There was plenty to write about in 2017. Here are my top stories looking backward in order from the most recent article published. With North championship, Tamara Moore ‘finally out of the shadow of the boys’ (November 29) Tamara Moore, one of the most decorated high school basketball players in Minnesota history who went on […]
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald is a contributing columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
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Prep hoops season-opening highlights
Last week the prep basketball season began Tuesday, November 28 Senior point guard Marianna Monita — displaying a shooting touch and flawless overall floor game — led St. Paul Johnson girls’ basketball team to its first victory of the season, helping Governors to a 58-28 win over Liberty Christian. Friday, December 1 Lu’Cye Patterson led […]
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With North championship, Tamara Moore ‘finally out of the shadow of the boys’
Tamara Moore, one of the most decorated high school basketball players in Minnesota history who went on to an outstanding college and WNBA career, was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in September. As a senior in 1998, the 5’-11” point guard teamed with Mauri Horton, Tiara Medlock, Felicia Bell, Jill […]
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Shaw-Martin and Conwell give back to St. Paul Johnson
Former St. Paul Johnson basketball players Tavey Shaw-Martin and Deedee Conwell wanted to do something positive to bring awareness to the recent violence that has dominated the Eastside community. With that, the Stop the Violence Basketball Clinic /Alumni Game was born. “It was important that we do something to let everyone know that positive things […]
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North makes it four in a row
For the fourth year in row, Minneapolis North is headed back to the state tournament under Head Coach Charles Adams. The Polars defeated Maple Lake 44-30 to give them the Class 2A Section 4AA title shot at a second consecutive state championship. North has many players who have contributed to their recent success. Armon Dalton […]
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Two top coaches get teams close to state playoffs
Charles Adams and Willie Howard, two of the state’s top prep football coaches, have their teams within striking distance of appearances in the state football playoffs. Adams, who coaches at Minneapolis North, led the Polars to a 16-6 victory over St. Agnes while Howard duplicated his counterpart, leading Robbinsdale Cooper to a 23-0 victory over […]
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Former prep star Jacobs coaching at Augustana
Former St. Paul Central volleyball great Jennifer Jacobs, in her first season as college coach, was in town last weekend leading her Augustana University team against defending NCAA Division II national champ Concordia University-St. Paul. Following a 3-1 game match loss, Jacobs, who went on to Minnesota State University-Mankato after an outstanding prep career at […]
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Prep football makes for good weekend
What a weekend. I missed an important high school football matchup Friday, but I saw another prep game Saturday afternoon with numerous connections. The game I saw Saturday afternoon for Minneapolis football standout Troy Russell was spent watching his son, leading rusher Isaiah Krause, play for Minneapolis Henry at running back against St. Paul Central […]
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Former prep stars and current player give Lynx nothing but praise
After watching the Minnesota Lynx capture their fourth WNBA championship this decade —winning their previous three in 2011, ’13 and ’15 — former girls basketball prep stars Tamara Moore, Carolyn Blair-Mobley, Rikiee Ellis, Tyrai Ross, and Dee Buford as well as former Golden Gophers player Crystal Flint, and current prep player Taylor-Tidwell, had nothing but […]
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Cooper win over Armstrong caps homecoming week
Ricky Williams greeted me with enthusiasm, yet sounded inquisitive after I showed up for the annual prep football matchup between Robbinsdale Cooper and Robbinsdale Armstrong — which Cooper won 20-7 — on a cool Friday evening last week. “So you made it all the way out here [from St. Paul] for this one,” said Williams, […]
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St. Thomas graduates have mostly fond memories
While watching the University of St. Thomas (UST) football team defeat archrival St. John’s 20-17 before 37,000 people at Target Field last Saturday, visions of former Twin Cities prep standouts Leonard Jones, Dee Buford, Aaron Benner, Teynae Richardson, and Roman Cress reminded me of individuals who know this rival up close and personal. All went […]
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North’s football team not missing a beat
Minneapolis North’s football team is picking up where it left off last year, currently sporting a 3-0 record as a member of the Twin City District’s Red Division. The Polars, who are the defending Class 1A champs coached by Charles Adams, have moved up to Class 2A and sport a number-four ranking after victories over […]
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Gophers’ opener was right choice
I had to make a choice last Thursday with the prep football season set to begin and the Gophers’ season opener. The Gophers won out, and I witnessed a breakout performance by a former metro prep athlete. But I also missed an opportunity to witness one of four quarterback-led victories at the high school level. […]
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Celebration for former U of M athletes next month
The Committee for the History of African American Contributions to the University of Minnesota will be celebrating their fifth bi-annual reunion next month. The event, which is to honor African American former student athletes (AA-SA), will be held Thursday, September 14 and Saturday, September 16, 2017. Former Gophers Johnathan Richmond (2000-2004) and Crystal Flint (1989-94) […]
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Three prep stars garner success
It’s been quite a summer for three of the state’s top prep basketball players. One made a verbal commitment to play in college while two others led the USA to gold while establishing themselves among the nations’ top prospects. Here is a quick recap of their accomplishments! Tre Jones Jones, the top-rated point guard in […]
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Former North players build on legacy
Three former Minneapolis North boys’ basketball players, Brett McNeal, Derek Reuben and Khalid El-Amin, continue to build on their legacy. Each enjoyed a storybook prep career, but more importantly, each has come back to serve the community. Here is a brief look at what each accomplished in the past and is doing today. Brett McNeal […]
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Hats off to one of the best
Faith Johnson Patterson is one of the top high school basketball coaches in state history! Here is the information backing up my claim. Coaching career Johnson Patterson has coached at Minneapolis North (1995-2009), DeLaSalle (2009-2015) and Eden Prairie (2015-2017). Top accomplishment Everyone remembers the five Class 3A championships at North (1998, 1999, 2003-2005) and three […]
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Moore enters UW Hall of Fame
Tamara Moore’s legacy is growing. The former Minneapolis North girls’ basketball superstar, who went on to enjoy a professional career in the WNBA, will enter the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame next month for her outstanding contributions as a member of the Badgers’ women’s team from 1998-2002. Moore, who currently coaches the TC […]
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Minnesota Spartans place second in nationals
The Minnesota Spartans 7th Grade AAU boys’ basketball team placed second at the national tournament held in Greensboro, North Carolina last week. The Spartans, coached by Jerome Williams and Jerry Williams Jr., served notice that the future of basketball in Minnesota is looking bright as ever and only getting better. The road to the championship […]
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Jimmy Lee Football Camp a success
Former NFL player and Cretin Derham Hall football alum Phil Archer was very positive as the third and final day of the third annual Jimmy Lee Football Camp concluded at Jimmy Lee Recreation Center last week. “It was a great turnout,” the former linebacker said. “We averaged between 100-130 kids per day. It was a […]