Sharo looks to shine at UofL

Cornwell, NY soccer star Kim Sharo has chosen the
University of Louisville as her soccer home for the 2011
season. The senior striker has scored 40 goals and
recorded 44 assists over the last two seasons for
Cornwell (NY).

Thanks to Justin Rodriguez (Times Herald-Record) for
the great article below and Chet Gordon (Times Herald-
Record) for the action shot of Sharo. Also, muchas gracias
to Charlie Springer (UofL Card Game) for the heads up
on the piece.

You can read the entire article at the following link:
www/recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20100711/SPORTS31/7110343

Below are some excerpts from Rodriguez's piece.

CORNWALL SOCCER STAR SHARO HEADED FOR LOUISVILLE.

by Justin Rodriguez

Kim Sharo clicked on the University of Louisville's
women's soccer website every day. She scanned the roster, researching all the players, keeping track of team news, checking out statistics. Almost obsessed, this is where Sharo, a star striker at Cornwall, had to play.

And, she will in the fall of 2011.

Sharo, entering her senior year, has verbally committed to the BIG EAST school. She said she will receive an academic/athletic scholarship which will pay about 1/2 her expenses as a freshman. Louisville costs approximately $40,000 per year to attend.

"I've always wanted to play at a school at this level," said Sharo, who has 40 goals and 44 assists over the last two years at Cornwall. "I'm very happy to be playing in the BIG EAST. I checked out everything about Louisville and really liked it. I'm really excited I don't have to worry about picking a college anymore."

Sharo, who was helped Cornwall to three straight Section 9 Class A titles, was also interested in Seton Hall, UNC-Charlotte and Rider University. However, Louisville became a player when assistant coach Kyle Singer was impressed with Sharo's performance with her club team, Quickstrike FC, at a college showcase at Players Development Academy in Zarephath, N.J. over the Memorial Day weekend.

Singer and Sharo's club coach, Jesse Kolmel, kept in touch after the PDA event. She visited Louisville last week and committed to the Cards on Friday.

"Kim worked hard for this and she deserves it." Cornwall coach Rick Miller said. "She plays year round with her club team, and it has all paid off. It's hard to believe she's a senior. It seems just like yesterday we brought her up. I'm proud of her and, hopefully, she scores some more goals for us this fall before she leaves."

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After minimal deliberation and considering his sorely lacking finances, CARDINAL COUPLE chief writer and co-owner Paul Sykes has decided not to follow LeBron James to the Miami Heat.

"I thought about it for a few minutes...the beach, nice weather and a few hours away from Key West and all...but I am going to remain in Louisville." Sykes commented after cutting the grass Sunday afternoon. " The temptation of being close to Rachel, my brother-in-law Gary and his family...plus Coach Schnellenberger in Boca Raton was pretty tempting but the fans of CARDINAL COUPLE have spoken and I'll be here for the foreseeable future. Besides, I hated Dwayne Wade when he played for Marquette...except when they beat Kentucky. Truth be told, I didn't care much for Steve Novak, Tom Crean..all those guys that were associated with that Marquette team.

I have no idea who Chris Bosh is.

I'm scheduled to be in some fairly interesting cornhole games later this summer...and I definitely don't want to miss the UK vs. UofL football game, or the Lady Cards opening against Tennessee, so I'm passing on this non-existent offer to head to South Beach.

I dig what Pat Riley did with Rupp's Runts and all..and I really like his hairstyle..but they don't have a Mulligan's in Miami and I doubt my van would handle the trip down there to begin with.

If ESPN had offered to do an hour long special about my decision...wow, wouldn't that have been cool!...but they hung up on me when I pitched it. "

Sykes, whose reputed ties with the Louisville Irish Mafia and known village idiot Tommy Boy have never been fully explained or investigated, looks forward to a fall of raking leaves, trimming the hedges and sipping Bud Select at various events.

"I'm a Lakers fan anyway...and there's a few people that still owe me money up here after they spanked the Celtics...plus I know of a couple of really promising two year olds that are on track to debut at Churchill Downs this fall...so, the 'Ville is still where I want to be...unless Sonja sends me packing like she threatened to do after that whole messy 'Pineapple Captain' incident a couple of weeks ago."

