Benefits of Chocolate Milk

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Benefits of Chocolate Milk after a Workout

Black Friday

Black Friday.
As I drove my daughter to work at 11pm Thanksgiving day, I couldn't help myself from shaking my head in disbelief.  
The Walmart parking lot was so full that all you could see was red lights glowing from all the cars stagnate looking for parking spaces which were not existent. Down the line Target, Old Navy, Bath and Body Works, Kohl's, people were in their LAWN CHAIRS lining up waiting for stores to open up.
My daughter said when they finally opened the doors to let people in where she works, people were Running in!
I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief.

Fast forward one week  to the next Friday. I took my daughter to catch some girls High School Basketball action at Paul Taylor Fieldhouse where the NISD Basketball Tournament was under way.
A lot of the top teams in the city were participating so I was anxious to see some great action. Defending Region IV champs, Reagan, young talented reloaded  Wagner, highly skilled Johnson, extremely athletic Judson, multi-talented Stevens and Brennan, fundamental and well coached Amarillo were some of the teams participating.
As we were watching a semifinal game, one Parent was so upset that he started yelling at his daughter to get off the court and sit down on the bench because he didn't like what the coach was doing. What was weird is that I couldn't figure out which Coach he was upset with, his own team's coach or the opposing coach.
I shook my head in disbelief.
But that only bought my attention to this. You have the majority of the City's premier teams participating in one location. Yet the stands were empty with fans. You had more players and coaches from the teams waiting to play than actual fans in the Stands!
I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief.

Where is the support for the young ladies? Somehow I felt it translated into how the teams played.
Somehow the day transformed into my own definition of how I felt......
my very own.... Black Friday.

Go Support Girls High School Basketball!

TJ'S ULTIMATE CHAMPIONS WORKOUT

SA ISLANDER'S ALEXIA TORRES WORKING OUT WITH BASKETBALL TRAINER, TJ WITH ULTIMATE CHAMPIONS.
Click link below

ULTIMATE CHAMPIONS WORKOUT

ultimatechampions.net

sanantonioyouthbasketball.com

Presidential Politics and Promises

Never ever ever get into a deep conversation about politics. It could wind up into an all out brawl. But with the Presidential election upon us, let me hit on a couple of observations.

The big day is Tuesday, Nov 6th, with early voting going on already. Obama vs Romney, who should you vote for and who is going to win. By all indications it can come down to the wire in a very close contest between two tough opponents.
But hey wait a minute, Girls High School Basketball season openers are in full swing on Monday and Tuesday, Nov 5th, 6th as well. And by the looks of things, you will have many tough opponents getting ready to go at it against each other. It might very well be that a lot of contests go down to the wire. Reagan vs Brennan, Jay vs Johnson, Wagner vs Stevens and Steele vs Clark. Arguably the top 8 teams in the city playing against one another to kick things off.

Going back to the election, many long days of campaigning are finally coming to a head. I am sure Obama and Romney can't wait till election day.
As for the girl basketball teams, many days of practicing and preparing are coming to a head as well. And I am sure, many of the girls are nervous and excited and probably can't wait for the season to begin.

Back to the politicians for a second. How many countless ads promising empty Promises can one person take? How many campaign speeches have you heard where the candidates are endlessly Promising you that they are the right person for the job? How many debates have you seen where you hear the candidates declaring and Promising that they are the right person to take the country in the right direction?
Promises, Promises, Promises

I am no Politician but I have One Promise for you.

After you go Vote, Go out and Support Girls Basketball Season Openers, it will be the Right Decision,  PROMISE!

SMITHSON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BBALL

Here is a nice article on the 2012-13 Smithson Valley Girls High School program which includes some future SA Islander stars.
Click on the following.

SVHS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

SA ISLANDERS BASKETBALL II

Here are Kaitlyn, Hannah (2015) and Alexis (2017) getting some work in with Coach Drew.
Click on the following link.

SA ISLANDERS BASKETBALL II

Cats in the Cradle and the Silver Spoon

Do you ever get that feeling that you want to say," Wow, I am getting old?" Especially when you start seeing your kids doing and experiencing things that not too long ago it may seem you were doing the same exact things. School, Halloween costumes, Homecoming  to name a few.

That feeling gets exponentially worse if you don't have a healthy balance between your work and family time. It is worse because with no family memories of events that are happening in your child's life, your kids may seem like they were just born yesterday and now they are in college, which in turn makes us feel one step closer to retirement age.

So as my schedule became more flexible with the ending of the AAU club season, my attention turned like a laser beam to my 7 year old son, AJ.

For AJ, after a short summer break of practically sleeping to about 2pm every afternoon, the first day of school was upon us. The 6:30am alarm clock rang and AJ was up and adam. No Problem. Ok, let's wait till school is over, he is going to be sleeping in class for sure. So as we pulled in the curved driveway in the after school pickup line, we saw him walking by the sidewalk with his teacher. As he looked up at us, he broke away from his teacher running towards the car yelling, "Dad, First Grade is Awesome!". Turns out, No Problem staying awake for Mr AJ.

