At this point, I've reached out to every single person I initially talked to about the leagues this summer - either the player directly (almost every boy, and a few girls) or a parent (almost every girl, and a few boys). If you haven't 'heard' from me - check the voicemail if you're a parent, I'm buried in there somewhere probably, and check the texts from 3-4 weeks ago if you're not a parent. If there's nothing, let me know! Second contacts will begin today with the boys who didn't get back to me on the first blast, so be prepared. I have heard from most people - and I've received a few dozen recruiting packet submissions and a couple dozen payments at this point. MANY more will be coming in over the next week, as I've been told, so it's filling up quite nicely. With all the talking have come questions (plenty of them), and some pop up much more than others. I'll get after the several that pop up from time to time... right now!
- How are the teams assembled?
This has been the most frequently asked question. I split teams up myself, primarily based on competitive balance and location. Since I've actually went out and watched all of you (nothing by mail), I know what you bring to the game, what level you're at, where you're comfortable on the court, etc., and I work with it. Competitive balance is of the utmost importance to me - I've told everyone this, I don't want one team to blow everyone's doors in and I don't want a team to suck. Making my best effort to make every game competitive, interesting, and worth coming to is my top priority in gameplay. I try to make it as region-based as possible (allows for carpooling for my people coming way out of the area, and it makes things more interesting). I'll fill in as necessary to even the squads and shield as best as possible from absences - I wouldn't make a team that has everyone playing on a national-level AAU team, because they'll miss a week or two and I don't want any forfeits. Once I assemble teams, players remain on the teams for the summer - it's not like you're going to the YMCA and picking up squads. Teams are concrete.
- Are there coaches? Who is coaching?
Yes, every team has a coach. I try to fill every coaching spot with a Division III or JuCo assistant coach (and in one case this year, a JuCo head coach). It's a win-win - players get coached by a different voice that knows the game and is affiliated with a college, the coaches stay involved in the game at a low responsibility rate (no practices), and they also get to see/have contact with much of the region's best talent they're looking for. In one year, it has already proven to be an intended and unintended recruiting advantage for coaches because of the contact and players' level of familiarity with them. I'm in the process of filling the girls' coaching spots (really just getting going) and most of my boys' spots are filled. Not every coach will be a collegiate assistant - I have the head of an AAU program with plenty of experience running the show for one of our teams, but mainly college. Whoever your coach may be, it's actually a coach you can learn from while playing a looser style with and against great competition, not just a babysitter on the bench.
- Will there be college coaches there every week?
I'm not in the business of making promises, so I don't tell people that I'll have a certain amount of coaches there or promise particular ones being in attendance (besides the ones who will be coaching in the league). I can promise this - I'll be sending detailed info regarding the league, including prospect lists and a schedule, to coaches at nearly 1,100 college programs over the next few weeks, along with a bevy of preps. With King of Kings last year, yes - we had coaches in attendance every week. Opening night was the biggest draw. The live periods in July offer a special opportunity for Division I coaches to attend, which nothing else in the region will offer. We had a nice surge of coaches attend the last week of July last year (last week for Division II programs to attend), and a few more came to catch the playoffs. All in all, 45 programs attended the boys' league last year. I'm one who always asks for feedback, and they all seemed to enjoy it & find it useful, and I've continued to be in touch. My big goal is to get 100 programs to attend each league, and my more realistic number I'm shooting for is 75. I think it's VERY reachable with the talent coming.
- What about prep schools?
As mentioned above, I'll be reaching out to all of the NEPSACs and other preps within 8-10 hours of here. There are a number of kids who played King of Kings last year that are at prep now, and there are numerous kids playing this summer that are interested in going prep. I will work to get as many out as possible.
- Can I pay weekly?
If you choose to be an alternate, you can pay a $25 weekly rate. There are some differences between the privileges of being a regular and being an alternate - I've highlighted that in a different article. Look to the right of this and click on Alternate Status in the dropdown list of articles if you'd like to know about that. To be a regular, I need $100 check in hand - can't pay weekly unless you're an alternate.
- What level do you think my kid can play at?
Many people don't think this is the most comfortable question to answer, but I've got it plenty of times and I'm willing to answer. Fair warning - I'm honest. If you're a D3 player, I'm not telling you to get ahold of Auriemma. The people I've appreciated most are the ones who were straight with me, so that's what I do. I'm not going to shoot down dreams - I'll also bring up strengths and weaknesses in your (or your child's) game, and what to improve on to get the most out of it. I've been around the game a little bit.
- What will I/my son/my daughter get out of this league?
There's something for almost everyone, honestly. I'm not going to say it's for everyone - simply put, I had a few kids quit last summer that were unhappy because they weren't the best player on the court anymore. If you're cool with being the big fish in a small pond without challenging yourself, you may not like it. Besides that, there's something for everyone. You're going to get a high level of competition. Everyone playing can play at the next level - I don't talk about the league or invite people in that can't. Playing with talent; playing against talent. You're going to get a good deal of exposure from a varying level of schools. Waiting for NCAA approval, but there's no reason to believe it won't come through, so Division I programs will likely be able to attend. The league is a great resource for Division II and Division III programs because the amount of kids from different areas (and at times, areas that they've never seen before), so there will be a good representation. JuCos will be notified, as well as preps (maybe a couple scouting services? we'll see), EXPOSURE IS A TOP PRIORITY. Also important... it's just a great environment. Good talent, coaches, music playing during the games, me cutting up on the microphone, and a whole lot of life. With all the other positives brought into the picture, the top positive comment I received from last summer's players when I asked for feedback was 'great environment', 'fun to play in', 'electric feel' (not the MGMT song), 'DJ at the games', and things of that nature. Can't mess with success. So top level hoops (the best you will receive in the area - national level tournaments are different, but you're not getting better hoop in the general area this summer), high exposure, great atmosphere, and I'm flexible if you have to miss any time. Anything else?
- When do I have to get stuff in by?
For everyone besides people I've just initially talked to over the last week, my general deadline for a guarantee is May 15. If you're in by May 15, I can GUARANTEE you a spot. After May 15, there's no guarantee. It'll be first come, first serve for remaining openings. When they're full, they're full. Like I mentioned before, I'm sending stuff to coaches the 3rd week of May with initial prospect lists and schedule, and I'm not waiting around forever.