John Asher was not contacted concerning this story. But, he did attend Western Kentucky University and is probably closely following the stuff mentioned in the article below.

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According to Eric Crawford, over at the Courier-Journal...Western Kentucky University no longer wants to be referred to as "Western" when it comes to sports athletics. They are now WKU.

We, at CARDINAL COUPLE, can see their argument. Sonja attended Western...oops, WKU... and when she tells people where she attended, sometimes they will ask "Western where?" Usually, it's someone from out-of-state, a foreigner or her forgetful uncle Teddy.

Not that the requested moniker "WKU" is going to clear any of that up. It sounds like a low wattage AM radio station or a governmental agency.

I like a good Western every once in awhile, especially if John Wayne is in it..but that has nothing to do with the university in Bowling Green.

I see a trend surfacing here. What if both Murray State and Morehead State want to be known as "MSU"? Not to mention Michigan State and Mississippi State. Is there a Western Kansas University? Another WKU conflict here? But, since Wood Selig left Bowling Green to pursue other employment opportunities, I like WKU better these days and I'm OK with WKU. Does it count as a word if I play Scrabble?

WKU it is, then. Next, Eastern Kentucky University will clamor for EKU reference status and I can't wait to see what Lindsey Wilson is going to ask for. (The college, not the Iowa State womens' basketball player.)

Probably another Ashley Rainey...

Cards making waves in womens' swimmng

Lindsey LaPorte, from the Scottsdale Aquatic Club (AZ), is one of several reasons why BIG EAST Coach of the Year Arthur Albiero is strolling around the UofL campus walking on water these days. The Water Cards have been ranked as high as #12 with their incoming class and LaPorte, a freestyle specialist is one of the main reasons.



LaPorte joins local aquatic aces Krissie Brandenburg and Mary Mittel in the newcomer ranks and Breann McDowell. Brandenburg was the 2009 Kentucky Girls' Swimmer of the Year and Mittel is the third of her siblings to swim for the Cards.

Emily Conway, Nicole Glazer, Gisselle Kohoyda, BreAnn McDowell and Brittany Walsh complete the ten freshmen on Albiero's squad and the Cards also gain transfer Lindsey Rogers from Florida.

The Cards finished second in the BIG EAST last year and sent the most ever participants to the NCAA qualifying events. They were ranked #13 nationally.

"We are looking forward to welcoming these young ladies. This was a hand-picked class." commented Albiero. "They are talented student-athletes and they are also great young ladies with lofty goals. We are fully committed to help them continue to develop at athletics, as students and as women with extremely bright futures. They understand we have much work to do in front of us and we look forward to forming a great partnership with each one of them."

Splash on, Lady Pool Cards. Albiero continues to bring the best and brightest to the corner of Floyd and Warnock.

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USA Basketball blitzed the WNBA All-Stars 99-72 yesterday at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Geno Auriemma loaded the USA lineup with six former and current UConn players and had two big additions as well. Angel McCoughtry and Sylvia Fowles.

Big Syl went off on the WNBA team for 23 points and 8 boards. Angel tossed in eleven and Maya Moore added 12 for USA Hoops.

Fowles won the MVP award and was pretty excited about the victory and her teammates.

"They're on this team for a reason. They're great players. They play together well. They have that chemistry. They know what they want and how to win. Me just being a part of this crew...makes me feel good." Fowles relayed.

Real good, it seems. There's just something about Angel playing with Maya Moore and Coach Geno that still just doesn't seem right...what's next...Kobe and Shaq getting together for a few laughs or Bobby Knight and Digger agreeing on...anything?

Asia Taylor ready for the season to begin

CARDINAL COUPLE caught up with power forward Asia Taylor after the FILA Summer Derby Classic. She was there with her UofL womens' basketball teammates, watching and supporting as Kentucky Premier won their final game of the tournament.

