Team,

Below, please see important Seaforth men’s basketball weekly update (Sun, 9/22).

Cheers,
Coach Berry

Quote: “Actions express priorities.”

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Open Gym Schedule:

This week, we have two (2) open gyms:

• Tue, 9/24 from 6:00am – 7:30am
• Thu, 9/26 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Breakfast Club:

This week, there are two (2) breakfast club engagements:

• Mon, 9/23 from 6:15am – 7:15am
• Fri, 9/27 from 6:15am – 7:15am

Press & Press Break Basketball Clinic:

The Press & Press Break basketball clinic will be at Seaforth High School on Sat, 10/5 from 11:00am – 2:00pm.

For full details and registration, go to the following URL:

• https://www.seaforthbasketball.com/pressdes

Don’t delay, register now (free of charge).

Weekly Basketball Tip:

Ten (10) basketball tips when defending off-ball screens:

• Communicate early
• Stay low and alert
• Anticipate screen
• Fight through the screen
• Go under the screen (if offensive player is poor shooter)
• Switch defensively
• Hedge briefly
• Deny the ball
• Stat attached to player
• Force player to change direction

The most important tip is communication and having a plan (knowing what you’ll do) when defending off-ball screens.

Basketball Team Make-up:

The final men’s varsity basketball roster will consist of 12 players.

The 12 players will be ranked (1 – 12) and broken into 4 categories (A – D).

Category “A” players (1 – 5) are the top 5 ranked players and they will receive majority of playing time.

Category “B” players (6 - 8) will play regularly, as they will be the 1^st wave of substitutions for category “A” players.

Category “C” players (9 – 10) will be in the 2^nd wave of substitutions (after category “B”). For category “C” players to obtain consistent playing time, they first must earn a spot in category “B”.

Category “D” players (11 – 12) will be in the 3^rd wave of substitutions (after category “C”). For category “D” players, they must first earn a spot in category “C”. Thereafter, category “B”.

Playing time is based on merit and must be earned. Just because player has secured a spot on team does not mean they will play.

Please note, player rankings are fluid and will constantly be updated based on game play, game impact, practice efficiency, coachability, work ethic, chemistry, etc.

Every player will have an equal opportunity to earn playing time … based on merit.

We versus Me:

Back in 2017, I was head coach, men’s varsity basketball at Wood Charter (Chapel Hill, NC).

During the year, we played River Mill (Graham, NC).

In the first game versus River Mill, we got destroyed. Lost by 20 points. Any and everything that could go wrong, went wrong.

The lost was outright embarrassing!

Over the next 3 weeks, leading up to rematch, we worked feverishly to correct our mistakes.

During rematch game, we were determined to be extremely competitive.

Although River Mill’s players were quicker, faster, more athletic, more skilled, we competed hard. The game ended up going into double-overtime, and eventually we won!  The crowd stormed the court!

We played with the focus and force of a clinched fist – tightly bound and powerful – rather than the loose, scattered effort of an open hand.

I was super-proud of that team, as they truly understood the power of “We” versus “Me”. This is the mindset we (men’s varsity basketball team) must have for team success (playing together, as opposed to playing as individuals)!

See snippet of rematch basketball game versus River Mill by clicking below:

• https://youtu.be/qXGOZXUE5pU?si=szbi2qIgqVIj6hd5