- What do I need to do to guarantee a spot?
Let me know you're in (whether regular or alternate), and fill out the recruiting packet form. That can be found at www.empirestatetakeover.org/en/Forms. It can be submitted directly on the website, and no one sees the info but myself and coaches that attend. I'm not demanding the check by May 15 (if I get it before mid-June, that's fine), but getting the check in is preferred on my end. I have well over $10,000 to pay regarding the league in the next 6 weeks, and league fees will certainly be needed (I've mentioned to people that don't realize the costs to run something like this, I'm not really going to be making any money off this summer - people in the circuit that know costs realized that as soon as I mentioned it was $100).
- There's a good amount of info needed for that form, why so much?
Recruiting packets are required by the NCAA for certification, and they MUST include names w/ jersey numbers and contact information. I take the next step to not only help coaches with information, but help the kids as well. If you have a 98 GPA, you want them all to know, right? Name, jersey number, contact info, basic info (height, graduating class, high school), academic info (GPA, SAT if applicable, intended major if known), and athletic info (coach contact info and AAU team) goes a long way. College programs don't treat the GPA in the program as gospel, but they do use it as a guideline. Some schools have higher academic requirements than others, and it helps. The intended major section is a big addition for me. I'm taking a more direct approach to coach notifications this year. I'm trying to get everybody in these leagues exposure from schools that matter to them. If you're a good Division III, perhaps Division II player that wants to go into a physical therapy program, I'm going to mention you in particular to schools at those levels that offer that program or related ones. The agricultural science school won't hear anything extra about you. It's just another way to try and get every one of you some more looks from schools that matter, and it helps coaches get an idea of what they're looking at before they make contact. I've been told by coaches that the intended major is big because it eliminates the initial inquiry call they have to make - they know where they stand as far as the academic side goes, and if it matches up, they can get right to the recruiting end.
- So what's the mailing address for the check?
My address works - 206 Western Ave. Apt. #1, Albany, NY 12203. (Anyone reading this, don't be waiting for me outside to rob me - I'm broke, I promise) Full payment info can be seen by clicking the 'Payment Info' article to the right, or going to empirestatetakeover.blogspot.com/2015/04/payment-info.html.
One more thing... I know this is a new thing. I know I'm not working through King of Kings anymore, a well-established name in CNY. This is the inaugural run of Empire State Takeover, and I'm 23. It's a really ambitious play on my part, and I get the skepticism that there's been whispers of through the months. I get why some people think this will flop, or at least not be much of a success. I know. I can promise you this though... no one works harder than me. I've put about every waking moment into this since November. When I do something, I don't half-ass it - I make it as strong as I possibly can. That's why I recruit heavily in different areas, log miles on the car to MA, CT, VT, Central NY, the Southern Tier, Northern NY, the Mid-Hudson, Lo-Hud, Western NY, even NJ & RI for tournaments. I have an unmatched drive to provide the overall best basketball experience you've had and to exceed everyone's expectations. If you're on the fence about playing... you have my word, it's worth it. I urge you to give it a shot. If your schedule is a little too wild, I urge you to give it a shot as an alternate. I said it on the paper - if I talked to you, I really do want you in the league. I think you'll be happy you played. Any other questions, call/text/e-mail/Twitter DM/website contact form/whatever else you can think of. Again, I'm 23, tech-savvy and easy to reach out to. I hope to hear from ALL of you, whether it's a yes or no (I'd much rather you tell me you're not going to play than just not respond), soon!
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
RI Breakers Recap - Sunday, 4/19
Decided to make the trip to Rhode Island after getting the local stuff out of the way Saturday. Talk about going 3 hours to watch what you once saw 3 minutes away - one of the most impressive teams was the home area Albany Capitals. They went 4-0 in convincing fashion. This tournament wasn't necessarily split too much into age groups, so I'll just get to listing some of the top players (within the range of the summer league - wasn't exactly paying attention to kids from RI, ME, and NJ!).
Players to Watch
Jenna Giacone (Bethlehem; 2016) - Pretty much a high major lock. The 6'0" point guard has had them involved for a while, and she really showed why at this tournament. Has the handle to break down good defenders and get to the rack, where she can finish at the rim or dime a teammate. Likes to put it on the deck more than spot up, but give her some room and she'll make you pay. Overall skill at both ends, mixed with size and athleticism for her position, make her a 'can't miss' player. Programs such as BC, Wake Forest, UVA, VT, and NC State have offered.
Carly Boland (Shenendehowa; 2016) - Coaches love Carly. Most people that possess the type of skill she does force things sometimes; they take tough shots they don't need to, because they can make them sometimes. Carly doesn't take 'bad shots' and is willing to set up others, and in part because of that, she has a sky-high field goal percentage. The 6'0" wing doesn't really have a weakness in her game, and she showed she can create from the perimeter and hit the J beyond the 3 point line. Certainly another Division I prospect for the Capitals, and she's at least been offered by the locals.
Sam Laranjo (Averill Park; 2016) - Rick Pitino would love her. High motor, aggressive all the time at both ends, not afraid to get her hands dirty and probably doesn't care too much what the other team thinks of her. She seems like she plays her best against the toughest competition, which certainly isn't a bad thing. She had a particularly good game in her Capitals' last one Sunday. The officials let them go a little, which fit her style. The point guard can finish at the rim, hit the mid-range J, pull up from 3, and keep everyone happy by hitting them on time, on target. She got the Showtime Dime of the Day, lacing a teammate with a behind the back feed on the move & on the money.
Sydney Brown (Shenendehowa; 2017) - Let's keep talking about the Capitals 'A' squad. Sydney is a 6'0" tweener with the skill set to play (and guard) 4 positions. Borderline ungodly athletic, and she's a gym rat. Kinda got a kick out of watching her go from basket to basket during timeouts during their down time shooting away. She actually didn't see the ball a lot in the game I watched them, but she made her presence felt in other ways. She won't have to pay for room and board when she goes to college.
