Showing posts with label sharece taft. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Taft will suit up for Fayetteville State, April 15, 2006

Taft will suit up for Fayetteville State

LAKE SPORTS

The Leesburg girls basketball star signs with the D-II school in North Carolina.

April 15, 2006|By Joe Williams, Sentinel Staff Writer

LEESBURG -- Whenever Sharece Taft went to the playground, she would play basketball with the boys. Girls, for the most part, just couldn't compete.

It was those playground days of playing against the boys that Taft said has helped her prepare for the next step in her basketball journey -- playing in college. Taft, a 6-foot senior at Leesburg, signed a scholarship Friday with Fayetteville State University, an NCAA Division II school in North Carolina

Coming off a torn meniscus in her right knee that she suffered last July in a basketball-camp game at USF, Taft missed about half of this basketball season. When she did return, she was a little tentative. It wasn't until late in the season that she regained confidence in her knee.

"Work From Home and Make

Thousands a Day!"

She finished the season averaging 11 points, seven rebounds and 3.2 steals per game.

"If it hadn't been for the injury, we would be here today talking about her signing with a Division I school," Leesburg Coach Mark Oates said. "But, you know, when she gets her degree, it won't say Division I or Division II on it. That is the main thing."

Taft said she could feel her confidence returning late in the season.

"Once I hurt my knee, I could tell that I wasn't the same. I was nervous," said Taft, who was nominated to the McDonald's All-American team.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Gerald Lacey one on one with Lady Jackets Coach Mark Oates

Leesburg coach Mark Oates has led the Yellow Jackets to the state tournament three times in the past five years (Tom Benitez/Orlando Sentinel)

Gerald Lacey

Could you give and the Jacket Nation a short bio of short career before Leesburg?

Coach Mark Oates:
I played football at Clinton High School in Clinton, North Carolina. I was an All Conference and All county lineman. I played football at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina

Gerald Lacey:

Coach Oates with this being your third State Final Four Appearance are you feeling nervous or have anxieties about this game?

Coach Mark Oates:
"No the hay is in the barn. We just have to go out and execute the things we do in practice, play hard and play smart." "I don't take it for granted and I hope our players don't take it for granted, either. I don't think the average person realizes how hard it is to get to this point. This has been our focus since we lost to [Ocala] Vanguard [in the region semifinal] last year."

Gerald Lacey:

Is there anything that you will do different in preparing for the State Final Four vs any other game?

Coach Mark Oates:

"As far as the basketball part no. However there are so many behind the scene things at the final four that the players have to be prepared for. TV timeouts, player intro's, lockerroom etiquette, press availability."

Gerald Lacey:

Will you spend the night in Lakeland on Thursday or drive up Friday morning?

Coach Mark Oates:

"The plan is to spend the night Thursday and Friday."

Gerald Lacey:

When did you take the Leesburg job?

Coach Mark Oates:

"I became the head girl's basketball coach at Leesburg in the school year 2003-2004"

Gerald Lacey:

What is your record year by year at Leesburg?

Coach Mark Oates:

"2004( 13-12) 2005 (23-3) 2006 (21-7) 2007 (28-3) 2008 (29-2) 2009 (17-9) 2010 (19-10) 2011 ( 23-6 and counting)"

Gerald Lacey:

What your record overall at Leesburg?

Coach Mark Oates:

"173-52"

Gerald Lacey:

Are the girls that are not on basketball scholarships on academic scholarships are just regular students?

Coach Mark Oates:

"Some are. Also in 2008 our team finished in the top 10 in the state for G.P.A.'s"

Gerald Lacey:

You have great numbers win wise and academically, their will be other schools calling on your services do you see yourself being the Lady Jackets coach longterm?

Coach Mark Oates:

"I am happy at Leesburg but I am always willing to listen if offers come my way. As Long as I am in Florida I plan to stay at Leesburg. If I were to leave it would be for a job back in North Carolina."

Gerald Lacey:

Where does this stand with some of your other teams in the past?

Coach Mark Oates:

"This team is not as talented as the 2007 and 2008 teams but they are very scrappy. My most talented team was the 2006 team, we were 15 deep but knee injuries to Sharece Taft and Waneta Carlisle derailed that machine."

Article provided by:
www.leesburgladyjacketsbasketball.com

Resources
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club

About the Author

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Leesburg star Taft makes list for McDonald's game

Senior is one of 1,000 players nominated

Senior recognized as one of the nation's best in girls basketball

January 24, 2006|By Joe Williams, Sentinel Staff Writer

LEESBURG -- Leesburg senior Sharece Taft was recognized Monday among the best senior high-school girls basketball players in the country when she was notified she had been nominated for the 2006 McDonald's All-American Girls High School Basketball team.

Taft, a 6-foot senior, is one of 1,000 players nationwide to be picked for the honor. Out of those players, a group of 24 players will be selected in late February to play in the McDonald's All-American All-Star Game at San Diego State University on March 29. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

"I was excited," Taft said about receiving the recognition. "It is a total surprise."

Leesburg Coach Mark Oates said it is a well-deserved honor for a player who has dedicated herself to the Yellow Jackets' program. She is the second Leesburg player to be selected in the past two years, joining former teammate Danielle Harris, who was nominated in 2004.

"Reesey has basically set an example for our players as far as what hard work is, how to practice, how to play in games," Oates said. "I guess, in a way, she has given the program a face and the other girls look up to her."

Though the nomination for the All-American team is a nice highlight for Taft to have to her senior season, the year did not start out the way she would have liked. Leesburg, which has an 18-5 overall record, had to play most of the first half of the season with its star center/forward on the sidelines.

She missed the time with a torn meniscus in her right knee that occurred during the summer and underwent surgery to repair the ligament on Sept. 15.

While out, Taft tried to keep herself in shape by continually working out in the weight room. Despite the effort, when she was given clearance to begin playing again, Taft quickly found out she was not in shape.

"I had to do a lot of running," Taft said. "I had to get back in shape."

Now, 14 games into her return, Taft feels like her game is coming back.

"It's going pretty good now. My knee is doing pretty good," Taft said.

Oates said Taft would receive a special honor at the school.

While introducing his players during Senior Night last Friday, Oates said a special banner will be placed in the new Leesburg High School gymnasium, honoring Taft for all of her accomplishments and her career statistics that currently stand at 1,167 points, 775 rebounds and 272 steals.

"To go into her senior year with so many expectations and to be injured was very disappointing for her, I'm sure," Oates said. "But she did what she could. She came to practice all the time and never skipped a beat.

"Having her back has meant a lot to the team. I think it has helped relax the team. The team's confidence level has increased."

Resources
January 24, 2006

Joe Williams

Sentinel Staff Writer

Orlando Sentinel

Article provided by:

www.leesburgladyjacketsbasketball.com

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

February 19, 2011