It is now a relief to get it off my chest.  One of my good friends Justin Blake probably gave me the best "April Fools."  He sent me a text message early in the morning and told me that he was going to Dyersburg State.  I mean, Dyers State is right there close to him so I thought maybe he wanted to stay close to home.  So within like 10-15 minutes, he texted back "April Fools."  I just wanted to drive down there to Dyer County and choke him....he is my favorite high school player though. 

UT Chatt is a reasonable distance-- 4 hours away from home is ok with my family and me.  It just made me feel good to hear the voices of the coaches when I told them the news.  The key thing that stood out to me was that Coach Shulman, the head coach, told me that he wanted me to first be apart of the "Moc" family.  That made me feel even better to know that I have a second family when I'm away from home.  I'm going to go in and work hard so I can hopefully get some playing time.

Just to let you know, Southern Illinois did have interest in me also.  I did narrow my choices down to Eastern Kentucky, SEMO, UT Chatt, and Southern Illinois.

Those of you who have had an impact on my recruitment, thank you so much.  Coach Patino, Coach Varnado, Coach Hawkins, Coach Waddy, Coach Henderson, Coach Parnell.... and the rest of the coaches that coached me some point in my life.  You know exactly who you are.

I have to give a significant shout out to the Nashville Celtic's coaches.  I love them.  Coach Waddy and Coach Henderson is something else.  I got on the Celtics about the last month of the AAU season.  I barely knew them.  We won games, and I felt like I should have been a Celtic not only for my AAU circuit, but for life.  They really worked hard in trying to get me into the best college possible.  Now, if I had to recommend "ANYBODY" for an AAU team....thats right.....The Nashville Celtics-- the Celtics of great players, great tradition, and great coaching.

You know I haven't forgot about the mane man of this site...yes...Mr. Andre Whitehead...I'm going to hook the best national recruiting analyst up in one of my final entries.

This is it for now....so keep your head up and continue to do good.

I am "The Truth"...be blessed

Its time to speak "The Truth"

Whats up everybody.  I'm excited about the All-Star game in Franklin, TN.  The West will have to come and bring it.  I already know.  We are going to be kind of quick on the floor.  I have several friends who are playing for the other team.  We've been talking stuff since the beginning of the year. 

I've been told things like we are going to get dunked on and everything.  We shall see...ha ha.  I've been saying that they are going to get dunked on and "shot" out.  It is going to be a fun, yet interesting game.  I'm very honored to have Coach Sisco from Union City as our head coach.  I know he will give us the best instructions. 

I've been waiting a long time to play with some of my West TN buddies ever since my freshmen year of school.  Now is the chance.  I am "The Truth"

Check out two new entries from Ricky "The Truth" Taylor at Speaking the Truth. Ricky gives props to all Tennessee hoopsters and talks about his college plans.

What is up!  Time to "Speak The Truth." 

I would first like to congratulate all the state participants and the state champions.  The champions held it down for Tennessee and showcased their talents.  I would also like to congratulate the Mr. Basketball finalists and winners.  M.J. Brown, Terrico White, Jason Jones, and Justin Blake are good friends of mine.   I know they worked real hard in the summer and during the season to make it to the top. 

I did have a favorite to win the state though.  Since I'm from West TN, I wanted Dyer or Mitchell to bring it back home for AA.  Fulton did their thing.  Union City and Ridgeway brought that gold home though.  Everyone who played ball this year has my respect.  If you could go compete two or three times a week and practice everyday then you are good in my book.  This is my view from the state so check out my college status on my next entry.  I am "The Truth" 

I'm back for another addition of "Speaking The Truth."

As the end of the year approaches, it is about time to make an important decision in my life: college.  College is going to be the next level for a lot of seniors.  I am going to the University of...........I haven't quite made that up yet, but I'm getting closer and closer as the days pass by.  I'm looking to go somewhere where I can get the best education possible.  That is what going to college is all about--the education.  I understand that every baller's dream is to go to the NBA, play overseas, or play professionally somewhere.  Well, what if we don't.  My point:  the value of an education.  I haven't seen one individual who has ran the same speed or had the same strength as they did in their youth.  Your body will soon become of age, but that mind can continue to grow day by day.  

I plan to major in accounting or some sort of mathematical area.  I also want to become a coach one day and be like Coach K or Coach Tubby Smith....ha. 

I want a great college coach that will make me better.  Im talking about my weaknesses turning them into strengths.  My strengths turning them into the best.  

I also want to be part of a great basketball family.  Hopefully, if I graduate, I want to come back 5-10 years later and say, "There is no place like home." 

 I have received interest from another SEC school so the college thing is crazy right now.  It doesn't matter if it is a mid-major or a high major program.  It's about getting better and having a good basketball family.

In the meantime, I have several visits to take.  I'm prepared for those visits.  I sure am.  I have a little clipboard with about 25-30 questions on them.  They are simple,crazy, and hard questions.  Yes, I got to know all the details. 

While I'm waiting to get the college decision over, I am lifting weights and working on my ball handling.  The shooting part, I got to extend my range probably a couple of steps back.   Take care....

 I am "The Truth"

Even though my high school career has ended, I still have to "Speak The Truth."

We ended our season Tuesday night in Memphis, TN at Mitchell High School for sub state.  We were supposed to play them Monday, but their lights were not on when we entered the parking lot.  I thought the lights would turn on in a couple of minutes or so.  The police escorted us in.  Yup, I felt protected.  I had my tie on as usual and at the same time, I was meditating on the game.  We sat in a dark gym waiting to hear a response.  Some teammates were listening to music, talking, and some teammates were even quiet.  That's a first.

Then out of the blue my coach said, "Let's go."  We had to make it up the following day.  Before the game, the team had to go to a funeral.  One of our players father had passed away.  We showed all the love we could for our teammate.  We finally made it to Mitchell, and you know what?  The lights were on this time.

We lost the game 73-61.  I ended up with 21 points and 8 assists.  I can say that I had a descent career.  It wasn't too bad.  I wish every team in the state the best of luck.  I will be taking some official visits after the state tournament, and I plan to narrow my college choice down shortly. 

I am "The Truth"

The End of my Career talk of Ricky's last game and his future plans. Check it out.

With a loss in the region finals Haywood will travel to Mitchell let Ricky tell you how he had "The best game of his life".

Sit back and relax.  It's time to "Speak The Truth."

We played Dyerburg on Tuesday night and won 56-44. 

With the win we got to play one of the best teams in the state, Dyer County. 

Dyer County put it on us the first half.  We were down by 7 going into halftime.  They began to increase the lead by a significant amount of points.  We couldn't give up.  Then finally we began to click, and we cut the lead down to 2.  The crowd was into it.  Fans were cheering their hearts out.  When Dyer scored I saw orange standing everywhere.  When Haywood scored, I saw purple in the atmosphere.

Even though we came up short 92-84, I appreciated the love of basketball on that night.  Justin Blake, one of the purest shooters in Tennessee, did his thing by scoring 28 points, grabbing 10 boards, and capturing Regional MVP.  I had 29 points, 9 boards, and 5 assists.  I made the All-Regional Team.  This was one of the games of my Life. 

We play Memphis Mitchell Monday night for substate.  Win, we go to state.  Lose, we go home.

"The Truth"