Lucy Tougas (Glens Falls; 2017) - On the Capitals 'B' team, but certainly could be on the 'A' squad. Probably good for her to be with this group though, as there are so many guards on the other team. The 5'9" point guard really shines among this group. She's pass-first by nature, but is taking more of an effort to look for her own shot some more, which is good because she's certainly a capable scorer. Hard worker at both ends and really is a competitor. Another thing that coaches will like - GPA hovers around a 98. Yeah, she'll get accepted.
Brianna Legacy (Mount Anthony Union (VT); 2017) - These MAU girls must love AAU ball. If you haven't watched their varsity team play, they play 1-2 minutes at a time before being mass subbed out, hockey line change style. Now, they actually get to play a little. Bri took advantage of that and really came into her own on Sunday. She's aggressive on the offensive end and despite a slighter build, she's not afraid to initiate contact. She can step back and hit the J, too, and is also a tenacious defender. She'll definitely be a good D3 pickup in a couple years, and who knows? Maybe more.
Paige Niemeyer (Ichabod Crane; 2016) - Another one who could play on the Capitals 'A' squad, but is a better fit with this group. She's a 6 footer that is comfortable essentially playing a point forward. She can grab the board and run the break or initiate the offense herself, and she's a very unselfish player - almost too unselfish sometimes. Did well picking her spots and shot a high percentage. She's quiet, but has an unmistakable drive about her as well. Kind of player that coaches love. May go D3, may slide up to D2, but I'm a big fan of her game.
Alexandra Tudor (Shenendehowa; 2018) - Runs like a deer in the open court. In an uptempo game, she'll be a force against anyone because of her speed, willingness to run, and ability to catch and finish on the fly. Just a rising sophomore, so she's got time to work on the game which has even shown improvements since the winter, but she's certainly one to keep on the radar.
Katherine Cain (Pine Bush; 2017) - Out of everyone I saw Sunday, Kate may have been the most impressive. It's really tough to go wrong with a 6'5" sophomore that runs the floor, gets boards in and out of her area, impacts the game at the defensive end, and has the shooting touch of a guard. She makes the baby hook at a high clip, turnaround jumpers, mid-range Js off the catch, and has soft hands. If she gets a couple fingers on the ball, she's catching it. Her work in the blocks was the driving force behind Hudson Valley Elite going from down 16 at half to a double digit win over Mass Frenzy. Her mother is right around her height, her father was an All-American at Manhattan, and her sister played at Fairfield, so genetics are in this 15 year old's favor.
Sophie Gatzounas (South Hadley (MA); 2017) - In my eyes, she was the best player on the always-tough Mass Frenzy squad this Sunday, without question. The hard-nosed wing with a knack for getting to the free throw line played to her strengths, and she made an impression on a lot of coaches there. Felt like she had about 20 in the first half against HV Elite and scored in a variety of ways. Anticipates well on defense and not afraid of the physicality. Sophie impresses me more every time I watch her play.
Christie Mirski (Agawam (MA); 2016) - Christie must love playing around other people that can play, too. It's something she's not used to at her high school, so she really shines on the circuit. She can score, but her true strength is court vision and passing ability, and she loves to find the open girl... and she knows when & where they'll be before everyone else on the court does. She has a stronger frame than the vast majority of guards, too. Direct quote from a college coach: 'Give her a year in a college weight room and she's going to be a problem!'. Might be talking scholarship-level ball for her. Definitely should be on the Division II radar.
Kate Sullivan (Granby (MA); 2017) - A long & lanky guard whose main strength is on the defensive end, anticipating and getting hands on passes. Has the ability to start the fast break with her defensive ability and get the job done on the break with her playmaking & finishing ability. Definitely favors an uptempo style. Definitely a good NESCAC type player, but could see her going higher with work on her weaknesses.
Lauraine Joensen (Northampton (MA); 2017) - Skill & physical tools make her one of the more intriguing players I've seen. She's about 6'2" with very long arms and as a face-up post player, she has guard skills, including the ability to shoot out to the 3 point line. Tends to shy away for long stretches, or else I'd be comfortable saying she could be a Division I prospect. That being said, still should be on NE-10 or CACC radars with the ability to go a little higher.
Brooke Bjelko (Beekmantown; 2017) Caught her Lone Wolf squad bright and early for an 8:00 start on Sunday. She was the most impressive prospect there for her Burlington, VT based team, which was particularly undermanned with a couple of their players not there. The 6'2" true post isn't as strong as you'd like, but has flashes of dominance. She showed her ability to score off post moves in the blocks with either hand, along with finishing through contact. She's from an area in northern NY where basketball talent is generally lacking - imagine if fellow Beekmantown native (now at Tabor Academy as a BC commit) Shannon Ryan was still around? That would be a terror for NYSPHSAA Class B teams everywhere.
Chill, fam: The WTF Moment of the Day
This one was easy. I don't even fully remember what program it was... one of the eastern Mass teams. They were losing, albeit relatively close, to Connecticut Cobras. The coach, who had already been hit with a T in the first half, said something. Then something else, and some more on top of that. Who knows what (cough cough), but it warranted a 2nd T, aka an ejection. Of course, this team had no assistant coach, so they forfeited the game with their coach getting the hook. Since it's a good idea to be a solid example for the 9th & 10th grade girls you're coaching, it's probably a good idea to give it up, right? Guess not. The coach went off on a rant from across the court after. I didn't hear the whole thing, but it was easy enough to hear that the coach wanted the tech-giving ref to 'meet him outside'. Keepin' it classy, bruh bruh.
Players to Watch
Jenna Giacone (Bethlehem; 2016) - Pretty much a high major lock. The 6'0" point guard has had them involved for a while, and she really showed why at this tournament. Has the handle to break down good defenders and get to the rack, where she can finish at the rim or dime a teammate. Likes to put it on the deck more than spot up, but give her some room and she'll make you pay. Overall skill at both ends, mixed with size and athleticism for her position, make her a 'can't miss' player. Programs such as BC, Wake Forest, UVA, VT, and NC State have offered.
Carly Boland (Shenendehowa; 2016) - Coaches love Carly. Most people that possess the type of skill she does force things sometimes; they take tough shots they don't need to, because they can make them sometimes. Carly doesn't take 'bad shots' and is willing to set up others, and in part because of that, she has a sky-high field goal percentage. The 6'0" wing doesn't really have a weakness in her game, and she showed she can create from the perimeter and hit the J beyond the 3 point line. Certainly another Division I prospect for the Capitals, and she's at least been offered by the locals.
