girls basketball team for being top-ranked and undefeated in its district.

"Champ" shows students her basketball spin trick.

“I had so much fun at Timberview,” she explained. “It’s a great place, it’s a great school district and a great place to be in Texas. I’m really, really proud of them for how they’re doing, and it’s just great to be back.”

The rookie Globetrotter noted that her time at Timberview High School shaped a lot of habits that propelled her to success, such as working hard, being disciplined, having time management skills and utilizing good communication skills.

Head girls basketball coach Kit Martin was in attendance at the assembly. She said she wanted students to take Thompson’s story and apply it in their lives.

“You hope that they can see that there is going to be a future, regardless of what it is, once they walk out these doors and they’re done,” said Martin. “It should be limitless. It should be without a ceiling to dream for whatever they want. Lili is a perfect example of that, and coming back gives them that tangible goal that they can look out and say, ‘Hey, if she can come from here and do that, then I can do whatever it is that I set out to do.’”

Globetrotter teammate Zeus McClurkin accompanied Thompson to the assembly, where they both showed off their ball handling skills. The Harlem Globetrotters are in town through Nov. 25 as part of its Fan Powered World Tour.

Elementary Schools Unite to Create Jr. Hoops Basketball Club

Sports fans around the country have been filling out brackets and following along with the NCAA basketball tournament, but a group of Mansfield ISD elementary schools are taking part in their own version of March Madness.

Early in the school year, Janet Brockett Elementary School principal, Tamara Liddell, was introduced to the district’s guiding statements for the newly introduced strategic plan Vision 2020. One of the guiding statements states that all students will be involved in at least one extra or co-curricular activity, Liddell immediately had an idea.

"My colleagues and I began talking about how we could support Vision 2020, I threw out starting a basketball league,” Liddell said about the creation of the league. "We started and he had six schools that wanted to be involved. Our children were ecstatic to now have, what they have asked for quite often, basketball."

The team from Imogene Gideon receives the trophy
after winning the championship game of the playoffs

For the first year of the MISD Elementary Basketball League, teams from Janet Brockett, Imogene Gideon, Louise Cabaniss, Thelma Jones, Erma Nash and Glenn Harmon elementary schools played weekly games against each other and concluded their season with a playoff tournament.
 

In order to give these elementary students the feel of the 'big leagues,' the games are played at James Coble Middle School. Coaches from within the school community volunteer their time to help these young hoop hopefuls hone their skills and prepare for each game.

These games are more than just basketball competition for the students on the team; many of the schools have started a cheerleading club to support the students on game nights, as well on campus. The cheer clubs are responsible for organizing pep rallies for the teams on game day, providing signs and spirit sticks to fans, but most importantly they are there to cheer their team on at the game.

By having so many students involved in various ways, this event is truly bringing the MISD community together. During these games, the stands in the middle school gyms are packed with parents, grandparents, and other students from their campuses.

The students are not only getting to play a sport they love, but also getting to learn teamwork, sportsmanship and also having the opportunity to make new friends. Juelz Harris, an Imogene Gideon fourth grader, is really enjoying this experience.

"We have built a lot of friendships and it has been very fun working with our coaches. It’s my favorite sport, I am glad we get to play now."

For the principals of these campuses, the league isn’t about a trophy or wins and loses. Shanee Charles, Principal at Imogene Gideon Elementary, appreciates what this league is teaching, not only her students, but the school community as a whole.

"I feel like this basketball league has not only given us a stronger sense of community, but also, a stronger sense of school pride. The other students that are not on the team come to school asking who we play this week and if we’ve won the game. Next year we would like to see this program grow to more campuses."

MISD Girls Basketball Teams Reflect on Long-Running Season

The Lady Broncos were excited to advance to the playoffs.

Even though there won’t be any Mansfield ISD teams at the UIL Girls Basketball State Tournament this weekend, the three teams that made it to the playoffs still have a lot to be proud of.

This season proved to be a record-breaking one for the Legacy High and Timberview High girls basketball teams. The Lady Broncos made it to the regional quarterfinals for the first time in its history. In addition, Timberview’s Lady Wolves were ranked number one in their division for a majority of the regular season, and remained undefeated until their unexpected loss in the regional tournament.

The Lady Wolves went into the playoffs undefeated.

The Lady Wolves finished the season with a record of 33-1. It’s the longest winning streak for the Timberview girls basketball program.

The Summit High School Lady Jaguars made it the furthest among the MISD teams as the regional runner-ups. The team had momentum at the start of the season, but hit a snag when their starting point guard and lead scorer, Amber Dixon, tore her ACL around Christmas.

“Our seniors brought a lot of team leadership during that time,” said Lady Jags head coach Dawn Mailloux. “They had the attitude to press on. Our goal was to get to the regional tournament and not let anything get in the way of that.”

Even without their starting point guard, the Lady Jags
were regional runner-ups.

The Summit girls met their goal, but it was still a hard blow for them when they ended their playoff run. With a record of 32-7, Mailloux said she told the team there was no reason to hang their heads.

“We achieved and surpassed our goal,” said Coach Mailloux. “They were dedicated, and each of them contributed to the team. Those girls left a legacy for the next group to build on and look forward to.”

Each of the teams are working to get even better next year, and they’ll have some time to perfect their skills. The first day of girls basketball practice for the 2016-17 season is Oct. 19.

MISD Basketball Team Looks to Continue Two-Year Undefeated Streak

Coach Alex Howard holding a trophy with his 2014-15 team
after being named tournament champions.

T.A. Howard Middle School basketball coach Alex Howard has been coaching for 20 years; but when he first came to Mansfield ISD three years ago, he said he knew there was something special about the group of boys who would later make up his eighth grade team.

“Those guys were really good and competitive,” said Howard. “They had natural talent, but they also had a relentless work ethic. They were always willing to get better, and you don’t see that all the time. Everyone who saw them play noticed it too.”

The team went undefeated as seventh graders in the 2013-14 school year, and continued to be unstoppable as eighth graders the following year. The boys dominated in all in-district games, out-of-district games, and tournaments. Howard said his eighth graders never shied away from tough teams all over the metroplex.

“Parents, referees, workers—people from everywhere we played would always stop and ask how I was able to get all of those highly skilled players on one team,” Howard continued. “It was a sight to see, and all of them were MISD-bred.”

Eighth graders Timi Efunboade and Jaedaun Slack after
a day of drills in basketball class.

With that type of notoriety, there’s a lot of pressure on T.A. Howard’s new eighth grade basketball team to carry on the tradition this season, but Jaedaun Slack says he’s up for the challenge.

“I want to keep it going,” said Slack, who looked up to the undefeated team as a seventh grader. “It’ll take hard work and teamwork, but I think we can do it.”

Timi Efunboade, who is also ready for a flawless season, said he thinks the 2015-16 team can do it again if they learn to cooperate on and off the court.

“On the court, last year’s team played every game with all their hearts like it was their last. Off the court, they were really good friends. I want to do an even better job of that this year,” said Efunboade.

The Howard Knights will get a chance to carry on that legacy in the coming weeks. Tryouts are Nov. 9-11, and the first game is Nov. 19.