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.