So we enrolled him in Cub Scouts at the school and we go out to get his uniform. When we were at the Uniform store getting all his stuff, AJ looked at the wall full of patches that can be earned as you move up the ladder in the Scouting World. His eyes fixated on one in particular, the Skydiving Patch. With an uneasy low tone voice, he nervously muttered, "Dad, I don't think I want to jump out of airplanes".  I went on to calmly explain to him that it wouldn't be necessary to join the Cub Scouts and have to jump out of planes. Somehow he understood but was not completely 100% assured. So when he had to wear his Cub Scout uniform to school in honor of  9/11, I explained to him why it was important for him to walk straight and tall while he wore his uniform. As we walked through the school hallway, it seemed he garnered a lot of attention from the young ladies. I heard someone ask,"AJ are you in Cub Scouts?". AJ with the machismo of JohnWayne, the suave of Cary Grant, the coolness of Clint Eastwood, the bravado of James Bond smoothly and reassuringly responded "Yeah, and I am going to do SKYDIVING....". When I picked him up after school he yelled at me, "Dad, Cub Scouts is going to be Awesome!"

As we went to the movies to go see Frankenweenie, I was thinking to myself that would be a good opportunity for me to take a nap as the movie showed. Wrong. As I thought the movie was boring, he kept me wide awake with his mesmerizing interest in the movie. Heck I almost shed a tear myself with him at the end of the movie. Afterwards, you guessed it, "Dad, that movie was Awesome!"
So the following week, we go see Hotel Transylvania. I thought to myself, might as well join in. We both laughed so hard that when we both came out of the theater we both yelled out at the same time,"Awesome!"

I can go on and on, but sometimes some things are better kept between the two parties involved. That way it makes it more Awesome especially as your reflect on your memories as you get older.

So what does this have to do with Basketball. Well the GIRLS High School Basketball season is about to get going.

Cats in the Cradle and the Silver Spoon.........

Don't stay home saving all your money. Take out your family and go out and spend some money and time supporting Girls High School Basketball.

Me and AJ will tell you that you will not be disappointed cause it's going to be "AWESOME!!!!!!!"

SA Islanders Basketball I

Tara (2016), Brianna (2016) and Ashley A.(2019) having a little fun working on their game.
Click the link below.

SA ISLANDERS BASKETBALL

2012 San Antonio Fall League

2012-13 Girls High School basketball is here upon us with the coming of the Fall season.

We were teased a little with the Fall League being played at Churchill for 5 weeks when school started with about 12 teams participating.

What is not a surprise, is that Reagan, Steele, Wagner, Brennan and Clark are loaded and deep with quality players. Collectively they dominated their opponents with ease. Although games don't mean anything in the Fall League, it is an indicator of what is to come. 

And by the way, Clark should not be considered a sleeper no more. They are a legitimate contender. They have an able good Coach. They bring an athletic, long, savvy, experienced team to the table. They have a lot of the necessary ingredients to go all the way.

In some Islander player notes, incoming freshmen Erin Wimberley with Smithson Valley played strong and steady. She made her presence known by grabbing rebounds on both offensive and defensive ends because of her aggressiveness. Her use of fundamentals didn't hurt either. She could have been leading scorer in some games if she had more touches. She shoots and makes a very high percentage of her shots. Once the guard situation is sorted out, Smithson Valley should contend for a playoff spot. Erin can be a factor in getting them there if given an ample opportunity.

No one was no more surprise than the Marshall Rams team itself when it competed strong and aggressively against their opponents. Rams incoming freshmen Alexia Torres and Bri Lane helped bring some excitement to the team. Coached by yours truly, the girls, playing without any experienced post players, played an up tempo style enabling them to be within striking distance in every game. Because they play in the deep, strong NISD, it will be difficult and a real tough challenge for them to make the playoffs. Being designated the point guard for the team, incoming freshman Alexia, will be given a huge task and responsibility of running and managing the team. 

So now the real fun starts. Tryouts are in full swing for all teams. 
High School Girls Basketball!

Stay tuned........

9/11

On this day, Sept 11, Let's take the time to remember, Regular people, Heroes, Acts of Valor, Heartbreak, Courage, the best of America coming together.

Let's not also forget the men and women that have served or are in the front lines, helping us keep safe here at home.

And especially, let's give tribute and remember all those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Radio Audiocast 2012 PrimeTime Nationals SA Islanders

Following is a link between the Katy Rebels vs SA Islanders at the 2012 Primetime Nationals pool play. It is in audio format.
Please give a moment for the audio to download.
Click on the following link. Once the page loads up change the month to July 2012.
Then scroll down to the date 7/27/12 Katy Rebels vs SA Islanders and click its link to the audio.

Katy Rebels vs SA Islanders 8th grade

2012 PRIMETIME NATIONALS

What an experience for the girls participating in the 2012 Prime Time Nationals. No matter how you slice it, the girls made a great showing representing the SA Islanders Organization.

SA Islander players Alexia Torres, Tara Molina, Belle Tovar, Sandy Ramirez, Erin Wimberley and Victoria Salinas were joined by Sam Washington, Tia Hairston and Alexis Worley to make an improbable run all the way to the Championship Final.

If you look closely a lot of factors, it makes their performances all that more impressive.

Erin Wimberley was just coming off a serious deep thigh bruise and was not even close to 100%. Victoria Salinas was coming off an extended month layoff of not playing with the team. Tia and Sam had helped a couple of tournaments but for the most part are coming from teams that have totally different offensive and defensive schemes. Alexis Worley didn't play AAU ball ALL season. She has never played AAU at this level at all.

