Maryland Hurricanes AAU Girls Basketball

Sept. 15, 2005
Former Pikesville Star Lauri Parson Joining Hurricanes as Coach
Lauri Parson, one in a long line of top female athletes from the Baltimore area, is joining the Hurricanes as a coach and plans to field a team for the 2006 AAU season. Lauri intends to organize a 16-under age group Sall-star team consisting of college-bound players. In addition to competing on the AAU circuit, Lauri will point the team toward competition at prestigious college exposure tournaments in 2006. Lauri will be recruiting throughout the Baltimore region in the fall and winter with the goal of forming the most competitive team possible. The team most likely will practice and be based in the Pikesville area of Northwest Baltimore County.

Lauri is a 2000 graduate of Pikesville High School and was one of the top schoolgirl players to come out of Baltimore County. She played varsity basketball for four years and was captain for three years. A prolific scorer, Lauri averaged 25 points per game during her high school career, finishing with 1,800 points and leading the Baltimore Metro Area in scoring for all four years in school. Lauri also played several years of AAU ball, with the Hurricanes, Maryland Tornadoes, Maryland Waves and Maryland Flames. She attended several Blue Chip camps, including the Blue Chip Camp at Xavier University in Cincinnati. Lauri coached an AAU team in 2005 with the Maryland Elite organization.

Lauri graduated in the Class of 2005 at Goucher College in Baltimore after spending two years at Frederick Community College in Frederick, Maryland, and helping her team reach the JUCO national championship tournament both years. Still a player, Lauri has played four years for the Baltimore Maccabi Girls Basketball Team and played in the 2005 Summer Maccabiah Games in Israel representing the United States and won a gold medal.

To reach Lauri and get more information about her team, call her at 443-610-8111 or email lauriparson@hotmail.com Also check the Hurricanes Web site often for updates.

July 28, 2005
Hurricanes 14s Coughlan Falls Game Short of Sweet 16 Berth in AAU Division I National Tournament
The Hurricanes 14s Coughlan team went 5-2 at the AAU Division I Girls 14-Under National Championship July 22-29 in Roanoke, Va., falling one game short of advancing to the Sweet 16 round. After compiling a impressive 3-0 record in pool play against the New England Explosion (NE State Champs), Florida Lady Jackets (Florida State Champs), and the Illinois Hustle (Illinois State Champs), the Hurricanes suffered their first defeat against the Missouri Valley Eclispe (nationally ranked #5). The girls quickly rebounded to defeat the Potomac Valley Fairfax Stars and finished pool play with a 4-1 record to advance into the single elimination championship bracket. After securing a first-round bye, the Hurricanes eventually faced off against the North Carolina Express and sent them home quickly. The next day the Hurricanes took on the Minnesota NC Heat (nationally ranked #16), only to come up short of earning its first Sweet 16 berth at the Division I Nationals. "This was a tough loss because the girls played extremely well throughout the tournament," Coach Suzanne Coughlan said. It truly has been a hard fought and rewarding season for the team with such accomplishments as Nike Boo Williams 14-Under Champions, Maryland District Qualifier 14-Under Champions, and Blue Chip USA Invitational 15-Under Pool-12 Champions. The success of this season could not have been possible without the hard work and effort from the girls and the sheer dedication and devotion of an excellent coaching staff Coach Suzanne Coughlan, Coach Michael Coughlan and Coach Kevin Green.
Job Well Done!! From the Hurricanes parents and organization.

July 25, 2005
Hurricanes 15s Watts, 14s Rosemond Competitive in Tournaments
Two Hurricanes teams 15s Watts and 14s Rosemond -- picked up some key victories in tournament play in July. Here are some details:

Coach Galen Watts team got three victories at the AAU Division II Nationals July 13-20 at Disney in Orlando, Fla. The team went 3-1 to advance out of pool play with victories over the South Carolina Crush, Indiana Queens of the Court and Massachusetts Sparks. In the victory versus the Sparks the Hurricanes scored 94 points, the second highest point total in the tournament. The Hurricanes" lone loss in pool play came to the North Georgia Mustangs by 6. In the single elimination championship round, the Hurricanes lost to Madison Wisconsin Spartans, who finished fourth in the tournament.

