Now, as to the Lady Royals.

 

In order for any team to be truly successful many things are required.

 

1. Excitement and joy for the game being played
   
2. A common team goal
   
3. Harmony among the team members
   
4. Respect for the coaching staff by the team
   
5. Respect for the players by the coaches
   
6. Distribution of talent among the players
   
7. Competent and well prepared coaching staff
   
8. Support of the team by the fans
   
9. Support of the team by the school
   
10. Leadership from the sidelines
    
11. Leadership on the floor
    
12. Trust in each of these places of leadership
    
13. Team spirit and team respect
    
14. Selflessness on the part of every member of the team
    
15. Awareness that improvement is possible and desire to do so
    

 

I could continue this list until you all were tired of reading it, and you may be already.

 

In my opinion, some of these key components are lacking and have been lacking from this Lady Royals team. Sometimes an strength here compensates for a weakness there. Sometimes it doesn't. Until this group of young women and their leadership become a TEAM, they will be on a success rollercoaster. If true success is indeed the desire of this program, no one should be above self-examination and no-one should be above making some changes.

 

I truly wish all of these wonderful girls all the success that they deserve at this level and beyond, in basketball or anything and everything else that they do.

Thank You Himmelfarb and I agree. Imo RH has nothing to worry aboutl like a lot of these post might suggest. You have a very good ball club with very good athletes. I wil say that imo dissention amoungst your own ranks will lead to nothing but trouble. These kids do read these post and I don't think that you would want the fans arguments to carry over to the team. JMO and I am not trying to call anyone out here. I will be pulling for the Lady Royals the rest of the way unless, of course they should meet Raceland again.

 

Indeed...thank you. With all due respect, may I say that I think you overstate matters when you suggest dissention among our players or that RH fans are arguing.

 

I give a bit more credit to the young players about whom I have spoken here. To ask them to play a particular role is to do nothing more than to say, "Girls, we have to play to our strengths...and your strengths are...." Is it really that absurd a notion to suggest that a sixth grader not be asked to run the point when you have a senior on the floor who has handled that responsibility off and on for the past 4 years?

 

I assure you that the sixth grader in question...a great kid, who loves and adores her senior teammates...would completely understand. I'm talking about carburetor adjustments here...not a complete overhaul...just some tweaking that I think better serves the team's interests.

 

I agree with GottaRebound's earlier critique...in principle...but I think they apply more to a team where there is a greater degree of parity among the players. It reads good to say kids have to "step up"(not sure he said exactly that, but others have), but The Lady Royals have a bit more drop off when forced to sub and it has to be managed. That's not mean-spirited or haughty, just an honest observation.

 

I coached girls for five years and my experience is that one can speak to them about such particulars and trust that they are mature enough to understand. If one expects kids to demonstrate the maturity necessary to perform the physical skills we discuss here, one must also assume enough maturity on their part to understand that there are roles to play. My 7th grader certainly understands this simple truth.

the post by 2 cents could be said of every type of sports team. good post!

I posted several times that the referees's whistles would decide the game and that was the case. Now, that isn't to imply favoritism but to point out that, if any of Rose Hill's three best known seniors spent a material amount of time on the bench, the Lady Royals could not win. And, that is how it happened. Period.

 

Rose Hill cannot win when Terry and Queen only take 21 shots between them. They cannot beat a good team without their point guard running the offense and defense. but, instead, on the bench in foul trouble.

 

I don't recall the coaching staff missing a shot, failing to play defense, or making needless turnovers. Coaches cannot play the game for their players. You must have your primetimers, if you have any, take over on the floor.

 

Now, having said that, I think we need to concentrate on the effort of Raceland. They did what they needed to do to win. Vanderhoof seemed to me to be more aggressive from the start than did Rose Hill's big girls and proved she can play with anyone. I'm sure that all in the area will support the winner of the Raceland-Elliott County game as they travel to Richmond.

I give a bit more credit to the young players about whom I have spoken here. To ask them to play a particular role is to do nothing more than to say, "Girls, we have to play to our strengths...and your strengths are...." Is it really that absurd a notion to suggest that a sixth grader not be asked to run the point when you have a senior on the floor who has handled that responsibility off and on for the past 4 years?

