SELECT BASKETBALLBLOG ENTRY—–BEIJING CUP

The Beijing trip was a great experience, it was also the first time I’ve been on a team basketball bus in a long time!  It was great spending time with the guys and competing together as team.

The trip was a great success. It was a great opportunity for Select players to implement all of the skills and techniques we learn each week at practice into competitive games.  Especially good to see was that every team played hard. No player ever quit or gave up on their teammates.  Instead, everyone encouraged one another making their teammates better. That’s not only important in basketball, but also going forward with anything our players pursue in life.

The Select parents were AWESOME. The commitment of the SELECT families really made Beijing possible. Everything was extremely organized: flights, hotel, meals, drinks, game filming, and even team buses!  Not too mention we had by far the best crowd at the tournament. As a young basketball player nothing instills more confidence in your game than family and friends support from the stands.

Thanks everyone, it was a great trip and I really appreciate being a part of the Select family!

As a team we all need to work on playing aggressive team defense in the next few weeks. In Beijing our defense it was clearly separated us from our competition. In order to play aggressive defense we have to play as a TEAM. That means communication on the court has to be consistently loud and clear.  Talking on defense forces accountability on the on the floor, which allows us to both create and finish plays on the defensive end. Never forget, “Defense Wins Championships!”

Notes on tournament play:

U11

·      Never Quit

At times we were down on the scoreboard but still never quit.

·      Never Made Excuses

We played teams with older players but still fought hard without feeling sorry for ourselves.

·      Supported Teammates

Lots of encouragement from the bench and high-5’s on the court

·      Played With Heart

Even when we were outsized and physically beat-up we stayed together and fought hard.

·      Always Finished Strong

Played hard to the last buzzer

U13

·      Accepted Challenge

Demolished teams with aggressive team defensive and well executed offense

·      Great Intensity

Talking on Defense and Chest pounding

·      Played as a Team

Good Ball movement on offense

·      Never Got Complacent

Even when we were winning on the scoreboard we never played down to level of competition.

·      Dug Deep and Played Hard

U15

·      Played Hard

Everyone was sweating after that game against the Falcons

·      Overcame Adversity

We were getting beat up in the first half but came back strong

·      Maintained Composure down the stretch

In the final minutes we kept our cool and pulled out a “W”

·      Sacrificed For the Teammates

Some guys had to sacrifice playing time but never complained and always supported their teammates

·      Won as a Team

By Coach Riley