Hello Atlanta Select Family, Friends and Fans,
Now that I have your attention let me tell you what is going on.
Another great weekend within the Atlanta Select Basketball Association (Select Nation). Twenty nine teams participated in tournaments and nine made the 'Trophy Count".
Please review the previous posts in our "current NEWS" on our web site to see what teams were honored.
Kudos to all that earned trophies and kudos to all that participated. You all are winners.
The Trophy Count as of April 17, 2016 = 42
Coach G. Stewart - 4th Grade SYNERGY Select = 6
Coach T. McCrae - 8th Grade Lady Select RED = 5
Coach E. Cooke - 4th Grade Sons of Thunder = 4
Coach D. Lewis - 7th Grade Lady Select WHITE = 2
Coaches Keown and Elston - 6th Grade BLACK 2022 = 2
Coach Mandeldove - 3rd Grade Lady Select BLACK Diamond Future = 2
Coach Mandeldove - 4th Grade Lady Select BLACK Diamond Premeire = 2
Coach O. Ferrell - 11th Grade RED Elite = 2
Coach R. Harris - 5th Grade SILVER = 2
Coach Mandeldove - 3rd Grade BLACK Diamond Elite = 2
Coach Fann - 5th Grade BRONCOS = 2
Coach Baskerville - 3rd Grade SYNERGY Select = 2
Coach K. Jackson 3rd Grade SOUTH SIDE = 2
Coach Krantz - 4th Grade ROSWELL Bombers = 1
Coach Woods - 6th Grade COLLEGE Bound = 1
Coach Mandeldove - 4th Grade BLACK Diamond Classic = 1
Coach Brown - 7th Grade Lady Select BLACK = 1
Coach Ricker - 11th Grade CLASSIC = 1
Coach Hill - 11th Grade SILVER = 1
Coach Woods - 7th Grade COLLEGE Bound = 1
*****
We understand that only a "SELECT Few" can be champions all the times but a special "Shoutout" goes to our Mighty Atlanta Select Lady Select 14u RED Team with
Coaches McCrae and McCadney.
They have played in five tournaments this season and have won the championship in all, 5 for 5.
No matter AAU, YBOA, Showcase or Exposure these young ladies have excelled.
Hat's Off.
And a Shoutout to all the Lady Select teams. They represent 1/3 of the teams in the organization and bringing in 1/3 of the trophies. They are holding their own. Yes, we are an equal opportunity achiever organization.
Kudos to our 14u Lady Select XCLUSIVE for their performance in their first tournament of the season. They made it to the semi-finals at the Hunger Games.
Great job Coaches Shun and Kayla.
*****
Our ladies the Mighty 10u Lady Select RED, from Augusta made a good showing in their first tournament. The met their sisters in the semi-finals and that whats happens sometimes when we have teams in the same tournament.
The ladies from Atlanta won this time, but who will take the next one.
Kudos to Coach Howard and his Mighty team.
*****
Another Select team (Mighty 12u SYNERGY Select) has only been on board for less than a month but the head coach was ready to place them in the fire.
They were singed last weekend but kudos to Coach Brandon Proctor for his gallant effort.
*****
Coach Mandeldove and his Cadre of Coaches and dynamic young ladies are in the mix every weekend and at least one team will bring home a trophy. But just as important his ladies are making a positive statement in the the Youth basketball world. He is constantly teaching and guiding them while giving them maximum exposure.
Kudos to the Lady Select BLACK Diamond Nation.
*****
Our 4 Atlanta Select COLLEGE Bound teams appeared in the Hunger Games at West Georgia last weekend. Coach Wallace two teams and Coach Woods two teams. One trophy among them but numerous feats of fellowship and brotherhood. SYNERGY.
Yes, they are COLLEGE Bound!!!
*****
I caution you again my fellow coaches of being very selective in the tournament that you play in. I have not placed any organization off limits but if you are not shown the respect that you deserve by that tournament then make a different decision in the future.
It's your respect. time and money. And guess what?
Money talks!
*****
I was speaking to a coach last evening about our student athletes need to take the most challenging courses in high school and we, as coaches, must advise our parents to enforce this requirement.
Let's not advise our players to take the easy way out.
May feel good now but will hurt in the long term. Honors and AP classes must be considered because they have tremendous benefits.
It is our duty to stress Education at the highest level.
That is our mandate and the first pillar of our organization.
******
This coming weekend is another major EXPOSURE/Showcase weekend in which college coaches are out and about.
Please be aware that you do not know who is watching you.
Take a look below at a post that is circling the internet.
*****
And with that said, coaches and especially players, please make sure that what you post on social media is only positive things. Your posts reflect your character, personality, beliefs and thinking. You are being evaluated and not in person. That personal contact may never come because of your posting. Checkout below what some coaches said about potential recruits.
We, Atlanta Select, have "Codes of Conduct". Make sure we continue to comply. You never know who is watching or reading.
Keep it Positive.
*****
I would like for all coaches to download the article below on "21 Life Lessons Kids learn Through Youth Sports". One of the pillars of our organization is "Life Skills". We just do not want to say it, but do it. We must do what we say.
Download this article and implement the programs.
http://www.basketballforcoaches.com/life-lessons/?utm_content=buffer27c91&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
******
Finally, One of my basketball cohorts (Jayson Wells) wrote an article "Why Your Kid Sucks..."
I told him that I wanted to share it with you. He concurred. It will be attached to the NEWS email that I send to coaches. Read, share, teach, etc...
The pointing finger above is asking you to do so.
Proud to be a Select!!!
Just Go Select!!!
*********************************************