Coach Bookie Rosemond's team picked up four wins at the Blue Chip Basketball SBattle of Baltimore college exposure tournament July 22-24 at Loyola College in Baltimore. The Hurricanes got wins over St. Mary"s Ryken, New Jersey Crusaders, Maryland Spirit and Baltimore"s Charm. The margin of victory in those games was 28, 17, 37 and 10 points, respectively. The Hurricanes lost games to the Pax River Silver Stars and Brian"s Kids of New Jersey by 8-point margins. Considering that the team was not at full strength, it was a good showing for these up and coming girls. Extra credit goes to Jordan Neville, whose all around play made her one of the stars of the tournament.

July 12, 2005
Hurricanes 14s Coughlan Team Wins 15-Under Pool at Blue Chip/Penn State Tournament
The Hurricanes 14s Coughlan team won its 15-under pool at the Blue Chip USA Invitational tournament July 9-12 at Penn State University compiling a 6-0 record in Pool 12. The Hurricanes coaches and players took on the challenge of playing up against 15-under opponents in preparation for the 14U National Tournament. With more than 200 college coaches and scouts in attendance the Hurricanes put together a remarkable run, beating the Buffalo Defenders, PA Hoop Stars, MD Classic Extreme, Wescon Fillies, NEPA Flames and MSDA Crusaders. Each win was by an average of 20 points. The team displayed outstanding play both inside and outside and a tenacious defense that frustrated opponents. For full results, go to http://www.bluechipbasketball.com/. Next stop for the Hurricanes is the Division I 14-Under Girl's National Basketball Championship in Roanoke, Virginia.

June 27, 2005
Hurricanes player Lacy Hines competing in Miss Maryland Preteen Pageant
Lacey Hines, who plays for the Hurricanes 12s Givner team, will be competing as a state finalist in the Miss Maryland Preteen Pageant July 28-31 at the Marriott Hotel in Hunt Valley, Md. The Hurricanes organization is pleased to help sponsor Lacey in this endeavor and wish her the best of luck. We know she"ll bring to the glamor of the pageant the same determination she brings to the basketball court . Click here to read Lacey"s pageant press release.

June 6, 2005
Hurricanes 14s Coughlan reach semifinals of Nike Midwest Showdown Tournament
The champion Hurricanes 14s Coughlan team recently reached the semifinals and picked up four victories at the premier Nike Midwest Showdown Tournament in Columbus, Ohio, over the Memorial Day weekend. The Hurricanes battled some tough odds to go 4-3 in the second-annual Nike Showdown, losing its starting shooting guard to an injury during the tournament and missing the services of one of its key forwards. In pool play, the Hurricanes defeated the Gym Rats, Ohio Sports Plus and G-Ballaz, then lost to Cincinnati's Finest and Minnesota NC Heat. The Hurricanes came back to top the Jersey Pioneers before losing to NYC Exodus, the eventual 14-under champion. Next stop for the Hurricanes is the invitation-only Fencor AAU Showcase June 11-12 in Philadelphia, which will be a good test as the Fencor team reached the Final Four in the 2004 AAU Division 1 National Tournament as 13-year-olds.

June 3, 2005
Hurricanes" Marvin Greene receives AAU Bill Stevens Memorial Award
Hurricanes President Marvin Greene was honored with the 2004 Bill Stevens Memorial Award during the recently concluded Maryland AAU Girls Basketball District Qualifier Tournament. The late Bill Stevens was a pioneer of the Maryland AAU, joining in 1960 and serving in various capacities along with his wife, Gloria, who served as registration chair. Bill Stevens competed as an AAU athlete as well as president of the Maryland AAU from 1975-1977 and executive secretary from 1984-2003. Under Stevens" guidance the Maryland AAU grew from 600 registrations in various sports in 1984 to more than 11,000 registrations today. The Maryland AAU received many awards from the National AAU because of Stevens" work. Stevens instituted and directed the annual Maryland AAU Awards Banquet, where more than 500 people attend, honoring AAU athletes in sports that include baseball, girl"s and boys basketball, karate, swimming, diving, golf, track and field, tae kwon do, wrestling, weightlifting and jump rope. Through Stevens" leadership, the Maryland AAU remains one of the top 12 AAU Associations in country. Stevens had a special interest in competitive weightlifting and bodybuilding. Greene said it is a great honor to accept the award on behalf of the Hurricanes. SThere are plenty of ups and downs running a volunteer AAU organization, but it is well worth it when you see Hurricane girls playing big-time basketball in high school and college. Many thanks go to all the volunteer coaches and managers of our teams, along with the players and their parents. Greene began with the Hurricanes in 2001 when his daughter, Paige, was a 9-year-old learning to play the game. Special thanks within the Hurricanes organization must go to former presidents and now advisers Lynn Marano and Jim Smith and former board member Kathy Schaech for all their good counsel the past few years and to coaches like Don Beasley, Juan Baker and Jacinta Cowgill for building strong, representative Hurricanes teams, Greene said.

