On this President’s Day we learn about a great Arizona athlete who’s leading a great cause as she’s looking for donations for every strikeout she records this spring to help battle skin cancer.  You’ll want to learn more about “T” and all she’s doing.  We also go to Indiana to profile a young club team and learn more about a Pennsylvania standout who’s Big Ten bound…

 

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PLAYER PROFILE: T STATMAN

Her first name is “Tamara” but she says she prefers to go by “T” so we’ll go with that and we knew her after compiling the 2015 Hot 100 list when she came in at No. 86.

What we didn’t know is how she is spearheading a great cause.

 “Last year,” she explained, “I started working with the Arizona Skin Cancer Foundation on the ‘T’s K’s for Skin Cancer’ program. People can pledge from $0.05 to any amount they want per strikeout to help those that need financial aid with their skin cancer treatment.

Learn more about T and what she’s all about below and we encourage you to donate if you can!

 

Grad Year: 2015
Pos: pitcher/infielder
High School: Horizon (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
GPA/SAT or ACT (optional): 4.0
SAT: 1720
Club: L’il Saints Gold
Stats: high school career: 40-15 record with 503 K’s in 357 innings, 11 shutouts and 31 complete games; batting average of .452 with .511 on-base percentage
Honors: ranked as the No. 86 player in the 2015 class by StudentSportsSoftball.com; MaxPreps All-American, two-time All-State honoree, Phoenix Area Female Athlete of the Year
College: Arizona

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: First, let’s take about a great cause you’re promoting–“T’s K’s for Skin Cancer” to raise awareness and money for the Arizona Skin Cancer Foundation… how did that come about?
T Statman: Skin cancer has always been something that I have been aware of because my dad has had multiple surgeries to remove skin cancer. My sophomore year I had a Mohs surgery to remove a growth in my right arm. So definitely being put into that position makes you realize not many kids know about the affects of tanning and constant skin exposure.

 

SSS.com: Are you particularly aware of the dangers of the sun being in Arizona?
TS: Of course! However, one of the most dangerous times for exposure is when it’s overcast outside and you don’t think you need to protect yourself, but you need to. Teens and kids don’t realize what they are doing to their skin and it is going to effect them when they are in their 40’s or even possibly sooner.

 

SSS.com: You’ve had great success with it already… how much have you raised?
TS: Last year I helped the Arizona Skin Cancer Foundation close in on $55,000. This year I hope to bring greater awareness to the cause.

 

SSS.com: How can people get involved and support what you’re doing?
TS: I would love people to get involved by donating as little as 5 cents per strikeout or more. Flat donations are also accepted at any time. This year my goal is to get at least 300 strikeouts this high school season (which you can track at MaxPreps.com). It’s a great cause that really affects many people. You can find more about my cause at www.skinexam.org and click T’s K’s for Skin Cancer under Community Donors.

 

SSS.com: Along with you’re fundraising, you have an impressive background that includes being a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do… how did you get started in that and how does that help you as a softball player? 
TS: I started when I was four years old because my dad thought it would be good for me with the discipline and structure. As I got older it became a good base for self defense and strength for injury prevention. I believe it has helped me a lot because of the discipline which allows me to stay emotionally neutral during tough situations.

 

SSS.com:  Your Horizon High team finished No. 41 in the final FAB 50 last year, but you have higher goals this year, correct?
TS: I always have higher goals for myself and for my team. I just want us to always keep pushing for that No. 1 spot. It’s not how we start it’s how we finish, so we just need to keep working. With our new coach, Jackie Coburn, a UofA alum we hope to achieve greater success.

 

SSS.com: You must be excited to be staying in-state to play at the Univ. of Arizona… walk us through how they came to recruit you and when your offer came.
TS: I am excited! It happened at the 2012 14U PGF Nationals. There were many colleges following me at the time and I wound up striking out 33 batters in 20 innings with a 0.00 ERA. I also was batting .500. Coach Iveson from UofA was watching most of those games and spoke to my coach about contacting them. I set up an unofficial and I was offered an opportunity to be a Wildcat

 

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision? 
TS: After getting back from two other unofficials, I decided that the right fit for me was to attend the UofA and learn from and play for Coach Candrea and Coach Iveson.

