Bowie vs SA O'Connor

By: M. Winterchek

centexbasketball@gmail.com

2011 should be a better season for the Bowie Bulldawgs after being knocked out of the playoffs in 2010.  The Bulldawgs have returning starter Paul Baxter who should lead this team in scoring throughout the season, along with Baxter the Bulldawgs have Sr transfer M. Isom who should be able to take some of the pressure off Baxter in the scoring department.  Missing from this years team will be Connor Robinson, and the Dawgs will have to find someone to take his place on this team. Robinson lead the team in rebounding last year giving the Dawgs extra opportunities on the offensive end.

This first week for the Bulldawgs started slow like many others around Central Texas. Scoring in the first quarter of most games this first week was down with most teams averaging around 12 points and the Bowie Bulldawgs and SA O'Connor were no different. At the end of one quarter of play SA O'Connor manged to put up 10 points to Bowie's 9, and the second quarter was no different.  Bowie did manage a small run in the second and lead at half time 20 to 16.

The third and forth quarters were much of the same with individual players on both teams trying to pad their own stats at the end of three Bowie lead by ten 37 to 27.  In the end the Bowie Bulldawgs managed to win convincingly 50 to 37 however, with only two players scoring 74% of the total points scored there just wasn't much effort made to involve the rest of the team.  I feel this strategy if it continues will end up hurting the Bulldawgs again this season and we may see them out of the playoffs early.

With a team like Del Valle who scored 93 points against a strong Hendrickson team in their season opener, Del Valle had three players in double figures and six other players contributing to their overall scoring effort. If the Bulldawgs don't find a way to get other players involved in the offense it may be another short season for the Red and Black.    

Bowie 50, SA O'Connor 37

	1	2	3	4	OT	T
SA O'Connor	10	6	11	10	—	37
Bowie	9	11	17	13	—	50

OHS: Ugunfeitim 15, Forey 5, Cluter 1, Johnson 1, Thomas 5, Hubbard 2, Serdin 2, Woods 6.
BHS: Harris 2, Baxter 20, Isom 17, Smith 5, Nunnery 6.
Records: B: 1-0, O: 0-1.

Akins High vs Copperas Cove

By: D. Maldonado
centexrecruiting@yahoo.com

Central Texas Recruiting

Like most games during this first week of play the Akins Eagles and Copperas Cove Bulldawgs came in not expecting much.  These non-conference games give each coach an opportunity to see any new varsity players as well as what needs to be worked on as the season progresses. The game between the Eagles and Bulldawgs began a little slow offensively.  It appeared there was a lot of rust that needed to be polished off in the first quarter, the Eagles managed only 9 points while the Bull Dawgs put up 12 of their own.  Once some of that rust was worked out the offenses took off with each team trading basket and making for a very exciting second quarter. The Eagles manged to put up 20 points while the Dawgs put up 22 and taking the lead into the end of the first half 29 to 34.

The third quarter started slow with both offenses not really sure who was supposed to be shooting the ball.  The Eagles managed only 15 point to the Dawgs 13 and at the end of three, Copperas Cove lead 47 to 44 and Akins was left looking for answers.  The answers came in the fourth quarter for the Akins Eagles, putting together an offensive run for 22 points and putting up a defensive stance holding Copperas Cove to only 15.  In the end the Akins Eagles were able to hold off the Copperas Cove Bull Dawgs winning the game 66 to 62.

Next for the Eagles they host Georegetown in a non-conference game on Friday, November 18. Georgetown comes into the challenge with a record of 0-1 losing its first game to Austin High 49 to 52.

The Bulldawgs have the Ennis Lions next in another non-conference game, on Thursday, November 17. Copperas Cove will attempt to upgrade on its 0-1 season record. The Lions come into the challenge with a 0-1 record after their 48-45 non-conference loss to University High School in Waco.

Fredd Richardson 6'1" Jr. Guard for the Akins Eagles lead all scoring with 20 points, he also helped on the defensive end with 4 steals. Lionel Hollins 6'3" Jr Forward added 14 points of his own and finished with 23 rebounds 12 of those coming at the offensive end.

Akins 65, Copperas Cove 62

	1	2	3	4	OT	T
Akins	9	20	15	21	—	65
Copperas Cove	12	22	13	15	—	62

AHS: Lowery 4, Rogers 5, Rivera 5, Ross 9, Wasson 9, Hollins 14, Richardson 20.
CCHS: King 3, Guillory 5, Robinson 8, Wilson 9, West 9, Odomes 12, Scott 19.
Records: C: 0-1, A: 1-0.