Two things you notice about her when you talk to her. First, that she has the body build and strength to be one of the dominant front line players in the Big East this year. Secondly, there is a confidence and maturity about her that will come in handy with so many new Cardinals on the team this year. Here's the interview:

CARDINAL COUPLE: What did you think about this Premier team that just won? They're pretty impressive aren't they?

TAYLOR: Yeah, they get up and down the floor really well and they've got a lot of good athletes..so it was pretty fun to watch.

CARDINAL COUPLE: Do you think Sarah Hammond is one of the best players in the state next year?

TAYLOR: I do think she could possibly be. She's very fundamental. She's got a great game.

CARDINAL COUPLE: HOw would you like to have her on the LADY CARDS next year?

TAYLOR: Definitely! We want her here, really bad.

CARDINAL COUPLE: The word is out on you that you've really come on this summer and are the "beast" of the Cardinals...what have you done concerning your game and talk a little about the injury.

TAYLOR: (Laughing) Well, that's really nice...whoever said that about me. Basically, I just feel more like me...I'm about 90% right now and everything is feeling good. My ankle is letting me do what I want to do on it. Back in May, when I went home, I got in the gym a lot and worked everyday. I'm hoping it's starting to pay off. I hope that if my teammates get me the ball and look for me I can get it done. It's going to be a really good year for us. That's guaranteed.

CARDINAL COUPLE: You and Keisha are the lone returnees on the front line this year. You've had a chance to get on the court with the newer girls. Who is going to be battling you for playing time?

TAYLOR: I really can't say. I love 'em all and it's just going to be a battle, for real. It going to be whoever wants it the most. We all encourage everybody and we've all been working hard..so whoever makes it, makes it. We're all going to keep working.

CARDINAL COUPLE: We're certainly looking for big things this year out of UofL and we're all very happy that Asia landed in Louisville.

TAYLOR: (Laughing) It's definitely going to be a great year. Believe that. And tell Ms. Sonja hello for me.

If Asia's confidence and belief in this team and in her game is any indication of how the Cardinals' year will go...it could be very good, indeed.

Kentucky Premier takes FILA Summer Derby Classic title

Kyvin Goodin-Rogers and Makayla Epps had ten points each in the "title game" for the 17U division bracket. Kentucky Premium won easily 50-24.

It may have not been the opponent they wanted...but the Kentucky Premier 17U squad won the 17U National Division Champonship Bracket title by a 2-0 forfeit and then preceded to demolish originally 3rd place Surry Storm 50-24 Thursday afternoon in Cardinal Arena.

Kentucky Premier was scheduled to play the Lady Rams from Jacksonville and Surry was to face Northside Indy Magic...but both opponents chose to forego the final day of hoops action.

So, the Storm and Premier faced off in a contest that was strictly one sided from the opening tip. Premier downgraded the Storm into a tropical depression and roared out to a 16-0 lead in the first six minutes of the game. Premium took a 30-11 lead into halftime and steadily increased the margin in the second half to eventually win by 26.

Surry, from Mt. Airy, NC., had no answers for the Premier transition game and couldn't penetrate the swarming Premier defense. They had gone 4-0, like Kentucky Premier, in earlier tournament action...but were outmatched and outplayed by Epps, Rogers and company.

CARDINAL COUPLE caught up with Makayla Epps after the contest for her comments:

(On playing with Marion County high School teammates Bre Elder and Kyvin Goodin- Rogers on the Premier team)

"Yeah, I love them. we've got that connection, that strong connection. They know where I'm at...I know where they're at and we get each other the ball."

(On not getting to face the Lady Rams in the final game.)

"I was very disappointed...because a couple of tournaments ago they kinda hammered us and we all wanted to redeem ourselves. We've got a couple of new players, we felt we could take them and we were down about it when they went home."

(On any influence from her father...former UK star Anthony Epps to go play college ball for Kentucky)

"Not at all. He doesn't mind where I go. He'd be happy if I go here (Louisville) even though he went to Kentucky."

(On other college contacts)

(Chuckling) "No calls from Geno (Auriemna...) I got a letter of interest from UConn but nothing major."