Sam Laranjo (Averill Park; 2016) - Rick Pitino would love her. High motor, aggressive all the time at both ends, not afraid to get her hands dirty and probably doesn't care too much what the other team thinks of her. She seems like she plays her best against the toughest competition, which certainly isn't a bad thing. She had a particularly good game in her Capitals' last one Sunday. The officials let them go a little, which fit her style. The point guard can finish at the rim, hit the mid-range J, pull up from 3, and keep everyone happy by hitting them on time, on target. She got the Showtime Dime of the Day, lacing a teammate with a behind the back feed on the move & on the money.
Sydney Brown (Shenendehowa; 2017) - Let's keep talking about the Capitals 'A' squad. Sydney is a 6'0" tweener with the skill set to play (and guard) 4 positions. Borderline ungodly athletic, and she's a gym rat. Kinda got a kick out of watching her go from basket to basket during timeouts during their down time shooting away. She actually didn't see the ball a lot in the game I watched them, but she made her presence felt in other ways. She won't have to pay for room and board when she goes to college.
Lucy Tougas (Glens Falls; 2017) - On the Capitals 'B' team, but certainly could be on the 'A' squad. Probably good for her to be with this group though, as there are so many guards on the other team. The 5'9" point guard really shines among this group. She's pass-first by nature, but is taking more of an effort to look for her own shot some more, which is good because she's certainly a capable scorer. Hard worker at both ends and really is a competitor. Another thing that coaches will like - GPA hovers around a 98. Yeah, she'll get accepted.
Brianna Legacy (Mount Anthony Union (VT); 2017) - These MAU girls must love AAU ball. If you haven't watched their varsity team play, they play 1-2 minutes at a time before being mass subbed out, hockey line change style. Now, they actually get to play a little. Bri took advantage of that and really came into her own on Sunday. She's aggressive on the offensive end and despite a slighter build, she's not afraid to initiate contact. She can step back and hit the J, too, and is also a tenacious defender. She'll definitely be a good D3 pickup in a couple years, and who knows? Maybe more.
Paige Niemeyer (Ichabod Crane; 2016) - Another one who could play on the Capitals 'A' squad, but is a better fit with this group. She's a 6 footer that is comfortable essentially playing a point forward. She can grab the board and run the break or initiate the offense herself, and she's a very unselfish player - almost too unselfish sometimes. Did well picking her spots and shot a high percentage. She's quiet, but has an unmistakable drive about her as well. Kind of player that coaches love. May go D3, may slide up to D2, but I'm a big fan of her game.
Alexandra Tudor (Shenendehowa; 2018) - Runs like a deer in the open court. In an uptempo game, she'll be a force against anyone because of her speed, willingness to run, and ability to catch and finish on the fly. Just a rising sophomore, so she's got time to work on the game which has even shown improvements since the winter, but she's certainly one to keep on the radar.
Katherine Cain (Pine Bush; 2017) - Out of everyone I saw Sunday, Kate may have been the most impressive. It's really tough to go wrong with a 6'5" sophomore that runs the floor, gets boards in and out of her area, impacts the game at the defensive end, and has the shooting touch of a guard. She makes the baby hook at a high clip, turnaround jumpers, mid-range Js off the catch, and has soft hands. If she gets a couple fingers on the ball, she's catching it. Her work in the blocks was the driving force behind Hudson Valley Elite going from down 16 at half to a double digit win over Mass Frenzy. Her mother is right around her height, her father was an All-American at Manhattan, and her sister played at Fairfield, so genetics are in this 15 year old's favor.
Sophie Gatzounas (South Hadley (MA); 2017) - In my eyes, she was the best player on the always-tough Mass Frenzy squad this Sunday, without question. The hard-nosed wing with a knack for getting to the free throw line played to her strengths, and she made an impression on a lot of coaches there. Felt like she had about 20 in the first half against HV Elite and scored in a variety of ways. Anticipates well on defense and not afraid of the physicality. Sophie impresses me more every time I watch her play.
Christie Mirski (Agawam (MA); 2016) - Christie must love playing around other people that can play, too. It's something she's not used to at her high school, so she really shines on the circuit. She can score, but her true strength is court vision and passing ability, and she loves to find the open girl... and she knows when & where they'll be before everyone else on the court does. She has a stronger frame than the vast majority of guards, too. Direct quote from a college coach: 'Give her a year in a college weight room and she's going to be a problem!'. Might be talking scholarship-level ball for her. Definitely should be on the Division II radar.
Kate Sullivan (Granby (MA); 2017) - A long & lanky guard whose main strength is on the defensive end, anticipating and getting hands on passes. Has the ability to start the fast break with her defensive ability and get the job done on the break with her playmaking & finishing ability. Definitely favors an uptempo style. Definitely a good NESCAC type player, but could see her going higher with work on her weaknesses.
Lauraine Joensen (Northampton (MA); 2017) - Skill & physical tools make her one of the more intriguing players I've seen. She's about 6'2" with very long arms and as a face-up post player, she has guard skills, including the ability to shoot out to the 3 point line. Tends to shy away for long stretches, or else I'd be comfortable saying she could be a Division I prospect. That being said, still should be on NE-10 or CACC radars with the ability to go a little higher.
Brooke Bjelko (Beekmantown; 2017) Caught her Lone Wolf squad bright and early for an 8:00 start on Sunday. She was the most impressive prospect there for her Burlington, VT based team, which was particularly undermanned with a couple of their players not there. The 6'2" true post isn't as strong as you'd like, but has flashes of dominance. She showed her ability to score off post moves in the blocks with either hand, along with finishing through contact. She's from an area in northern NY where basketball talent is generally lacking - imagine if fellow Beekmantown native (now at Tabor Academy as a BC commit) Shannon Ryan was still around? That would be a terror for NYSPHSAA Class B teams everywhere.
