Our Mission
The Big Girl's Academy (BGA) mission is to provide specific skills training designed to target the development of young girls playing the post position to enhance their performance.
Over the years, the expectation of the post player has evolved, however many college coaches are eagerly awaiting the post player that can establish their presence and dominance in the paint.
The BGA is bringing the POWER N’ DOMINANCE back to the paint.
About GA Pearls GIrls Basketball Club
LEAD TRAINER: DARLENE BEALE THOMAS
Coach D has been training POST players for over 20 years. She has developed some of the most talented post players in Atlanta, DC and New York City..
A product of NYC black top, Coach D was an All City player coming out of Murry Bergtraum HS in NYC. She received many scholarships offers however her mother's choice was Howard University. Although she was not initially in agreement with her mother's decision, she later said it was the best decision her mom ever made for her. Her mom told her, "its best to be a big fish in a small pond, than to be a small fish in a big pond".
Under the tutelage of Howard University's Head Coach Sanya Tyler, Darlene because a dominate force who went on to set many records. Coach Tyler mentioned, " Darlene is real strong and has an incredible knack for the ball.. She sees the ball real well and with a four-foot range; she's quicker than any guard I have ever seen".
BIO:
- MEAC 50TH ANNIV. ALL-TIME WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS.
- HOWARD UNIVERSITY HALL OF FAME.
- MID-EASTERN ATLANTIC CONFERENCE HALL OF FAME.
- 3 TIME ALL MEAC FIRST TEAM.
- 2 TIME MEAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
- HOLDS MEAC and HOWARD UNIV. CAREER REBOUND RECORD 1,435
- RANKED 28TH MEAC CAREER SCORING 1,567
- RANKED 2ND IN NCAA WITH 16. 7 REBOUNDS PER GAME
- FROM FRESHMAN - SENIOR YR. HAD LESS THAN 10 REBOUNDS ONLY 7 TIME.
- AGAINST SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GRABED 31 REBOUNDS.
TRAINING FOCUS
The BGA will focus on instructing players on the most efficient and effective strategies to guarantee their success and to create the mindset in players that will encourage their confidence.
- Footwork
- Strength and Conditioning
- Positioning
- Defending
- Creating a Presence
- Dominant Post Moves
- Rebounding