Topper Coach Blog

Topper Day

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:07:23 -0500

Thank you to everyone who had a part in Meet the Toppers Day. This was the first event sponsored by our Topper (Booster) Club. They did a great job in getting this event organized and staffed. It was a good day and we had approximately 500 plus people who attended. I think everyone had an enjoyable time. I know that I did. I, along with all our coaches, were very excited about the support that was shown to our teams. We appreciate your support so much. Please visit our website often to keep up with the happenings in our athletic program. Our athletic contests and events will be getting underway very soon, so there will be much to talk about in the upcoming weeks.

MEET THE TOPPERS DAY

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 08:53:55 -0500

The Blue Mountain College Booster Club will host Meet the Toppers on Saturday, August 28, 2010. The events will begin at 8:00 A.M. with a 5K run and fun walk. The events of the day will then move to Tyler Gymnasium on the BMC campus where contests and entertainment will be the next events. During this time everyone will have the opportunity to purchase your Official Topper Wear. Tshirts, caps, visors, sunglasses, fold out stadium chairs, polo shirts, jackets, sweat shirts, etc. will be available. So that our fans can save valuable money, season tickets will be available for purchase, along with an opportunity to join the Booster Club of BMC. A plate lunch will be available for $5.00 and the lunches will be served from 11:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. The lunches will include a hamburger, chips, cookie and a drink. At approximately 12:30 p.m. everyone will have the opportunity to Meet the Toppers. All of our athletes will be introduced. So make plans to come out for a day of fun, but also to show your support of the Blue Mountain College Athletic Teams. Concessions will be available throughout the events. Remember to get your Topper Gear so you can proudly display the Ram of Blue Mountain College.

MEET THE TOPPERS

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 14:37:40 -0500

Mark your calendars for August 28, 2010 for our Meet the Toppers Day. Watch the web site for details.

Cross Country

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:22:39 -0500

The summer is almost over, and this is my first time to post on the blog! It is definitely NOT for lack of things to report! The Topper cross country program has been busy with several different things.

We had our first Topper Running Camp this year in June. We had 36 campers in attendance, and the week was fantastic. Runners learned about many aspects of the sport, went for daily runs, and also enjoyed some fun recreation.

Topper Trails (our BMC cross country course) are coming along nicely. Lots of blood, sweat, and tick bites have gone into making our cross country course great. We have lengthened and widened the existing 1 mile trail, and we have plans for a new addition. In the near future are plans to spread gravel, install culverts, and build bridges.

The runners have been working hard this summer, and I am sure their efforts will be evident this fall. I am looking forward to a great first season with this group!

Finally, plans are underway for our first BMC 5k... Topper Day 5K will be held August 28, 2010 at 8:00 am. This will be in conjunction with the Meet the Toppers event here on campus. 5Ks are a great way to get involved in the community and get some exercise at the same time! Make your plans to race, jog, or even walk in support of Topper Athletics! Entry is $15, and participants will receive a race t-shirt as well as age group awards.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL CAMP

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:50:13 -0500

We have just wrapped up our girls' basketball camp at Blue Mountain College. We had 45 girls attend the camp and feel it was very successful. We had a lot of fun and I know the girls learned a lot as I could see improvement throughout the week.

Coach Rodgers from Ripley and Coach McCoy from Faulkner did an outstanding job as they headed up our camp staff. Our Lady Toppers, Jordan McCormick, Joy Pierce, Caitlin Beckham, Anna Lisa Powell, Candace Davis, Jessi Hayles, and Bam Bam Robinson were and are great role models for the campers. They also did a great job of teaching and coaching throughout the week.

Camp is a time where girls can learn and improve, but also, it is a time where friendships are formed and memories are made. It was a great week and I thank our staff and our campers for all they did to make certain it was an awesome camp.

