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It’s official, the count down is beginning for every 8th grader. The count down to the first day of high school basketball. It is the time where players can make a statement. For in coming 8th graders, it will be the start of what they have been gearing up to for years. The chance to show coaches, they are ready for high school basketball
Most 8th graders simply don’t know how to prepare for their first high school. Many 8th graders will spend the spring, playing and practicing with their AAU team. Rarely will they see talented upper classmen, in many cases they will play up against weak older competition. In the case of Georgia Heine last year, she had already played against the best of the best on a regular bias, so playing in an elite program like Manasquan was not a shock to her system. This year many 8th graders who did not see older stronger, competition will find practice a shock to their system. They will spend the summer practicing, but really trying to adjust and hopeful hold on to their confidence. It’s a old story repeated year after year.
Ashley O’Connor #33 Freshman highlights https://t.co/t5WEEyRlrQ via @YouTube
she my friends is going to be special…learn the name NOW COACHES!— ellonya Tiny Green (@CoachTinyGreen) April 22, 2019
The players who played JV/ Varsity a year ago, now know the drill in June. They will be trying to show coaches they have made real improvements in their games. They will be fighting to win those new open varsity spots. They hope that they have not be labeled and that their coaches, will notice the improvement with a open mind. The question will be if they got in the gym on a regular bias against real competition. Will they be in great shape and stronger. The JV players from a year ago will know their teams system and can take advantage of the that knowledge. They will know which players the team has lost and try to fill the void left by those players. But it all starts with what they did leading up to June. Some players paid the price and some did not. I look at kids like Ashley O’Connor who have made every right move a kid could make this spring. I have no doubt she will be very prepared this June and show that she is ready to make a impact on SJV.
There will always be the kid or parent trying to play the political game. The kid who buddies up with the star player or seniors. In hopes they will gain favor in practice or with the coach. There will always be the parent who becomes the coaches staff biggest supporter in hopes of gaining favor. There will always be the kid who stops training in order to be fresh for summer high school practice. What they all don’t understand summer practice look and feels nothing like real practice and try outs in the winter. The development must continue. But they honestly scared there child will be too tired…I feel sorry for these parents. What they don’t understand is the preparation started in December and must continue. Now is when a kid reaps the benefits. Now did that kid go to point guard school, shoot after school, play real competition. These thing matter in a big way now.
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There is something, every player looking to make a impact or change a perception should know. It’s not to late to get it all together, there is plenty of time to get in the gym and get better. It’s not too late to start running or lifting weights. It’s not to late to get into a honest competitive environment. It not to late to start training, with players outside your inner circle or AAU team. It’s not too late to work on your weakness and improve your skill sets. You just need to remember that the end of June is right around the corner. The waiting is over and now you must take a honest look in the mirror…..ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO START.
UPDATE…
NBS CAMP DATES ARE NOW AVAILABLE… NOTHINGBUTSKILLS.COM