I would venture to say, that some teams picked up some players to help. But all the major teams have been playing together all YEAR as a team. Not only have they played together but practiced together all year. 

That in itself would put us in a huge disadvantage. We had one practice as a group.

Turnovers would have been a major problem because of Lack of so called Chemistry.

Alexia, Tara, Belle and Sandy for the most part were asked to adjust and play their games to compliment the other players to make it easier for everyone else. This could have caused major confusion in any other team.

But contrary, the girls were focused and determined. They got more comfortable as the tournament went on. In turn, confidence in themselves and their teammates began to grow exponentially.

We didn't depend on one, two or three players to carry the team. All the players were dependent on each other  and held themselves accountable, not their teammates. Each player respected and accepted their role. NO ONE player was playing for themselves, each played for the betterment of the TEAM.

In the end, due to a large part and credit to the Ref's, the girls came up short in winning the Championship Trophy.

But is ultimate success measured in winning trophies?

The girls gained a large following from fans, other players, staff etc.

They gained tremendous respect from each team they defeated.

I heard from people over and over again. 

"We love the way your girls play. They play hard! I wish our girls could play like that."

Over and over again, I heard.

"The skill level of your girls are incredible. I wish our girls had that skill level."

Over and over again,

People would point at our girls and whisper, "There go those Islanders" followed by "Let's go watch them play"

When it was OVER, They didn't need a trophy to show everyone that they were Winners.

Again and again, Strangers, Fans, People of all ages let me know they were.

GO ISLANDERS!!!

That was Crazy!

As I sat down on the bleachers to watch a girls basketball game this past weekend, I could not help notice a young man with an outdated suit and crew haircut sitting next to me. 

As I minded my own business, I couldn't help notice fans yelling and taunting players of the other team as they were beating them down. Young ladies in their teens doing, trying and competing for the love of the game. 

As I was thinking how crazy it seemed, just then I was interrupted by the young man next to me, "Stupid is as Stupid does" he whispered in a plain soft spoken southern voice.

I acknowledged him with a slight nod of my head and half a smile thinking where did this dude come from.

As I gathered my thoughts from the brief interruption,  I quickly refocused my attention to the game at hand.

That's when then I noticed the coach from the above mention team was actually egging on and condoning this bizarre behavior. 

But in a matter of time in what seemed impossible at one point, the other team came back from a big deficit to actually tie and take a slight lead silencing the opposing teams crowd. It also made their coach more obnoxious than before.

"That was pretty incredible comeback. A lot of heart", I thought to myself. " I never saw that coming", I muttered to myself in disbelief.

And then once again I was interrupted by the young man next to me as he tugged at my arm, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get next" he said with a blank look in his face.

I wanted to respond with "Yeah and every once in awhile you get some nuts along with it". 

Even though the young man looked and talked and acted like he came straight out of the movie, I felt comfortable enough to introduce myself. "Hey my name is Jesse, Coach Jesse", I said with my arm extended to shake his hand.

He then abruptly stood up, straight and firm in his posture, proceeded to leave. "I think I have to go pee!" is what I think I gathered to pick up from his southern draw as his back faced me as he quickly exited the aisle.

I couldn't help to think to myself, "That was crazy!" Coaches, Fans and .......

And That's All I Have to Say About That!

ALEXIA TORRES HIGHLIGHTS

Some highlights from a couple of games at the DFW Elite Girls Basketball Tournament 2012. Click following link.

ALEXIA TORRES DFW ELITE 2012

SA ISLANDERS VS DFW TEAM AND HOUSTON ELITE.

Green Hoop and Goal

A couple of weeks ago we took the family to go support our kids Middle School Musical Play from St. George Episcopal at the Antonian High School Auditorium. 

The Play was a tribute to Dr. Seuss, his books, his stories and characters, hence the name "SEUSSICAL JR".

Keep in mind, these kids are in middle school having to perform over 20 skits and musical numbers. Many of them in only the 6th grade. You would think that nerves would be in high gear behind the curtain. And of course you have to give a lot of the credit to the Directors (Haley Bankey, Keith Earle and Elizabeth Kiehne), but the kids performances were simply magical and flawless. I was thinking the Musical Play should be running at the Majestic Theater downtown San Antonio playing to a pack house.

Whereas the play as an entirety was magical, the individual performances were stunning to say the least from the cast. Their confidence and poise shined brilliantly. A couple of the girls in particular, Vaeda and Molly, sang with such boldness and spunk that even Simon Cowell would be impressed.

My son AJ couldn't wait to go get all the casts autographs afterwards. Heck I was jealous cause I wanted to myself. 

Commitment, Dedication, Hard Work, Time, Practice etc. It applies not only to sports but to almost everything!

But in doing so, sometimes things get sacrificed. Sometimes you can't be everything to everybody.

So in the Spirit of Dr. Seuss, this is for my son AJ and to every youngster that may have a dream to play ball or maybe even star in a musical.

"Green Hoop and Goal"

I am a Coach.

I am a Coach.  A Coach I’m told.

That Coach I’m told. That Coach I’m told. I don’t like that Coach I’m told.
 

Would you like to shoot in a green hoop and goal?