May 27, 2005

More than 500 photographs like this one of the 14s Hurricanes Coughlan team following their victory are posted to the Inside The Ropes Photography Web site.

RChampionship Sunday" Photographs Available Online
Hundreds of game action photographs from RChampionship Sunday" May 15 at Goucher College have been posted to the Inside The Ropes Photography Web site at Included are the AAU Maryland District Girls" championship games between Hurricanes Coughlan-Maryland Magic in 14-under; Maryland Sure Shots-Baltimore Cougars in 15-under; and Baltimore Cougars-Maryland Heat in 16-under. Photos can be viewed and purchased online at prices that start as low as $7.00 for 5x7 prints. Sports cards and posters are also available. The pictures make great additions to the basketball resume and portfolios of serious players. For more information, call or email Joseph Jones, photographer, at 301 537-5661.

May 19, 2005

Hurricanes 14s Coughlan celebrate after winning yet another AAU Maryland District championship

14s Hurricanes Coughlan Wins State Tournament for 3-Peat
The 14s Hurricanes Coughlan team captured its third consecutive AAU Maryland District State Championship May 18 at Loch Raven High School in Baltimore. The convincing 56-33 victory over a game Maryland Magic team came after the teams had split two earlier games during the double elimination championship round in the tournament. After trailing early in the game, the Hurricanes jumped ahead 23-19 at halftime then exploded in the second half behind suffocating defense and rebounding. Kandice Green controlled the middle, scoring 13 points to lead the Hurricanes. Jasmine Barksdale scored key second-half points and Destiny Jacobs clamped down on Magic post players. The team got off to a slow start, but as usual a total team effort pulled out the win. Congratulations go out to the girls and parents of this championship Hurricanes team, as well as to the coaches, Suzi Coughlan, Mike Coughlan and Kevin Green. The team will defend its Maryland District title later this summer at the AAU Division I National Tournament in Roanoke, VA.

May 16, 2005

Phil Holloway of the Maryland AAU and Coach Bookie Rosemond present medals to the Hurricanes Rosemond team for winning the shootout title.

Rosemond, Hurricanes Coughlan Win Games on Championship Sunday
Both Hurricanes 14-under teams won their games May 15 on Championship Sunday at the AAU Maryland District National Qualifier at Goucher College. Hurricanes Rosemond beat the Owings Mills Lady Tigers 42-25 in the 14-Under Shootout Title Game to receive a bid to the AAU Division II National Tournament in Orlando, Fla. Hurricanes Rosemond team jumped out to a 20-7 halftime lead and cruised to the victory. Jen Peters led the scoring with 14 points. It was the team"s fifth straight victory in the State Tournament to finish with a 5-1 record. In the 14-under Championship Bracket, Hurricanes Coughlan avenged an earlier two-point loss to the Maryland Magic with a hard-fought 48-45 victory. Trailing most of the game, Hurricanes Coughlan took control in the last five minutes. Danielle Parker and Brittany Coughlan hit key three-point shots. Ayanna Randolph hit pressure free throws. Atiya Brown controlled the floor. Kandice Green played stifling interior defense. Hurricanes Coughlan will play the Magic again on Wednesday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m., at Loch Raven High School in a quest for its third-consecutive state championship. The Championship Bracket is a double-elimination tournament with both teams beating each other once. Both teams have qualified for this year"s AAU Division I National Tournament in Roanoke, VA.