 

SSS.com: How tought was it to tell the other coaches that you’d be committing to the Wildcats?
TS: It was some of the hardest things I ever had to do, but it was the right thing to do and I know I made the right choice for my situation.

 

SSS.com: What pitches do you throw and what is your “out” pitch?  And what about you on the field makes you a Pac-12 caliber player?
TS: The one thing that makes me a Pac-12 caliber player is my focus, discipline, and will to succeed and be the best I can be. I throw a rise, screw, change up, and the monsoon (drop ball).  My out pitch is the rise. I am a north/south pitcher.

 

SSS.com:  What do you think (or have others said) are your strengths as a softball player?
TS: Mental toughness.

 

SSS.com: You’ve had so much success already between the lines, including striking out 10 against Red Mountain, the No. 1 team in the nation, last year… what in your mind is the highlight of your softball career so far?
TS: I would have to say being the MVP of the Desert Mountain Tournament. Where we played Red Mountain then Basha in the championship game where I had 13 strikeouts and we won 10-0.

 

Quick Hitters

 

What do you want to do after your softball playing career ends? 
I want to go to law school and get a degree in contract law. Hopefully I can become a sports agent with a little politics mixed in.

Fill in the blank… The thing I’m most proud of is:_________________
… that I have parents who care about me and have thought me a good work ethic.

Are you paying much attention to the Sochi Olympics?
My favorite winter Olympic sport (curling) is on at 3:30 in the morning. So, sadly, no. I also can’t live stream it online for some reason.

Favorite food:
There’s just so many… here’s some: pizza, lox, bagels, kugel…

Least favorite food:
Raisins.

Favorite place in the world:
San Diego.

What’s your favorite vacation spot?
The happiest place on earth: Disneyland.

What type of bat do you use (and do you like it)?
Easton Mako. Yes I like the bat, it has a lot of pop.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals? 
I put my socks on one foot at a time and I wear my hat and goggles every game.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I’m a 3rd degree black belt that can’t swim.

Describe who you are or what you’re about in one word?
Hungry (figuratively and literally)!

What’s one thing you do to maintain balance in your life?
I play golf with my friends. I also rewrite rap songs for extra credit in classes.

Define “success” in your mind…
Better than you were the day before.

What’s left for you to accomplish before finishing high school?
Trying to learn something every day.

Who’s a hero of yours or someone you look up to most?
My parents, they work harder than anyone I know. Also my hitting and pitching instructors who push me to never settle.

 

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CLUB PROFILE: INDIANA MAGIC GOLD – GREEN 14U

You may have seen mention of the Indiana Magic over the last several months on this site and in our verbal list as the program has 11 players committed to programs such as North Carolina, Kentucky, Purdue, Indiana and George Washington among others.

The Magic currently has three teams—18U, 16U and 14U—after being founded by Director Kim Clay in 2001 with the goal of getting his players seen on a national state and at the same time helping them find the right college fit for each player.

Today, we focus on the youngest team, the 14U squad coached by Brian Green, which was put together last fall and consists of five 2017’s, five ‘18’s and one 2019.   Nine of the players are Indiana with one each from Michigan and Wisconsin.

According to Green, “This team has already turned the heads of a number of college programs and has shown well at the Scenic City 16’s Fall showcase in Chattanooga, the Betcher Cancer Awareness Showcase in St. Charles, Ill., the ASA Eastern Elite/Heartland Showcase, but the highlight of the fall was a 6-1 record at the Sun Classic fall showcase in Orlando.”

Although none of the players on the 14U team have committed yet, Coach Green expects that by the end of the summer many of his players will have made their choices.

“We have three or four players who I believe will be in a position to commit by the July or August,” he states.  “Many of our players are 2018’s and are just starting the recruiting process. It’s important for the players to find a school and coaching staff that they feel comfortable with and will call home for four years.”

“Our goal is to get our kids college scholarships at the right schools for them and to win the Triple Crown Nationals in Atlanta. I believe we have the ability to compete with any 14U team in the country and these kids won’t back down from anyone.”