I don’t like to shoot, Coach I’m told. I don’t like to shoot in a green hoop and goal.
Would you like to shoot here or there?
I would not like to shoot here or there. I would not like to shoot anywhere.

I don’t like to shoot in a green hoop and goal. I don’t like to shoot, Coach I’m told.

Would you like to shoot in a house?   Would you like to shoot with a mouse?
I don’t like to shoot in a house. I don’t like to shoot with a mouse.
I don’t like to shoot here or there. I don’t like to shoot anywhere.

I don’t like to shoot in a green hoop and goal. I don’t like to shoot, Coach I’m told.

Would you like to shoot in a box?  Would you like to shoot with a fox?
Not in a box. Not with a fox. Not in a house. Not with a mouse.
I would not shoot here or there. I would not shoot anywhere.

I don’t like to shoot in a green hoop and goal. I don’t like to shoot, Coach I’m told.

Would you? Could you? In a car? Shoot them! Shoot them! Basketballs, here they are.
I would not, could not in a car.
You may like to shoot. You will see. You may like to shoot in a tree?
Not in a tree. I would not, could not in a tree. Not in a car! You let me be.
I don’t like to shoot in a box. I don’t like to shoot with a fox.

I don’t like to shoot in a house. I don’t like to shoot with a mouse.

I don’t like to shoot here or there. I don’t like to shoot anywhere.

I don’t like to shoot in a green hoop and goal. I don’t like to shoot, Coach I’m told.

A train! A train! A train! A train! Could you, would you on a train?
Not on a train! Not in a tree! Not in a car! Coach! Let me be!
I would not, could not, in a box. I could not, would not, with a fox.
I will not shoot with a mouse. I will not shoot in a house.
I will not shoot here or there. I will not shoot anywhere. I don’t like to shoot, Coach I’m told.

Say! In the dark? Here in the dark! Would you, could you, in the dark?
I would not, could not, in the dark. Would you, could you, in the rain?
I would not, could not, in the rain. Not in the dark. Not on a train,
Not in a car, Not in a tree. I don’t like to shoot, Coach, you see.
Not in a house. Not in a box. Not with a mouse. Not with a fox.
I will not shoot here or there. I don’t like to shoot anywhere!
You wouldn't like to shoot in a green hoop and goal? I don’t like to shoot, Coach I’m told.

Could you, would you, with a goat? I would not, could not with a goat!
Would you, could you, on a boat?

I could not, would not, on a boat. I will not, will not, with a goat.
I will not shoot in the rain. I will not shoot on a train.
Not in the dark! Not in a tree! Not in a car! You let me be!
I don’t like to shoot in a box. I don’t like to shoot with a fox.
I will not shoot in a house. I don’t like to shoot with a mouse.
I don’t like to shoot here or there. I do not like to shoot ANYWHERE!

I don’t like to shoot in a green hoop and goal! I don’t like to shoot, Coach I’m told.
You don’t like to shoot, So you say. Try it! Try it! And you may
Try it and you may I say.

Coach! If you let me be, I will try it. You will see.
Say! I like to shoot in a green hoop and goal! I do! I like it, Coach I’m told!

And I would shoot in a boat! And I would shoot with a goat...
And I will shoot in the rain. And in the dark. And on a train.
And in a car. And in a tree. It is so fun so fun you see!

So I will shoot in a box. And I will shoot with a fox.

And I will shoot in house. And I will shoot with a mouse.

And I will shoot here and there. Say! I will shoot ANYWHERE!

I so like to shoot in a green hoop and goal!
Thank you! Thank you, Coach I’m told.

And Thanks again to all the Cast, Crew and Staff at St George Episcopal.

Bravo! Bravo! A standing ovation well deserved.

 

Cinderella and the King

Congrats go out to the Reagan Lady Rattlers girls basketball team for taking the 5A Region IV Championship, earning them a trip to Austin and the Final Four.

They had a deep team of quality players. They demonstrated team ball with 4 starters in double figures. They played tough defense holding the Wagner Lady Thunderbirds to 4 points in the 3rd quarter essentially locking up the game. They made the plays and had less turnovers.

Wagner had turnovers when they needed to make a run. They never adjusted to Tessa Ramirez, enabling her to go on a scoring run by herself in the 2nd period. They couldn't seem to put the ball in the basket when they needed too in the critical 3rd period. Desperation crept in and it was too little too late in the 4th.

The Lady Rattlers were steady all year while the Lady Thunderbirds were up and down. Somehow the game mirrored their basketball seasons.

Wagner does not have anything to be ashamed of. They had a magical fairy tale of a playoff run. They beat a Johnson team ready to explode in to the basketball scene, they beat a very deep savvy Jay team, they upset a strong talented Churchill group and took care of a good Del Rio team. They have a strong core coming back. They made a great run with unbelievable comebacks, game winning shots, clutch free throws, buzzer beating half court shots and a little bit of magic.

The only thing, the clock reached midnight and reality checked in.

In the process, CINDERELLA lost a slipper and was sent home.

Every team sent home early is living with WHAT IF'S......... except one, it's living a Fairy Tale......

Hail to the new KING from Region IV!

REAGAN LADY RATTLERS

Better to be Lucky than Good

The local 5A Girls Basketball season is quickly coming to an end with 4 teams vying for a trip to Austin.

