I have done statistics for two high school basketball programs over the last 18 years with every level of success and lack thereof. If high school coaches need statistics as their only preparation for their opponents, then there are some pretty desperate coaches out there. They better be taking a lot of their time scouting and watching game film, because I have never known statistics to be anywhere near the whole story when it comes to evaluating talent and preparing a basketball team for that talent. Take it from someone who has been part of a state champion and several district champions.

 

So why is it so hard to find accurate statistics. At the next level it is easy to find about anything you want.

A lot of coaches won't do it because they think it somehow would be giving up state secrets to opponents (even though those same opponents get that info anyway when they scout).

 

A lot of coaches don't have the staff to track the stats effectively -- I especially see this on the girls' side of things, where volunteers are harder to come by -- and as a result are too busy.

 

And a lot of coaches are just lazy about it and can't be bothered.

 

paNDA, I cannot speak for every coach in the area, but I think it goes back to some of what Schue says here. I know back when I was in high school, there were at least a few kids who were interested in keeping accurate statistics and being team managers for the sports programs, but I do not think that kind of work ethic exists anymore. I may be making a blanket statement here, but if kids can't play they don't want to be involved. I don't think it is all kids, but definitely most. Coaches are entirely too busy to sit and take stats off of game film, but I do not think it is laziness per se.

 

I'll go even one further. I think the reason I am not concerned about posting complete box scores and information about Holy Cross games, is because while other coaches may get this information, it is ultimately up to our team to not only prepare a game plan, but execute it. A great coach once said, "It is not what you do, but how you do it."

"I am surprised coaches don't use film more after games. But perhaps I take High School ball too serious. "

 

What does this mean? Almost every program has a video coordinator and I guarentee 9/10 coaches watch every game.

Not to mention I know for a fact that coaches call on other coaches and ask for tapes of upcoming games all the time. Lots of time is spent watching tape. In most cases the kids watch tape after every game or most games.

 

No clue about the voting for the top 10...maybe some coaches think rankings are a waste of time and nonsense.

 

As for the overal subject. I think it comes down to time. Coaches love seeing stats too. In most cases I would bet they wish they could see stats for everyone they play for every game. But the resources to keep all these stats and then record them and then get them to the press or BGP or where ever takes time.

 

After teaching all day...coaching practices/games....watching tape...dealing with frustrating kids/parents/administrative problems....oh and then spend some time with his/her family...the least important or last thing a coach wants to do is put stats in a data base or call them in. You have to remember were dealing with HS programs that dont have a lot of money or a lot of resources to do this. Then why would they being doing it...to please a few fans or parents. Most of these coaches have stats in there hand or posted in the locker room I would assume. But many feel its not something they have to provide to the public or the press....and I kinda understand that.

I understand completely what you are saying, but I feel like stats are something that should be entered and because it is the last thing they feel like doing is not an acceptable excuse. Ultimately the fans and parents want to see them and these happen to be the same people who fill the seats and help to generate the little money that the programs have. When you decide to be a coach you take on the responsible of promoting exposure. It's not a secret society. Alot of people are interested in the stats. I am positively confident that every school would have someone that would love to do it for them if the coach was too busy. When schools are ranked high in the polls you will see their student base coming out in full force. When they are not, the sections dwindle. People like to see how teams are doing and people talk and word of mouth spreads exposure for teams and players.

I understand completely what you are saying, but I feel like stats are something that should be entered and because it is the last thing they feel like doing is not an acceptable excuse. Ultimately the fans and parents want to see them and these happen to be the same people who fill the seats and help to generate the little money that the programs have. When you decide to be a coach you take on the responsible of promoting exposure. It's not a secret society. Alot of people are interested in the stats. I am positively confident that every school would have someone that would love to do it for them if the coach was too busy. When schools are ranked high in the polls you will see their student base coming out in full force. When they are not, the sections dwindle. People like to see how teams are doing and people talk and word of mouth spreads exposure for teams and players.

 

Head coach can delegate this responsibility to his assistants or to a student statistician and it's not hard to enter the info every game or every couple of games. Having stats available to student athletes and parents also helps them market themselves and provide information to college coaches. In an era where high school coaches are not as involved in the recruiting process as the AAU coach and where parents have to assume some or most of the marketing capabilities providing stats is a small piece of the puzzle where high school coaches can help.

 

There are also relatives, family friends, etc who are unable to attend games or live out of the area. Giving them a place to find info info is a positive for your program whether it is thru a team web site or a general site like NKY.com. These are the same people who attend games and support the fundraisers for the program.