A fair assessment of Lutheran North.

[shorttexas1]

Well I went to watch the kids in fall ball!!!!! The one word that comes to my mind while watching this team is "YOUNG"!  These kids are young and will need time to get their play together.  They actually trued to go out there and play an AAU style game against teams that were running their program's system.  I don't think BO Jr. has had a chance to really impliment his system, but he has a tough job ahead of him.  This team will have to be coached every play, until they learn how to play together, and run the scheme appropiately.

As far as talent goes I have not seen as much potential on one team in high school outside teams like Westbury Christian, Oakhill, and St. Patricks.  These kids are very talented though individual play could not really show off their complete skill set.  They were taking on five guys by themselves.  One-on-five does not work. 

Well I will start with the 6'5" pg, his name was Mike.  This kid is a gamer and he plays hard every play.  Going to the rack he is unstoppable, once he get the step.  He is a really good rebounder too.  When this kids frame fills out... My GOD!

Then the 6'9" Bail.  This kid knows he is good.  It will be a challenge for the coach to get this kid to play within himself.  He has the frame, skill set, and athleticism to be a big time PF.  But the kid wants to be a 3.  Which is OK because he is that skilled but he could be a better PF if he commits to it.  If he would stay on the block the scores in the game would be alot closer. But he was on the parimeter.

The 6'9" kid they called Chicken... I love this kid.  He is the one kid that played HIS game the entire day. He is lanky and is kind of a Kevin Durant-like talent.  He can really shoot, block shots, and rebound.  And this kid has a motor, plays hard every play!  He needs some weight though.

The 6'5" kid named Nevin... He is the lone Jr. starting.  The coach is hard on this kid because he expects more out of him.  I do't think the being hard to push the kid idea works with this kid.  He gets down on  himself and loses confidence.  Then you get nothing out of him... But he as good potential.

Then there is this 5'8" freshman PG that I really like.  He plays hard all the timie... None stop motor here too.  His offense is a little behind but his defense is killer.  He is like the 6th man!

There is another 6'8" big on the bench that is truely a space eater.  Another 6' guard that could be really good too. The guy coaching did not go deep into the bench and seemed to get caught up in the game.  I bet the bench could have helped this team.  But these games were fast and ended quick... That is why the scores are so low.  I would like to see this team in December, I bet they will be better.  I hope the coach can pull it together because the talent is there.  I think the main problem is the youth and lack of running a system...  The other teams in this tourny ran the system that they will run during the season, so LN is already behind the ball... AAU is over now...  This team will beat alot teams just on talent, but this was some of the best teams in the area here... Obama Jr. is already bald but these kids will force him to lose a few more hairs, just because of their youth, not because of their talent! 

[BLUEDOVE3]

Dang, and I was thinking Barack, Jr. was buying into the AAU system. He sure won't have any love for it now

[Lazeek]

Nice assessment short.  There has never been a question that Obama will have a good team over there.  It does sound as if they are very young but talented.  This will be a true testament if Obama can get them to play his game and not their own.  If he can then they will make a deep run, if not then likely they won't.

Now see with an assessment like that I might be convinced to go watch them play in the YMBL!!! :D

Great job Short!!

[Coach Schrapps]

They aren't that young. Wannah and Carey played varsity basketball last season against seasoned competition. They should be ready to lead this team. Wanaah is a 4 all the way he has the athleticism to play the 3 but does not have a reliable jump shot to play the three. I would be interested to hear how or if he had any play against big Nic from Westbury?

[Guest DickVitale]

Uh, yes they are...Bail and Carey are 16 and 15 years old respectively and have been playing basketball for a little more than 2 years now....THEY ARE YOUNG.  Wanaah is a 3,4 and Mike at 6'5", is still learning to be a PG.  They and the rest of my guys will be just fine.  Just give it some time and some more work...Season begins next month...When the smoke clears, I expect us to be right there in the mix.  Like I said, I dont get excited this time of year, and to tell the truth I really hate to play fall ball, but my guys need to play at this point.  Give the guys some time to develop, it wont be too long.

[whsalum]

Use the fall ball for what it is.A way to get kids in the gym,which makes them better,nothing more,nothing less.Can't wait for the season to start.

[shorttexas1]

I disagree Kelly... If a Freshman plays varsity... when he returns on his sophmore year he is still a young player. The real question is not will this team be good?... It is when will this team be good?  Can BO,Jr. make a move to get this team into contention by  this season or next.  I have faith in the ball coach and I see them making major improvements by December. The gap is not that big...

[Lazeek]

This is not meant to disrespect anyone, but with the amount of talent that KellyBasketball and Short are saying it tells me that if they do not succeed it is coaching.  The talent is there although it is young talent.  Who will this team play against in the district or conference or whatever they call it in TAPPS?  Do they play Kelly?

[shorttexas1]

This is not meant to disrespect anyone, but with the amount of talent that KellyBasketball and Short are saying it tells me that if they do not succeed it is coaching.  The talent is there although it is young talent.  Who will this team play against in the district or conference or whatever they call it in TAPPS?  Do they play Kelly?

They play a strong Westbury Christian team and Fortbend Baptist, both teams are highly talented as well...

[shorttexas1]

And second Baptist!

