Assorted Stuff for a "Tuesday Afternoon"

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - a client of Terry Lyons Sports Marketing LLC - today announced the winners of the Manny Jackson Award for Human Spirit. I am proud to say that I've known and worked with all of the very worthy recipients, dating back to the '80s with Ken Hudson, the '80-90-2000s with Bob Lanier and since '88 with Alonzo Mourning - which included an extended 'run' together at the '94 worlds (when Zo was a young buck) and in 2000 when he was a real pleasure to work with!).

See: http://www.hoophall.com/news/2009/8/10/naismith-memorial-basketball-hall-of-fame-announces-hudson-l.html

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You think the Dream Team's drubbing of Angola back in '92 was a kick in the ass? Check out yesterday's USA women vs. The Dominican, a 128-17 dismantling. Yikes.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Aug. 10, 2009) - The 2009 USA Women's U16 National Team (1-0) wasted no time taking advantage of its size and quickness advantage over Dominican Republic (0-1) in its opening game of the 2009 FIBA Americas U16 Championship, capturing a 128-17 win on Monday night at Juan de la Barrera Gym in Mexico City, Mexico.

The USA jumped to a 30-0 lead at the 3:16 mark of the first period and never looked back, holding Dominican Republic to a total of six made baskets and two made free throws for the game.

"I loved their attitude. I loved their effort," said Barbara Nelson, USA and Wingate University head coach. "They were very focused on the way we asked them to play, and it was very exciting to watch."

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (Mater Dei H.S. / Anaheim, Calif.) led seven U.S. players in double figures with 21 points, including four 3-pointers. Cierra Burdick (Butler H.S. / Mathews, N.C.) and Breanna Stewart (Cicero-North Syracuse H.S. / North Syracuse, N.Y.) added 13 points apiece; Justine Hartman (Brea Olinda H.S. / Brea, Calif.) contributed 14 points; Elizabeth Williams (Princess Anne H.S. / Virginia Beach, Va.) contributed12 points; and Bashaara Graves (Clarksville H.S. / Clarksville, Tenn.) and Betnijah Laney (Smyrna H.S. / Clayton, Del.) scored 10 points each.

"It is a big relief to have the first game under our belt," Mosqueda-Lewis said. "We came out hard, and we all played team ball and it paid off."

Eight U.S. players had recorded points by the time the Dominican Republic put is first points on the board at 2:25 in the first quarter to bring the score to 30-2 in the USA's favor, and by the period's end, the U.S. lead had grown to 39-2.

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Sad day as Eunice Kennedy Shriver has passed away. When I think of Mrs. Shriver, I think of all the wonderful things that the Special Olympics have become. She was a true ambassador. The ultimate compliment upon her death is this: "Eunice, a job well done, as you will live on forever."

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of President John F Kennedy and founder of the Special Olympics, has died aged 88.

She died at Cape Cod hospital in Massachusetts on Tuesday morning, her family said in a statement.

Mrs Shriver organised the first Special Olympic Games in 1968, partly inspired by her mentally disabled sister, Rosemary Kennedy.

She is credited with helping to transform views of the mentally disabled through her campaigns.

President Barack Obama said he was saddened at the death of Mrs Shriver, calling her a "champion" for disabled people.

Mrs Shriver had been in critical condition at Cape Cod hospital since last week.

Her diagnosis was not given, but she had suffered a series of strokes in recent years.

Mrs Shriver is the mother of TV host Maria Shriver, who is married to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Mrs Shriver's brother, Sen Edward Kennedy, is battling brain cancer that was diagnosed last year.