thats what I feel good about.POLL IMPLICATIONSKentuckys hold on No. 1 in the AP Top 25 doesnt look to be loosening anytime soon.THE HIGHLIGHT MOMENTThe Briscoe-to-Mo

Growing up, I called Long Island, an outer suburb of New York City, home. However, I traveled into Manhattan as often as three times per week with my family at a very young age. My parents, both city kids, encouraged my older brother and I to expand our horizons beyond the slower-paced burbs and exposed us to the best (and worst) of what the City offered.Because of that balance, I became a freethinker at quite a young age. I was quickly able to assess situations and determine whether I wanted to engage further or detach myself entirely. For the most part, this worked well for me. I was decisive in my choices and often regretted nothing. Although my parents supported me in every aspect of life, and continue to consult me on major decisions to this day, they never pressured me to do what they wanted me to do. I was empowered to make the right choice for me.That may be why, despite having access to a swimming pool, which was actually right in my parents backyard, they accepted my lack of interest in learning how to swim. They figured Id pick up the skill when I wanted, and if that day never came, Id at least be wise enough to avoid the deep end and save myself from drowning.Or, despite my declining their offer to enroll me in swim lessons, they accepted my choice because they knew 70 percent of black children also lacked the skill. So while not ideal, there were far worse and unflattering statistics for me to bear.And I agreed, until about 10 years ago. You see, only being able to dip my toes in the water while traveling to the beautiful beaches of Rio de Janeiro and to the coast of South Africa made me acutely aware of how I had limited myself. How, as an upwardly-mobile 20-something, I was perpetuating the societal stereotype that black people dont swim.The origins and reasons behind many black people not being proficient swimmers is quite?complex, tracing back to the reconstruction era. But for black women its been most commonly deduced to a seemingly trivial and superficial reason -- our hair. Theres a prevailing generalization that black women are less inclined to take a dip because of the time and effort required to tame our manes post-swim. Prior to the recent popularity of black women transitioning to chemical-free or natural hairstyles, European beauty standards of adopting long straight hair were projected upon us. Therefore, those who relied on chemical relaxers or heat-based tools to maintain their straight tresses were more susceptible to chlorine damage. Over time, women of color would suffer split ends, breakage and hair shedding.I transitioned to natural hair about 10 years ago, freeing myself of this suppressive mindset, but it took me another 10 years to find true freedom in the water.Ushered in with the natural hair movement has been a modern resurgence of self-love (which we originally saw in 1960s, and the popularization of the afro) and pride among women of the African diaspora -- something commonly referred to as Black Girl Magic. Its an ode to the beauty and talents of the black female. Before joining Essence Magazine as the digital fashion & beauty director, Julee Wilson was the Huffington Posts senior fashion editor. While there, Wilson described #BlackGirlMagic as a term used to illustrate the universal awesomeness of black women. Its about celebrating anything we deem particularly dope, inspiring, or mind-blowing about ourselves.Through this term, black women have boldly declared to love who they are -- utterly and completely.This summer, #BlackGirlMagic was on full display at the Rio Olympics. From gymnast Simone Biles to the USA womens track and field team, women of color absolutely dominated the competition.But it was the #BlackGirlMagic moment of swimmer Simone Manuels historic gold-medal win in the 100-meter freestyle event that forever changed my life. In under 60 seconds, 52.70 to be exact, Manuels Olympic record-setting finish single-handedly transformed the perception and futures of American black girls everywhere. Not only do black girls swim, but we are also the best in the world.Immediately following Manuels victory, the hashtag #BlackGirlsSwim spread like wildfire, trending on every major social media platform as proud black people honored Manuels accomplishment. Then, Manuels post-swim interview and her words, This medal is not just for me, its for a whole bunch of people who have [come] before me and who have been an inspiration for me ...?And its for all the people after me, who believe they cant do it ... And I just want to be an inspiration to others -- that you?can?do it, hit me like a ton of bricks.Overcome with emotion, in that exact moment I decided enough was enough. It was no longer acceptable for me to contribute to the 70 percent and willfully perpetuate the harmful, disempowering misrepresentation of my people. I was going to join the myth-busting group of magical black women who validate #BlackGirlsSwim.It took me some time to honor my commitment, but two months ago I marched into my local Harlem YMCA and signed up for classes. Four days later, I showed up to class, a bit nervous but also eager about what was to come. Imagining myself insouciantly jumping off of boats and into oceans was truly exciting. And I didnt let hair, social stigmas or anything else hold me back.And six weeks later, mission accomplished. I jumped into the deep end of the pool, unassisted and uninhibited for the first time. The act of freely jumping into the water was rewarding because it marked the successful end to a long personal journey of self-actualization. But more than that, it symbolized the relinquishment of the burdensome past of my ancestors, and our resilience to rewrite history.Honestly, if Manuel hadnt won gold or competed in the Olympics, I cant confidently say that I would have committed to learning how to swim. But because of her, I did.My final swim lesson was Wednesday. And after seven weeks I can proudly proclaim myself a black girl who swims.Shana Renee is the founder and editor-in-chief of All Sports Everything and a passionate New York Jets, Knicks and Yankees fan. Follow her sports talk on Twitter at?