 

 

Just wondering, but do you think maybe the idea was to have the PG try to get the ball to the both big girls underneath via the wing not just a chance at one since every time Laura touched the ball she was swarmed?Hence, my screenname, i would have liked to have seen more rebounding by RH. Not enough second chances.

Good game plan by Raceland coaching staff and the team executed it very well.

Indeed...thank you. With all due respect, may I say that I think you overstate matters when you suggest dissention among our players or that RH fans are arguing.

 

:thumb: You would certainly know the situation at RH better than I. I was just going on what seemed to be developing on some of the earlier post on this thread. I in no way was trying to slam or cut anyone ot the RH program. I have just personally seen this kind of thing esculate and cause nothing but trouble. I am positive that you know the RH situation much better than I, no harm intended.

Wow, that IS playing some defense, way to go Porter girls! To shut down two top notch players like Queen (in the 1st half) and Terry is one great effort. Congrats!:thumb:

:thumb: It is always good to see players that take pride in playing defense. They have shown they can play defense every time I have watched them play. Good defensive players sometimes never get credit for their hard work so it is good to see them get noticed after a big win. Great job girls:ylsuper:

Defense wins championships!!!

Excellent game by the coaching staff and the Lady Rams. Prayers are sent that Vanderhoof is ok. RH has a great program and a very talented group of players.

Indeed...thank you. With all due respect, may I say that I think you overstate matters when you suggest dissention among our players or that RH fans are arguing.

 

I give a bit more credit to the young players about whom I have spoken here. To ask them to play a particular role is to do nothing more than to say, "Girls, we have to play to our strengths...and your strengths are...." Is it really that absurd a notion to suggest that a sixth grader not be asked to run the point when you have a senior on the floor who has handled that responsibility off and on for the past 4 years?

 

I assure you that the sixth grader in question...a great kid, who loves and adores her senior teammates...would completely understand. I'm talking about carburetor adjustments here...not a complete overhaul...just some tweaking that I think better serves the team's interests.

 

I agree with GottaRebound's earlier critique...in principle...but I think they apply more to a team where there is a greater degree of parity among the players. It reads good to say kids have to "step up"(not sure he said exactly that, but others have), but The Lady Royals have a bit more drop off when forced to sub and it has to be managed. That's not mean-spirited or haughty, just an honest observation.

 

I coached girls for five years and my experience is that one can speak to them about such particulars and trust that they are mature enough to understand. If one expects kids to demonstrate the maturity necessary to perform the physical skills we discuss here, one must also assume enough maturity on their part to understand that there are roles to play. My 7th grader certainly understands this simple truth.

 

First of all ket me say that RH is definitely one of the top teams in the region, but they are also unlike any of the other contenders. No one disputes that they have 2 bonifide all-staters on the team, but then the problems begin. After Queen and Terry, the basketball talent level really drops off. This is not meant to criticize the other RH players. I do not know Britt Faulkner personally, but have seen her play many many times. I believe that Faulkner is a very good athlete and does some good things on the court, especially defensively, but RH does lack a natural point guard. I agree with Himmelfarb when he says that it may not be possible for the young ones to "step up" when needed. They work their tails off, do all they can to follow the coaches' game plan , but in the end -they just aren't ready to play consistently at this level of high school ball.

 

And thus the problem - it will be very difficult for RH to sustain any momentum, winning streaks, etc..against really good competition because they have a problem that can not be solved this year - youth. No one doubts the abilities of Queen and Terry, but for them to always be expected to beat teams all by themselves is slightly unreasonable. Throw in foul trouble, the rare off-night that each will surely have at one time or another, and you have an unbalanced team.

 

I think that many people are starting to realize what key players Spradlin and Yates were for RH last year. They were consistent and they were experience-tested seniors.

 

I wish nothing for the best for RH and especially their seniors and hope that they do contend for the regional title, but I think that we must all temper our expectations with reality as well.