Season Ending Thoughts

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:00:25 -0600

The 2009-10 basketball season has come to a close, and it is time for reflection. Our Lady Toppers are a very special team; I said this from the beginning of our pre-season practices. Their attitudes and work ethics are that of champions, and that is why our team has made great strides and laid the foundation for a trip to the National Tournament in the future. They are women of character! Our overall record was 11-20, and 11 of those losses came from top 25 teams in the country. All of those teams will be in the National Tournament. We have 2 members of our team who will move on with their new careers as their basketball careers at BMC come to a close. Katelynn Wright and Lauren Burgess have meant so much to our team and college. They will be greatly missed because of their basketball skills, but also because of who and what they are. Lady Toppers, "I am proud of you". You are a lot of fun to be around and coach. I truly enjoyed this season. Thank you for making it so special. Coach

Basketball

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:30:13 -0600

After a short Christmas Break, the Lady Toppers and Toppers will be back in action beginning Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at Tyler Gymnasium, on the Blue Mountain College campus. Both teams will take on Williams Baptist College of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. The Lady Toppers will play at 5:30 P.M. and the Toppers at 7:30 P.M. This will end all non-conference play, and the teams will begin TranSouth Conference play on Thursday, January 7, 2010, when the teams will travel to Freed Hardeman University for a 6:00 and 8:00 P.M. tip-off. The final game of the week will be a home contest, with a 2:00 and 4:00 start, against Trevecca Nazarene University of Nashville, TN, on Saturday, January 9.

BELHAVEN CLASSIC

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:02:09 -0600

With exams finishing up on Wednesday, the Toppers and Lady Toppers will resume play this Friday and Saturday, December 18 & 19 in the Belhaven University Classic. The Lady Toppers will take the court at 2:00 against Tougaloo College and the Toppers begin their action at 8:00 on Friday against host Belhaven University. On Saturday, the Toppers play Tougaloo College at 3:00 followed by the Lady Toppers against Belhaven University at 5:00. The Belhaven University Classic will end play for both teams for the 1st semester. Both teams will be back in action on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 with a home contest against Williams Baptist College at 5:30 and 7:30.

GAME TIME CHANGE

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:47:34 -0600

The women's basketball game at Belhaven College on Saturday, November 21, will begin at 5:00 rather than 5:30. The men's game will begin at 7:00 rather than 7:30.

Men's Basketball-3 Big Home Games on Tap

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:23:16 -0600

After opening the season over the weekend at the Freed-Hardeman Lion-backer's Classic, the Toppers return home for a busy three-game homestand.

Monday evening BMC hosts Oakwood University from Huntsville, AL., a team that defeated the Toppers twice last season. The Ambassadors, who claimed the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national championship in 2007-08, return four starters who were all part of that championship squad. Game times are 8 p.m. for the Toppers and 6 p.m. for the Lady Toppers.

Thursday the Toppers entertain instate rival Belhaven College with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff preceded by the women's game at 5:30 p.m.

And then Saturday afternoon as part of the annual homecoming festivities, the Toppers tangle with another instate rival out of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, the Crusaders of William Carey University. The Lady Toppers begin at 2 p.m. and the Toppers at 4 p.m.

Don't miss out on a great week of fast-paced hoops excitement!!!

Men's Basketball-at Freed-Hardeman Classic

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:02:07 -0600

The Toppers opened the 2009-2010 season with two games on October 30 and 31 at the Lion-backers Classic sponsored by Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN.

Friday evening BMC fell behind early against #20-rated Auburn University of Montgomery and suffered a 75-99 defeat. Junior Josh McCalmon led the Toppers in scoring with 20 points, while junior point guard Renell Collins tossed in 16.

Saturday's match-up with Harris Stowe State College of St.Louis, MO, was a nail-biter from the beginning and saw the Hortnets eventually out-duel the Toppers 95-101.

Junior postman Lakendrick McCullum put on a dazzling display for the Toppers as he rammed in 26 points, snared 12 rebounds, and drew a sensational six offensive fouls from the Hornets.

Point guard Renell Collins drilled in 25 points and was a pillar on defense, and shooting guard Josh McCalmon popped in 21.