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Here’s a player-by-player look at the Indiana Magic Gold–Green 14U with comments by Head Coach Brian Green:

— UT TeAnn Bringle (2018, uncommitted)
“TeAnn can play everywhere but pitch. She hits with power and had eight home runs in the fall.  She is a hard-nosed player who isn’t afraid to get dirty. She will have D1 offers before the summer is over.”

—IF Karly Combs(2017, uncommitted)
“Karly is an exceptionally hard worker and a defensive specialist. She is one you can count on to get the job done.”

—IF Kaitlyn Heffner (2017, uncommitted)
“Kaitlyn excels at the plate as shown by her .439 average for the fall and a .500 on-base percentage.

— P Rilee King (2018, uncommitted)
“Rilee will be a highly sought-after 2018 pitcher. She spins the ball well and has good velocity.”

— MI Brandy Mower (2017, uncommitted)
“Brandy will help us at a number of different positions. She is one of those kids that will help you no matter where you put her.”

— OF Isabelle Pickens (2019, uncommitted)
“Isabelle is our youngest member, but her work ethic is well above her years. She will be a highly regarded recruit in the coming seasons.”

— SS/C/OF Ashley Prange (2018, uncommitted)
“Ashley has drawn the attention of several D1 schools this past fall. Her hitting is a huge part of her game, but her arm strength is out of this world. She will garner a ton of attention this summer.”

— OF Katie Quinlan (2017, uncommitted)
“This kid has speed. Katie can cover more ground then most speed players her age. She has also taken more then her share of gap shots away from opposing teams. Katie is another player who will gain a lot of attention this coming summer.”

— C/3B Jordyn Rudd (2018, uncommitted)
“Jordyn has been on the radar of a number of D1 schools since being a seventh grader. Her upside potential is through the roof as she has a combination of size and athleticism that is rare.”

— UT Avery Slancik (2018, uncommitted)
“Avery is capable of helping the Magic in multiple ways. She is a solid middle infielder and has contributed some good innings as a pitcher too. ”

— P Danielle Watson (2017, uncommitted)
“Danielle is a power pitcher who throws at 64 mph and has improved her spins including the rise and drop.  She is getting D1 attention and that will increase as the summer develops.  ”

 

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RECRUIT SPOTLIGHT OF THE DAY: MEGHAN WILLIAMS

High school: Salisbury
City: Bethlehem
State: 
Pa.
Grad year: 2015
Club: Jersey Intensity
Position(s): 1B/3B
Height: 5-10
Stats & Honors:

high school (2013):
hit .552 with a .910 slugging percentage

club (2013):
hit .385 at PGF Nationals

College: Penn State
Other Offers: South Carolina, Mississippi State
Why Penn State: “The dynamic coaching staff, the engineering department, and the love of the game and sense of heart I felt from the team.”

What is your favorite bat: “Xeno because the sound makes everyone’s heads turn, and it’s the most comfortable to swing.”
What bat does your team use? Mizuno
What is your favorite brand of cleats? 
Nike Hurache
What is the uniform brand you prefer? Mizuno

 

 

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RECRUITING NEWS:

*** New verbals of note:

— P Mary Avant (2016, Georgia)… plays for East Cobb Bullets-Bass
— OF Cassie Gingerich (2014, Liberty)… plays for Miami County Blaze
— P Natalie Lugo (2017, Florida)… plays for OC Batbusters-Stith
— OF Caitlyn Robinson (2016, Ball State)… plays for the Beverly Bandits
— 3B/UT Jenna Stupey (2015, UMBC)… plays for Acers NW
— SS Rachel Timberman (2014, Lehigh)… Plays for Silverstreak
— P/1B Lindsey White (2015, Central Florida)… Plays for USA Patriots Gold

 

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Players, parents and coaches:  want to know the best way to get us info on your favorite player?  Fill out our Recruit Form link and complete.  It comes directly to me (Brentt) and you very likely could see the info used somewhere on our site!

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If you’d like to submit information, forward to brentt@studentsports.com.  Also, follow us on twitter at @SS_Softball.