Willow Glen Pride Basketball Overview

Willow Glen PRIDE Basketball Overview

Why was the Willow Glen PRIDE formed? Basketball is a complex sport that takes more than a month or two of practice to master the skills necessary to have success in the sport. The Willow Glen PRIDE was formed to supplement the Willow Glen Middle School boys and girls basketball teams. The league the school belongs to does not allow member schools to organize before the official start of the season, or for 6th and 7th graders to participate in competitive, school basketball. The Willow Glen PRIDE is a member of the Amateur Athletic Union (club code XTCX56). We participate in a local club spring and summer league at Foothill College, and play games and scrimmages with local middle school teams and clubs.

When is the season? We run two separate seasons. The first season coincides with most school seasons. We hold girls tryouts at the beginning of the girls basketball season, which runs from mid- September until the holiday break in December. Teams generally have 6-8 individual games, plus 6 tournament games.

The second season is our AAU season. This season runs from early March until late- June. Teams generally have 10 season games, 2-3 scrimmages, and 2-3 tournament games.

What teams do we offer? During the school season, we offer 6th (C), 7th and under (B), and an 8th and under grade girls team (A). We will run a girls development team (D-team) for players that do not make the first cut, but are still talented and interested in playing competitive basketball.

The girls C-team will practice alongside the girls D-team. The girls A-team will practice alongside the girls B-team.

During the spring/summer season, we offer 6th and 7th grade club teams.

Why don’t you offer boys teams? We found that it was too difficult to extend our resources to offer both girls and boys teams. We now provide a quality program to one gender.

What is the Team philosophy? The Willow Glen PRIDE organizes competitive, pay-to-play basketball teams. Players are encouraged to improve their basketball skills, while enjoying the game of basketball. The challenge of playing against higher competition is highly valued. Winning is considered a by-product of hard work and focus, rather than a goal in itself. Playing time is not guaranteed, and is earned in practice and game situations.

Battle the game physically; Conquer the game mentally. What offensive and defensive systems do you run? We run the Read and React offense. It is a relative new offense that allows player freedom, while keeping all offensive players on the same page. We feel skills learned in the Read and React offense will best translate to any offensive system the players will see while in high school.

We run man-to-man defense almost extensively in 6th and 7th grade. We believe once man-to-man defense is learned, zone defenses will be more sound. We teach 2-3 zone and a 1-3-1 or 3-2 zone trap in 8th grade. We zone press only in 8th grade.

What criteria encompasses the player selection process? Willow Glen Middle School students are invited to tryout for the Willow Glen Ram PRIDE (school season).

Middle school aged girls from the Willow Glen community, and surrounding areas, are invited to tryout for the Willow Glen PRIDE (club season). Middle schools in the immediate area include Willow Glen, St. Christopher, Valley Christian, River Glen, and Ida Price.

Height, speed, endurance, shooting, dribbling, defense, rebounding, and other basketball skills are used to evaluate athletes. Athletes also must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, a “C” average to participate in games.

How much does it cost? The reality of running a competitive program requires funding. We will need the help of the parents and players to make this program successful. The school season costs $150 per athlete. The club season costs $300 per athlete. This will help offset costs of coaches, referees, tournament fees, basketballs, gym space, and other various basketball skill and training equipment. The students will also participate in fundraisers during the school season to help offset costs of jerseys, t-shirts, shorts, sweats, etc. The more money the students earn, the better we will look.

When and where do we practice? We are based at Willow Glen Middle School. Practices are scheduled four times a week for the school team, and two nights a week for the AAU team. We do not hold practice on the weekends.

For the school season, Girls C practices are scheduled from 3:15 – 5:00. The Girls D will practice alongside Girls C. Girls B practices are scheduled to be from 5:00 – 7:00. Girls A will practice alongside the Girls B.

For the club season, we practice combined from 3:30 – 6:00.

Locations are the WGMS outdoor courts, the WGHS mini-gym, and the WGMS gym. Players should bring clothing and shoes for indoor or outdoor practices, especially in March. How can parents assist in the program? We are currently developing this area of the program. However, one thing we know we need is assistance getting your players to practices and games. This includes driving the players to away games and tournaments. You do not need to fill out driving forms, since we are a private club that is not affiliated with the school. Please talk with your player, stressing the importance of attendance, and communication when he/she cannot attend.

Other things we will need help with are scorekeeping, timekeeping, running a snack bar on tournament days, and more.

We will also need a team parent for email list and contact help.

As the program develops, we will have new areas for parents to find ways to help.

What if there are conflicts with other sports? Many athletes compete in multiple sports. Although middle school is a time for fun, I believe players will have to begin thinking about how the high school sport seasons align. For example, a player that plays soccer and basketball should begin to decide which sport they are going to play in high school because both sports are winter sports. For that reason, that same student should think about concentrating on either soccer or basketball in middle school. However, a student would not have to choose between basketball and softball because softball is a spring high school sport.

We believe players should always finish the sport they are competing in before moving on to the next sport. We also believe the sport that is in-season should take precedence over off-season sports. Please contact Coach Robertson if you have a specific question about your player.

What are the coaches’ names and contact information? Please see the websites below (right column) for information on our coaches.

Where can information be found during the year? You can find updated information at: http://www.sjusd.org/school/willow_glen_mid/staff_info/C7075 and http://www.sjusd.org/school/willow_glen_mid/staff_info/C7704

We will try to keep all information current, and update it as required.

What are the Team colors? Fall/winter school season - Scarlet and Gold Spring/summer AAU season – Cardinal and Silver.