First of all ket me say that RH is definitely one of the top teams in the region, but they are also unlike any of the other contenders. No one disputes that they have 2 bonifide all-staters on the team, but then the problems begin. After Queen and Terry, the basketball talent level really drops off. This is not meant to criticize the other RH players. I do not know Britt Faulkner personally, but have seen her play many many times. I believe that Faulkner is a very good athlete and does some good things on the court, especially defensively, but RH does lack a natural point guard. I agree with Himmelfarb when he says that it may not be possible for the young ones to "step up" when needed. They work their tails off, do all they can to follow the coaches' game plan , but in the end -they just aren't ready to play consistently at this level of high school ball.

 

And thus the problem - it will be very difficult for RH to sustain any momentum, winning streaks, etc..against really good competition because they have a problem that can not be solved this year - youth. No one doubts the abilities of Queen and Terry, but for them to always be expected to beat teams all by themselves is slightly unreasonable. Throw in foul trouble, the rare off-night that each will surely have at one time or another, and you have an unbalanced team.

 

I think that many people are starting to realize what key players Spradlin and Yates were for RH last year. They were consistent and they were experience-tested seniors.

 

I wish nothing for the best for RH and especially their seniors and hope that they do contend for the regional title, but I think that we must all temper our expectations with reality as well.

 

 

You left out the most important player from last year...uhhh she is playing at Louisville...Kala Faulkner

Just wondering, but do you think maybe the idea was to have the PG try to get the ball to the both big girls underneath via the wing not just a chance at one since every time Laura touched the ball she was swarmed?Hence, my screenname, i would have liked to have seen more rebounding by RH. Not enough second chances.

 

You may well be correct...I just have different view of what would have been more effective. And let me say that to articulate that view is not to disparage a coach or a coaching staff. I am fully aware of who misses shots, fails to play defense and so forth.

 

As for rebounding...you'll get no argument from me. What I regret is the lack of real straighforwardness here...and I realize it gets more difficult when one's identity becomes known. I have tried to be direct and speak to particulars without being overly critical and personally demeaning. I think one should give credit to where credit is due and not simply lump players together in their criticisms...lack of effort, rebounding, etc.

 

Seals was held to 8 points...not a bad defensive effort there. Dare we say who guarded her?!! Emily had 13 rebounds and I thought she worked hard...from the first whistle. Did she make mistakes? You bet...and they've been recorded and discussed. Vanderhoof...a really solid young player...had a tremendous game. Laura, having taken only two shots the first half, never really got involved in the offense and it affected her play on both ends of the floor. She did not have her best defensive effort against Vanderhoof. Now, we love her in this household...and I assure you I could speak to her in those exact words (and I've done so...having coached her). Brit, in my view, should have been taken out immediately upon picking up her second foul and allowed to settle down emotionally...and that she was not took its toll.

 

As for primetimers stepping up...let me continue to speak bluntly here. Readers will have already seen that according to some, the Lady Royals suffer from "Queen ball." Now...she hit 8 of 12 shots from the floor, had 13 boards (hard-earned in that game as those present I trust would attest), 6 steals (unless TheWalrus is to be believed and those numbers were padded), and 4 assists, and yet was told she played selfishly. What do you think would have been the reaction had she "taken over" as some have suggested?

 

I dont' think she or anyone else should go against the direction of their coaches and try to "take over." That may be the case when players are paid to perform, but this is the level at which kids are still learning to respect the authority of a coach and hopefully will be required to do whatever they are told...regardless of however much they or I disagree with it. Obviously, when I make the kind of remarks I have made with respect to those directions, it is at odds with some of the coaching decisions. I'm just talking here...and aren't we all...not trying to trash a coach. My remarks should not be construed as a personal attack or an undue criticism of any coach. I'm just an armchair (and bleacher) coach...the same as the rest of you.