(Next up for Kentucky Premier)

"We're going down to Murfreesboro for a Tennessee tournament down there. A lot of the same teams that were here will be there...really good teams. It's going to be a battle"

(On Marion County's chances of success next year in the state tournament)

"Oh, yeah...I've already said it. We're getting back next year and we're gonna win it!"

A great job by Coach Tapley and the Premier in the FILA Summer Derby Classic and hopefully continued good fortunes for this hard playing AAU squad down the road.

(Tomorrow we'll feature a CARDINAL COUPLE exclusive interview with UofL Lady Card sophomore forward Asia Taylor.)

Kentucky Premier wins two to advance to championship game

Kentucky Premier 17U won both their games today in the FILA Summer Derby Classic at UofL to advance to the championship game Thursday afternoon. They'll play the Lady Rams out of Jacksonville, Florida at 4:10 p.m. in Cardinal Arena.

In the first game, Premier overcame an early 6-0 deficit to Cincinnati Heat to take a 19-18 halftime lead with a buzzer beating three by Sarah Hammond. Premier built the lead to 8 early in the second half, but allowed Cincy to rally and regain the lead 35-31 with 6:40 to go. Makayla Epps and Bre Elder picked up the scoring slack and both had clutch threes to lead Premier to a hard fought 48-44 win. Hammonds and Epps led the way with 13 points each and Danay Fothergill knocked down two second half threes for Kentucky. Epps sank a free throw with 10 seconds remaining to secure the final margin.

In the nightcap, Premier rallied to beat Memphis 52-51 to advance to the finals. CARDINAL COUPLE had to miss this game but it looked to be an exciting one...Kentucky Premier trailed by one with 16 seconds remaining and came back to win. We've got a message out to Kentucky coach David Tapley for details and will add it to this post if and when he responds.

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CARDINAL COUPLE got to speak with Hammond directly after the Cincinnati game.

(On Cincinnati holding her to four second half points)

"Yeah, they just came out really strong on me defensively because they knew I was going to keep contributing offensively and keep heading to the rim if they didn't. I just tried to pick up my game in other areas, like defense and rebounding."

(On the victory)

" I think our rebounding at the end was what won this for us this afternoon and Coach (David Tapley) always tells us to work hard and try to play the perfect game...so we're always trying to get a little better each time. We've played some really good teams."

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36 games on tap today in the final round of action. Where has our "One Great Newspaper" here in Louisville been during the tournament? Covering matters such as where LeBron James is going to play in the NBA and that there is another Zeller playing basketball in Indiana. Jody Demling in Indy watching a boys AAU Tournament.

Not surprising, really. If the tournament had been held in Lexington, though...I expect it would have received wall to wall coverage. Way to represent the local events, guys.

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It was good to see James "Boo" Brewer yesterday taking in the action and coaching. The former Louisville standout coaches the Kentucky Premier 15U team. "Boo" still looks like he could lead the fastbreak and break someone's ankles with a crossover...

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Coaches and media get the same wrist band to gain entrance to the events. This led to a couple of interesting conversations for Paul yesterday with some of the college womens' coaching staff....including an invite to apply for a coaching job from a unnamed school. He was also asked which university he represented and told the questioner without batting an eye:

" The Lemmings of Southeastern Kentucky Polytech and Agriculture. Just call us SEKPA for short..."

Allegedly, a certain SEC coach inquired if "Paul's team" might be interested in filling a pre-conference game slot. I guess I'm going to have to teach the Yorkies the 2-3 zone and dig out my Converse again....and we're going to have to pass on a home and away since Paul took down the basketball goal on the side of the garage.

Epps shines in FILA Summer Derby Classic

Makayla Epps drove the lane to score the go ahead basket with 2 seconds left in the Kentucky Premier 17U 53-51 win over the Dayton Hoopstars.

It is the situation that every high school basketballer dreams of. Score tied, a minute to go and the ball is in your hands. You patiently wait until the coach tells you to go, you take your defender inside, weave your way thru the rest of the defense and take the short inside bank shot that kisses off the backboard and falls thru the hoop. Her basket topped off a furious comeback by the Kentucky squad...who trailed 39-28 with 11:00 to go in the second half and managed to tie the contest at 44-44 with 6:12 on the clock.