Chill, fam: The WTF Moment of the Day
This one was easy. I don't even fully remember what program it was... one of the eastern Mass teams. They were losing, albeit relatively close, to Connecticut Cobras. The coach, who had already been hit with a T in the first half, said something. Then something else, and some more on top of that. Who knows what (cough cough), but it warranted a 2nd T, aka an ejection. Of course, this team had no assistant coach, so they forfeited the game with their coach getting the hook. Since it's a good idea to be a solid example for the 9th & 10th grade girls you're coaching, it's probably a good idea to give it up, right? Guess not. The coach went off on a rant from across the court after. I didn't hear the whole thing, but it was easy enough to hear that the coach wanted the tech-giving ref to 'meet him outside'. Keepin' it classy, bruh bruh.
Pound the Rock Recap - Saturday, 4/18
Planned on going to NERR Hoops in Boston area Saturday, but a hefty price tag on an overnight tow forced my hand in making the decision to stick around. Pound the Rock has been a staple in the Albany area for a while - it was well-established when I was going through the circuit in HS - and this was no different. Most teams in the age groups I watched were relatively local, but there were teams I caught from the Mid-Hudson (Elite Hoops), Western MA (The Squad, Berkshire Elite), and central CT (Wins 4 Life). The recap:
12th Grade - I can't watch seniors play AAU anymore. If they're not playing for their college exposure lives at a certified event, it's like watching pickup hoops at the YMCA or a local rec league. Pointless. Next!
11th Grade - Much better luck with the 17s. I didn't watch every 17 group (only around half of them), but it was a solid sample set. The majority of what I missed was from local groups where I know what they have, anyway. The two best teams I caught were Mike's Dogs and Anaconda, both area teams but with very different makeups. More info below.
10th Grade - I've been having more luck watching 16s than any other age group this spring. I can't say the same about this day, but there were a couple solid teams. Just so happened to watch them battle in the evening, with Elite Hoops holding off Wins 4 Life by 3. The best players in the bracket that I was able to see were on these teams - I'll get into that.
Players to Watch
Rory Flaherty (Albany Academy; 2015, doing PG prep) - Rory seems to be the leader of whatever team he's on. Leader of a young, but talented Albany Academy squad this year that lost in Class A Federation finals, and led this Mike's Dogs group. The senior will be attending Deerfield Academy in MA next year for a PG season, and the smart, hard-nosed 6'0" point guard looks to be a great NESCAC-type prospect.
Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater; 2016) - The 6'2" combo guard was a standout for his HS team, one of the top players in his league, and one of the small-school kids who can hang with the 'big boys'. Scorers score, and the 20+ PPG talent came through. The jumper was going, which opened up the drive, and his offensive output helped Mike's Dogs blow out an outmatched Springfield Blazers team by 33. Type of kid that a lot of D3 schools could use.
Steve Low (Albany Academy; 2016) - Provided a little size for Mike's Dogs, being a long-armed 6'4", but he also spreads the floor on O with the ability to knock down the trey. Shot was off in this one, so he made up for it by getting after it on the glass at both ends. Picked up a few extra second-chance points outworking everyone. Like his HS teammate above, Steve's another really solid NESCAC-type kid, and he's already visited a couple.
Evan Pescetti (Saratoga Catholic; 2016) - Evan's reputation is that you don't have to call plays for him to make his presence felt. Another small-school kid - decent size in his league, but a very undersized post in the grand scheme of things at around 6'3" - but a welcome sight in this game was some budding guard skills. Never get to see that at his HS, but he showed an ability to put the ball on the deck from the wing and create a few times. His rebounding ability, especially for his size, and work ethic are his biggest attributes - kind of glue guy that coaches love. He's working his way onto D3 radars, with Hamilton most recently reaching out.
Ralph Simeone (Guilderland; 2015) - Ralph got hot for Team 518 and was a driving force behind them picking up a W over Troy Cougars. 3rd (and at times 2nd) option behind the Andrews (Platek & Sischo) on his HS team this year, he relished in a role beyond top role player with this team.
Tim Doyle (Niskayuna; 2015) - Has the look of a basketball player. Wasn't aggressive for Team 518, but when he wanted to attack against this Cougars team, it worked. The 6'3" point guard got others involved and kept everyone happy. D3 level prospect - I heard Hamilton was the future destination a few months ago.
Davonte Jones (Lansingburgh; 2017) - Just a sophomore, Davonte was the main reason Troy Cougars stayed in the game until the end. Slight in build, but just a fun kid to watch. Good handle, very quick but very rarely is out of control, capable jump shooter, hustles at both ends. When he wants to get to the rim, he usually does, and he finishes well through contact but also looks to keep others involved. Looks like he takes pride in defensive abilities. At this rate, he'll be a strong D3 pickup in a couple years.
Damonte White (Mekeel Christian Academy; 2016) - Most kids want to be guards. At 6'5" and probably 220-230 pounds, Damonte's cool with doing all of his work 15 feet and in. The lefty does a nice job catching and finishing, has a go-to move and counter move, and showed a nice ability to pass in high-low situations. Not sure what his plans are for next year - eligibility due to repeating a grade is an issue, although he was young for his grade before that - but he's someone for D3 and JuCo programs to keep an eye on.
Todd Spottswood (Schenectady; 2015) - Not sure what Todd's doing next year, but his top asset is unmistakable. Dude's big. The tallest player I saw at the tournament, at 6'8", with a wide frame. He's lost a good amount of weight and worked himself into better shape than he was a year ago. Still only truly impacts slower paced games, but does a good job working 10 feet and in. Also had a few surprisingly nice passes out of the post. Seems like your typical 'gentle giant' - mild-mannered, might take some revving up. Size and attributes make him someone to keep an eye on, especially if he's going JuCo next year.
Neftali Lind (Schenectady; 2016) - As far as 2016 scholarship-level talent goes, it was lacking in this tournament. That being said, Neftali was one of just a couple there that I could see making it at the Division II level. 6'2" with a well-rounded game, good attitude, and explosive athleticism, he outclassed pretty much everyone at the tournament on ability. Not sure what academics are like, but as far as on-court goes, definitely a VERY good D3 pickup and could see him at the D2 level.
Ty'Jon Gilmore (Watervliet; 2016) - The other one I could see at the D2 level. Not as strong of a defender and not as athletic as Neftali, but he was the purest offensive player at the tournament. Great shooter (catch & shoot, off the dribble, on the move, you name it) with parking lot range, but doesn't overly rely on it. Very crafty putting the ball on the deck and getting to the rim, and he can find the open man when not many others can. He, along with the three mentioned above, played for an Anaconda squad that destroyed the Hudson River Titans team they played (up 50-12 at half), but Ty'Jon also plays with City Rocks.
