Speaking the Truth

Commentary from Ricky "The Truth" Taylor

Win or Go Home

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Tennessee at Memphis!  I know everybody watched that game.  I was going for Tennessee though.  Sorry Memphis fans.  I love you all, but I was just going for Tennessee.  Tennessee won the game and it could have went either way.  This is all for now.  I am "The Truth"

Still Surviving

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The dunking contest was crazy.  It was another classic for the NBA.  Dwight Howard is a beast.  How does he jump so high to be so tall.  He has a gift fareal.  How are you going to throw it off the back of the backboard and windmill it.  Mouth dropping!  He then hit a superman dunk.  He didn't even dunk the ball.  Dwight Howard just FLUSHED it in like throwing rocks into a pond.  I didn't get a chance to see the 3 point contest, but I heard that the contestants did their thing.  The All-Star game was off the chain too.  I hope to speak to you all the next time....I am "The Truth"

Ready or Not…It’s Tourney Time

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Lets speak "The Truth." 

We won against Covington last Friday night 70-61.  I had 17 points and snatched 12 boards. This was another senior night.  We took on Fayette-Ware Saturday night and won again 63-53.  I had 25 points and grabbed 13 boards.  We finished #1 in our district and our first game is Friday between the winner of Fayette-Ware and Ripley.  

Since the district and region tourney is at Haywood, I'm going to be at every game.  This first day of the district was a classic for our girls team.  They were in last place--the 6th seed.  They had to play USJ--the 3rd seed.  Well, fighting for loose balls and hustling for the win, the game went into overtime.  I was shocked to see them on fire.  I became a "true fan" that night.  As I was standing up for my team, the buzzer went off.  The Lady Tomcats upset USJ 60-55.  Congrats to my favorite girls.  I encourage everyone to compete for that district title.   Please don't hide.  Ready or not, it's tourney time! 

Take it easy.....I am "The Truth"

The Season Moves On

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This year is passing by so fast.  Everybody must have been telling the truth about how your senior year just flies by without you even knowing it. IT'S ALMOST FEBRUARY! 

The University of Evansville in Indiana has started showing interest in me now.  UE is in the Missouri Vallery conference.  I have four more official visits left, and I plan on taking them right after the state tournament.  I don't know where yet, but as the season comes to an end, I will know for sure.  I'm glad I'm qualified because the ACT was challenging.  I made a 20 on it.  Those of you who scored 21  or higher and beyond 25, you should be proud of yourself.  Those of you who didn't, I totally understand because that test is hard.  Keep trying. 

I watched some of that Alabama and Tennessee game Tuesday night.  As I was watching the game, Alabama got on a fast break.  It was a 3 on 1.  The player in the middle passed it to some guy running the wing.  This man took one dribble and took the elevator up to the next level with a sensational dunk.  My mouth dropped, and my eyes grew.  I walked out the room and asked my dad, "Did you see that?"  The love of basketball people. 

I love watching movies quite a bit too.  One of my favorites is Love and Basketball.  It's a good movie to watch with your girlfriend.  Unfortunately, I don't have one.  Well, it may be good not to have a girlfirend.  My true girlfriend can watch the movie with me anytime though.  I'm talking about my basketball.  She has been there from day one.  Please don't think I'm crazy because I know you hoopers like her too.  I need to go to the mall and buy me a pair of kicks.  I don't have time because of basketball practices and games.  This is when a real girlfriend can come in handy.  Just continue to do whatever you do.  I am "The Truth."  Have a blessed day.

 

Basketball and Life

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My team has had many ups and downs this year. Our record is 9-9. We played Jackson northside Friday and we lost in a close one 81-79. I had a game high 34 points. It was a tough game, but we bounced back Saturday. We played powerhouse Memphis Mitchell. Mitchell, in my opinion, has five Division I players. It was a battle from the tipoff. Our point guard, Kenny Greer, who has fought injury all season had a breakout game with 27 points. I finished with 33. We won 82-81, it was an instant classic.

From the basketball view, I've been nominated as a McDonald All-American along with 19 others.  I hope that Tennessee has several representatives.  The players who do not participate in the game should still carry a smile.  It's truly a blessing to be nominated. I wanna give special thanks to Big Dre (Andre Whitehead) who nominated the players from the state. School has been alright.  Some of my teachers show no love though.  They know that I have games, and they still want to cram me with homework.  Give me a break!  During our homecoming, I was voted king.  It took forever for everything to be over with.  I started to walk off the court and get dressed.  I was ready to play some basketball.  After I got crowned I ran to the locker room.  A parent asked me did I have my jersey on under my suit.  I smiled at him......be on the look out for my next entry.  I am "The Truth"

Recruitment

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I have several schools looking at me, and I have several offers. 
I have offers from Lipscomb, Murray State, Holy Cross, Tennessee Tech, and SEMO (Southeast Missouri). 
UAB, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati, Rice, Eastern Kentucky, and UT Martin are showing interest. 
I can say that Lipscomb, by far, has certainly recruited me the hardest.  Lipscomb's coaching staff has went out of their way in my recruitment.  I have had great experiences with Coach Sanderson and Coach Smith. 
Even though I project that I'm going to a Division 1 school, I would like to acknowledge Freed-Hardeman's assistant coach, Coach Parnell.  Coach Parnell keeps it real cool with me by staying in touch.  I wouldn't mind staying in the state of Tennessee, but there is nothing wrong with going away from home. 
I will be making a decision at the end of the basketball season.  My high school coach got on me for not mentioning his name.  Thank you Coach Varnado.  Coach V has been the backbone of my recruitment.  He has been like another reliable father in my journey through high school.   I wish every team good luck for the remainder of the year.  I am "The Truth"

An Introduction to “The Truth”

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I would first like to give a shout out to the state of Tennessee!  Since this is my first diary entry, I believe I have to tell you a little bit about me.  To start things off, I love going to church. 
I am the starting shooting guard for Haywood County in West Tennessee. We are known to be "the country" because we have such a small town.  When Wal-Mart is your mall, then of course, we are small. 
 If you don't know who I am, come to a game and watch #22.  I have a 3.7 GPA, and I'm Mr. HHS of my school.  I started playing basketball when I was in the second grade.  I didn't know too much about it.  Actually, when I was in the second grade, I jumped in the air and started dunking.  There wasn't a goal in sight.  I had made my own "invisible" goal.  Yeah, I looked crazy outside creating my own unrealistic dunks as cars passed by my house.  I'm talking about I was taking it through the legs about four times then hitting 720s like And 1's "The Air Up There."  I loved it. 
 I was really enjoying the game at an early age. 
Basketball is the best sport to watch, play, and practice.  I know some of you are stars in football, legends in baseball, and All-Americans in whatever you do.  Remember this one fact:  it will never be better than the love of basketball.  You get to see the high-flying dunks and the smooth play of Tennessee's athletes. 
 I act unordinary when I watch highlights of people getting dunked on and crossed over.  What do you mean unordinary?  I am a quiet spectator, but when I jump up and say, "Ooooooo weee," then the party has just started. 
Another thing is when I look at someone and my eyes grow to the size of an egg, and I say, "Did you see that?"  That is what I mean by unordinary. 
 As you can see, I love the game of basketball.  I plan on attending a Division 1 school and major in accounting.  I also plan to become a coach and teach players the fundamental part of the game.  What college am I going to you ask?   Be sure to check out my next entry on my recruitment.  In the meantime I'm getting ready to go hit 60 points tonight.  I guess I had another one of those unrealistic visions.  I am "The Truth."