The word today from New Jersey is that Charmaine Tay, an all-stater who plays for Bloomfield Tech has verbally committed to play her college basketball at the University of Louisville, starting the 2010 season. Gregg Lerner, who covers the sport for New Jersey High School Basketball, says the 5-foot-10 guard is one versatile player:
In all my years of covering girls basketball, I can’t recall a better rebounding point guard than Tay, who was a Second Team All-State selection by The Star-Ledger. Yes, she possesses all the flashy passes and ballhandling of contemporary playmakers, but she is also a hustler. Her work on the glass can’t be emphasized enough and while her scoring isn’t gaudy, her distributing touch and sense of what a moment demands is invaluable.
And, as for her scoring, sleep on her defensively and she’ll expose you with a finish off the dribble or by sticking an uncontested 3-ball.
Tay was instrumental this season in helping Bloomfield Tech to a Group 1 state championship. Her assuredness on the ball provides a sense of security essential to a championship run.
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Angel On TV — Angel McCoughtry’s Atlanta Dream WNBA team will square off against the Minnesota Lynx on ESPN2 on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. Angel is averaging 16.3 minutes, 2.3 rebounds and 10.3 points after her team’s first nine games. She has started one game.
Let’s hear it for Charmaine!
Welcome to Louisville, Charmaine. We look forward to watching you play for four years. Jeff Walz is a great guy and will help become a better player, the best you can possibly be. Thank you for your decision. You will enjoy the people you meet here and we will do our best to make this your home away from home.
I hope all the above turns out to be spot on correct. We’ll see when they suit it up for 2010-2011. For every Tay…there is a Jackson or Byrd waiting to emerge. Let’s hope she’s the latter. Verbal commitments are like the estimate before they start to do the repair work.
Tay is the real deal and a true student of the game. As for Rutgers, she wanted to be out of Jersey for a different atmosphere. She will be a major asset for the Cardinals. Congratulations Charmaine and God Bless!
I’m going to hold off on getting real excited about this one yet, because I honestly believe Maryland still isn’t out of the picture yet…despite the verbal. As of a week ago, she was rumored to be leaning to the Terps. What happened here?
What also amazes me is that Rutgers didn’t go after her. She practically grew up in C. Viv’s back yard in Jersey. There are some questionable issues about her transfer as a sophomore, too….but…as for now, welcome Tay. Get ready to work your tail off, if you do end up on campus.
Probably should never underestimate the charisma and determination of Jeff Walz.