Here are the results from Championship Sunday:
14-Under Shootout Title Game: Hurricanes Rosemond 42, Owings Mills Lady Tigers 25
Junior Eligible Championship Bracket Semifinal: Maryland Heat defeated Lady Shooting Stars
15-Under Shootout Title Game: Perry Hall Silver Bullets 13, Maryland Waves-Wolven, 0 (forfeit)
14-Under Championship Bracket Title Game: Hurricanes Coughlan 48, Maryland Magic, 45
15-Under Championship Bracket Title Game: Baltimore Cougars 56, Maryland Sure Shots 52 (playoff game scheduled Thursday, May 19)
Junior Eligible Championship Bracket Title Game: Baltimore Cougars 71, Maryland Heat 62
Junior Eligible Shootout Title Game: Southern Maryland Lady Clippers 46, Maryland Comets 42

May 9, 2005
Two Hurricanes Teams in Title Games for Championship Sunday May 15 at Goucher
After a full weekend of basketball at gyms around Baltimore, the lineup for the championship games for the AAU Maryland District National Qualifier in the 14-under to 16-under age groups has been determined. "Championship Sunday" -- hosted by the Hurricanes -- will be held May 15 at Goucher College in Towson, Md., starting at 8 a.m. Two Hurricanes teams will be competing in championship games. The 14s Coughlan team will compete for its third consecutive District title at 1 p.m. The 14s Rosemond team will compete in the Shootout title game at 8 a.m.

Here is the lineup of games:
8 a.m. - 14-Under Shootout Title Game: Hurricanes Rosemond vs. Owings Mills Lady Tigers
9:30 a.m. - Junior Eligible Championship Bracket Semifinal (16-under): Maryland Heat vs. Lady Shooting Stars
11:30 a.m. - 15-Under Shootout Title Game: Perry Hall Silver Bullets vs. Maryland Waves-Wolven
1 p.m. - 14-Under Championship Bracket Title Game: Hurricanes Coughlan vs. Maryland Magic
3 p.m. - 15-Under Championship Bracket Title Game: Maryland Sure Shots vs. Baltimore Cougars
5 p.m. - Junior Eligible Championship Bracket Title Game (16-under): Baltimore Cougars vs. Maryland Heat/Lady Shooting Stars winner
7 p.m. - Junior Eligible Shootout Title Game (formerly 16-under): Southern Maryland Lady Clippers vs. Maryland Comets

May 5, 2005
Hurricanes Hosting RChampionship Sunday" May 15 at Goucher College
The Maryland Hurricanes will be the host of SChampionship Sunday on May 15 at Goucher College in Towson, Md. Six championship games as part of the AAU Maryland District Qualifier are scheduled. The Hurricanes goal is to present a fun-filled, competitive day of the best girls" basketball the Maryland District has to offer. Championship Sunday will be a celebration of girls basketball, featuring top players ages 14 to 17 years old who played high school basketball in 2004-2005 at schools that include Arundel, St. Francis, McDonogh, IND, Milford Mill, Spalding, Roland Park, Seton Keough and River Hill. Goucher"s fieldhouse offers modern, spacious facilities for players, coaches, parents and fans. Admission is $5.00 per person. Proceeds will help the Maryland District provide financial support to a girls" Junior Olympic basketball team that will represent the District nationally this summer. The Hurricanes will sponsor a variety of concessions as well as distinctive AAU merchandise and apparel. Come out and enjoy the festivities!

Here is the schedule of Championship Sunday games:
8 a.m. - 14-Under Shootout Title Game
9:30 a.m. - Junior Eligible Championship Bracket Semifinal (formerly 16-under)
11:30 a.m. - 15-Under Shootout Title Game
1 p.m. - 14-Under Championship Bracket Title Game
3 p.m. - 15-Under Championship Bracket Title Game
5 p.m. - Junior Eligible Championship Bracket Title Game (formerly 16-under)
7 p.m. - Junior Eligible Shootout Title Game (formerly 16-under)

April 18, 2005
Hurricanes 14s Coughlan wins Boo Williams Nike Spring Invitational
The Hurricanes 14-under team coached by Suzi Coughlan won the Boo Williams Nike Spring Invitational in Hampton, Virginia, over the weekend of April 15-17. After driving more than 200 miles south to compete, the Hurricanes put together a 6-0 win streak, beating a number of top 14-under teams, including the 9th-ranked nationally South Carolina 76ers. Other national contenders beaten included the Garner Flames from North Carolina, Boo Williams Black Widows from Virginia, Michigan Belles and Pennsylvania Bruins. The coaches were pleased how composed the girls remained down the stretch of some hard fought battles. Winning the semifinal game by two points and the championship in overtime by a point were a testament to the growth of each player. Throughout the tournament each player consistently contributed toward the goal of winning the tournament. Starting with great defense, controlling the boards, limiting the turnovers and hitting the big shots were the key contributors to winning this championship. Congratulations to these Hurricanes.

