Importance of April 14-15 Weekend

We are heading into March Madness which means High School Basketball is coming to an end.

Now players are preparing to tryout for AAU Teams and other Summer Teams.

As you prepare for tryouts, I want to make you aware of how important the weekend of April 14-15 is. If you have a desire to play for a Division 1 University, this weekend is especially important for you. This is the first weekend of the year when Division 1 College Coaches can come out an evaluate a non-high school basketball game and watch you play. This is one of the BIGGEST EVALUATION WEEKENDS of the Year.

For a listing of all the NCAA-CERTIFIED Basketball events college coaches will attend on the weekend of APRIL 14-15, visit http://tinyurl.com/26jwxd . (Note: You may have to wait on the page to load. Also, if you get a page not found error, reload the page.)

Making It Happen in 2007,

Patosha Jeffery
===>www.patoshajeffery.com

PS
Nike Basketball Shoes at Eastbay.com!

Motivational Quote

"I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."

- John D. Rockefeller

Basketball Knowledge is Power

I had an opportunity to talk to my college coach, Joye Lee McNelis, and here assistant, Coach Brooks Donald, of the University of Southern Mississippi Women's Basketball (NOW HEAD COACH OF MCNEESE STATE) team before their shoot around here in Memphis. Coach McNelis and here staff is definitely turning that program around and with only 8 players on the roster..

Coach Donald breaks down academics both on the court and in the class room.

PJ: How and when did you get involved with basketball?
CD:I began playing basketball in second grade (long time ago) and began coaching the summer of my Freshman year in college.

PJ: How do you believe the game has developed or changed for girls since you’ve been involved? Intensity, skill level, competition.
CD: The game has changed a lot since I was a kid. The competition has definitely improved and expanded.

PJ: What skill do you believe girls are lacking the most when they arrive at college?
CD: Knowledge of the game. In this day and age, there are more athletes that advance to the next level than knowledgable, skilled basketball players. I think girls don't watch the game enough. Watching basketball is like studying. Watching basketball really enhances your knowledge of the game.

PJ: As recruiting coordinator, how do you find recruits? Camps, high school games, etc.
CD:We find young ladies in various places. Having them attend camp is a golden opportunity because we get to be around the athlete and get a feel for what their character is and how they interact with our program. Other than camps, we really like to evaluate talent in the spring & summer against National talent. We, as coaches, get to see them go up against the best in the South or the best in the country. High School games are imperative as well. We like to see them challenged against a rival team. We also like to see how (and if) they take over the game in high school. And how they respond to the lower level of talent. We also watch how they respond to coaching.

PJ: Now let's talk Academics.. Some athletes may think that if they can play basketball really good, they don't have to take care of business in the classroom. From your experience, what kind of advice can you give on the subject of academics?
CD:Well, all I can say is academics come first. I think almost everyone can look around them and find an example of someone not reaching their full potential & expectations because they did not take care of business in the classroom. The NCAA has implemented several new rules that have made it more difficult for colleges to even take chances on at risk student-athletes no matter how talented she may be. In saying that, I think it is more important than it has ever been to be strong academically and to take the ACT now as a Sophomore and a Junior. Take the test as many times as it is offered. Taking care of everything off the court (grades, homework, diet, exercise, good attitude, positive life) is more important than doing anything on that hardwood.

PJ: Is there any advice you would like to provide for young players?
CD:My advice to young players is to work as hard as you possibly can! There are so many resources on and off the floor for you to succeed to your fullest potential! Take advantage of them! Don't wait! Work on your game everyday! Be disciplined! Listen to your coaches! Be a gym rat! Watch basketball! Learn the game! And most of all, play and study with a PASSION every day!

Making It Happen in 2007,

Patosha
===>www.patoshajeffery.com

What happened to the Pure Shooter?

I had an interesting converstation with a good friend, Coach Sytia Messer, Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Georgia Tech. http://www.gatech.edu/ She brought up some information that even surprised me. Check it out.