[Guest DickVitale]

I agree. If I cant have some level of success then I will take the blame for it.  Does that mean I HAVE to win three state titles in a row to be deemed successful? No, not at all.  Westbury Christian are the defending state champions in TAPPS 4A, and they are in my district.  They are very tough, and upper class led.  Second Baptist is also very good and in my district. Fort Bend Baptist also has a bunch of transfers from Katy Faith West. The good news is that the way the playoffs are set up, all four playoff qualifiers from one district can get to the state final four.  Its not going to be easy, but I plan on being right there in the mix when the smoke clears..Not because I am so great, but because I know my work ethic, and I have been taught how to get it right in this business.

Lazeek, these players that I have are ultra athletic, but need to be taught the total game AND have to presence of mind to apply what they have learned in game situations.  Thats my challenge.

To answer your other question, Kelly is TAPPS 5A and face teams like Houston Christian, Houston St. Thomas and Houston St Pius in their district. We wont face them unless in a tourney and I dont think we are in the same ones.

[BLUEDOVE3]

Uh, yes they are...Bail and Carey are 16 and 15 years old respectively and have been playing basketball for a little more than 2 years now....THEY ARE YOUNG.  Wanaah is a 3,4 and Mike at 6'5", is still learning to be a PG.  They and the rest of my guys will be just fine.  Just give it some time and some more work...Season begins next month...When the smoke clears, I expect us to be right there in the mix.  Like I said, I dont get excited this time of year, and to tell the truth I really hate to play fall ball, but my guys need to play at this point.  Give the guys some time to develop, it wont be too long.

Ya gotta get that AAU out of their system and install pure basketball principles into their mindset. Once they learn to play with their athleticism and new found skill....OMG!

[thetragichippy]

I agree. If I cant have some level of success then I will take the blame for it.  Does that mean I HAVE to win three state titles in a row to be deemed successful? No, not at all.  Westbury Christian are the defending state champions in TAPPS 4A, and they are in my district.  They are very tough, and upper class led.  Second Baptist is also very good and in my district. Fort Bend Baptist also has a bunch of transfers from Katy Faith West. The good news is that the way the playoffs are set up, all four playoff qualifiers from one district can get to the state final four.  Its not going to be easy, but I plan on being right there in the mix when the smoke clears..Not because I am so great, but because I know my work ethic, and I have been taught how to get it right in this business.

Lazeek, these players that I have are ultra athletic, but need to be taught the total game AND have to presence of mind to apply what they have learned in game situations.  Thats my challenge.

To answer your other question, Kelly is TAPPS 5A and face teams like Houston Christian, Houston St. Thomas and Houston St Pius in their district. We wont face them unless in a tourney and I dont think we are in the same ones.

Dickie........that was a very good post.  Hope you don't mind me lurking in the hoops forum........I may be coaching 9-10 yo basketball team.....I need all the help I can get!

[BLUEDOVE3]

I agree. If I cant have some level of success then I will take the blame for it.  Does that mean I HAVE to win three state titles in a row to be deemed successful? No, not at all.  Westbury Christian are the defending state champions in TAPPS 4A, and they are in my district.  They are very tough, and upper class led.  Second Baptist is also very good and in my district. Fort Bend Baptist also has a bunch of transfers from Katy Faith West. The good news is that the way the playoffs are set up, all four playoff qualifiers from one district can get to the state final four.  Its not going to be easy, but I plan on being right there in the mix when the smoke clears..Not because I am so great, but because I know my work ethic, and I have been taught how to get it right in this business.

Lazeek, these players that I have are ultra athletic, but need to be taught the total game AND have to presence of mind to apply what they have learned in game situations.  Thats my challenge.

To answer your other question, Kelly is TAPPS 5A and face teams like Houston Christian, Houston St. Thomas and Houston St Pius in their district. We wont face them unless in a tourney and I dont think we are in the same ones.

Dickie........that was a very good post.  Hope you don't mind me lurking in the hoops forum........I may be coaching 9-10 yo basketball team.....I need all the help I can get!

hMMM? Indoctrinating ...errr I meant coaching what  little youth team (of what?). ;D Yo hippy, I couldn't resist posting over there, but I am trying to add too much to my smite bill.

[Coach Schrapps]

I still have to disagree with you. Age wise they are young but basketball wise they are not. They have been playing the AAU circuit which Im sure they played over 50 games this summer. They have a season of varsity basketball under their belt as well. And they played for the Bahamas Junior National Team...that is plenty of experience to succeed.

[Guest DickVitale]

Playing and playing the game RIGHT are two totally different things.  Yes they played a ton of games this summer, but these guys HAVE to be trained the RIGHT WAY. How to make the right reads, use your team, box out, defend properly without fouling, etc. ALL of those things have to be put into place for them to grasp this game, and I am certain that they will.  During summer ball they dont make time to teach those things, or in most cases they dont know HOW to teach those sort of things.

[BLUEDOVE3]

I still have to disagree with you. Age wise they are young but basketball wise they are not. They have been playing the AAU circuit which Im sure they played over 50 games this summer. They have a season of varsity basketball under their belt as well. And they played for the Bahamas Junior National Team...that is plenty of experience to succeed.

It's not the same type of ball. Playing within a system is different. I've known some very good athletic ballers in my day but they could not perform well nor would they give themselves the time to learn to play in a structured system.

[BLUEDOVE3]

Playing and playing the game RIGHT are two totally different things.  Yes they played a ton of games this summer, but these guys HAVE to be trained the RIGHT WAY. How to make the right reads, use your team, box out, defend properly without fouling, etc. ALL of those things have to be put into place for them to grasp this game, and I am certain that they will.  During summer ball they dont make time to teach those things, or in most cases they dont know HOW to teach those sort of things.

oops! Sorry didn't see this thread. We basically said the same thing.