Austin High vs Georgetown

By: D. Maldonado
centexrecruits@yahoo.com
Central Texas Recruiting

The preseason game between Austin High and Georgetown on the 15th was a game full of excitement and a look at what is in store for the 2011/2012 season.  Both teams opened up the first quarter on fire and it seemed as if the game was going to be a high scorer. Georgetown surprised Austin High by leading 17 to 12 at the end of the first quarter.  This may have lit a fire under the Austin High players because the second quarter was a disaster for Georgetown only able to put up 7 points to Austin Highs 18.  At the end of the first Half Austin High had a 30 to 24 lead and the momentum.

The second half began just like the start of the game.  Both teams trading baskets and struggling to score, defense played a pivotal roll in the third quarter Austin High managed only 13 points to Georgetown's 14.  As the fourth quarter started, it seemed like the players on both teams were in need of some serious conditioning with both teams looking a little winded.  Austin High only managed to put up 9 points with Georgetown scoring 11, and it had nothing to do with either teams defensive play.  Many of the players on both teams appeared out of shape bent over gasping for air during a break in play. I hope they get their conditioning up before the start of the regular season because they both need it.

The fans at Tuesday's non-league challenge between both these teams, saw Austin's basketball squad hold off Georgetown by a score of 52-49.

With the victory, Austin improves its record to 1-0 on the season. The Maroons host Lake Travis in a non-league challenge on Tuesday, November 22. Lake Travis comes into the challenge with a record of 0-0.

Next up, Georgetown play the Akins Eagles in a non-league challenge, on Friday, November 18 Georgetown will attempt to improve on its 0-1 season record. Akins comes into the game with a 1-0 record after their 66-62 non-league win over Copperas Cove. 

Georgetown's 5'11" Sr. Guard Michael Hardge will be a player to watch this season putting up 20 points against the Maroons defense. He will however, have to work on protecting the ball better giving up the ball to the Maroons 6 times during the game. 


Austin High 52, Georgetown 49

	1	2	3	4	OT	T
Georgetown	17	7	14	11	—	49
Austin High	12	18	13	9	—	52

GHS: Hardge 20, Parker 5, Bunkley 4, Warren 4, Vick 8, Huntsman 2, Mack 4, Roufey 2
AHS: Stewart 4, Parks 8, Moore 12, Strake 17, Sterling 5, Gutierrez 6
Records: Austin High, 1-0; Georgetown, 0-1

Prayer for Young Athletes

Heavenly Father, be with my young athletes as they test their physical skills.

Let them play well, but fairly.
Let competition make them strong, but never hostile.

Grant them the strength to best their opponent, and lead them to always help the opponent up.
Grant them moments to rejoice, but not in the adversity of others.

Help them stay safe from injury, both physical and emotional.
Help them to learn something that matters once the game is over.
Help them remember that sports are just games.

If they know victory, allow them to be happy.
If they are denied, keep them from envy.
If through athletics, they set an example, let it be a good one.

In the name of Your Son, Jesus

Amen.

Central Texas Recruiting

By David Maldonado
Central Texas Recruiting centexrecruiting@yahoo.com

For the past 10 years I have had the pleasure of coaching kids of all ages during the summer basketball season.  I first got involved because of my own children, two daughters and one son they all loved the game and I did my best to insure they enjoyed their summers. During those 10 years I have had the pleasure of getting to know many college coaches around the country, many of them I call friends.

Five years ago some of these coaches began asking me about potential players in the Central Texas area that they should keep an eye on as prospects for their programs.  As more and more coaches inquired I decided to start looking for and assisting central Texas athletes find a place for them to follow their dreams of playing college sports.  Three years ago we started up Central Texas Recruiting, and since then we have helped over 30 athletes find a college program that they could continue playing sports and get a change at an education.

While we can't promise that every athlete will get a scholarship we can promise that every athlete that we work with will get looked at and evaluated by many different college programs.  Getting a scholarship is up to the athletes personality, grades, and athletic ability.

In addition to helping you get your child's name out to colleges across the country we also provide video services, one on one or team training, and host a two day Showcase each summer.  The Showcase is open to college coaches and recruiters to come out and evaluate players during those two days which is filled with skills, drills, as well as inner squad scrimmages at the end of each day.

