dlrrk

I grew up in MD, and I don't like her... or her Terps. She seems a bit wacky. Regarding what she did after the game with Princeton... She better get ready for an IRS audit.

Thanks All-American... I served, and went to war, in the All American division... The 82nd Airborne Division, America's Guard of Honor. I told Rachel's mom this morning that Rachel is almost , as we say in the Army, a "Two Digit Midget." Meaning... She has less than 100 days until she leaves home and arrives in Lincoln. In the Army if you're about to move to a different post, you're getting "short"... hence midget... Rachel is fired up about being a Husker... Her season has three more weeks (assuming they make it to the state championship tournament). Immediately following the season she is going to begin a tough weigh lifting, running, and basketball shooting program. The HS has one of those machines that shoots the ball back to the shooter (We bought half of it). She mentioned yesterday about doing more squats in preparation for Lincoln. She has our guidance regarding arriving in Lincoln prepared to learn the college game and compete. She fully understands that there will be a learning curve. Here is an example of what you can expect... Back on/about 5 Jan Leavenworth played Rock Bridge, MO. Rock Bridge was ranked #10 HS in the nation. Leavenworth won 46-39. Rock Bridge's star is Mizzou-commit Sophie Cunningham. Rachel was tasked to guard her. It was Rachel's first game back due to a broken hand. Cunningham had previously averaged ~25 points per game. Against Leavenworth she scored 10. Cunningham was recently voted a McDonald's HS All-American. My point... Cunningham is real division one competition who Rachel shut down. Obviously, Minnesota's Zowie (spelling) is a different player, and we'll see how that plays out. However, Dolittle and many of the others can be handled. We know that she has flown under the radar of most Nebraska fans, and that's ok with her. I can sit here all day and tell you how good she is, but it means nothing. Talk is cheap. The only thing that matters is how she does upon arrival in Lincoln. Coach Yori will be the one who decides how she measures up.

Regarding the transition from HS to BIG... Nobody can say how well HS basketball talent transitions to BIG basketball. I can tell you this about Rachel Blackburn... Heart, hustle, grit, and a will to win in HS will transition directly and without degradation to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

I can assure you of one thing... Barring injury, Blackburn will be strong, ready, and as nasty as the officials will allow. She'll accept any role Coach Yori desires. We'll see...

Rachel was very excited when Coach Shimy contacted her about the number she (Rachel) wanted to wear as a Husker. Rachel has always been #43 and is extremely happy about being able to be Nebraska's #43. I'm in Afghanistan right now, and Rachel e-mailed me yesterday to tell me how she can't wait to be a Husker. I'm told she played well at her very last tournament (Late July - Best of Maryland). Coach Yori attended. Rachel is working hard to improve all aspects of her game.

Absolutely agree....hopefully, all these kids realize they have to earn playing time. Nothing is given...

Rachel Blackburn played well in both Dallas (Frisco, TX) and Nashville. Coach Yori was in Nashville and was very happy with Rachel's play. Coach Finch was there too and had nothing but good things to say about Rachel's performance. Coach Yori told Rachel that she (Coach) wished Rachel could play for the Huskers this year. Rachel also wishes she could head up to Lincoln now. Rachel has one more tournament (26 July). It's "The Best of Maryland' tournament. It's a High School team tournament. The Leavenworth Pioneers hope to do better this year. Last year their were only 2 public schools in the tournament. I understand Coach Yori will be in MD. Rachel is very excited about being a Husker. The other day a basketball practice Rachel asked Tyler Johnson if she (Johnson) wanted all of Rachel's KU gear.

Tyler Johnson committed to KU about two weeks ago. Her "finalists" were KU and Iowa State. KU is close to home. During her official she had lunch with Bill Self... I'm sure that helped "seal the deal."

My wife is figuring out how to post a couple of good videos of Rachel's play. That way you can make your own assessment. I'm dad, so I'm biased... However, last night she hit 4 nice 12 foot jumpers during her two HS summer league games. MTF (more to follow)...

Redsteve, Tyler has not taken an official to NU. Her first official will be to Ames. I have no idea how much NU wants her.

Rachel and Tyler are friends and teammates. I have no idea about Nebraska's interest in Tyler. I know she is a great young lady who is talented. She is heading to Iowa State soon for an official visit. We wished them luck. I know she has interest in becoming a Jayhawk.