April 15, 2005
Maryland District Qualifier Event T-Shirts Available
As the host club for the Maryland District Qualifier, the Hurricanes is making available Event T-shirts for teams, players and fans. The commemorative shirts will be on sale at Hurricanes venues throughout the tournament and championships. The logo pictured is on the front of the shirt and the names of the teams in the tournament are on the back. The cost is $18.00 per shirt. Teams buying eight or more shirts can receive a 20 percent discount per shirt. All sizes are available, but quantities are limited. The Hurricanes also is making available for sale a variety of authentic AAU merchandise, including T-shirts, caps, hoodies, shorts and pants, at Hurricanes venues throughout the tournament and championships. For more information, email

April 10, 2005
12s Givner Joins the Hurricanes
The Hurricanes is pleased to welcome a new team to the organization a 12-under squad of girls born in 1992 coached by long-time area Coach Daryl Givner. This new Hurricanes team is based in the Arbutus-Catonsville area of Baltimore County and will recruit players primarily from Baltimore and Howard counties. The team competed in the 2005 Arbutus Sunday League and will make its debut as a Hurricanes AAU team in 2006. The girls will play an ambitious schedule throughout 2005. Already 12s Givner is planning a tournament for May for girls born in 1991, 1992 and 1993. More details to come. Joining Coach Givner in the running of the team are Rich Greeley, Diane Reeder and Joyce Hines. Good luck to this new Hurricanes team. Click here for the team"s Web page.

April 1, 2005
Hurricanes Host Club for AAU Maryland Association District Qualifier
The Maryland Hurricanes wishes all the teams competing in the AAU Maryland Association District Qualifier the best of luck in their respective age groups over the next few weeks. The Hurricanes will be hosting tournament sites throughout April and May at Pikesville High School, Bryn Mawr School, Arundel High and North County High as well as the championships on April 17 for the younger age groups and May 15 for the high school age groups. The Hurricanes thanks a number of organizations and institutions for making their facilities available for the tournament, including the Pikesville Rec Council, Bryn Mawr School, Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks and Villa Julie College. The Hurricanes also wishes good luck to our multiple teams competing this year. Among our teams, Juan Baker's 17s will be competing for their fifth state championship in six years and Suzanne Coughlan's 14s will be competing for a third consecutive state title.

March 28, 2005

Hurricanes 11-Under Wins Arbutus Sunday League Championship
Congratulations to Coach ReCharde Johnson's 11-under (1993) Hurricanes team for winning their division in the Arbutus Sunday League. The team racked up an impressive number of victories January through March in one of Baltimore's primary winter leagues leading to the AAU season. Best of luck to these young Hurricanes as they make a march through the tournament, April 1-17.

Feb. 7, 2005
Watts to coach 15-under team based in Anne Arundel County
Long-time coach Galen Watts has joined the Hurricanes organization for the 2005 AAU season. Watts will coach a 15-under club (girls born in 1989). Watts is based in Anne Arundel County and has more than 12 years experience as a head coach or assistant coach. He is a certified coach in Anne Arundel County. Watts has coached boys and girls, including a number of players who have gone on to be successful student-athletes. He took teams to the 2004 and 2003 AAU National Invitational Tournament in Orlando, Fla., and the 2002 and AAU National Invitational Tournament Silver Bracket in Nashville, Tenn. Coach Watts has scheduled tryouts (see Tryouts page) and plans to Sassemble a group of players that will travel to tournaments playing at the highest levels possible. Watts" daughter, Brittany, is a sophomore on the No. 1 Arundel High School team.

Dec. 4, 2004
Hurricanes Free Clinics Stress Basketball Fundamentals
The Hurricanes held two free basketball clinics Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 for girls wishing to improve their games and play competitive winter travel basketball and AAU ball in 2005. The clinics also served as tryouts for players and an introduction for parents to the Hurricanes organization. More than 30 players between the ages of 9 and 15 attended each or both sessions held at Lindale Middle School in Anne Arundel County. The Hurricanes expects to hold other similar clinics in 2005.

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