Lady Topper Hoops

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:40:12 -0500

The Lady Toppers have been preparing for the upcoming week of basketball. They will take on the Ladies of Oakwood University at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, November 2. On Thursday, November 5, Belhaven will arrive at Tyler Gymnasium for a 5:30 P.M. contest and on Saturday, November 7, The Lady Crusaders of William Carey University will be the guest team for our Homecoming festivities beginning at 2:00 P.M. Make plans to join the fun and enjoy Topper Basketball. The men will play immediately following the women's contests.

Men's Basketball - Scrimmage Games

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:21:07 -0500

Toppers Prepare for Season With Scrimmage Games

Against Northeast Mississippi and Crowley's Ridge College

It was a welcome change for the Toppers to compete against someone other than themselves as BMC scrimmaged against Northeast Mississippi Community College and Crowley's Ridge College from Paragould, AR over the past two weeks.

The Toppers and Northeast played in front of an excellent crowd at the wonderful new Ripley Event Center at Ripley High School on October 13.

First game jitters were apparent but there were a lot of positive points to build on. Transfer point guard Renell Collins displayed solid long-range marksmanship and transfer guard Josh McCalmon demonstrated outstanding defensive prowess.

Then on Thursday, October 22 the Toppers hosted Crowley's Ridge College from Arkansas in a very spirited contest. The Toppers displayed a significant amount of improvement from the opening scrimmage with a much better understanding of roles. 6-5 postman, Lakendrick McCullum had a superb game both offensively and defensively. He was supported with a fine shooting effort by Josh McCalmon and a strong rebounding effort from senior Brad Pressley who is entering his third season as a Topper. Another three-year Topper, senior Shayne Adams knocked down three out of his five three-point attempts.

Now the Toppers hope to build on these lessons as they prepare for the opening of the regular season this Friday evening at the Freed-Hardeman Classic in Henderson, TN. BMC takes on Auburn University-Montgomery in the 6 p.m. opener of the tournament. Then Saturday BMC plays Harris Stowe State of Missouri at 2 p.m., also at Freed-Hardeman.

Men's Basketball - Season Opener

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:15:00 -0500

Toppers Open Season Friday

At Freed-Hardeman Classic

The weeks of preparation have given way to hours now as the Topper men's basketball team prepares to open its season this Friday and Saturday at the Freed-Hardeman Classic in Henderson, TN.

On Friday evening the Toppers take on the highly-regarded Auburn University-Montgomery Senators in the 6 p.m. opening game of the classic. AUM is a traditional NAIA powerhouse and a perennial fixture at the national NAIA tournament in Kansas City.

Then Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Blue Mountain draws Harris Stowe State from St. Louis, MO.

This opening weekend of action is a catalyst for a busy week of basketball competition for the Toppers. On Monday evening, November 2, BMC hosts Oakwood University at 8 p.m. in the first home contest of the season. And this is followed by a Thursday home game against in-state rival Belhaven College, also with an 8 p.m. tip-off. Lady Topper games precede the men at 6 p.m. each of these nights.

Then Saturday it is the big annual Homecoming festivities with the women's game against William Carey University scheduled to start at 2 p.m. and the men's game at 4 p.m.

Men's Basketball - Meet the Toppers Night

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:32:36 -0500

Wow! Here's a huge special thanks to all of you who turned Thursday evening for Meet the Toppers Night! What a fantastic turnout and fabulous enthusiasm! You really made all of the Topper athletic teams feel proud and special!

And it was great for the basketball teams to be able to perform before an audience and to feed off that adrenaline that comes from a raucous crowd.

Hopefully you received a small hint of the excitement that awaits in the season. Josh McCalmon can shoot the lights out! And Lakendrick McCullum plays way above the rim! - just to name a couple.

By the way, Josh McCalmon and MaCay Wilbanks both revealed their aspiring thespian talents at the junior class formal dinner on Saturday night.

Men's Basketball - First Scrimmage Game

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:16:54 -0500

There is a titillating feeling of excitement in the air as the Toppers prepare for their first scrimmage game of the season this Tuesday night at the beautiful new Ripley High School Event Center against perennialy tough Northeast Mississippi Community College. Game time is 6 p.m.

