Guys, we all took a vote and it was unanimous that all wanted to participate. The following are the challenges that will be put upon us. 1. All of you will be playing up as we will be playing varsity teams. We have only two players that were on varsity last year. Davin, who would have gotten significant minutes, but did not play due to his knee surgery. Luke, who played sparingly off the bench and was also hampered by it taking so long to get his legs back from the football season. Then we have 4 who are juniors this year. Casey who played jv last year and started. Devon and Brandon, both played jv, but neither made any consistent contributions and then Anil who did not play at TVHS in any form. The rest of our team will be compromised of players that are now sophomores and did not play significant minutes on jv and the rest are still freshmen (6). This said is an honest assessment of where and who we are, with the exception of Davin and Casey, we are a JV team at best. For this reason, the Coach at Palomar suggested we will probably be in way over our heads and I agree with that. There are a couple of small schools in the league and we should be able to handle them, but I expect to struggle against the remaining varsity teams. Not only will they be stronger, faster, quicker, tougher and more physical, but they will be running their systems which they use year round. We are only in the beginning stages of learning what I would like to have you run in regard to systems for defense and offense and it will take quite a while for us to get at even at 50% efficiency. We will have to figure out how we will address the learning curve. the primary issue being we must not use to much of our normal workout times on team matters, as that time is to develop your basketball skills and just as importantly your athleticism. It will be a very hard adjustment for me to accept we will lose a lot of games for now as we move forward, something I am not at all used to as I am extremely competitive. I do promise to do my best at having reasonable expectations and allow for the tough lessons to transpire while we are playing games. My only expectations are that you compete, give effort and try to learn from all the mistakes that we will have presented to us. I do believe playing up is always the best and that you should never, never play down. This league will serve us well, if we learn and improve and will prepare us for tourneys later this summer and league next year. I will play everybody and your time will be rationed according to all the things we have discussed. In the event the game is close near the end of a game and we have a chance of winning, I will then play the group that I feel gives us the best advantage.

2. My primary concerns of playing as a group is we have no true point guard. We have 6 players that by their size dictate they are point guards, but that is not the same as being able to play the position. My needs from a point guard are as follows: Can always break his man down and get into space to create opportunities for the team. Easily gets the ball into the forecourt vs all presses. Actually, loves to have the ball against all pressure. Gets the team into the proper sets and calls plays that take advantage of a mismatch, he is the quarterback/ and more importantly usually the floor general. Is the best player at applying ball pressure on the opposition’s best ball handler. A solid free throw shooter, ideally 80% being the low side.

3. My next concern is we have no true center. Again, we have players we can plug into those positions, but nobody that has had any consistent success at those spots. My needs from a center are as follows: must be dominant on the both back boards, a true rebounder, not only gets rebounds that comes to him, but goes after rebounds. Dominates the paint defensively, becomes territorial and finds it offensive when teams score in the lane. Able to not only secure a rebound, but on offense put the ball back up quickly without bringing the ball down. On defensive rebounds must be able to get the ball out for fast breaks by driving crisp passes for outlets to trigger the break. Must be extremely solid at boxing out, so that if he does not secure the board, at least his man does not. Must rotate properly on defense so he may block or alter shots in the lane. Must be able to secure post position, and receive the ball after acquiring post position. Must have basic go to moves, very basic and be proficient. A one bounce power and seal move and the ability to use a bank shot from post to 8 feet out. The player should also have very very few turnovers.

4. We have plenty of players that can play the 3 and maybe the 4.

5. The 2 guard is also a weakness as that player must be almost like a point guard, but have the ability to shoot and score. We have Casey and Davin that can fill that spot, but they may need to play other positions for the benefit of the team, time will tell.

So, as we move forward it is about how you play the game not the result. We must learn, we will continue to improve. When some of you younger players or even less experienced players get on the court, you must value the game time you get, make the most of your minutes. You will make mistakes, you may be playing a player much better than you on occasion, it's okay. But, never and I mean never let your effort be in doubt.

6. Again as a reminder, for now I am your coach/trainer. Do not let others confuse you by their attempts to instruct or direct you, especially as it relates to how we are trying to play the game. Nobody knows what we are trying to do but us, and then some of you are still confused. So when in doubt, always ask me. If you are getting input, run it by me for clarification. Playing the game correctly is difficult enough without adding confusion to the mix.

7. Will forward info on schedule and we will look at getting some form of uniform/jersey.