Makayka Epps' shot helped the Kentucky Premier advance to the 2nd round of the Summer Derby Classic...being held at the University of Louisville campus. Several venues are being used for the event, including the Student Activities Center, Cardinal Arena and The Basketball Academy.

The Kentucky Select 17U squad, composed of high school girls' standouts from the state, rolled in the next game over the Georgia Jaguars 90-32 and will face Cincinnati Premier Wednesday at 1:50. Several UofL recruits on the Kentucky Premier team...including Epps, Sarah Hammond from Rockcastle County and Epps teammates Kyvin Goodin-Rogers. Bre Elder, from Marion County, is also on the team, along with Kayla Bies (Upperman, Clarksville, TN.), Danay Fothergill (Southwestern, Somerset, KY), Kayla Bowlin (Wayne County, KY), Megan Pittman (Casey County, KY) and Jessica Hardin (Wayne County).

Kentucky Select is one of 72 teams participating in the FILA Summer Derby Classic, an AAU event sponsored by All Star Girls Report and Michael T. White, INC. Four divisions are set up for the teams in a guaranteed five game tournament...with 14,15,16 and 17 year old and under brackets. Kentucky is represented well in the event, with 10 teams participating. Teams from as far as New Jersey, California and South Dakota are represented and a total of 19 states are taking part.

AAU ball is a little different than high school hoops. There is no shot clock and the games consist of (2) 16 minutes halves. Each player is allowed six fouls before disqualification and overtime periods are sudden death..with the first team scoring two or more points winning. The clock runs continuously if a team leads by more than 15 in the final 5 minutes of the game. There is no one and one from the foul line after seven fouls in a half but teams do receive the 2 shot bonus after ten fouls.

A large groups of college coaches are in town to watch the action and a good representation of UofL folks on hand as well. It was good to see Laura Terry up and around working the T-Shirt booth. She reports her knee is doing better each day. We'll miss her on the court for the Lady Cards this year.

Tickets are $10 a day and this includes all sessions at all locations...if you want to check out the action and can be purchased at Cardinal Arena. Games begin at 8 AM. A listing of scheduled games and results can be found at:

www.asgr.info/tournaments/sdcs

Cardinal Volleyball faces tough 2010 schedule

The Volley Cards have a tough road ahead of them if they are looking to duplicate their 21-10 season from 2009. Louisville will travel to Kentucky for a match on September 1st and to Knoxville to face the Vols on November 2nd. They'll also square off against Illinois and Purdue in the BIG EAST/BIG TEN Challenge.

The Cards will travel to Tempe to take part in a round robin tournament against Cal-Bakersfield, Arizona and Butler beginning September 3rd. Other out of conference opponents are Ohio, North Datoka State, Wright State and Lipscomb.

Conference foes will include Rutgers, Seton Hall, Notre Dame, DePaul, Cincinnati, Georgetown, South Florida, and Villanova at home. Leonard Yelin's crew will travel to UConn, St. John's, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Marquette and Syracuse for matches.

The BIG EAST tournament takes place in Pittsburgh beginning November 19th and the NCAA Selections will be November 28th...with 1st round play beginning December 3rd.

Louisville loses seniors Lecia Brown, Kimi Hohl and Justine Landi from the 2009 squad but does return Lola Arslanbekova and Gwen Rucker.

A young team for Coach Yelin...but a team full of promise and a definite spikemaster in Arslanbekova.

The schedule includes 13 home game...all on weekends except the Lipscomb match. The Kentucky game is on Wednesday and the game in Knoxville on a Tuesday.

The Cards went 11-6 on their home court last year and 11-4 in the BIG EAST. They won the BIG EAST Tournament in Louisville as a #4 seed...knocking off #2 Cincinnati 3-1.

We'll be providing full coverage of Cardinal Voleyball and hope to be providing you with some preseason quotes and previews of the team in the near future here at CARDINAL COUPLE.