With eight new faces on this year's squad, the Toppers are anxious to begin the process of coming together as a cohesive unit and practices have provided a glimpse of the underlying potential.

J.C. Hayles, a 6-3 junior swing man from South Pontotoc High School, has enjoyed an excellent preseason, as has senor Brad Pressley,a 6-4 swing man from Wheeler High School and Northeast Mississippi Community College. Both are entering their third seasons in a Topper uniform and are being counting on heavily for their leadership roles.

Lady Topper Basketball

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:20:00 -0500

The smell of new varnish on the gym floor, Meet the Toppers Night, and scrimmage games lets us know that Basketball Season is getting close. The Lady Toppers will be introduced on Thursday, October 8, along with the cross country teams and men's basketball team. We will travel to Northwest MS Community College on Thursday, October 15th, to scrimmage Northwest MS Lady Rangers in a contest beginning at 4:00 P.M.

The steady leadership, in word and performance, of Seniors Katelynn Wright and Lauren Burgess along with Juniors Jordan McCormick and Joy Pierce has been outstanding. Sophomores Caitlin Beckham, Kala Morris and Anna Lisa Powell have shown great improvement over their freshmen campaigns and will contribute greatly to our success. Our incoming freshmen, Samantha Burns, Candace Davis, Jessi Hayles, Bam Bam Robinson and Katie Underwood have all adjusted nicely to college basketball and will be counted on to utilize their talents to give us many wins. It is an exciting time as the countdown to tipoff on November 2nd continues.

Men's Basketball - Counting Down...

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:03:00 -0500

"Counting the days..." That seems to be the theme as the Toppers enter their fourth week of practice and anxiously look forward to the next couple of weeks. Meet the Toppers Night on Thursday, October 8 should be a fun time to get the old adrenalin flowing; and then the first scrimmage game against Northeast Mississippi Community College will take place at the new Ripley High School Event Center on Tuesday, October 13.

On the court the Toppers have been making steady progress with the eight new faces acclimating themselves to the Toppers' style and to their teammates. The three incoming freshmen, Michael Chatham from Collierville HS in Memphis, TN, Jake Keller from Metro Christian Academy in Nashville, TN, and Joe Flippo from Covenant Christian School in Tuscumbia, AL, have all contributed hustle, enthusiasm, and exuberance as well as demonstrating some outstanding basketball talents.

Booster Club/Meet the Toppers

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:17:17 -0500

The Blue Mountain College Booster Club, known as the Blue Mountain College Topper Club, will meet on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at 6:00 P.M. in Fisher Washburn room 108. This is the first meeting of the year and we encourage all interested supporters of Blue Mountain College Athletics to attend. The meeting will highlight our coaching staff, including baseball and softball, give you an opportunity to join the Topper Club, meet the officers of the club, and begin making plans for the year.

In conjunction with the Booster Club, the Toppers and Lady Toppers cross country, basketball teams, and Ram Squad/Mascots will be introduced at Meet the Toppers Night. This event kicks off the athletic seasons for all of our athletic teams. You will also be able to hear from our softball and baseball coaching staff. It will be a fun night and we encourage everyone to attend. Meet the Toppers will begin at 7:30 P.M. in Tyler Gymnasium. Free food and drinks will be served at the conclusion of the night's activities.

Ram Squad/Mascot

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:08:00 -0500

Thank you to each one who participated in the Ram Squad Leader and Mascot Tryouts for the 2009-2010 basketball season. The results of the tryouts are listed below. This group is very valuable for creating Spirit at our home contests. They add a very needed element to the atmosphere at our games. All of the coaches and players thank you for your willingness to serve Blue Mountain College and Intercollegiate Athletics. Go Toppers!

Mascots for 2009- 2010:(will rotate home basketball games)

Kyle Davis

Jonathan Greer

Ram Squad Leaders:

Amber Dixon

CJ Hopper

Kristi Hurley

Courtney Wilson

Chelsea McGregor (alternate)

Chris Driskell, Sponsor