* This is the first of two blog posts about Empire State Takeover going forward. It will also highlight what it is, what it isn't, what to expect/not expect from myself and EST, explanations for future moves, and preliminary details about the 3rd annual invitational summer leagues. *
It's been quite the year for all of us. Both on the micro- and macro- scale, there's a great deal of change, uneasiness, and even upheaval in our society as a whole.
On a much smaller scale, it's been quite the year for me as well. Many would say Empire State Takeover took a major leap forward in its second year. I'm also sure some would say it took a step back. That depends on what end of the spectrum you're on.
In particular, the girls' side of EST saw major growth in 2016. What was a five-team league with 63 participants, full or alternate, in its first year saw expansion to eight teams and 94 players by year 2. The Upstate Elite Showcase one-day fall event in October saw similar growth, increasing from just 24 participants in 2015 to 51 in 2016. The amount of coaches attending events mirrored the player expansion; the summer league saw 57 coaches in attendance in 2016, a major improvement from 22 in 2015.
The boys' end did grow, although at not nearly the rate the girls' end did. Teams were a little fuller, without as many real numbers issues, but the 6 teams in 2015 remained the 6 teams in 2016. The amount of coaches attending actually took a slight dip last summer. I chose not to do a boys' fall event in 2016 like I did the year prior.
I have long realized a major reason for this - as EST expands, I'm no longer able to put the type of focus I'd like to have on both sides. If I do with one, the other feels the ill effects of less attention. After thinking about the future for quite a while, I came to a final decision - perhaps the worst kept secret, as I have told plenty of people verbally without formally announcing it -
I will be ceasing operations in boys' basketball in 2017, while expanding my girls' basketball coverage zone, operations, and offerings.
There are numerous reasons for this decision, and it didn't come easily, as there will be many aspects of work in boys' basketball that I'll miss. At the end of the day, I don't want to do anything without being able to put 100% into it. It became painfully clear in 2016 that I would not be able to cover both sides while giving them both 100% of what I had. Either both would take a light hit, or one would thrive while the other would suffer. If you know me at all, you know that's unacceptable to me. Along with great connections and relationships that I've been thankful to build among families, grassroots & college coaches, and scouting services in the girls' basketball scene, I feel that there's a greater need for something like this on this end. There are fewer options in girls' hoops to be seen or for the best to play with and against the best, although it's a rapidly growing field. One of my goals with EST is to do something that makes a difference to people, and it has an unmatched opportunity to do so in girls' basketball.
I would like to thank all of the players, families, coaches, and everyone else who had a hand in making boys' hoops what it was for the three years I've been involved. Between the two years of EST and the King of Kings College Prospect League, which I was the commissioner of in 2014 and what really got my feet wet in high school hoops, nearly 100 boys currently are playing college ball or will be next year. Countless others that will still be in high school next year that played in the 2016 EST will also go on to play basketball college at varying levels. There are parts of it that I will dearly miss. Truthfully, I'd love to see someone take over and do one now - not under my name, not with my influence, just to maintain the option for the region's boys basketball players. Hopefully, with someone's full attention, it would grow to be much bigger & better than where I've had it at.
But girls' basketball it is for me going forward, and I'm sincerely looking forward to the opportunity to grow within the game. With the increased attention and growth on this end, one other big plan is in the works - a second summer league location. After much debate about where this league would be located - western New York was the original thought - I've officially made the decision to bring it a little bit closer, with League #2 being located in the Syracuse area.
I was initially worried about if this move would potentially water down the Capital District league, as many players from Central New York and even the Syracuse area itself have already made the trip to Union College in 2015-16. My worries have been calmed by the interest of some players in doubling up leagues or doing one mainly, but getting to the other one a couple times as well. A site hasn't been finalized, but a couple options have come to the forefront, and more detailed information will hopefully be released over the next 2 weeks. I'm sincerely looking forward to the growth this will bring, as a Syracuse league really opens up the talent-rich Syracuse area, makes it a closer location for Watertown and Binghamton areas, and still opens up regions like Section 5 (Rochester), Section 6 (Buffalo/Jamestown/Olean), and even northern PA down to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.
In short, this is essentially my swan song on the boys' end as all focus and operation will continue solely with girls basketball going forward, and I'll be expanding the girls' side to offer as many opportunities as possible while giving 100% of my attention to its growth and quality. Thank you to everyone who has made the success of Empire State Takeover possible so far, and hopefully this will only continue with continued effort in the future!
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