4/5/17 Summer Information Email

Post date: Apr 5, 2017 9:59:15 PM

Hello all (Current Families and Incoming Freshmen),

In trying to plan for the summer, I asked about 10 families their preference for summer basketball. Interestingly enough, I literally got about 10 different answers. I think with all the multi-sport players mixed in with one sport athletes, it was going to be impossible to plan a summer program that would have good attendance that would help our program and athletes grow. Plus, family vacations and summer jobs add other variables too.

My goal for the summer program is to make sure that whatever we are doing, we are developing our players, growing our team and promoting program unity. When we have events that aren’t attended by all players, such as last summer, it doesn’t help our program. In fact, is very frustrating for the parents, the players playing and the coaches. Our program needs the sense that we are all together. I can’t allow some players to not attend certain things. In the past, we had optional things and this year we will too, but attendance is essential.

1. M-Factor (see schedules attached): 4 days per week (Monday-Thursday 8:15-10:15): There will be big changes from last year. Two of the days will remain the same (Stations: speed/conditioning, agility/plyos, weight lifting). The other two days will have basketball training and weight lifting. Basketball training will include training for guards and for post players. However, the majority of the basketball portion of the training will be shooting and ball handling. This will be a requirement for all basketball players, unless approval is given from Coach Bowdern. If there is an issue, we need to work through these things now and not deal with them as June approaches.

2. Summer camp: This will be from 2:30-4:30 May 30-June 2nd. This will be a requirement for all players unless approval is given from Coach Bowdern.

All other things below will be on a case by case basis. If we have the numbers, we will try to do the following:

3. There is a tournament June 10-11 in the area called the STL Tip-Off. It is run by CNR, so it will have gyms at usual locations around the area. This will be a great event coming off our camp. The high school coaches will coach this.

4. Summer League: If we get enough interest, we will try to do an 8-game schedule through June and maybe a little in July. I will make rosters and decide what level kids are playing each week. Our goal, like last summer, is to mix and match different levels. Just about all kids will play at their grade level and could be moved up. Hardly anyone would be moved down, unless needed. Because of availability issues, we as coaches don’t put a lot of stock into summer ball. But it does give us an opportunity to see players play our system. And it does help us decide what level a player can play at. But mostly, summer basketball is a chance to develop individuals rather than the team aspect. We won’t have an opportunity to practice team basketball. Also, because of contact days, we might have a parent or two coach a few of the games if necessary.

5. We will check into other weekend tournaments. But this will be based on the level of player interest.

As we get closer to the dates of signing up for M-Factor, summer league, and tournament dates, I will send out a form to sign up. I am now starting to set up meetings with individual players this week (current players, not incoming freshmen). Again, it will take time, but I plan on meeting with everyone.

If you have any questions, let me know.

Thanks