Steele Lady Knights are making a run and seem to be peaking at the right time. They have been playing with confidence and with a mindset that they can't be beat. It almost seems that part of their arsenal is to intimidate their opponents to submission. If they get in a groove in a game, they will be hard to stop because of their talent, athletic ability and most important, they really want to kick some behind. They might benefit if they utilize their inside game more as well as their bench, as they move further along.

Reagan Lady Rattlers are in a position many have predicted before the season started. Even without one their top scorers from last year in the beginning of the season, they have been steady throughout the year. What's tough for any opposing team is who do you focus on to stop defensively? The team has too many players that can legitimately hurt you inside and out. If their defense plays at a high level, they will be a tough out.

Wagner Lady Thunderbirds might be a team of destiny. Two times they have overcome the brink of elimination against two tough teams in Johnson and Jay. You might begin to think that maybe fate has something to do with their success. They have a very athletic group of guards with an added inside game to boot. They seem to adapt offensively and defensively better than any team left in the field to whatever the opposing team throws at them. They have to control their turnovers if they want to continue making a run. 

Churchill Lady Chargers are also in a predictable position. They were one of the favorites coming in to the season. No one yet has even come close to challenging them in the playoffs. Will they continue to steamroll through their competition? Will the lack of stiff competition hurt them when they play a team that comes down to the wire? Is everyone healthy and at 100%? A lot of talent and skill especially at the guard position makes them a favorite if they are clicking on all cylinders.

So Steele vs Reagan and Wagner vs Churchill, who is going to come out on top?

With all the X's and O's, game strategies and overall breaking down of possible key match-ups, let's keep it simple: Defense, Control the Paint, Limit Turnovers, Make Layups and Make Free Throws.

Who has the advantage? 

With so close competition and evenly matched teams, well maybe, just maybe........

......Sometimes its Better to be Lucky than Good.

Go Support Girls High School Basketball!

Simple but Complex

In just the first few days of Girl-Sanity High School Basketball, how many games have been decided by either made or missed free throws?

How can someone that practices endlessly at the free throw line miss when it counts at the end of the game? How can someone that doesn't practice or not even shoot a high percentage make their free throws when it counts at the end of the game?

Is it mental.... is it nerves...... is it luck.....

Maybe its not that simple.

In these times, with all the shooting specialists available, training guides, training equipment etc., it seems free throw percentages are getting worse.

NBA great, Rick Barry shot the free throw Underhanded (Granny Style) and ranks 3rd all time in shooting percentage with .900 mark. Compare that to Superman Dwight Howard's .600 career percentage. If Superman's free throw percentage averaged .900 like Rick Barry, his career scoring average would jump from 18.3 to 21 points a game.

Maybe because of our DNA, we are all wired different. Let's face it, we all react different when we are put in pressure situations. I remember back in school how some kids dreaded going to the front of the class to make a presentation. Some of these very same kids were top in academics for the class and very well versed and prepared. But as soon as they got in front of the class, all their circuits would shut down. Then you would have some kids that would go up like they were naturals even though they were not well prepared. 

So whatever the science behind it, whatever theory you might want to agree with, whatever proper mechanics you believe in, Free Throws matter!

So when the game is over and it is pretty close in the scoreboard, you might want to talk about the referees or coaching. You might be in cloud 9 because your team won or simply devastated because the season just came to an end. The last thing in your mind might be Free Throws.

But I would bet that .900 % of the time (Rick Barry's Free Throw %}, the game was decided by either made or missed free throws and not by any Underhanded trick (Rick Barry's Free Throw shooting method)!

So with the Girl High School playoffs in full swing, how many more wins or loses are going to be decided and come down to the Simple but Complex.......FREE THROW!

Go support Girls High School Basketball

ST GEORGE EPISCOPAL DRAGONS

NOT IN OUR HOUSE!

ST George Episcopal Dragons 8th grade Basketball team goes 23-0 to end the season as ISAL District Champions. Led by Coach Fred Copeland, the girls overcame numerous obstacles to keep their two year undefeated streak alive going 46-0 in that span.
PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: ALEXIA, NICOLE, MIRANDA, HANNA, LESLIE, GABRIELLE, MOLLY, LAUREN, ELIE, VAEDA AND TARA.

Something to Prove

High School Girl-Sanity Basketball is in full swing. If the first full day of action is any indication of things to come, it will be a shame if you don't go out to see first hand what everyone leaving the UTSA Convocation Center last night was saying, "AMAZING!".

In what almost seemed as an under card to the main event, O'Connor's freshman Amber Vidal helped pick up the slack with her teammates when their big time player Ebony Easter had to sit with foul trouble. Vidal and Easter both finished with 13 points, in putting away a combative Southwest team that simply didn't want to go away till the deciding last part of the game.

Johnson vs Wagner took the stage in what possibly seemed to be a changing of the guard in Girls High School basketball. Wagner, a perennial powerhouse trying to find an identity with the departure of so much great talent, trying desperately to prove they still are a team to contend with. Johnson, a young super talented group of young ladies trying to define an identity for themselves and their High School, trying to desperately prove they belong with the city's powerhouse teams by getting their first win in school history and making a long run in the playoffs.

Both teams had something to prove........

