Shot Clock, Bombers & Wrens, Polls

#1 posting 12.20.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

SHOT CLOCK
John Millea of the StarTribune examines the use of the shot clock. In my experience I have only seen one game with the shot clock---DeLaSalle vs Marshall and even then the clock didn't have a horn signaling violation.

BOMBERS & WRENS
The Barnum Bombers have been blasting away the competition this season. Nipping at their heels are the Wrenshall Wrens. Due to new section alignments, both have a good chance to get to the state. Both were in 7A last year. Barnum has moved to 5A this season. From the Pine Journal.

LPA DYNAMIC DUO
Dawnelle Askelson and Ashley Tingelstad have been leading Lake Park-Audubon for years it seems. From the Fargo Forum.

ANOTHER POLL
Max Preps has their Minnesota Poll up and #1 is Centennial. They put all classes together in one jumbo poll. In the national poll Centennial is #15, Mpls South #16.
Which reminds me. Coaches---get someone to put your game by game stats into their system. Help advance the sport with more information.

I put names to the numbers (for most of Henry Sibley). Last night I did the out & about with Henry Sibley and Harding.
It is extremely useful to have numbers to go along with names. Anything that helps connect with fans, media, and colleges will only help your players.
And another thing---there is a trend where a team doesn't call in the score. Yesterday I had to call around to get a score from Tuesday night. When a score isn't called in I usually assume---
#1 the home team got shellacked (it is usually the home team's responsibility)
#2 the school isn't very polished when dealing with the media.
#3 the coach is a rookie/novice and doesn't know the responsibilities
#4 trying to hide
Swallow the bitter pill, have courage and call in the results AND the individual scoring. Be big time, not petty and small.

Thanks to the readers for the help.

If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: More state news.

Shot Clock Predictions

#1 posting 10.5.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

SHOT CLOCK
Here are some reactions to the approval of the new shot clock rule from the Fargo Forum, Pioneer Press, and StarTribune. Also the StarTribune has the language of the new rule.
Predictions:
1. fewer upsets in games where the clock is used.
2. teams sitting back in the zone at the end of a game realizing they will get the ball back.
3. less free throw parades at the end of games.
4. lower pp100s by both teams, and hence, less artistically exciting games.
5. permanent shot clock usage within two years, by large schools first. Smaller schools within three years.

FALL CLINIC
The Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association Fall Clinic opens today at Robbinsdale Cooper. Registration begins at 4:30 pm.
Gopher assistant Coach Barb Smith, St. Cloud Assistant Carol Thelen, and Kansas head coach
Bonnie Hendrickson speak tonight.

SUMMER 2008
The Metro Stars girls basketball 15U team coached by Blaine head varsity coach Steve Reiter is looking for two players to complete the 2008 roster. The team is in need of a 6-0 physical low post player and an athletic perimeter scorer. This team is expected to be on of the top 15U teams in the area and players will have access to everything the Metro Stars has to offer. Please contact Andy Meinhardt at andymeinhardt@hotmail.com if you would like to be considered one of these spots

ITALIAN OF THE YEAR
Rae Lin D'Alie of the Wisconsin Badgers was named Italian Athlete of the year by by the Italian Workmen's Club of Madison.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: a new verbal.

Goliath Wins One

#4 posting 10.4.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

GOLIATH WINS ONE
David will have to give up one of the stones in the effort to slay Goliath. The Minnesota State High School League voted 11-6 to approve of the shot clock on a limited basis. Favored teams everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief. From the StarTribune.

next up: tomorrow morning, and later tomorrow the Fall Week in Review

Shot Clocks & Goliath

#1 posting 10.4.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

SHOT CLOCK
The Shot clock idea is up for a vote today in the Minnesota State HS League. The boys coaches have been pushing this agenda. If it passes expect the girls to be saddled with it too. The time frame they are looking at is 35 seconds. But there are so many "onlys" and "ifs" in the proposal.

Only in Non Cons IF both teams agree,

Only in Non Post season Tournaments

By the way the average possessions last year was 68 in the games I charted. The lowest was Breck vs Tartan with 98 total. With 2160 seconds in a 36 minute game (two 18 minute halves) That broke down to 22.04 seconds per possession. Most of the games it was 15.88 seconds per possession. The fastest paced game was Park Center vs Stillwater with a combined 180 possessions or 12 seconds per possession.

Plus I can see problems now with not starting the shot clock, or starting it too soon. There are problems right now with clocks at games. I see it constantly at games. "Stop the clock" is a phrase I have heard more than once. Someone is going to have to run the clock. That will add expense, not to mention the new wiring for the clock. I know the scoreboard people are lobbying for this new useless rule.

The boys want to add this to "Speed up the game and add excitement."

Here is an idea: ground your players in basics like passing, ball handling and shot selection and get your team to the gold standard of 100.0 pp100. If I have to see 57.5 pp100 games with shot clocks I think I may have to puke.

Let us call this what it really is: A rule to prevent upsets. It takes another rock out of David's bag in the chance to slay Goliath. It started with the additional four minutes of game time. David I guess should know his place and make it easier for Goliath.

Quit greasing the game for Goliath.

The StarTribune reports on the issue too.

Thanks to the readers for the help in making this the premier site for girls basketball. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.