Outstanding Team Basketball

Hello Family,

I just wanted to say you did a great job today. Your practice and improvement is showing off in so many ways.

11-12 Year Old Team. You guys did great. You beat a team that was bigger and possibly more athletic than you. You passed the ball very well, hustled, got steals, and shot the ball like men. I was very proud of how you continued to work together even though we got fouled a lot. You encouraged each other, moved the ball, and stuck up for each other. You nailed free throws and even knocked down some of those 3-Pointers that we practiced. Keep up the great energy and can't wait to practice on Monday. We won by double digits.

15-18 Year Old Team. You guys shocked the gym today. We started off very slow, scoring only 4 points in the first quarter. After a quick talk and reminder, the engines kicked in and we took off, just like we discussed in the huddle. I was very glad to see that you were knocking down shots and scoring the 3 ball. Additionally, I was impressed at how you made changes in the game and adjusted your focus. You planted your feet on the laps and penetration. You moved the ball like a team and gave the open man the shot. You took advantage of getting the ball down the court and you finished. You played unselfish basketball and kept your head in the game. We won by over 20.

All I can say is, keep up the good work. Everyone is getting better. As long as we get better it's going to be more and more difficult for others to keep up with us. Congrats on your victories today! See you Monday.

Parents.....

For those who have asked about travel basketball, if you are ready to register your kid on the travel team, I have arranged for us to play in Ellicot City for 8 Friday's, beginning 1 Apr (right after our playoffs). All 8 Friday's will be in Ellicot City and surrounding. If you are ready to get your son registered, you can go to www.drgriffithglobal.com/support and pay $200 (this includes Jersey fees and our tournament fee). If the kids enjoy those 8 games we will continue with specialized AAU tournaments. Once you pay the $200 please let me know so I can verify we have at least 7 players. We have to be registered by 1 March to be enrolled as a team. Thank you for your support and thanks for the snacks today Meka!

If you want to volunteer to bring snacks next week, please sign up on the snack list.

God bless all of you! Glad to share this time with you and your families!

-Coach G

Basketball Highlights

Team, here are some highlights from the previous game. Thanks to Mr Joe Lawson (Bryce's dad) for capturing these nice shots.

Player Technical Development

- John: Keep being the leader, and stay under control. Work on being patient in the paint, looking for the open man in the paint. Don't let the crowd get to you. - Austin: Be a bit more aggressive. Call for the ball in the paint. Be on balance for your lay-ups. Work on ball handling and bringing the ball up the court. - Lorenzo: Get healthy and come coach with me. - CJ: You need to drive to the paint, in the middle of the court. Get a floater up before defense comes. Work on dribbling fast into the paint. - Kenwyn: Looking for you to return. - Gavin: I need you to put up more shots. Shoot your layups or floaters before your opponent gets close to you. Work on dribbling. - Andrew: Be aggressive and get the ball. Keep your opponent from getting the ball. Practice layups and dribbling. - Braylon: Keep the positive attitude. Shoot more floaters quickly. Work on dribbling quickly into the paint and pass. - Daniel: Be more aggressive. Shoot the ball before your defender gets close. Work on dribbling the ball up and down the court. Don't be afraid. - Jordan: Keep up the great hustle and being aggressive for the ball. Work on dribbling faster and under control. Put up floaters or mid range shot quickly.

- Daniel: Stay on balance. Penetrate and pass the ball. Get all the way to the basket and provide lay-up or floater.

- Jeremiah: Be more aggressive. Penetrate and pass or finish a lay. Take more Mid-range jump shots. Help with dribbling up the court.

- Preston: Be aggressive. Practice dribbling the ball up the court. As a guard you have to penetrate (learn it). Take more shots.

- Phil: Be aggressive. Don't be afraid to dribble up the court. You have to work on your floater and getting to the basket as a guard.

- Bryce: Keep working on the penetration game, it will take you to the next level. Pass in the paint and work on your floater. Be more aggressive on defense.

- Kendall: I'm glad we were able to keep you on the team. We weren't going down without a fight. Just want you to keep a positive attitude and continue to work on your handles. Look for the big man in the paint or kick out to the shooter.

- Ayden: Love your hustle. Just need you to put up more shots. Rebound and put it back while you're on balance. Work on your dribbling.

- Caden: Glad you were able to make it back safely. Make sure to be aggressive on offense and defense. Work on your ball handling and taking mid-range shots.

- Dominic: Love your energy. Just need you to get those rebounds and turn around and go straight back up for the easy lay-up. Also work on dribbling up and down the court.

- Yaya: Welcome to the team. Today's competition wasn't good. Ask for the ball in the paint. Post up and be ready for the shot. Also work on your handles, you will work on some guard skills, bringing the ball up the court.

- Gavin: Welcome to the team. Keep doing what you're doing. Work on your handles and penetrating and passing or floating the ball. Be aggressive and attack the basket.

- Freddie: Good job Freddie. Just calm down when you are handling the ball. Stay on balance for your layups and floaters and look for the quick pass in the paint or at the 3.

-Parents: Thanks very much for your support. Our focus is to develop the players as great sportsmen and skillful players. The biggest deficit currently is ballhandling, passing, and catching. We are going to work to make them skillful players for their future years, not just for this season. My goal is to make them competitive as guards who can dribble, pass, and shoot on a high-school and college level. So we are not focusing on shooting the ball just yet. Winning games are nice, but we really want to see great improvement in each player. Not perfection but lots of practice. Hopefully, each kid is able to have a ball and work on dribbling during their off time. Thanks tremendously!