First of all ket me say that RH is definitely one of the top teams in the region, but they are also unlike any of the other contenders. No one disputes that they have 2 bonifide all-staters on the team, but then the problems begin. After Queen and Terry, the basketball talent level really drops off. This is not meant to criticize the other RH players. I do not know Britt Faulkner personally, but have seen her play many many times. I believe that Faulkner is a very good athlete and does some good things on the court, especially defensively, but RH does lack a natural point guard. I agree with Himmelfarb when he says that it may not be possible for the young ones to "step up" when needed. They work their tails off, do all they can to follow the coaches' game plan , but in the end -they just aren't ready to play consistently at this level of high school ball.

 

And thus the problem - it will be very difficult for RH to sustain any momentum, winning streaks, etc..against really good competition because they have a problem that can not be solved this year - youth. No one doubts the abilities of Queen and Terry, but for them to always be expected to beat teams all by themselves is slightly unreasonable. Throw in foul trouble, the rare off-night that each will surely have at one time or another, and you have an unbalanced team.

 

I think that many people are starting to realize what key players Spradlin and Yates were for RH last year. They were consistent and they were experience-tested seniors.

 

I wish nothing for the best for RH and especially their seniors and hope that they do contend for the regional title, but I think that we must all temper our expectations with reality as well.

 

Thank you, IntentionalFoul. I defer all further questions and concerns to you.:thumb:

:thumb: You would certainly know the situation at RH better than I. I was just going on what seemed to be developing on some of the earlier post on this thread. I in no way was trying to slam or cut anyone ot the RH program. I have just personally seen this kind of thing esculate and cause nothing but trouble. I am positive that you know the RH situation much better than I, no harm intended.

 

Absolutely no offense taken and I certainly read no "slam" into your words. When I used the work "overstate," that's all I meant...just trying for clarity nothing more. I would hope that nothing that has been said here would escalate into hard feelings or trouble...here or beyond. It's because all of this is in fact so interesting that such discussions develop. It is why I read BGP.:thumb:

You may well be correct...I just have different view of what would have been more effective. And let me say that to articulate that view is not to disparage a coach or a coaching staff. I am fully aware of who misses shots, fails to play defense and so forth.

 

As for rebounding...you'll get no argument from me. What I regret is the lack of real straighforwardness here...and I realize it gets more difficult when one's identity becomes known. I have tried to be direct and speak to particulars without being overly critical and personally demeaning. I think one should give credit to where credit is due and not simply lump players together in their criticisms...lack of effort, rebounding, etc.

 

Seals was held to 8 points...not a bad defensive effort there. Dare we say who guarded her?!! Emily had 13 rebounds and I thought she worked hard...from the first whistle. Did she make mistakes? You bet...and they've been recorded and discussed. Vanderhoof...a really solid young player...had a tremendous game. Laura, having taken only two shots the first half, never really got involved in the offense and it affected her play on both ends of the floor. She did not have her best defensive effort against Vanderhoof. Now, we love her in this household...and I assure you I could speak to her in those exact words (and I've done so...having coached her). Brit, in my view, should have been taken out immediately upon picking up her second foul and allowed to settle down emotionally...and that she was not took its toll.

 

As for primetimers stepping up...let me continue to speak bluntly here. Readers will have already seen that according to some, the Lady Royals suffer from "Queen ball." Now...she hit 8 of 12 shots from the floor, had 13 boards (hard-earned in that game as those present I trust would attest), 6 steals (unless TheWalrus is to be believed and those numbers were padded), and 4 assists, and yet was told she played selfishly. What do you think would have been the reaction had she "taken over" as some have suggested?

 

I dont' think she or anyone else should go against the direction of their coaches and try to "take over." That may be the case when players are paid to perform, but this is the level at which kids are still learning to respect the authority of a coach and hopefully will be required to do whatever they are told...regardless of however much they or I disagree with it. Obviously, when I make the kind of remarks I have made with respect to those directions, it is at odds with some of the coaching decisions. I'm just talking here...and aren't we all...not trying to trash a coach. My remarks should not be construed as a personal attack or an undue criticism of any coach. I'm just an armchair (and bleacher) coach...the same as the rest of you.

 

I think alot of posts last night was FP's (Frustration Posts) and you were the lucky guy chosen for the bombardment...sorry about that, I feel we share many of the same views and philosphy as stated above in this post.

spell check not working, but you can figure it out