7th Grade-Week 3

I am very pleased and proud of the efforts and the attitude displayed this weekend as we did well and fought hard in all our games. For the tournament team this last weekend's victory is the sweet reward for all the hard work that we've put in and losses that we had to grow and learn from! To win your 3rd tournament and first in D-2 is very impressive! You guys need to take that intensity and spirit into your school seasons and also bring it back with you in January! As for the comp team you guys played hard and well for your first tournament, don't let the scoreboard trick you into feeling bad because I guarantee that you've never played as high a level of basketball as you did this weekend.  Even if you are an AAU vet the difference between 6th and below and 7th & up is significant. We performed well and will continue to improve in all phases of the game. I want to cover each player briefly to discuss your strengths and what you should improve while your off playing middle school ball (& if not then, Yay! you get to come back and continue to play for me). I have seen a tremendous amount of improvement for the brief period of time we've been together.

#0 Adam- Your athletic ability, rebounding, fearlessness, & defense are your strong points right now. You have to develop your left hand and dribbling skills.
#0 Ryan- Your shot, passing and defense are your strengths. You need to develop your left hand & must dribble with your head up better.
#4 Cole- Your desire, defense, dribbling and attitude are your strengths. You need to keep your head up better and work on going left.
#5 Matt- Your driving ability, speed, and attitude are your strengths. You need to keep your head up and improve your ballhandling.
#6 Monty-Your low post game, court vision, & rebounding are very strong. You need to cut down your turnovers (better decsions) and need to find the rim when finishing.
#9 Jacob- Your Defense, fakes, hustle, and attitude are your strong points. You need to improve your left hand in particular, dribbling overall and see the court better.
#14 Tanner- Your dribbling, driving, basketball IQ, & shot are all solid for your age. You need to cut down on your turnovers & work on going to the basket instead of sideline to sideline.
#20 Garret- Your Defense, court vision & awareness, and attitude are your strongest attributes. You have to work on your lefthand dribbling, lefthand finishing and dribble with your head up.
#22 Daniel- Your Offense, intelligence and attitude are your biggest strengths. You basic issue is the lack of actual basketball experience, everything is basically just a matter of playing more and working at getting better.
#23 TJ- Mr consistent, you are solid in all categories from Defense to dribbling, your strength is your versatility. Your weaknesses are that you need to tighten up everything offensively: dribbling and lay ups, shooting, and passing.
#24 Josh- Your strengths start with Defense, but your dribbling, shot, & attitude are all very good. You need to work on your aggresivness to the rim and attacking defenders and defenses, and you have to use different passing angles.
# 32 Kyle- Your strengths are your shooting, right hand, & defensive work. Your left hand has to get better and your concept of offensive basketball is already improving.
#41 Joseph- Your strengths are your shot, your defense, and your athletic ability. You are the classic case of a late starter for basketball in the new millenium, once your experience level raises you will be a very good basketball player with the work.
Gage- Your strengths are your shot, and finishing at the rim. Another case of a late start and very little formal basketball experience, again you will be a good player when your experince level rises.

I gave you this information as a guideline as to what to improve and what to take advantage of, don't waste this knowledge! Use it to improve & do your best on the court! I will miss the guys that make your team, and will be taking it out on the boys left.  :)

I believe we will be having a comp game for the kids that are available. I will put out the info when it is finalized.

I had a great month with you guys and can't wait to coach ALL of you again in January!

Coach Adam