There were spectacular plays as well as careless mistakes. There were strengths and weaknesses on both sides. Just as a player was tentative and unsure the next second they were aggressive and confident. Missed opportunities were plenty on both sides with unpredictable and unforeseen opportunities for players not expected  to play much.

With so much to prove, how could it have been settled in just any regular common way. 

With so much to prove, how could it have been settled in regulation or one overtime.

With so much to prove, an unexpected hero, Johnson senior Sarah Allen, went to the line and made both two free throws to give the Jaguars a 58-57 lead with 33 seconds left.

With so much to prove, it could have only ended in dramatic fashion......

Freshman Kiauna Clark hit the game-winning shot in the second overtime with about 3 seconds to go, essentially giving Wagner the win.

This only proves that more great action is yet to come in the days ahead.

Go and Support Girl-Sanity High School Basketball!

Oh What a Night

On Friday, February 3rd, 2012, I made the short trip to witness a girls High School  game between the Floresville Lady Tigers vs Victoria East Lady Titans. I was expecting and hoping for a good game. What I got was a Show that almost left me speechless.

For starters, the Floresville gym was standing room only as half the town of Floresville was there to witness and support the boys and girls Varsity teams. The backdrop was set for what became an old fashion duel of wits, heart, desire, passion and wills.

The game was played full court, fast paced with non stop action between two 4A state ranked teams. It was intense and wild as the home court fans cheered on endlessly trying to will their team to victory.

 Just when you thought that one team had an edge, the other one would come back and make a run. What was crazy, each team forced each other to an extreme number of forced turnovers. Each team withstood knockdown blows, just to get up and give some themselves. In the last quarter the lead seemed to change hands every second. There were more key and clutch plays by both teams in the last two minutes than you normally see in a whole game.

What was more impressive is that after running back and down for all the game, kids could still manage to have the strength, stamina and endurance to hit big shots at the end. One in particular from Erica Hernandez seemed to come from mid court by the corner no less.

Justifiably so, the game couldn't be decided in regulation. There was at least 4 times in the last minutes that you might want to say "OK that might be it".  Momentum swung back and forth at a violent pace.

In 4 minutes overtime, Victoria East scored 17 points to 10 for Floresville to win 87-80. OK stay with me a minute. Floresville's 10 points in overtime were at a pace to score 80 points in a game. Which under normal circumstances and over 90% of the time would mean a blowout win. At Victoria East's pace, they would have scored a whopping 136 points. Still not impressed. This came after just playing and running nonstop up and down the court for 32 Minutes in regulation!

Girls High School Basketball at its best! And the playoffs having even started. Don't miss out on the action. Go out and Support Girls Basketball!

You might come away speechless with only flashbacks of what you just witnessed.

As I walked to my car I gathered my thoughts........What a GAME....

Oh What a Night........For Girls Basketball.

MVP

The Super Bowl has come and gone.  The New York Giants are the Super Bowl Champions! Eli Manning is the MVP!

One play in particular will live on in the annals of history of the game. Eli Manning threw an almost perfect pass for a 38 yard reception at a crucial point of the game. But without great protection and blocking from his offensive line and without a spectacular catch by his receiver, we might not be talking about Eli Manning and the New York Giants.  Deservedly as a society we like to praise and talk about the Stars of the teams but I want to give some credit to the players and teammates behind the scenes.

The 2011-2012 Girls High School regular season is coming to an end tonight for most of the local San Antonio area teams. Although some schools will advance to the playoffs, for many it ends tonight. And that means in the next few weeks all Seniors will be playing their last games for their High School careers. Many of these players are not Star athletes that are constantly or consistently being written or talked about. But for many, they are vital contributors to their teams. They participated in all the same practices as the Star players. They all did the same hard work. They all put in the same time. They all had to sacrifice.

Some had big roles, some had small roles and some didn't play much at all. 

But for every team win, no matter what, they won.......

For every loss, they lost......

For every tournament championship, they are champions......

For every District title, they are District Champs.......

And for every Star player, they are there behind the scenes on the court providing rebounds, points, assists etc. or off the court providing encouragement and support!

A lot of Seniors like Marshall's Kaitlyn Goertz will play their last game for their High Schools.

For all the hard work, dedication, commitment, and accomplishments,

You all are the unsung MVP's!

In my humble opinion

The football season is finally coming to an end this Sunday when the two Best teams play for it all in a showdown between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.

But are they really the two Best teams in the NFL or are they the two teams Playing the Best in the playoffs.

In the end, very few people are going to remember which team almost went undefeated, which teams had record breaking seasons, which teams were the Division winners, which teams were offensive juggernauts etc.

Most people including some that don't even care or know much about football are going to know who the eventual Super Bowl Champion is going to be when it Ends.

In local High School Girls basketball, two teams have been the clear cut Best teams the last few years, John Jay and Wagner. But this year, the field is wide open with at least 10 teams having a  better than outside chance of playing in Austin. Those teams in no particular order and in my humble opinion are Cibolo Steele, Judson, Wagner, Reagan, Churchill, Johnson, Stevens, O'Connor, Jay and Brandeis. 

