After Successfully Fighting Cancer UNC's Jessica Breland Is Back On The Court

Those who know North Carolina junior center Jessica Breland refer to her heart of gold and how she has a sweet spirit.

Those who go up against Breland on the basketball court will tell you about her soft shooting touch and her tenacity on defense.

Breland is all that. Following her junior season at North Carolina Breland led the league in blocked shots while averaging double figures in points and among the top rebounders in the ACC. She was becoming one of the top all-around players in the country.

Then cancer reared its ugly head. For more, read this article I wrote for Foxsports.com

http://www.foxsportssouth.com/01/19/11/Brelands-Battle/landing_acc.html?blockID=394103&feedID=3644

Breland's mission now is to help kids who suffer from this dreadful disease. on November 7th the North Carolina women's basketball program and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center kicked off Jessica Breland's "Comeback For Kids Fund" providing support for cancer research and treatment at UNC’s pediatric oncology program with a gala known as "Rhinestones and Rebounds."

Here's more of Jessica's story told in her own words, her father Charles Breland and North Carolina head coach Sylvia Hatchell.




The "Rhinestones and Rebounds" gala kick started Jessica Breland's foundation raising $57,200.

If you would like to make a gift to the Comeback For Kids fund, go to http://www.unclineberger.org/comeback/


Photo Courtesy: CHUCK LIDDY / Raleigh News Observer

The Female Vanilla Ice?

Abby Redick just completed her freshman year on the Virginia Tech women's basketball team. Abby is the younger sister of J.J. Redick who starred at Duke and currently plays for the Orlando Magic. Abby saw some action off the bench this year averaging 2.5 points per game and 3.2 points per game.

For a class project Abby enlisted the help of her Virginia Tech teammates and produced this rap video to raise awareness for Virginia Tech's transportation system. (Thanks Youtube.com/Team Transit Productions)



Those of us at the OSG HG give Abby Redick an "A". We hear that this video might be viewed at Virginia Tech's Freshman orientation next fall.

NC State Set To Hire A New Women's Basketball Coach

According to OSG sources in Raleigh, N.C. North Carolina State will hire Kellie Harper as the new women's basketball head coach for the Wolfpack.

NC State has called a press conference for 4:30pm eastern tomorrow to introduce Harper.

Harper has spent the last 5 seasons as head coach at Western Carolina were she has led the Catamounts to a pair of Southern Conference titles along with 2 NCAA tournament appearances.

Those sources also tell OSG Sports that Harper's hiring is not sitting well with some in the Wolfpack family including Kay Yow's brother Ronnie Yow who says her late sister wanted her top assistant, Stephanie Glance, to succeed her.

Ronnie Yow even produced a letter written by his late sister to NC State Chancellor James L. Oblinger and athletic director Lee Fowler 2 years ago expressing her wishes.

((Photo Courtesy: AP))

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