PJ: How and when did you get involved with basketball?
CM: I got involved with basketball because I had two older sisters that played college basketball.

PJ: How do you focus on development with your players?
CM: During the summer, our players attend colliegate basketball camps. During the season, the players attend individual shooting segments outside of practice.

PJ: What skill do you believe girls are lacking the most when they arrive at college?
CM: The pure jump shot is a skill lacking in players. One of the highly recruited players is a pure jump shooter.

PJ: As recruiting coordinator, how do you find recruits? Camps, high school games, etc.
CM: There are 2 ways I find players. Number 1 is through self-evaluation. During the summer evaluation period, I attend AAU events.The second way is at Mike White Events and through his recruiting report, All Star Girls Report.

PJ: Do you coach the guards at the Georgia Tech?
CM: This year I am coaching the post.

PJ: What skills can guards and post develop to increase their games?
CM: Again, guards can work on their shooting. Most post players now face up and take you off the dribble. Posts should work on scoring with their back to the basket.

PJ: Is there any advice you would like to provide for young players?
CM: For high school players, I recommend that you get involved in summer play. Use AAU and other events for exposure to market yourself. But not only that, get in a gym and shoot more.

Making it Happen in 2007,

Patosha Jeffery
===>How to Become A Pure Shooter

Benefits of Junior College Basketball Career

I had an awesome opportunity to speak to Coach Bridget Goodnight of Pensacola Junior College. www.pjc.edu . Coach Goodnight provides some incredible information and tips on preparing yourself for college basketball and the hidden benefits of a junior college basketball career.


PJ: How and when did you get involved with basketball?
CG: I started playing at a very young age with my brother and his friends. I started playing organized basketball in the third grade and continued through four years of college.

PJ: How do you believe the game has developed for girls since you’ve been involved?
CG: There are more opportunities now. Girls receive more exposure through AAU, camps, leagues, etc. As far as the game, it is played at a much faster pace due to athleticism and strength.

PJ: What skill do you believe girls are lacking the most when they arrive at college? What can they do to develop those skills?
CG: As far as skill, defensive positioning and guarding 1 on 1 is an issue. A great way to development defensive skill is to increase foot quickness. A jump rope is a simple and inexpensive tool that develops foot quickness and coordination.

PJ: Some players may feel that starting out at a junior college is not for them. What are the benefits of playing at a junior college?
CG:Some benefits to junior college are as follows: easier transition from high school to college life, getting academics in order and getting 1 on 1 attention from teachers, playing time prepares athletes to play at the next level, athletes are recruited heavily by DI schools which leads to more opportunities for the individual.

PJ: Coach, you are from Batesville, MS, which is right up the street from Memphis. Do you feel that you are a long way from home being in Florida?
CG: When most people think of Florida, they think of how far away it is. Pensacola is the first Florida town you come to when you pass thorugh Mobile, AL. It is very close to Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Many athletes are recruited from these areas.

PJ: What conference do you play in? How competitive is it?
CG: We play in the Panhandle Conference. It is very competitive. This makes our conference one of the most heavily recruited conferences in the country. Most DI coaches know that if an athlete has played in this conference, then they must have the skills necessary to play at the next level. Out of the six teams in the conference, usually 4 of them are ranked on the national level. This also means that the games are highly competitive. The players must be ready to play night in and night out.

PJ: Is there any advice you would like to provide for young players?
CG: The advice I would give to prospective student athletes is prepare yourself as much as possible. Off season workouts are a must. You cannot come into a college program and stay the same player you were in high school. This will take many hours of hard work. In order to be prepared, you must be able to exhibit self-discipline. This means physically, mentally, and academically. Make sure you totally commit yourself to the decision you make to play college basketball and pursue a college degree.

Making it Happen in 2007,

Patosha Jeffery
===>www.patoshajeffery.com