Slinker Commitment

[Cooley]

Bellaire's Torru to Sign with North Texas

September 27, 2007

Rob Harman

A couple of years ago, the odds were heavily in favor of Tamara Torru eventually joining her older sister Nia on the University of Incarnate Word women's basketball team. However, when the time came to take recruiting trips and to make her decision where to attend college, the Houston Bellaire senior went another direction. Instead of going to San Antonio, Tamara Torru will play her college basketball in Denton, chosing to commit to the University of North Texas on Monday.

"When I went for my visit, I really connected with everybody," Torru said. "I had a great time. I just felt that is where I wanted to be. North Texas kinda was my top choice the whole time and that just solidified it. They showed me what I wanted to see." Not that Incarnate Word would have been a bad choice. "A big reason that I would have gone to Incarnate Word was because my sister is there," Torru said of Nia, a sophomore who was the school's top scorer and rebounder who was selected the Heartland Conference's top freshman. "She would have been there with me for two years then I wouldn't have been with her anymore.

"I really did consider it," Tamara added about UIW. "I was following the program for like a year so I got to know the coach and got to know all of the players. It's a great school too. The classes were very comfortable." Tamara says that she wants to be a sports agent and that both North Texas and UIW have a strong program. The 5-11 senior guard averaged 11.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.0 rebounds last year at Bellaire. Bellaire coach Mike Kramer says that Torru will fit in well with North Texas' fast-breaking style. "I know everybody is running now," he said. "Tamara is very quick, but she plays big for us. She stands 5-11 and has a good body on her. She's strong and quick and can shoot."

Kramer and Torru both believe that she will play wing in college. "They told me that I would probably make me a 2-3 or a 3-4," Torru said. "I don't know for sure, but she said she will have me facing the basket." Torru plays her summer ball with the Houston Heat. "Tamara is a super-athletic guard that can run, shoot and rebound, as well as defend the 1 through the 4," said Heat coach George Washington. "She does all the little things it takes to win." Bellaire was ranked as high as No. 10 in the country early last season but injuries and an early playoff exit against Cy-Fair made the '06-'07 season a bit of a disappointment. Torru and Kramer have much higher hopes for '07-'08.

"I'm almost positive that we're going to state, because we've wanted it for so long and we're such as old team," Torru said. "We've been playing together for so long. And after last year, the way it ended, it's just going to make us want it even more." Bellaire has a handful of other players expected to play college basketball. Senior Tamara Marion committed with Stephen F. Austin a couple of weeks ago. Jasmine Hartman is being recruited by Arkansas and Louisville. Tolu Omotola, a 6-2 transfer from Sugar Land Dulles, is considering Memphis State, TCU and Liberty University according to Kramer.

"Jas hurt her knee last year," Kramer said. "It wasn't torn but she sat out the whole year. She will be back on the (recruiting) radar this year." As for Hartman looking at out-of-state schools, Kramer added, "I think she really wants to stay close to home. But after this weekend I think she may have some Texas schools after her." Kramer was referring to the large shootout at the Mac Center in Lewisville. Kramer added that Bellaire has three juniors that should be top recruits next year: Zoe Rogers, Annette Davis and Taylor McGilbra. "Right now, it's crazy over here," he said.

[NT03]

Wow !!! We beat out InCaRNaTe WoRd on a recruit !!! Here's to another great season by the Ladies!!!

[CMJ]

Wow !!! We beat out InCaRNaTe WoRd on a recruit !!! Here's to another great season by the Ladies!!!

Slinker is such a survivor, it won't suprise me if she manages to save her job somehow this season.

[GrandGreen]

If RV is serious about demanding a break out season for Slinker or she is out, why would he allow her to commit the University to ships? This girl may turn out to be a great signee, but she was not even a member of the twelve member first team all district team last year. I am sure that Slinker has a very difficult time recruiting under the circumstances but why allow her to take chances on border line recruits in the early signing period?

[SUMG]

If RV is serious about demanding a break out season for Slinker or she is out, why would he allow her to commit the University to ships? This girl may turn out to be a great signee, but she was not even a member of the twelve member first team all district team last year. I am sure that Slinker has a very difficult time recruiting under the circumstances but why allow her to take chances on border line recruits in the early signing period?

No kidding. She looks like she might be the 6th or 7th best player......on her team.

[CMJ]

No kidding. She looks like she might be the 6th or 7th best player......on her team.

I only laugh because it's true.

[GreenBat]

What do expect? It's "Stinker" Slinker.

[Green Mean]

I doubt she is reading this board or even knows about it but I kinda feel bad for Tamara at this time....she just chose the university of her choice which was NT and she's getting ragged on. Not to say she is not subject to it but I dont know....I do kinda feel bad.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Slinker is such a survivor, it won't suprise me if she manages to save her job somehow this season.

Nothing would shock me in terms of her saving her job.

[GreenBat]

Slinker is such a survivor, it won't suprise me if she manages to save her job somehow this season.

Just like the cockroaches, Slinker will find a way to survive.

[DeepGreen]

Good chance that RV's working on Slinker's contract extension.

[ntmeangreen11]

She clearly has somebodys balls in a vice grip or knows something she shouldn't know.