If you consider the point guards for these teams, you have an amazing display of leaders and talent. A few can single-handedly carry a team on their backs like in Churchill, Johnson and  Jay and some are unbelievable catalysts like in Stevens and Judson. Take a look at athleticism and its off the charts in teams like Steele, Reagan, Stevens and Judson.  Some teams have freshman contributing big time like in Steele, Churchill, Stevens, O'Connor, Jay and Brandeis. Whats more amazing is that the majority of star players in these teams are non seniors. And lets not leave out the Head Coaches. Some Head Coaches in particular can Will their teams to Austin. Do I really need to mention teams????

As the regular season winds down, there is plenty up for debate.

So who has the best players, which team has the best offensive and defensive stats, which team is the most athletic, which coach is the best, which team has the deepest bench and which team is the Best?

One thing for sure is that soon we will know which team is Playing the Best. And in the End for that particular team going to Austin, nothing else will seem to matter much.

And in my humble opinion, there shouldn't be much else that matters than being there supporting how all this unfolds.

Go Support GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL!!!!

Its a funny thing

It a funny thing that sometimes One Moment, One Act, One Instance can shape oneself and forever change who you are.

For many the day leading up to your High School Graduation, you are still viewed as a kid. 

But at that One Moment when you walk the stage......

that One Act of receiving your diploma on your hand.......

you are in One Instance automatically transformed into something more. 

One piece of paper lets everyone know you have arrived in the world. All that hard work, time and effort has paid off.

By all accounts, everyone that witnessed yesterdays Girls High School basketball game between Churchill and Reagan, were treated to one of the best non playoff games in San Antonio. And for sure they are many story lines that can come from a game like that. There was plenty of action, drama, suspense, revenge factor, comeback, highs, lows and a lot of  Leslie Vorpahl.

But on One crucial Moment of the game, freshman Mikki Flores was fouled with 16 seconds left with Churchill clinging to a one point lead. 

On One crucial Act of the game, she was sent to the line to shoot two free throws.

In One Instance, Mikki Flores is not a Freshman no more. 

No matter what happens tomorrow, the next day and in the future, in that One Moment, that One Act, in that One Instance, all that hard work, time and effort paid off.

Yes, Mikki Flores made both Free Throws.

What are we talkin about Man?

With Club Basketball season around the corner and volleyball club well underway. One of my favorite subject to talk about is PRACTICE!

First, here is a former NBA Great's take on it. Click Following Link.

 Allen Iverson talks about Practice

And here is a GREAT take on it  that I would recommend everyone to read. Especially for any aspiring athlete and parent out there. Click Following Link.

The Importance of Practice

Yeah Man, Let's talk about Practice.....

"Fall in love with your practice and compromise it for nothing in exchange on your path to greatness."

Barney Says

If you are a parent of a kid playing in any sport, you may catch yourself saying and yelling to them at one time or another or maybe all the time 

"You have to be more aggressive! You have to be more confident! You have to do more!"

You might turn blue in frustration or even red in anger. You might wonder in your mind and have doubt about your child's ability. You might even threaten them, 

"If you don't start producing then you are not going to play any more"

No matter what you say and how you say it, your kid may seem to block you out. You may even think that they are never going to get IT.

Heck you just hope that after all the work and time that eventually one day they will get IT. And maybe after they get IT, you can relax and enjoy and brag to your family and friends.

When my daughter was barely able to walk, I spent hours upon hours trying to teach her the basic colors.

I would go over and over the colors with her. When I would test her, she didn't have a clue. This went on day to day, week to week, but to no avail, she just didn't get IT. I started to think that maybe she didn't inherit any of my Genes. I would point to something Yellow and would ask her what color it was. She would calmly respond Black. Aaaaaah, I wanted to yell as my frustration grew.

One day after I picked her up from the babysitter and we were driving home, she calmly told me

"Daddy I know what color the sky is. It's Blue. I know the color of your shirt is Red"

She went on telling me all the way home the color of everything she could think of and visibly see. I didn't dare interrupt her. I let her go on and on cause I knew finally she had IT. When we got home, I asked how she knew all the colors and she responded

"Barney says the sky is blue. Barney says ........"  She went on and on

So next time you feel frustrated as can be at your child's performance and feel like you need to yell cause it may seem they are blocking you out, Remember that Barney says................ Use your IMAGINATION. And then one day when your child finally does get IT, you can relax and brag to everyone including family and friends

"Yeah, you know......... he or she inherited all my GENES!"

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

Ok, I know a lot of parents and basketball fans look down and don't have a favorable view on middle school basketball for many reasons. And yes I admit that puts me in that category. 

My mom would always have a knack of living her life by not judging a book by its cover. The greatness in her was that she actually never preached it, but lived it. She never saw the bad and the ugly in anything. She focused on the good and the positive. OK yes I admit again, I still have a long way to go in that category!

So now I have to say this about middle school ball.

Over the weekend, the end of year tournament for Judson and East Central ISD girls middle school took place. It was a great atmosphere and even greater showing by future athletes going to Judson, Wagner and East Central High Schools.

In the 7th grade division, Metzger Middle School led by Kiana Williams played Legacy Middle School led by Brittany Rodgers. While in the 8th grade division, Judson Middle School led by Lena Wilson played Kirby Middle School led by Belle Tovar.

Both games were as equally as exciting and both games were not settled till the time expired . Above mentioned future High School stars left everything on the table battling every second they were on the court. It was a great experience to be part of, especially seeing other girls step up that normally you wouldn't expect. For the most part, fans for all the teams were positive and engaged. In the end two teams had more points, Metzger for the 7th grade division and Kirby for the 8th grade division. But there is no doubt in my book, everyone came out winners, the players, the fans and more importantly Girls Middle School Basketball! 