Mike Mann (Mekeel Christian Academy; 2016) - Known strictly as a shooter (83 3s for his team this winter, 249 of his 298 points came from beyond the arc), he used a couple early made threes to open up the court. Put the ball on the floor and got into the lane a few times & made good passes off the dribble to cutters or shooters spotting up. Still about as much of a specialist as you'll find, but he fits a role that some programs look for, especially those with dynamic point guards. That Hudson River Titans did not have a fun time against these boys.
James Anozie (Our Lady of Lourdes; 2017) - Raw, but has pure size and strength. 6'5"-6'6" with a body on him that he enjoys using to mix it up in the blocks. Deceptive athleticism - kinda pulled a Shaq, taking the ball down the court after getting it in the middle against the press and nearly cramming one home against two defenders. He got hacked on the attempt, but it's AAU, so no foul. Again, very raw - needs a lot of time in the gym working on footwork, but will shape into a nice prospect with that work. Driving force behind Elite Hoops' 3 point W over Wins 4 Life, despite playing without Beau Smith, perhaps their best player.
Andrew Jaworski (Tolland (CT); 2017) - Definitely had the most upper body strength, and perhaps the most strength in general, among 2017 guards there. Looks like he's been in the weight room for a while. Pretty refined offensive game - he'll hit the 3, get to the rack and finish at the rim, and can create his own shot off the dribble, including hitting a couple difficult stepback jumpers in key moments of games. Needs to lay off a little on the defensive end, somewhat foul prone, but it'll come. Kid can play. He was my favorite to watch on the Wins 4 Life team on this day.
Daniel Brocke (Hall (CT); 2017) - Tallest player in the 16s, looked to be about 6'7". Needs work on the offensive end with footwork and post moves, but impacts the game at the defensive end, rebounds well, and runs the court extremely well for your average person that height and age. A lot of his points came on the break. He's not always finishing above the rim, but he has the ability to. If he works on refining the offensive game, he'll be a force.
Nate Laszewski (Avon (CT); 2017) - The 6'6" forward didn't have his best game when I watched, but what he brings to the table is undeniable. He's a hard worker on the court that has the physical tools to be a force at the next level. Widely regarded as one of the top couple dozen prospects in the Class of '17 in New England. If the name's not on the radar yet, get it on there!
Chill, fam: The WTF Moment of the Day
I could go a few different ways with this one. The fight in the first game I watched? How about the fight in the second one? I could talk about parents, but that would be too easy. One topped them all, though. At a site that I won't name, an AAU coach that I won't name (the father of a western Mass player that I won't name) went pretty hard hitting on the site coordinator... a local HIGH SCHOOL girls basketball player... that I won't name. You know I had to ask if she got his number. I don't like to join the crowd and use this word, but there's only one thing I could say to that... BRUH. I consider myself too old to do that. I'm 23. You're almost 50. Come on! Gotta love what you see on the circuit!
12th Grade - I can't watch seniors play AAU anymore. If they're not playing for their college exposure lives at a certified event, it's like watching pickup hoops at the YMCA or a local rec league. Pointless. Next!
11th Grade - Much better luck with the 17s. I didn't watch every 17 group (only around half of them), but it was a solid sample set. The majority of what I missed was from local groups where I know what they have, anyway. The two best teams I caught were Mike's Dogs and Anaconda, both area teams but with very different makeups. More info below.
10th Grade - I've been having more luck watching 16s than any other age group this spring. I can't say the same about this day, but there were a couple solid teams. Just so happened to watch them battle in the evening, with Elite Hoops holding off Wins 4 Life by 3. The best players in the bracket that I was able to see were on these teams - I'll get into that.
Players to Watch
Rory Flaherty (Albany Academy; 2015, doing PG prep) - Rory seems to be the leader of whatever team he's on. Leader of a young, but talented Albany Academy squad this year that lost in Class A Federation finals, and led this Mike's Dogs group. The senior will be attending Deerfield Academy in MA next year for a PG season, and the smart, hard-nosed 6'0" point guard looks to be a great NESCAC-type prospect.
Mitchel Wayand (Stillwater; 2016) - The 6'2" combo guard was a standout for his HS team, one of the top players in his league, and one of the small-school kids who can hang with the 'big boys'. Scorers score, and the 20+ PPG talent came through. The jumper was going, which opened up the drive, and his offensive output helped Mike's Dogs blow out an outmatched Springfield Blazers team by 33. Type of kid that a lot of D3 schools could use.
Steve Low (Albany Academy; 2016) - Provided a little size for Mike's Dogs, being a long-armed 6'4", but he also spreads the floor on O with the ability to knock down the trey. Shot was off in this one, so he made up for it by getting after it on the glass at both ends. Picked up a few extra second-chance points outworking everyone. Like his HS teammate above, Steve's another really solid NESCAC-type kid, and he's already visited a couple.
Evan Pescetti (Saratoga Catholic; 2016) - Evan's reputation is that you don't have to call plays for him to make his presence felt. Another small-school kid - decent size in his league, but a very undersized post in the grand scheme of things at around 6'3" - but a welcome sight in this game was some budding guard skills. Never get to see that at his HS, but he showed an ability to put the ball on the deck from the wing and create a few times. His rebounding ability, especially for his size, and work ethic are his biggest attributes - kind of glue guy that coaches love. He's working his way onto D3 radars, with Hamilton most recently reaching out.
Ralph Simeone (Guilderland; 2015) - Ralph got hot for Team 518 and was a driving force behind them picking up a W over Troy Cougars. 3rd (and at times 2nd) option behind the Andrews (Platek & Sischo) on his HS team this year, he relished in a role beyond top role player with this team.
Tim Doyle (Niskayuna; 2015) - Has the look of a basketball player. Wasn't aggressive for Team 518, but when he wanted to attack against this Cougars team, it worked. The 6'3" point guard got others involved and kept everyone happy. D3 level prospect - I heard Hamilton was the future destination a few months ago.