Since it's out there on Lanie's tweet... Lanie texted Rachel on the way home from this weekend's KC basketball tournament. Lanie gave Rachel the news regarding her (Lanie's) call to coach Yori. Rachel responded with... Great news roomie.

This weekend Rachel Blackburn and Laney Page had a great conversation regarding being a Husker. They played in a basketball tournament in KC. They made plans for the future...

Retired Army Colonel here... Rachel Blackburn called Coach Yori on Wednesday morning and accepted coach Yori's offer to attend the University of Nebraska and play basketball for the Huskers. Later in the morning Coach Yori called me with the great news. We're very happy Rachel has decided to become a Husker. We've been so impressed with everyone and everything we've seen. Regarding player rankings... I'll just throw this out there for what it's worth... Wake Forest really wanted Rachel. They are an extremely classy group of people. I have nothing but good things to say about Wake Forest, and I hope they do well in the ACC. It was very difficult for Rachel to say no to them. Coach Mike Terry probably came to more of Rachel's games than anyone in the country. A few weeks ago he sent me a note that contained the following about Rachel... "She plays so hard and is so physical and tough in all that she does. These are not the highlight reel plays that catch most peoples attention, but they are the things that help great teams win games as a unit... I, after as many years of doing this, really don't pay much attention to these rankings. What I think many miss on Rachel is her unparalleled work ethic, desire to compete and her level of commitment to her teammates and her team's success..." Time will tell... *******Break********* Rachel and Lainey Paige have become good friends. They play in a KC tournament this weekend.

Regarding Norm's #22 Post: "I'm sensing a hunting trip in someone's future. Dlrrk, when are you back from Afghanistan? And do you like your duck pan-seared or roasted?" I come back to CONUS on 16 May. I bought that shotgun in Germany before the German anti-gun nuts took complete control. It's a Rizzini. It was fairly inexpensive. I used it as my skeet gun for a few years. I had the soft comb put on because my little cheek gets sore. Then I started shooting trap because my wife enjoyed trap more than skeet. I like to shoot ducks/geese... Attached is my girl's second deer (1st buck). It was several years ago...

The attached photo is my Rachel... She was home alone and riding an ATV when she saw this rattlesnake crossing the road in front of the house. She quickly went and grabbed a shotgun. When the snake tried to cross the road again, she killed it. Of course I'm biased, but she is a very tough girl. By the way, I'm no longer active... I'm a retired Army colonel. The troops over here are doing great things. Last month was the first month where we didn't have one American death. Unfortunately, we had 5 Brits killed in an aircraft crash the other day, and I'm told we had an American killed up north... The girl from Belirus (spelling) was at the same offical visit as Rachel. Take care,

We love everything about Nebraska. I wish I could have attended the visit, but I am in Afghanistan. I'll be home soon to talk to Rachel. I'm told Rachel played well in Chicago. The team went 4-1. They lost 65-63 to a MI team that won the bracket. She took 7 charges during the 5 games. Coach Yori attended on Sunday. The teams looking seriously at Rachel: Wake Forest, Iowa State, Arizona, Cal, Tulsa, Creighton, K-State, TCU, Arkansas, DePaul, Drake, Miami... Texas Tech just made a offer last night. We had never heard from Texas Tech. I assume they liked what they saw in Chicago. They had a rough year last year. K-State had no interest in Rachel, but TCU was after her. So after the coaching change in Manhattan, K-State is interested. Rachel always wanted to be a Jayhawk. Her sister graduated from there. However, Mrs Henrickson wants no part of Rachel. That bothered her for a long time, but I think she is over it... Bottom Line, Nebraska is a class act.... mom, dad, and Rachel are very impressed.

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Rachel is very interested in Nebraska. She visited Nebraska for her first official NCAA visit. It was during the weekend of the spring football game. We did an unoffical visit back in September 2013. Coach Yori (and all the other great coaches) loves Rachel. Rachel was very impressed with everything about Nebraska. She loves the girls and the coaches. We'll see how it works out. Rachel along with her Leavenworth teammates (Tyler & Tasha) are playing on Coach Page's team in Chicago this weekend. Coach Page and the Leavenworth HS coach (Derek Zeck) have assembled a bunch of D1 players from all over the state of Kansas. We'll see how they do. Additionally, the Leavenworth team won the 5A state championshiip back in Mach. Rachel's Dad