BCAM April 2014 Monthly Report
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BCAM April 2014 Monthly Report Tom Hursey – Executive Director FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: I was happy to see the Spartans and the Wolverines in the Big Ten Tourney Championship game. Coach Izzo and Coach Beilein have done a great job of directing their teams through tough times with injuries. I also realized when the WMU Broncos made the NCAAs that Steve Hawkins, Tom Izzo and John Beilein all were speakers at our fall clinic along with Fred Hoiberg (Iowa State). My hat is off to the Spartans and Wolverines for the fight and effort they put forth to advance to the Elite Eight. NOTE: For an interesting article on Coach Beilein, go to: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2014303270044 WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE “BLOCK/CHARGE”: The block/charge call in basketball is the most difficult call in the game. As a coach who witnesses this call every day in practice, you know you are guessing most of the time when you have to make the call. Officials wish they would have stop-action, slow motion video to view before they make the call. Even the new rules have not made the call easier. What to do about it? I recently read an interesting article in Sports Illustrated concerning the block/charge call. The writer brought up some interesting ideas. As I read his article I thought, “Maybe this has some merit.” What do you think? The on-the-ball (primary) defender has the right to draw a charging call. But what if you take away the “secondary defender’s” right to draw the charge? That would eliminate the help defender sliding over, placing his/her hands in a protective position (obviously not defending but protecting himself/herself), and many times “flopping” to influence the call. This secondary defender would still be able to defend by trying to block the shot or strip the ball. I believe that this change would have some merit. Of course there are many situations that would have to be considered before such a rule change could take place but it might take the most difficult call in basketball out of the game. Is that a bad thing? Another change I would like to see at the high school level is to adopt to eliminate the defender’s hand on a ball handler. In other words, adopt the NBA and NCAA rule governing this situation. It is impossible to tell if a hand on a dribbler is impeding him/her or not. Maybe this will trickle down to the high school level soon. MISS/MR. BASKETBALL – Those BCAM members who took the time to vote did a good job. Our Miss Basketball, Lexi Gussert and Mr. Basketball, Deshaun Thrower are outstanding student-athletes who will represent the state of Michigan with class. Go to www.bcam.org (AWARDS) for more information on these two outstanding players. STATE TOURNAMENT – The MHSAA, led by Nate Hampton, did another great job of hosting the girls’ and boys’ state championships. I am always amazed how well the games go through the three days of non-stop action. The Top Shooters contests during the Saturday games are always a highlight (see more information on the Top Shooters later in this report). The attendance at the boys’ final games was outstanding with over 11,000 fans in both sessions. The BCAM Hospitality Room (sponsored in part by Team Sports and the MHSAA) saw 500 people take advantage of the food and drinks. AWARDS – You have been receiving information about all the post season awards that BCAM offers. The results will be posted on the BCAM website as they become available. Hopefully you nominated your players and teams on time. Sometimes it is difficult to keep up with all the voting, etc. But we have made it much easier with online balloting and nominations. I want to thank Meijer for their continued support in underwriting the cost of all the BCAM awards. BCAM’s BEST (all-state) is already published with the other awards coming later in April. FACEBOOK – BCAM is now on Facebook. “Like” our page and then choose to “Follow” us to receive our posts in your inbox. Our main method of communication is still the BCAM website, but sometimes we will post things on Facebook that you won’t see on the website – such as the Top Shooters Challenge videos from this year’s state finals. https://www.facebook.com/BasketballCoachesAssociationOfMichigan SPONSORS – Many of you will be looking at purchasing equipment for next year. I cannot emphasize the importance of giving the sponsors of BCAM a chance to bid on your equipment (NIKE uniforms, practice gear, shoes, Rawlings basketballs, Shoot-A-Ways, etc.). I think you will find them more than helpful. GO TO www.bcam.org and click on BCAM’s SPONSORS. You will find a list of our sponsors. Click on the name and go directly to their contact information. ANTI-BULLYING: A CONCERN FOR COACHES: The following radio interview with former MSU Spartan player Anthony Ianni (who also suffered from autism) should be required listening for coaches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGSfcqBCwsw COACHES VS CANCER GOLF SCRAMBLE: Save Monday, August 5 on your calendar. This is the date for the 5th Annual Coaches vs Cancer Golf Scramble at beautiful Walnut Hills Golf Club in East Lansing. You will be receiving a separate email later this spring with all the details including how to register. BCAM members will have the opportunity to sign up first. Then registration will open to the public. So if you are interested, get a foursome and sign up early. Individuals can sign up also. COACHES VS CANCER WINTER FUNDRAISERS: There are still some coaches who have not reported the results of their Coaches vs Cancer related fundraisers. Please contact Beth at: [email protected] as soon as possible. TOP SHOOTERS CHALLENGE – Those players whose coaches sent in their Top Shooters nominations early were able to qualify for the Shootout at Breslin during the State Finals. Here are the winners of this Challenge: GIRLS FREE THROWS: Winner Karina Cole, Lincoln Alcona; runner-up Leah Charrette, St. Clair Shores Lakeview. GIRLS 3-POINTERS: Winner Rio Dudgeon, Macomb Dakota; runner-up Kaleese Jeffries, Ada Forest Hills Eastern. BOYS FREE THROWS: Winner Michael Winowiecki, Saugatuck; runner-up Trent Lansa, Walled Lake Northern. BOYS 3-POINTERS: Winner Tommy Dozeman, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern; runner-up Kris Crosby, Traverse City Christian. *** The videos of this event can be seen at our Facebook page. Girls 3 point winners: Girls Free Throw winners: Boys Free Throw winners: Boys 3 point winners: BENCH BEHAVIOR (Mike Mack, BCAM Executive Secretary) I have coached at all levels of BB for over 30 years, both boys and girls. Now that I am retired I watch all kinds of high school games. I have always kept an eye on the benches to see how kids behave. Some of the behavior I observe is poor. Very seldom do I see kids cheer for each other. Kids come out of games and slump on the bench, throw their warm up jacket or kick something if they are angry. Most coaches pay no attention because they still have five players on the floor. Trust me, people in the stands see the behavior and are not impressed. Most teams have an assistant coach, JV, freshman coach. My hint to you would be to assign a coach to keep an eye on the bench! He or she could: 1. Help the kids stay in the game! 2. Greet the player after he or she comes out of the game (after head coach greets him or her) make sure the player is calm and ready to go back in when called upon. 3. Be a cheerleader! 4. Get the kids up during a timeout and make sure they pay attention!! 5. Look down the bench once in a while to make sure players are paying attention to the game. It's not easy being a bench player and kids can be a problem if they can't handle being a sub. They still are an important part of the team and need to be told that each day. 6. Kids need to be COACHED to be good bench payers! They could be the key to a successful season.... COACHES WE NEED YOU…. (Bruce Keeler, BOCCC Member) As coaches and officials continue down this road of collaboration to make our game the best that it can be, there is one more request that the officiating world has for coaches. Please find us one good candidate to become a young official. If each coach could identify one graduating senior who might make a good basketball official, officiating will get better. Here are some characteristics that our best officials have. The ability to know the rules. Good officials don’t have to be the best players on your team. Often times the players who are on the bench get the best education about basketball because they are listening to the coaches throughout the game. Also players with lesser playing abilities often have to work harder at the details to be successful. These players often make really good officials. Good People Skills. Look for that athlete that might be a good sales person. The ability to take criticism and respond in a proper manner is crucial for the development of a young official. A desire to remain connected with the game. Your athletes who are no longer going to be playing for their high school team may wish to continue in the game.