FAll UPDATES
Monday, September 28th, 2009This is a big weekend for any girl hoping to play college basketball at the highest level. It is the only weekend Div 1 colleges are allowed to watch players in an AAU event. This week is kind of a last look for many seniors. This is a chance for them to showcase there talent in front of schools who have either missed out on top recruits or schools who have made changes in their recruiting plans. This is also a very important time for juniors. This is the time were many schools will decide if they what to offer a player in the spring or even more important miss valuable practice time during their season by going to watch a Junior play during her high school season. This is very important to colleges as they can’t be everywhere and only have a limited number of days they can be off campus. Letting juniors know they want them is important and nothing signals that more than hand written letters and appearances at there games. The weekend will be the end of the road for many with big dreams and the start for others. Many will hope for big seasons to put them on the radar. Some will move on to div 2 and 3 schools and others will play they last season of organized basketball. I wish the best for all trying to reach their goals.
Speaking of AAU basketball! When in the world is somebody going to get a grip on what is going on? Recently I have heard of AAU team’s practicing in the fall. In fact I know of an AAU team that practiced in the middle of a player’s season last year! People this is just flat out crazy. I understand a tourney to get ready for the college coaches viewing period. But to have kids practicing and playing weekend tournaments in the fall is shameful. After 100 games in the summer don’t these kids need a break? Players this time of year should be working on their skills and preparing for their high school season. This is a great time of year for high school teams to bond. They play in their fall league, lift weights and spend time getting to know each other. Why do some AAU coaches feel what they are doing is more important than the High School Team. This time of year is when some AAU coaches are at there worst as well. I had a young lady at NBS this weekend and an AAU coach was calling her all during her workout. He told her she needed him in order to improve her game that she was also playing for the wrong AAU team. Meanwhile this girl plays for a high school coach who has sent more girls to the Div 1 level maybe than any coach in the state. I understand a tourney or a few practices is needed to get ready for the NCAA viewing period. But Practice twice a week for 2 or 3 weeks, then 3 tournaments? I even know of kids skipping open gyms with college coaches to go play in a tourney. Yes they think playing AAU with no coaches is better than playing in front of college coaches. The fact is the AAU coaches simply pressure them to play in these tournaments. They convince the player they have their best interest at heart. Recently a player told me they were being recruiting by a top 25 program. I asked this player who told them this? She said “my aau coach says they are going to offer me” I called the coach who happened to have played for me in college. He simply said that was not true! I hope high school coaches will find a way to get more control of their players in the off season. There are many great AAU coaches, but many just don’t understand what the role of AAU is! The role of an AAU coach is to help a player to get better during the off season and to help a player get as much exposure as possible. This must be done without disrupting the high school team’s preparing before and during the season. Many great AAU programs and coaches are labeled because of a few bad apples! This has to change!
Updates
Theresa Manigrasso- verbally committed to St. Peters College. St. Peters will be getting a battle tested warrior. She will defend, make shots and most important be a team player. This is a kid who came off the bench last year and had no complaints. This is a kid who did all the little things. There is no doubt she will have a big year. By the way the Manigrasso Parents….They are a coach’s dream! I have watched them from a distance support for their daughter and the SJV program was number 1 on there agenda first and always. Not easy when you think your daughter is a special player. If you don’t mind me saying so….I predicted last year she would be a Div 1 player…
Kristen Sharkey-verbally committed to the University of Buffalo. This is a steal for Buffalo. This is the hardest player to stop in the shore conference. She has now added three point shooting to her game. Many Jersey schools moved on her too late. In the end Miss Sharkey had more than her share of choices, in the end Buffalo who lost out on Danella two years ago hit pay dirt.
Christa Evans of Jackson is now a top recruit for Rutgers University. There is no doubt that Hall of Fame Coach Stringer will try and land the 6’3’ honor Student.
Speaking of new kids on the block….Do not be surprised if these players have monster seasons and end up on my Danielle Pankey I get no media love team….Liz West of Shore regional…. Kathryn Campbell of Wall … and then my sleeper of the year Lauren Romeo of Pt Beach.. These are players I really feel can have big seasons and improve their recruiting stock!
Victoria Lesko of Rumson is becoming the darling of the fall for a number of college coaches. They like here size and ability to score, the 6’2” junior’s stock grows everyday. Lesko, who sat out last year with a foot injury, is a sweet shooting forward, who if she listens to the lessons of George Soulias will become a force in the Shore!
INTERESTING NEWS/
Both of Colt’s Neck starting forwards Brittney Howe’s and Emily Laurence are coming off injuries. Howe’s has been in a boot and Emily Laurence who I believe may be other Div 1 player for the Shore Conference had ACL surgery. Both should recover before the season starts.
KC Cambers of St. Rose ran for the first time last week and looked great. She will more than likely be 100% for the season
I had a chance to see Michaela Mabrey of Manasquan last week and she looked very happy and ready to play. The new found energy surrounding the Manasquan program could be felt through out the gym. The US HOOPS family was also out in full support. The Manasquan program is no doubt moving in the right direction. Manasquan AD Ron Kornegay may have pulled off the move of the summer! There seems to be a different feel surrounding this program. By the way the Rutgers coaching staff went to watch Michaela play open gym and liked what they saw…so what else is New…the kid is the real deal!
Its official Don Hampton will now be an asst coach at Colts’ Neck. This gives this program a huge edge. Remember, this is a guy who has been on the AAU scene for a long time. He will know the strengths and weakness of many players in the Shore Conference. Then remember this. When does Brooke Hampton play her best basketball…You got it! When she is playing with her dad… I will make a bold statement right now….Brooke Hampton Could wind up being the player of the year in the entire state!!!!..
Chyna Golden has been released by Red Bank and now is ready to play at Neptune. RBC and Joe did the right thing to allow this young lady to move forward. The family believes she belongs at Neptune for reasons that go way beyond basketball. Chyna’s mom was very respectful and thankful for Joe’s support and understanding. It’s been a tough few months for Chyna who lost her grandfather and with all the changes it has been difficult…hang in there Chyna; you have a lot of friends.
In fall basketball all the talk was about Neptune freshman Ivy Washington. The freshman’s play against SJV was nothing short of sensational according to many sources.
Rumson blew out Colts Neck that did not have their entire player…can someone tell me what the point of playing a fall league when one team does not bring there available varsity players. If you want to look at your young players do it in practice at open gym. The teams who pay to play against varsity players are short changed in games where the score is 62-14… as was the case in the Rumson/Colt’s Neck game.
Ocean Township lost a lot of talent but looked very good the other night at Hoop Group fall league.
ON DECK- I AM FINISHING MY BLOG ABOUT REGARDING MEN AND WOMENS BASKETBALL