BasketBlog: Basketball Soul (SL)

Welcome to my BasketBlog, Basketball Soul.

This will be a chronological listing of entries of different basketball related commentary; From state of the game to events to simply conversation starters. Find short and informative blog entries throughout my travels and study of the game of basketball here. 






February 11, 2021: My Day with Pat Summitt

This was a memorable experience from the summer of 2011. I was an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at UT-Arlington at the time. (I blogged about it then, but this is a revision.)

We had a local event that had one of the top players in the 2012 class as one of its participants (I can now say that it was Alexis Jones of Irving MacArthur HS). I received a call asking if I could do a favor for one of my favorites in the world of Women’s Basketball, Kathy Harston, who was the Director of Basketball Operations at Tennessee at the time. I had the pleasure of working for Kathy during my time at the University of Texas under coach Jody Conradt. Kathy is now the University of Texas Senior Associate Athletics Director for Sports Programs and is on the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Competition Committee.

Anyway… that favor was none other than to pick up the legendary Pat Summitt from the airport and take her to a local event. She had just returned from France for the U17 World Championships and was on the summer grind just like the rest of us. Well, of course I said, “Absolutely! I can do it.” It was my pleasure. What an opportunity, right!?

** Note: In typical boss move fashion, Coach Summitt came in to the local private airport in Arlington on her small private jet. PJ’s on the runway indeed!
           
We were able to sit down and have a nice dinner at a local place in Arlington that was a staff favorite, Olenjack’s. They always took care of us just right on recruiting weekends and things like that. We sat and visited for hours. She shared with me so much wisdom, experience, knowledge, and a couple of priceless stories too – including one about the recruitment of Candace Parker and how she sealed the deal in the home visit. I could go on and on…  She was truly an incredible individual and to actually take the time to share some of her insights with me was something that I didn’t expect, but greatly appreciated and will cherish forever.

It goes to show her love for the game and her respect of young coaches in the profession. Again, I could go on and on… It was a great night! A LEGEND and the winningest basketball coach of all time (at that time) … Can I stress that enough!?

This was a surreal experience. We sat down about 5:30pm and before I knew it, it was after midnight. It was like time stood still. It sure didn’t feel like seven hours. We talked and she allowed me to ask so many questions .. and the conversation just went from one thing to another because she had a story or a teaching moment for every question that I asked. I sure did appreciate Olenjack’s for allowing us to be in a private corner in their restaurant where we were given the privacy to visit.

Coach Summitt even momentarily took a call from her Tennessee WBB office to get some news about a player who had been consistently late to a summer school class. She was NOT having it.. And explained her policy and reasons behind her strict discipline in such areas.

One thing that was glaringly clear to me that night and as I reflected on that valuable time: hard work and tireless dedication will result in a positive outcome. You must have patience and a vision. There are many steps along the way, but the foundation must be built out of hard work. Period. It is not a cliché. Work hard and do not get discouraged along the way. The path is not perfect for anyone. The bottom line is: MAKE IT HAPPEN. It wasn’t easy for Coach Summitt, nor should it have been. She had to earn it just like anybody else. I don’t think she would have had it any other way.

Coach Summitt took her job at Tennessee and did not just redefine that particular position, but she helped define what WBB was, what a WBB coach could be, and became one of the marquee coaches at the forefront of the growth of the game. In true leadership fashion, she grew the players and staff under her, but never lost her hands-on approach to every aspect of her program, and consequently, the game.

Sometimes this is easier said than done, but that’s why the cream rises to the top. It’s not easy, but it is a simple concept. It is not simple to execute, but the path has been proven and the trails blazed.

It should also be noted that, again in true Coach Summitt fashion, she continued to pour into me the next day while we attended the event. Baylor’s Kim Mulkey was there to recruit Alexis (who originally went to Duke, but transferred back to Baylor) and they decided to go to lunch together. Coach Summitt invited me to join and so we all jumped in Kim’s Cadillac Escalade and went to Mac’s Bar & Grille, another longstanding Arlington restaurant. So here I was, sitting with two Hall of Fame WBB Coaches .. listening and observing excellence as they discussed Head Coach experiences and concerns, many of which will stay right there at that table. They were both every inclusive and encouraging to me. Wow.. that meant a lot.

Do you ever sit back and just think “Man, I’m blessed.” ? I sure do.

Set the bar high and proceed, just as Coach Summitt exemplified to all of us.

SL





January 20, 2021: Journey to the Tourney | Classic in the Country (OH)

First, let me take a figurative moment of silence for the late John Rhodes  ....................  My heart goes out to John's family and close friends. We are thinking of all of you, Terri (John's wife). 

I had really started getting to know John well over the last year. The former Mayor of Myrtle Beach, he loved his city and had done so much for the people there. He had run the Beach Ball Classic (boys) and United Bank Holiday Invitational (girls) for many years. There have been many historical matchups, coaches, and players there throughout its time. I have a feeling there will continue to be. He was now particularly focused on taking his girls event to the next level as he worked closely with his dear friend, Hall of Fame Coach Sylvia Hatchell. 