Yes there was some bad food and ugly calls, but there was a LOT of GOOD Basketball!

Everywhere you looked there were PROUD moms. So as I walked out of the gym, I looked up to the heavens.

Thanks mom, and yeah I know I still have a long way to go.

Party Rock

Driving in San Antonio or any major city, it is inevitable that you will be will stuck in traffic. Driving at a snail pace isn't the best thing in the world , but it does offer you a chance to escape for a moment. 

Everyone has those special songs that take you back to a special time, remind you of a special person or take you back to the good old days.

You know those days, when you had to walk home every day 5 miles through rain and shine after school. Or what about when you played basketball or any other sport outside with your friends till 3am in the morning.

But in reality, you wouldn't want your kid to walk home 5 miles or be out and about till 3am in the morning. Parents naturally want better for their kids. 

Being a parent of a club basketball player or any other sport for that matter is not any different. You find them a team, provide them equipment, find them a specialized trainer, take them to camps and clinics. You do what you need to do to give them a chance to succeed.

I SALUTE those parents.

And hopefully in the future when they hear a certain song, their kids can reflect on their own good old days.

Oops someone just honked at me to get a moving. Let me turn up the radio......

Party Rock is in the House tonight........

Everybody just have a good time

Reality TV

Why would you want to stay home and watch tv when you can go catch a Middle School or High School basketball game?

Heck it's like being in your own Reality TV show.

Case in point, this Friday Churchill vs Johnson girls basketball game should provide plenty of everything.

Before the game, you could say Oprah would have come out of retirement. Everyone will be all calm and friendly, saying all the nice things your supposed to say.

As the game starts with so many stars on the court at the same time, the burning question will be....SA who will be the next American Idol?

If the game is as close as advertised, once any questionable call is made, the referees could be in their own remote island starring in Survivor!

Instead of Basketball Housewives, you will have supporting moms expressing their emotions in Basketball Mothers. And lets not leave out dads starring in CSI/SA HS Girl BBall unit.  Analyzing every move, uncovering every angle and questioning every coaching decision making sure no stone is left unturned.

Aaaahhhh. The drama, the suspense, the highs, the lows. The game comes to a conclusion.

Walk over to the winners side and you will automatically feel the energy and electricity in the air. The Biggest Winners will be showing over and over till the next opponent comes.

Walk over to the losing side and you might hear the familiar song in your head introducing the People's Court.

Endless supply of witnesses passionately stating their case. Your Honor, we were ROBBED!

Go support Girls Basketball!

Pick One of the Above

If you don't play to win, why keep score? It's not if you win or lose, but how you play the game.

Whatever quote you may agree with, you would have to agree that Tim Tebow, quarterback of the Denver Broncos plays with Heart and Passion to try and will his team to win. Putting aside his religion, he sets an example for which is hard to measure. How do you measure someone's Heart and Passion?

Which leads me to this. I would always ask the following question:

If you were the coach and you had to choose one player, which one would you choose?

The most athletic or most fundamentally sound player.

But now I would have to add to the mix, or the player that has the most Heart and Passion.

Of course you can add a lot of more intangibles and possibilities, but for argument sake, you can only pick one of the three scenarios.

I reserve the right to change my answer at any time. But as I went to see some middle and high school girls game over the past week, I would definitely take the players with the most Heart and Passion. 

Why? They will never get tired of learning and training to get better.  Which in turn breeds Winners.

But hey it won't hurt to say a prayer or two when you want to win. Just like they say,

"THE LORD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!"

What's up with that?

The New Year is well under way and I already have a list of things.........What's up with that?

The Dallas Cowboys are home Again for the playoffs. Is it the owner, lack of talent, the coach or Who Cares?

Is it just me or are both Baylor Bears basketball teams really undefeated as of Jan 4,2012.

Manu Ginobli is missing 6 to 8 weeks on a shortened NBA season. Does that mean the Spurs have to make the finals for Manu to come back and play this season?

RGIII or Robert Griffin III (Heisman Trophy Winner) is not coming back to Baylor or entering the NFL draft. He is seeking the Republican nomination to run against President Obama.

Catching a high school game at Paul Taylor gym, I could not help notice the lack of support for Girls High School basketball. So as I went to get some nachos at the concession stand, they told me that they didn't sell nachos. Are we not in San Antonio? Tortilla chips, Jalapenos or salsa, nacho cheese or any cheese for that matter should go hand in hand with any sporting event, function, dining experience etc here in San Antonio.
No Nachos and Not enough Support for these young ladies playing their Hearts out......


What's up with that?

Really...... Are you serious?

As middle school and high school basketball seasons reach their midway point for most teams, I have had an opportunity to make the rounds and watch some of the games from time to time.
It always amazes me when parents of kids that don't play AAU or highly competitive basketball make comments that are off the wall regarding players that do Play.
There is a reason some players stand out. Simply put, they have put in the time, work and commitment.
So when I hear things like "That girl is only good cause she is fast" or "That girl is just lucky" or how about "She is not that good!"
 
Excuse me sir or mam......
Really...... Are you serious?