Team Tactics

I had an excellent time watching my kids match up against older competition this weekend. Some of them were doing so for the very first time, and although we may have faltered in the end, the experience gained trumps the experience had. Plus, my 15u made it to the 16u championship game, where they matched up against a team that had beaten them by 40 earlier that day. They lost again, but the second game was only by 20. That's progress.

One of my favorite things about coaching basketball is not coaching basketball. It is getting a chance to know these young people as they traverse through their youth, and seeing their joy of things other than basketball flourish as we walk together. For example, one of the players from the 17u and I were walking from one gym to another when we saw this fantastic landscape picture opportunity, so we stopped and took some shots, comparing each one, as well as the zoom that we had used and lighting ideas.

THEN when my 15u were walking to that same gym, another player was telling me about his photography class that he is currently in so I walked him to that same spot and let him be awed by the simple beauty of nature. He took some shots, too.

I really do love these kids, and I am just excited to see them fall in love with life and the world around them as well as ball.

Team Tactics AAU Basketball 2023 Fundraiser - Vertical Raise We are looking forward to a new season, and all of the exciting things to come. Fundraising now, more than ever, is vital to the success of our program. We want to be able to give these athletes everything they need to have a successful season. Each participant has a monetary goal, please consider d...

The Yellow Jackets would like to wish our forward Jackson the happiest of 13th birthdays. I personally have know Jackson for dang near his whole life, and he is just a sweet and kind off the court as he is a ball of potential on it. He is such a great kid, and I know that he is going to be a special player soon.

The Yellow Jackets would like to wish our an amazing 12th birthday. He is one of the quickest kids that I know, and he has become such a great player, both on defense and offense. He plays every possession like it is his last, and that is something that you do not really see often in youth players. His attitude, skills and demeanor are all admirable, and his smile and laugh are infectious.

Happy 12th birthday, Omie. I hope you have an amazing day, and just so you know, Coach Qian, Devin and I all put in on whichever gift you like best.