Davonte Jones (Lansingburgh; 2017) - Just a sophomore, Davonte was the main reason Troy Cougars stayed in the game until the end. Slight in build, but just a fun kid to watch. Good handle, very quick but very rarely is out of control, capable jump shooter, hustles at both ends. When he wants to get to the rim, he usually does, and he finishes well through contact but also looks to keep others involved. Looks like he takes pride in defensive abilities. At this rate, he'll be a strong D3 pickup in a couple years.
Damonte White (Mekeel Christian Academy; 2016) - Most kids want to be guards. At 6'5" and probably 220-230 pounds, Damonte's cool with doing all of his work 15 feet and in. The lefty does a nice job catching and finishing, has a go-to move and counter move, and showed a nice ability to pass in high-low situations. Not sure what his plans are for next year - eligibility due to repeating a grade is an issue, although he was young for his grade before that - but he's someone for D3 and JuCo programs to keep an eye on.
Todd Spottswood (Schenectady; 2015) - Not sure what Todd's doing next year, but his top asset is unmistakable. Dude's big. The tallest player I saw at the tournament, at 6'8", with a wide frame. He's lost a good amount of weight and worked himself into better shape than he was a year ago. Still only truly impacts slower paced games, but does a good job working 10 feet and in. Also had a few surprisingly nice passes out of the post. Seems like your typical 'gentle giant' - mild-mannered, might take some revving up. Size and attributes make him someone to keep an eye on, especially if he's going JuCo next year.
Neftali Lind (Schenectady; 2016) - As far as 2016 scholarship-level talent goes, it was lacking in this tournament. That being said, Neftali was one of just a couple there that I could see making it at the Division II level. 6'2" with a well-rounded game, good attitude, and explosive athleticism, he outclassed pretty much everyone at the tournament on ability. Not sure what academics are like, but as far as on-court goes, definitely a VERY good D3 pickup and could see him at the D2 level.
Ty'Jon Gilmore (Watervliet; 2016) - The other one I could see at the D2 level. Not as strong of a defender and not as athletic as Neftali, but he was the purest offensive player at the tournament. Great shooter (catch & shoot, off the dribble, on the move, you name it) with parking lot range, but doesn't overly rely on it. Very crafty putting the ball on the deck and getting to the rim, and he can find the open man when not many others can. He, along with the three mentioned above, played for an Anaconda squad that destroyed the Hudson River Titans team they played (up 50-12 at half), but Ty'Jon also plays with City Rocks.
Mike Mann (Mekeel Christian Academy; 2016) - Known strictly as a shooter (83 3s for his team this winter, 249 of his 298 points came from beyond the arc), he used a couple early made threes to open up the court. Put the ball on the floor and got into the lane a few times & made good passes off the dribble to cutters or shooters spotting up. Still about as much of a specialist as you'll find, but he fits a role that some programs look for, especially those with dynamic point guards. That Hudson River Titans did not have a fun time against these boys.
James Anozie (Our Lady of Lourdes; 2017) - Raw, but has pure size and strength. 6'5"-6'6" with a body on him that he enjoys using to mix it up in the blocks. Deceptive athleticism - kinda pulled a Shaq, taking the ball down the court after getting it in the middle against the press and nearly cramming one home against two defenders. He got hacked on the attempt, but it's AAU, so no foul. Again, very raw - needs a lot of time in the gym working on footwork, but will shape into a nice prospect with that work. Driving force behind Elite Hoops' 3 point W over Wins 4 Life, despite playing without Beau Smith, perhaps their best player.
Andrew Jaworski (Tolland (CT); 2017) - Definitely had the most upper body strength, and perhaps the most strength in general, among 2017 guards there. Looks like he's been in the weight room for a while. Pretty refined offensive game - he'll hit the 3, get to the rack and finish at the rim, and can create his own shot off the dribble, including hitting a couple difficult stepback jumpers in key moments of games. Needs to lay off a little on the defensive end, somewhat foul prone, but it'll come. Kid can play. He was my favorite to watch on the Wins 4 Life team on this day.
Daniel Brocke (Hall (CT); 2017) - Tallest player in the 16s, looked to be about 6'7". Needs work on the offensive end with footwork and post moves, but impacts the game at the defensive end, rebounds well, and runs the court extremely well for your average person that height and age. A lot of his points came on the break. He's not always finishing above the rim, but he has the ability to. If he works on refining the offensive game, he'll be a force.
Nate Laszewski (Avon (CT); 2017) - The 6'6" forward didn't have his best game when I watched, but what he brings to the table is undeniable. He's a hard worker on the court that has the physical tools to be a force at the next level. Widely regarded as one of the top couple dozen prospects in the Class of '17 in New England. If the name's not on the radar yet, get it on there!
Chill, fam: The WTF Moment of the Day
I could go a few different ways with this one. The fight in the first game I watched? How about the fight in the second one? I could talk about parents, but that would be too easy. One topped them all, though. At a site that I won't name, an AAU coach that I won't name (the father of a western Mass player that I won't name) went pretty hard hitting on the site coordinator... a local HIGH SCHOOL girls basketball player... that I won't name. You know I had to ask if she got his number. I don't like to join the crowd and use this word, but there's only one thing I could say to that... BRUH. I consider myself too old to do that. I'm 23. You're almost 50. Come on! Gotta love what you see on the circuit!
Monday, April 6, 2015
Payment Info
Since many people are asking about full payment information, here it is in a more organized way.
Cost to participate is $100 for the summer by May 15 - cash or check, but check is certainly the smarter option unless you happen to bump into me with the money on you. The check can be made payable to me (Jeff Mlinar) with Empire State Takeover in the memo. Payment can be sent to my address:
206 Western Ave., Apt. #1
Albany, NY 12203
If you choose to be an alternate (info on alternate status in the post below this), let me know that's the option that works best for you - as stated in the 2016 league updates post, $25 per week with a maximum of the full fee.
Please give me a heads-up before/when payment is sent, simply because I like to be organized and know what's coming my way. Reach me at any option of the contact info below with any questions or comments!