If you have a son or daughter that is interested in playing college sports or want to know more about our Showcase contact us at centexrecruits@yahoo.com and some one will contact you as soon as possible.

Good luck and see you on the court

Private School Basketball

By: David Maldonado, Central Texas Recruiting
centexrecruits@yahoo.com

For the past few years I've had the pleasure of getting out and watching many different basketball programs in the Central Texas Area.  One set of schools that seems to fly below the radar when to comes to talent and level of play has always been the private schools.  In Austin schools like St. Michael's Academy, St. Stevens Episcopal School, Regents and St. Andrews all programs that have been developing a level of athlete able to play against any public school program in the area.

Not only are these schools competing and beating some of the local public schools but they are now developing young talent good enough to receive scholarships from Division one and two level programs. Last year alone St. Michael's Academy had three graduates preform well enough to receive basketball scholarships and are now playing at different universities across the country.

In San Antonio you have similar programs Central Catholic High School, Antonian College Prep, two programs that have also developed athletes that have done well enough to receive scholarships to play their individual sports at the college level.

For years these programs have been thought of as the "everyone gets to play" league. Schools where athletics was always put second to academics.  While that may still be the premise to these schools, they have now found a way to make athletics an important part of developing young men and woman into successful adults.  They have changed so much that schools are hiring coaches like Ty Detmar retired NFL quarterback now coaching football at St. Andrew's High School, and Calvin Schiraldi retired MLB pitcher coaching baseball at St. Michael's Academy.

I think its time to start recognizing these programs for what they are, a force to be recon with on and off the playing field.

3 Simple Ways to Attack a Zone Defense

By Joe Haefner, Breakthrough Basketball

Want to score more points against zone defense? Here are three really simple yet effective strategies that every coach should consider.

These strategies work against all types of zone defenses and will help you score more points:

Strategy No. 1: Put Your Best Ball-Handler in the Middle

I picked up this strategy from Danny Miles who is the head coach of Oregon Tech and creator of the Value Point System. Danny has 937 career wins and ranks second in NCAA/NAIA men's basketball history.

It's very common for teams to put their big man at the free throw line in the middle of the zone offense. Instead, he urges you to put your best ball-handler and creator there. It's doesn't matter if they're 5-foot-2.

Big players usually aren't as good at catching and handling a ball in traffic. But if you put one of your best ball handlers in the high post area, they will be able to drive around the bigger defensive players. They can score, dish, and cause lots of problems for the defense. This especially causes matchup problems for the defense because they always put the biggest clumsier players in the middle of the zone defense. They will not be able stop your quick guards.

Coaches should take a real good look at just putting one of their taller kids in the middle, because usually those players don't pass or shoot it very well and you don't attack as well with that kind of player.

Strategy No. 2: Attack from Behind the Zone

One of the best ways to attack from behind the zone it to always have at least one player in the short corner area.

You'll find that on almost every ball reversal the player in the short corner will be open. Then the wing can pass down to the open player in the short corner.

Once the ball is there, this is a very tough place to guard because at the moment none of the defenders are looking at the short corner player (because he or she is "behind" the zone).

Once the ball is caught in the short corner you have several excellent options to get high percentage shots:

1. If wide open, the short corner player can take one step to the basket for a lay up.
2. The short corner player can shot fake and take it to the hole.
3. The player in the middle can dive to the basket and receive the pass from short corner (this seems to be open for a lay up almost 50 percent of the time).
4. If they double down, the short corner can kick it out for a wide open 3-pointer.

The key is to force the defense to guard what is front of them (with ball reversals, cutting, and screening actions) and then attack from behind the zone. It works extremely well!

Strategy No. 3: Put Em Where They Ain't

I can thank Coach Ken Sartini for reminding me about this strategy and catchy phrase.

I heard a college coach say this about attacking zones: "It's not rocket science... put 'em where they ain't!"

Keep things simple, put your kids in the gaps of the zone.

This is a common strategy but I feel it's worth mentioning in this context because it's a good reminder to keep things simple. Attacking a zone doesn't have to be complicated.

Not to mention, wording things so players understand can certainly help. Sometimes when you say "find the gap" players don't really understand what you mean (even when they tell you that they do understand).

Try wording things differently. Simply tell your players to find spots where's there no defense (go where they ain't at).

Do you currently employ all three of these strategies?

If not, use these simple suggestions and you'll get better. These strategies work against all types of zone defenses.