Hoops

Politics in State Teams

Anyway, starting to drift slightly off topic now. I am a supporter of our Nationals, perceptions of politics at play have been around for eons.

Reality is that each team only has 10-12 spots at this level, good luck to those who are selected, but don't get too down on yourself if you miss out, that's the message...

Anons^, I am not saying there is not an interest at all or that our Nationals is being ignored by all US college coaches. If you care to read what I am trying to say in context I am in essence agreeing with you.

What I am trying to point out is exactly your points, that our Nationals is not the be all and end all, yes everything you can achieve at a high level helps, but there are difficulties associated with kids leaving it to chance to be noticed and not promoting themselves to these coaches overseas if that is where they want to go.

Again, I will try to be clear:

US College coaches will be much more likely to watch local talent at US High Schools rather than fly to Australia to watch our Nationals.

It is obviously more convenient and their media machine is 1,000 times more competent than ours when it comes to hoops. Simple fact!

If we don't connect with them, rather leave it to chance that somehow they will see a kid playing at our Nationals it is far more likely they will not be aware of most kids.

When have you heard of Nationals here streaming or being covered by a TV channel that broadcasts to the US for their college coaches to be able to scout our kids like the media attention they get over there?

Now, that does not say that for some US College systems they won't commit valued resources towards our Nationals, of course there are some that are very keen and will even send an assistant over or have scouts here report back to them.

We know of some, like St Mary's that have close connections to Australia, but there are thousands of colleges and only one St Mary's, we can't hope all our kids get picked up by the Gaels.

That is my point, we are a long way away, they won't know of our kids unless there is a connect.

If that is more pronounced and overtly evident among some US colleges, then it is noticeable and we all mention it on forums and alike, but it isn't the norm it is an exception.

I am suggesting the effort needs to be made at this end, don't only rely on your kid being discovered just because he/she played at Australian Nationals, you may be waiting for some time...

Cheers anon #080, that's correct and good news for the girl hope she takes the opportunity. I did however say 'almost no US coaches...'

There is always an exception and if you send them videos of course there is a chance they will take some notice, I take that on board, it wasn't meant to be an exclusive comment.

My point was more about the fact that not many US coaches are aware of the standard of our State or National juniors unless they have been contacted.

They won't know what standard Nationals is unless they are presented with some evidence because most of them only see local US kids playing, especially at their thousands of High Schools.

They don't appear to go out of their way to view Nationals in Australia to scout our kids without some prior connect, that's my experience.

It is just a numbers game and distance of course, something we can cover using the internet now, such as I am sure you have done to good effect...

I know a kid who didn't even try out for the Vic under 20's last year but would have been easily good enough for that team or this one but he is now at a US college and doing extremely well. Missing out for this team means zero to your kid's future in basketball, it is just nice to look back on and a great experience for those few selected.

Almost no US college coaches take any notice of this tournament or will have a clue about previous junior State or National representation of our kids, they want to know how are you playing at the time they are recruiting and can you help their team or develop to a point where you will fit the team's needs.

US college coaches also want kids who are decent people and good students, they want level heads and kids who won't quit when things get tough or when a kid feels home sick after three weeks. Yes, they want talent on the court, but equally as important is the quality of the kid, his/her integrity, personality and attitude.

Not making this team and going back to work hard and maybe play well in Youth League or your highest possible level, getting yourself to play consistently and staying true to yourself, not showing resentfulness or disdain every time you don't quite make a team will go a long way to revealing your true character and building your self confidence and self esteem.

It hurts, initially, but I have found kids will bounce back really quickly and with positive feedback and the right attitude from a parent with the support of a close and experienced coach, missing out on something like this is really just a small hump on the big journey, it isn't the end of anything, it is the start of everything if you want it to be...

Thanks Alpha, that would give Victoria a bit of a size advantage I would think...

So, Alpha where is the size after Perry, who do you think may be a back up 5 to jock?

And Wherung will be 21 at the end of 2016, she's 20 THIS year

Wehrung is dec 95 born which makes her 20 at the end of next year...
How is that too old?
Scherf and burton are 96 I believe which would make them 19 next year.
Magbegor born in 99. can't make squads if you are too young? Huh..? Didn't she just play u19 worlds...

I just watched s.heal play warm up wnbl games lol...


It's not their age it's the year they are born which gives the eligibility, which mean next years un20 need to be born in either 97 or 98,
Sooooooo that make Wherung, Scherf and Burton all too old and Magbegor still eligible for un18s.
Yes she played UN19 at worlds, as a bottom bottom age, but that still does not allow her to play UN20s at state level.
You obviously no Jack all about the system .lol
And yes Shyla Heal will be playing WNBL her dads coaching ( answers all the questions as to why but then most knew his reasons for taking on WNBL)

Wherung has been out of un20 s for two yrs, Sherf and Burton also too old, Magebor I think is too young, for un20s

Reply #551535
re: Politics in State Teams
How did this all of a sudden become about the girl's?



See the heading...........nothing States politics only apply to boys........and last time I looked the girls played basketball in state teams too.

"No coach is going to leave out a player that will make the team better, politics or not. I've got no idea who the player or players are you are referring to, but I'm sure there is a reason other than "politics". Have you considered asking the staff as an impartial observer? Or trying to get involved yourself to experience what it's like? By the time U20's come around, the players have a fairly good body of work to be assessed on."

Haha. You obviously have t been around Vic metro for very long.......keep be,Irving that if you like but unfortunately it's far from true

Surely the coach and selectors want to pick the best team possible to help them win by as much as possible? If that player was so much better than anyone else they would have been selected. Of course you also need to look at what position they play as well. Clearly you don't want 5 point guards just because they are the best 5 players there! Why would the coach jeopardise his own success just because he didn't want to pick someone from a smaller club. The coach needs to win to ensure his position in the state programme. Pretty sure that at least one other player from the same club made it through to the next round so I don't think he was cut just because he is from a smaller club!. I believe that the player concerned has had plenty of other opportunities already?

SMH on what basis do you think your judgment is better than the state coach. Just because someone you liked got cut does not mean there is a sinister reason like politics that is the cause. Maybe the kid was not as good as you think.

While this is a harsh reality, players from smaller clubs have not always played in pressure situations like VC finals or Classic finals. There have been many players found out under this pressure. Players from larger clubs have possibly had more opportunity playing under tournament/big game pressure and may add to the reason they are selected to play under similar pressure at Nationals.