World of Basilio:

Random musings as we get ready to cheer on UT's flagship athletics program this weekend:

THE TENNESSEE SOFTBALL TEAM (#9 RPI) hosts the NCAA Regional as the #8 overall seed, starting off against Longwood (#121 RPI) of the Big South Conference tonight at 7 pm. If the Vols win as expected, they'll play the winner of today's Ohio State (#35 RPI) vs. USC Upstate (#40) game at noon tomorrow. It is a double elimination format.


IF THE VOLS PREVAIL they will also host an NCAA Super Regional in a best of three series for the right to go to the College Softball World Series in Oklahoma City. Texas A&M (#9 seed) would be the favorite to face Tennessee and the Vols took two of three in College Station this season.


WE ALL AGREE THAT DAVE SERRANO IS A GOOD GUY and no one can understand, probably him included, why he failed in such a spectacular fashion. Yet, he did and AD John Currie moved quickly in the wake of last weekend's smashing at the hands of Kentucky to announce his departure at the end of the season. This continues the cleanup Currie faces in succeeding Dave Hart and the worst performance of UT sports in the modern era.


TENNESSEE FOOTBALL RECRUITING SUFFERS A MINOR SETBACK with the decommit of Florida RB Jashaun Corbin. The Vol staff appeared to have pulled off a steal of the three-star (#384 nationally) from Melbourne, FL but it looks like Florida State has gotten on his trail now. Butch Jones has a need at RB but it appears that Murfreesboro three-star Master Teague might go elsewhere in the league, perhaps Georgia or Auburn. Tennessee is making up some ground on Teague.


WHO'S NEXT ON UT FOOTBALL RECRUITING FRONT? It may be four-star safety Brendon Harris from Chattanooga Baylor. The 6-0.5, 205-pounder is ranked fourth in the state and 145th nationally by 247Sports. Butch Jones and staff will have beaten Clemson and other top schools if Harris declares for UT.


WITH FOUR-STAR MALEIK GRAY about to start his freshman year, adding Harris in 2018 would give DC Bob Shoop three very athletic and talented safeties for the future, if you throw in sophomore Nigel Warrior.


RICK BARNES CAN MAKE A GOOD RECOVERY from a mediocre high school recruiting class for 2017 by adding Howard transfer James Daniel III, who should decide any day. JUCO Chris Darrington was a little more of a gamble because he uses a scholarship for two years. Daniel is a "house money" addition. You have a scholarship open for the 2017-18 school year and he can provide badly needed offense. We'll be happy to upgrade our description of the high school class if Yves Pons has a big impact next season.


Orange Throat
IGYAE

In May of 2013, my Angel Ellen passed away from Leukemia. She was chair of the mission team at St. Mark United Methodist Church and was very passionate about the FISH Hospitality Pantry to feed the hungry. All proceeds from the tournament will go to the Scott Ave. FISH pantry with the focus being "Feeding the Kids" from the Christenberry, Oakwood, and Caswell Park areas.

AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON SHINES AGAIN IN “THE WALL”
(Review by Jack Tate)

2017 Golden Globe winning actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson turns in another great performance, starring as Allan “Ize” Isaac in the new war-drama “The Wall” (opened in theaters May 12). The 27-year old British-born actor is fast becoming one of the best actors in Hollywood.


“The Wall” is a dramatic film (1 hour, 25 minutes) about two U.S. soldiers who answer a distress call in an isolated area of Iraq and are suddenly the targets of an unseen sniper. The film also features wrestling star John Cena in an intense, but brief role as Shane Matthews.


Shane is the more daring of the two soldiers while Ize shows caution and even fear due to his past experiences in Iraq. The majority of the movie focuses on Ize and the only protection that he has from the mysterious sniper, a 10-foot high concrete wall that is far from sturdy.


Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s character “Ize” has a distinct Southern accent which the actor pulls off to perfection, despite his natural British accent. I will definitely not give away the final scenes of “The Wall”, but it’s an unconventional ending for a war movie. I rate “The Wall” as a 4-star film for its drama and tension throughout. Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s performance in the lead role would get 5 stars. For the many movie-goers who will like him in “The Wall”, I would suggest that you go back and watch Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Ben in “Savages” and in his Golden Globe winning role as Ray Marcus in “Nocturnal Animals”. He is outstanding in that movie playing the villain.


In a more light-hearted or comedic role, check him out as the star in the “super-hero” films “Kick-Ass” and “Kick-Ass 2”. Taylor-Johnson also appeared in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Godzilla”.

“The Wall” is currently showing at Regal Pinnacle in Turkey Creek.

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Ron Slay. For the past 13 years, I have been a professional basketball player. My career was a fruitful one as I had the privilege to play in over nine countries. I retired in 2016 to fulfill my requirements for my Bachelor's Degree at the University of Tennessee. My playing days have come to an end. I am interested in returning to the college game, but this time as mentor, recruiter, and Coach. My Bachelor's degree is in Africana Studies.

As a player at the collegiate level, I was a member of the 2003 All America team which included current NBA greats, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. That year, I was also the Southeastern Conference player of the year. i led the conference in scoring and ended as its third-leading rebounder. However, it was during my Junior year that I sustained a season ending injury that forced me into a period of reflection about the fragility of sport and my life when my playing days have ended. It was then that I resolved that I would walk across the stage as a college graduate one day.

My life as a young man from a low income and single parent household has taught me some valuable lessons. It has also made me eager to help other aspiring student athletes acquire the self-discipline to succeed. I am confident that, if given the opportunity, my experiences (including a Senior year at Oak Hill Academy), insight, and relational ability could be valuable assets to your coaching staff. If you have any interest in my potential services as a coach and mentor, I am available to visit upon request. Please feel free to contact me at the following: (513)578-7229 or rslay35@hotmail.com (email).

Sincerely,


Ron Slay

Coach Serrano is leaving. This moment (below) supersedes that in my opinion. Not that it's my boys team, though it was cool, but could have been any group of young men. These kids could care less about the record. For them, these baseball players represent their dreams. Not to mention the display of respect for country that was shared on that field this evening. Love ya Tony B!