John was passionate about the game and for serving those participants in his event. He had made it from a tournament into an all encompassing event as the city of Myrtle Beach really opened its arms to these teams. John Rhodes gave his heart to his civic duties and he did the same with the people he encountered. He was encouraging and was always willing to lend some of his experience to you so you could learn and be better in your own ventures. 

We will miss you, Dr. John Rhodes.
(Doctor of Public Service recently received from Coastal Carolina University on December 11, 2020). 




January 5, 2021: SHE GOT GAME – Atlanta | Various College Games | Upcoming College Games

The 2021 New Year tipped off with the January 1-3 SHE GOT GAME Classic – ATLANTA hosted by scholastic event extraordinaire, Afiba Fairnot. 54 teams [primarily from GA (39), but also from Arizona (1), Florida (6), North Carolina (1), South Carolina (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (1), Virginia (1)]. Matchups are the specialty at SHE GOT GAME events.
 

• A few of the memorable games from the weekend:

Mount Paran (GA) 66, Lovejoy (GA) 63

St Francis (GA) 60, Kell (GA) 47

Montverde Academy (FL) 53, Compass Prep (AZ) 44

Montverde Academy (FL) 62, Forest Park (GA) 53 (OT)  **Game of the Event**

Winston Salem Christian (Rudd) 58, American Heritage (FL) 47

Winston Salem Christian (Rudd) 54, Compass Prep (AZ) 39
 

• A few player names to remember (underclassmen/unsigned players):

Elle Blatchford – 2023 – Sequoyah (GA): Skilled, poised, all-around game

Sydney Bowles – 2022 – Woodward Academy (GA): Great size for guard, one of the best in the country .. has added rise to J

Kara Dunn – 2022 – Mt. Paran (GA): Do it all type of player .. Made a killing in the mid-range and on the glass

Jamiah Gregory – 2023 – Kell (GA): Potential here .. fast and smooth with nice instincts

Crystal Henderson – 2023 – Kell (GA): Nice handle and change of direction .. showed 3 ball; Skilled!

Fernanda Ovalle – 2022 – Montverde Academy: Skilled and smart .. knows how to pick her spots .. steady presence for her team

Bryana Preston – 2024 – Lovejoy (GA): Caught my eye with overall skills.. runners, 3 ball, and competitive defensively

Kam’Ren Rhodes – 2022 – Compass Prep (AZ): Has proven time and again she is willing to compete and mix it up .. Impressive competitive effort every time out. Small guard that makes plays.

Sydney Shaw – 2022 – American Heritage (FL): Really solid guard in the ’22 class .. Her game has matured and she is shooting the three ball well.

Mjracle Sheppard – 2023 – Montverde Academy: Very impressive weekend .. Was good in PnR reads and lived in the paint; She’s looking very comfortable at the helm of a team that is staking a claim as the best in the country.
 
UCLA - 73 vs Oregon - 71
            This was an exciting Pac-12 Sunday afternoon matchup. UCLA used a 20-15 first quarter to get a bit of separation and held on to the two point win. Oregon actually won the last three quarters, all by one point. Studying the box score, the numbers were pretty even – shooting percentages (UCLA shot the three ball better), rebounds, turnovers, and assist-FG ratio.

            UCLA Junior Michaela Onyenwere was outstanding with 33 points and 10 rebounds (12-20 from the field and 8-8 from the FT line). She has been an incredible example of player development. I remember seeing her at the Nike TOC in Phoenix during December of her freshman year with Grandview HS (CO) and the elite athleticism was evident. Her skill development up to this point is one to be studied. She is consistently improving her pro draft stock.

Kentucky 92 – vs Mississippi State – 86
            This game had my full attention for its entirety. First things first, let’s remember the Pat Summitt presence here, and therefore how much history of the game was represented by these women while guiding their programs into the future. Both Head Coaches (Kyra Elzy – Kentucky, Nikki McCray-Penson – Mississippi State) played for Pat Summitt at Tennessee and the lead TV analyst for the game was Tamika Catchings who also played for Coach Summitt. Elzy won two National Championships while in college and Catchings won one in 1998 as a freshman (undefeated season).

            Secondly, we must take a minute to recognize the fantastic shooting and scoring display in this game. Kentucky shot 49.2% from the field overall, 50% from the 3FG (14-28), and 81.8% from the FT line. Mississippi State shot 49.3% from the field overall, 41.2% from the 3FG (7-17), and 90% from the FT line.

            The matchup of Kentucky JR Rhyne Howard and Mississippi State SO Rickea Jackson was intriguing in and of itself, and then the product these two teams put on the floor in this competitive SEC battle was enough to put this on the list as one of the games of the year. Is there a better player in the NCAA right now than Howard? She ended the game with 33 points (10-19 FG, 4-6 from 3FG, 9-10 FT), 10 rebounds, and six assists .. how about that for efficiency? There is a reason that there is talk that if she indeed were to graduate early, she would be high on the WNBA draft boards.

            Rickea Jackson ended the game with 23 points (10-22 FG), 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. These two teams are not scheduled to play again in the regular season, unfortunately.

            Major learning moment for young players in this game: The game was tied at 84 with 1:25 left in OT with a 61.5% FT shooter at the line for Kentucky. She missed and the Mississippi State player in the bottom (defensive/inside) position made no effort to block out Rhyne Howard who then got the offensive rebound and the And-1 put back. Habits and details!  

• Wednesday:

Villanova at Seton Hall : The pace of this game should be really fun to watch.

Tulane at Houston : Two teams averaging 70+ PPG going at it in an afternoon game.

Minnesota at Iowa : Anytime Iowa is playing is a reason to tune in; They are young and can score!
 

• Thursday:

Maryland at Michigan State : Two of the tops in the B1G Conference. Popcorn!

Arkansas at Tennessee : Tennessee coming off of covid pause; Arkansas coming off of close one vs Mizzou

[POSTPONED] Georgia at South Carolina : Regional SEC battle. South Carolina is must see always.

Notre Dame at Boston College : Two teams fighting for position in ACC

Kentucky at Texas A&M : Top 10 matchup in SEC!! Must see!!

UPDATE: *Louisville at Virginia Tech : An adjustment to ACC scheudle due to covid protocols.
 

• Friday

           
Oregon at Stanford : #1 vs #11 in a major Pac-12 Matchup. Afternoon game (230p ET). Will Sedona Prince and Cameron Brink be back in their respective lineups?

Arizona State at Washington State : Kamie Ethridge has opened eyes thus far in the Pac-12! New Zealand twins Charlisse Leger-Walker (19 points / 5.6 rebounds) and Krystal Leger-Walker (10 points / 3.9 rebounds) have come on strong. Australian Ula Motuga is contributing 11.6 points and 6.7 rebounds. International recruiting impacts for sure. Watch for the game plan from Charli Turner-Thorne who always gets the most out of her players. Canadian guard Taya Hansen has been on fire lately from the three-point land (9 for her last 15; 32% overall). Freshman Jaddan Simmons has had two of her highest scoring outings in Pac-12 play (20 vs USC and 16 vs Stanford).  *** EDIT: This game has now been postponed. 



December 22, 2020: Day 3 at the United Bank Holiday Invitational (Myrtle Beach, SC)


December 21, 2020: Day 2 at the United Bank Holiday Invitational (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Today I was focused on checking out some players that caught my eye on Day 1 and further zeroing in on the depth of their evaluations and measuring their consistency.  

Northwood (SC) has a couple of players that are "Under the Radar" types of players: '23 G Amiyah Ferguson and '24 G Alayah Birch, who both showed again today that they are the ones who make their team go. 

SLEEPER! First Baptist School (SC) had to come in and fill in for a team today and they have '22 Alexia Grant on their roster. She is a smooth player with serious skills and tremendous bounce! She has a savviness to her game and plays with some flair, especially in her passing. Get a look! Something players need to realize is important as they not only develop skillwise as a player, but mature as a player: There is no excuse for fatigue or frustration fouls! You can be tired and still be in the right position and frustration fouls are just selfish; These are things that lose close games!

Overall, consistent transition defense is a problem among club teams and it bleeds into undisciplined HS teams. Simple effort correction and "want to" gets the job done. I see far too much attitude expressed in the lackadasical effort to get back on defense. It is a huge red flag for me because it is a choice!

I will never understand coaches who try to micro-manage players' every action; this causes tentative play as these coaches justify it as teaching or in an attempt to keep a mistake from happening .. Newsflash: it generally just leads to more mistakes. Teaching belongs in practice; Coaches should expect what they see in practice to show in the games .. if you allow repetitive mistakes or lack of focus and improvement, then please do not be shocked when it rears its ugly head in the games .. no matter how "hard" you are coaching during the game. I'm a big believer that the "coaching hard" is in the planning and teaching that goes on in practice on a daily basis. The discipline and consistency falls on the shoulders of the leaders. That's a topic for another day. Also, parents doing this from the stands helps NONE. In fact, it's a major distraction and causes unnecesary emotional responses out of the young players. Again, probably a topic for another day. 

Today's (personal and for Premier Basketball) TV debut on the Stadium Network was fun! It is definitely harder than it looks/sounds as there is a lot that goes into the production and having producers in your ear for the first time is intereting in and of itself. I want to thank Tournament Director, John Rhodes, for the opportunity and the play-by-play expert, Allen Smothers, for a wonderful experience. If I am to do it again in the future, I definitely have some things on which to improve. Sometimes, it is fun just to be thrown into something and have to just get it done. Good life lesson... 


December 19, 2020: Day 1 at the United Bank Holiday Invitational (Myrtle Beach, SC)
I focused today on the eight teams and four games of the "United Bank Division" bracket.