Recruiting Talent, Rules, What to Do & Read

#1 posting 6.27.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

I have a few news items, that on the surface may not directly impact girls basketball, but I think are pertinent to the discussion.

RECRUITING AND EVALUATING TALENT
Here are two stories on recruiting and or evaluating talent: what is important and how the system works.

The first is a look at how Notre Dame football makes their decisions and the adjustments they make in the changing world of recruiting. It talks of how many players they offer at different positions and the success rate--kind of like a baseball batting average. From NBC Sports.

Also with the NBA Draft today here is a look at how the Timberwolves go through their process of evaluating talent. From the technology side to the human side. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

HIGH SCHOOL RECRUITING
How do some states deal with recruiting violations in their high schools? In North Dakota, Langdon High School volleyball has been barred from the post season due to recruiting violations. From KXMC Minot.

And in case you missed it, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association in their rules about contacting junior high players. From ESPN.

Both decisions should be a clear sign for those that think they can end run the MSHSL rules on recruiting.

HOW TO GET RECRUITED
Tip #1: This has nothing to do with on the court activity. If I were coaching a High School team I would run a screen with the players on their ACT/SAT test scores. I would find out if a player needs extra help and what areas a player needs improvement. We did that at Osseo. I remember helping players get over the hurdle. I would sit and make sure these players understood the test before walking in cold.
Players, and I know a few do look at this, here is some advice: one thing a player can do and improve their test scores is to do some reading. My recommendation is to get a daily newspaper and read the whole thing. Don't dwell on the stupid news of Paris Hilton & the rest of the phony news, but read the opinion pages, and hard news. Know what is going on in the world. After that read a good, solid magazine like Time, Newsweek, Fortune, or a solid science magazine. It will definitely boost your scores.

BOOKSHELF
Here are a couple of books that may be of interest to folks out there.
#1 Go Huskies Beat Felix the Cat. This is a book about all the different kind of nicknames/mascots of high schools throughout the country. This is a for fun book that gives some background on some of the crazier names.
#2 on a more serious note Basketball FundaMENTALS: A Complete Mental Training Guide. The mental side of the game is one that is probably overlooked. This book will help.

SUMMER LEAGUE INFORMATION
CHAMPLIN PARK
Osseo continues to march through the CP summer league with two more wins on Tuesday. They are now 6-0. Totino-Grace and Champlin Park are two games back at 4-2.

IRON RANGE
This week the games were played in Mt. Iron.
Cook 69, Babbitt Embarrass 61
Virginia 46, Orr 31
Mt.Iron-Buhl 71, Cotton 54

Thanks to the readers for your great help. If you don't see your summer league results posted, email me your scores and I will get them up.

Next up: more states, college reports and the last three games from the Games at Ames. Today it is the older age levels.