What a HERO!

Tears still swell up in my eyes, and occasionally trickle down my cheeks when I watch "The Father of The Century" and his son on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy8hOOvM0t0&feature=related Some of you know that this was a part of our presentation last year at our "HERO CLINIC". While parents, players, brothers, sisters, role-models, and friends walked out of the gym to pick up their pictures, I knew we had accomplished our mission for the day: spending quality time together doing something you like with someone you love. Let's face it, basketball is simply a game through which we celebrate and build relationships. This year we look forward to making your experience just as memorable and even more impacting than before. This year's clinic will be held on November 8th from 2-5 p.m. in the fieldhouse. The registration form is attached to this website. Please share this with anyone who you think might want to attend! Bless you and we’ll see you in the gym.

Making a Positive Impact

75 people. 2 supervisors. 300 + customers. 11 hours of service = $2200. Thousands of smiles later and touted as the best volunteer group Incredible Events has ever seen = PRICELESS!

The parking lot at Boulder Creek buzzed with excitement as shivers of over 55 volunteers from the Basketball Family created an anxious buzz on that crisp fall Saturday morning at 9 a.m. All waited to receive their championship t-shirts donated by Team Sports and then to be instructed on what was ahead. Sonya Roach and Annisa Rainey, our two leaders of the fundraiser, did what real Bulldogs do – overachieve. But even they couldn’t paint a real picture of what was to unfold. No one could, until our Bulldog Family jumped into action.

Tents, caramel apples, games, Faye & Shelly, BINGO, inflatables, grilled corn on the cob, hamburgers, condiments, baked beans, face painting, crafts, brooms, picnic tables, and set up. A quick bite to eat…….. Time to make an IMPACT.

Over 300 Barnes and Thornburg employees and their families enjoyed a wonderful afternoon because of the kind, eager, and industrious people in our program. Our players made children ages 3 to 83 smile, chuckle, and enjoy the innocence of a small carnival on a beautiful fall day at Eagle Creek Park. Moreover, they were so remarkable that the director for Barnes and Thornburg complimented them for making this day special for the employees. Immediately, an employee interrupted and commented, “This group is the most courteous group of young people I have ever seen. Thank you for making this so wonderful.”

A group had never before been complimented in such a manner. This made us obviously proud of our players and sons. And, although Shelly and Faye were impressed with our record set up, positive influence, and record tear down time, all of the members of the Bulldog Family expected as much. We work each day at being the Best of the Best. On October 4th these Dogs proved it once again.

Thank you Sonya, Annisa, parents, players, coaches, relatives, graduates, Greg Hill, Shelly and Faye for making that Saturday well……Incredible.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Practice! Practice! Practice! Yes practice is important, especially today. In an age where the ‘redo’ button on the X-box is only an arm’s length away, hours of repetition seem extraneous to many of our players. When I say “hit 200 more shots today” some of my players are willing to do it. Others scoff at the idea.

How about this idea from http://www.hoop-hype.net/.
“ Most basketball players want to improve their shooting. That is good, but to reach your basketball shooting goals takes daily, specific, measurable goal setting and correct practice. For the average player it takes 20,000 correct repetitions to make your shot automatic. If you shoot 1000 correct shots each day, how many days would it take for your shot to be automatic? The answer is 20 days or less than three weeks. If you shoot 100 correct shots each day, how many days would it take for your shot to be automatic? The answer is 200 days or almost seven months. You have a decision to make. How bad do you want it?”

Coach Hal Wissel makes a great point. How bad do you want it? Parents, are you willing to support your son or daughter if they decide to invest three hours a day shooting a basketball? How about rebounding for them until they hit 500? Yes, this sounds extravagant and excessive, but there are players presently doing this. Let me tell you about one player that paid this price and was rewarded just a few years ago.

This player scored 3603 points in high school, including a game high of 71. That means the player averaged 46.4 points per game as a high school player. The player broke his/her arm and returned shooting left-handed, but still the player averaged 26.4 points per game. In addition to basketball, the player was a four-sport athlete and record holder in cross-country, track, and tennis.

Obviously this player went on to college where, despite being only 5’8 and weighing only 144 pounds, was the highest scoring freshman in the nation and earned the right to be on Team USA. The success continued as this player won game after game, award after award. Finally, this player won the prize and honor of being named the best player in college basketball.

The pro scouts saw this tremendous product; therefore, this player went as the #4 draft pick in 2001. Most importantly this player was named the 2001 Rookie of the Year.

How was this done? Practice! By HITTING 1000 shots every day! That’s right – Jackie Stiles did it. Who is the next young person to do some phenomenal feat like this? I sure hope it is a Bulldog!

See you in the gym,

Coach Kendrick

http://www.webkrafts.com/stiles/index.htm
http://www.factmonster.com/biography/var/jackiestiles.html
http://www.webkrafts.com/stiles/news/wnba081701.htm
http://www.wnba.com/allstar2001/rookie_experience1.html
http://www.hoop-hype.net/