@ItsShanaRenee. Authentic Custom Twins Jersey . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. Custom Twins Jerseys . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. http://www.customtwinsjersey.com/ . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. Custom Harmon Killebrew Jersey .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Harmon Killebrew Jersey Large . Brad Jacobs and his Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., team took control of the game early. PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas -- Kentucky was already up big when Isaiah Briscoe snatched down a second-half rebound, took a dribble and fired an outlet pass ahead to Malik Monk. The ball was high and off target, but Monk went airborne and redirected the ball with his right hand to Wenyen Gabriel for a transition reverse dunk.Yes, the top-ranked Wildcats were so good Monday night that they were turning even mistakes into highlight-reel plays.Freshman DeAaron Fox posted the second triple-double in school history with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to lead that dominating effort as Kentucky beat Arizona State 115-69 on Monday night.Monk scored 23 points for the Wildcats (7-0), who dominated an undersized team and quickly turned the game into a romping show of their athleticism and ability to run in transition.Kentucky led by double figures roughly 6 minutes in, led 58-30 by halftime then scored the first 12 points after the break to go up 40 with 15 minutes left.My question now when I go back will be: how now do we take this to another level? coach John Calipari asked.The game, billed as the Atlantis Showcase, was played at the same ballroom-turned-arena that hosted last weeks Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas. Fox was the easy choice as MVP, though the Wildcats had five players score in double figures and put up dominating numbers in just about every area. They shot 52 percent. They finished with a 59-33 rebounding advantage. They scored 21 points off turnovers and finished with 33 assists on 44 baskets.We just love playing together, said freshman Bam Adebayo, who had 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Were like brothers, so were going to give each other the ball.Sam Cunliffe scored 14 points for the Sun Devils (4-3), who shot just 34 percent and made 8 of 26 3-point attempts (31 percent).As a competitor you feel a little shell-shocked in these moments, Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley said. I wouldve hoped we wouldve performed a little better. ... I thought they were spectacular.BIG PICTUREArizona State: Hurley knew it would be a tough task to slow the Wildcats and noted his team would have to avoid turnovers to do so.dddddddddddd Instead, the overmatched and undersized Sun Devils had as many turnovers as baskets in the first 8 minutes and could manage little more than to fire up 3-pointers.Im going to think long and hard about what were going to learn from it, Hurley said. Hopefully well get something out of this.Kentucky: Calipari said he wants to see how his team handles a close game. The Wildcats still havent gotten one; their closest margin has been 21 points. Kentucky has scored 100-plus points in three straight games for the first time since December 1977.FOXS BIG NIGHTFox, a 6-foot-3 point guard from Houston, had 10 points and nine rebounds by halftime on the way to MVP honors and triple-double No. 2 for Kentucky. The other one came from Chris Mills in December 1988.Fox finished 6 of 9 from the field.I didnt even know thats how long its been, Fox said. But it felt good. Honestly it was my most efficient game shooting-wise, so thats what I feel good about.POLL IMPLICATIONSKentuckys hold on No. 1 in the AP Top 25 doesnt look to be loosening anytime soon.THE HIGHLIGHT MOMENTThe Briscoe-to-Monk-to-Gabriel dunk gave Kentucky an 83-40 lead with 11:58 left.SportsCenter just popped into my head, Hurley said. That the first word I saw when I saw that play. You dont see many plays like that. Just crazy, athletic. And those guys, theyre trained to do that, they really are.WELCOME BACKBriscoe had missed the past two games with what Calipari described Sunday as a butt bruise, but the sophomore finished with 20 points and seven assists. In addition, Derek Willis, who left Fridays win against UT Martin with a thumb injury, finished with 11 points and six boards in 16 minutes.UP NEXTArizona State: The Sun Devils host UNLV on Saturday.Kentucky: The Wildcats return home to host No. 11 UCLA on Saturday.---Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap---More AP college basketball at http://collegebasketball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '