Boys Basketball Practice – Monday January 7
Today’s practice was different than any other practice we have had this year. The team huddle was held at the beginning of practice. The theme was: “What do I need to do to earn playing time during the game.” We have 12 players and only 5 can play at a time. Skill level is definately a part of the equation but not necessarily the determining factor. Coach Scott discussed the following questions: What kind of effort do you give in practice, is your concentration fixed on the coach or the girls at the other end of the court, do you know what your part is when running a play, when not involved in a drill or walking through a play, are you watching the players on the court or are you bouncing a ball off your head or the head of the player next to you. Playing time is earned. The coaches will notice when you do something good in practice just as they will notice when your effort is lacking. We held the team huddle early to see what effect it would have on all the players. The jury is still out. Our team is mostly 7th and 8th grade boys and we share the gym on Mondays with 7th and 8th grade girls. I’m not sure basketball trumps girls. We may need to re-think how we run Monday practices. God may be testing out patience and common sense. I believe girls/women have been distracting boys/men since Eve made her appearance in the Garden of Eden.
We changed our three offensive plays just in time for tomorrow’s game. Half of our team struggled running the offense so we felt we needed to do something. Each play was simplified and each player was assigned a new set of numbers. We walked through the plays as a team and handed out diagrams to each player. Coach Scott asked them to study the plays at home and learn what their job is.
Nate Johnson was the 8th player this year to take over the top spot on the free throw ladder. Nate hit 9 of 10 free throws. Joel VanDusen was second high for the day making 7 free throws.
We found out in our last game that we did not know how to attach a zone defense. We worked on moving the ball today but it will take several practices before we can make any real progress. We have a game tomorrow at Mineral Springs against First Assembly. Game time is 4:00, the girls team plays at 3:00. I will have chairs set up on both levels of the gym for any parents or students that can make it. We have asked the boys team to be at the gym by 3:00 to support the girls. (this time we want them to watch the girls)