Jeff Mlinar
(315) 360-2730
jeffmlinar@yahoo.com
www.empirestatetakeover.org
Cost to participate is $100 for the summer by May 15 - cash or check, but check is certainly the smarter option unless you happen to bump into me with the money on you. The check can be made payable to me (Jeff Mlinar) with Empire State Takeover in the memo. Payment can be sent to my address:
206 Western Ave., Apt. #1
Albany, NY 12203
If you choose to be an alternate (info on alternate status in the post below this), let me know that's the option that works best for you - as stated in the 2016 league updates post, $25 per week with a maximum of the full fee.
Please give me a heads-up before/when payment is sent, simply because I like to be organized and know what's coming my way. Reach me at any option of the contact info below with any questions or comments!
Jeff Mlinar
(315) 360-2730
jeffmlinar@yahoo.com
www.empirestatetakeover.org
Alternate Status
I've received a couple questions about the 'alternate' option I've been bringing up lately. First, a quick background on that, and then I'll get to the details.
If you're 2 hours or more from the Albany area, this isn't new to you because I brought it up from the jump. For the rest, this is a new thought. Basically, this option is for people whose schedules are simply TOO crazy, but they still want to come out when available. When I say 'too crazy', I mean if it's likely that a player would miss 4 or more weeks - AKA more than half of the season. This could be for whatever reason, as there's a bunch going on in the summer between summer AAU schedules for national-level teams, vacation, college visits, and of course the occasional 'can't find a ride'. If I talked to you, there's a reason for it. I'd love to have you play, and if you could only be there 2, 3, or 4 weeks, I'll work with it. If there's anything I learned while running the King of Kings College Prospect League last year, it's that the alternates help keep this thing running smoothly. I didn't run into any forfeit situations last summer, but if not for the availability of alternates, there would've been a handful. When the dog days hit, you quickly learn why you're not shunning people that can play away.
I hesitated to bring it up to everyone off the bat because this is a certain aspect that can be taken advantage of. Yes, I like full-season commits. It makes it much easier for me to have people fully 'in' than people on a week-by-week basis. It puts me in a bad spot if people try to take advantage of it. Because of that, there are advantages to being fully in compared to being an alternate. However, the alternate choice is a beneficial one for people whose schedules really only allow that. Details:
Cost: $25 per week (this is tentative - won't increase from that). 2 weeks = $50, 3 weeks = $75, 4 weeks = $100, 5 weeks = might as well just fully commit because it only costs $100 to do that. Of course, the 'per week' cost covers both games in that night.
Pay per week, for one big reason. If you're in, you're in. If you're an alternate, there isn't a 100% guarantee you'll actually be able to play every week you're available... hear me out. There are only a certain amount of jerseys available for each team (12). If the team has 12 players fully committed that are available for a week, then that team's alternates won't be able to play. Alternates, in essence, fill in spots for fully committed players when they aren't there. That being said, it's summer. Last summer, I had 11 fully committed players to each team, and there wasn't a SINGLE game that any team had all 11. Everyone has their own schedules, and not everyone can always make it. As a matter of fact, just 1/6 of players made it every week last year. On rosters of 11, I averaged 8-9 per team per week. That being said, I won't 'guarantee' alternates will be able to play in every week they're available because I refuse to guarantee things that aren't 100%, but I'd be very surprised if that situation ever popped up. But just because there is that slim chance, it's a pay-per-week as an alternate so you don't pay just to not be able to play.
Jerseys: The $100 cost for being a full commit includes the jersey at the end of the season. Jerseys can be kept at the end of the season by full commits, but not alternates (exceptions may apply - a couple alternates kept KoK jerseys last summer after their fully replacing people who quit last summer).
So, there are advantages to being a full commit, but for people who can only make it 2, 3, or perhaps 4 weeks, it's not a bad option. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ALTERNATE - still fill out the coaches' packet info on the website. I need all of that, regardless of what capacity you'll be participating. Go to www.empirestatetakeover.org, and go to the dropdown selection under 'Contact Us' called 'Forms', and it'll pop up. Fill it out directly on the site and submit it, and it'll come directly to me. As usual, my contact info is right below this if there are any questions!
Thanks,
Jeff Mlinar
(315) 360-2730
jeffmlinar@yahoo.com
If you're 2 hours or more from the Albany area, this isn't new to you because I brought it up from the jump. For the rest, this is a new thought. Basically, this option is for people whose schedules are simply TOO crazy, but they still want to come out when available. When I say 'too crazy', I mean if it's likely that a player would miss 4 or more weeks - AKA more than half of the season. This could be for whatever reason, as there's a bunch going on in the summer between summer AAU schedules for national-level teams, vacation, college visits, and of course the occasional 'can't find a ride'. If I talked to you, there's a reason for it. I'd love to have you play, and if you could only be there 2, 3, or 4 weeks, I'll work with it. If there's anything I learned while running the King of Kings College Prospect League last year, it's that the alternates help keep this thing running smoothly. I didn't run into any forfeit situations last summer, but if not for the availability of alternates, there would've been a handful. When the dog days hit, you quickly learn why you're not shunning people that can play away.
I hesitated to bring it up to everyone off the bat because this is a certain aspect that can be taken advantage of. Yes, I like full-season commits. It makes it much easier for me to have people fully 'in' than people on a week-by-week basis. It puts me in a bad spot if people try to take advantage of it. Because of that, there are advantages to being fully in compared to being an alternate. However, the alternate choice is a beneficial one for people whose schedules really only allow that. Details:
Cost: $25 per week (this is tentative - won't increase from that). 2 weeks = $50, 3 weeks = $75, 4 weeks = $100, 5 weeks = might as well just fully commit because it only costs $100 to do that. Of course, the 'per week' cost covers both games in that night.
Pay per week, for one big reason. If you're in, you're in. If you're an alternate, there isn't a 100% guarantee you'll actually be able to play every week you're available... hear me out. There are only a certain amount of jerseys available for each team (12). If the team has 12 players fully committed that are available for a week, then that team's alternates won't be able to play. Alternates, in essence, fill in spots for fully committed players when they aren't there. That being said, it's summer. Last summer, I had 11 fully committed players to each team, and there wasn't a SINGLE game that any team had all 11. Everyone has their own schedules, and not everyone can always make it. As a matter of fact, just 1/6 of players made it every week last year. On rosters of 11, I averaged 8-9 per team per week. That being said, I won't 'guarantee' alternates will be able to play in every week they're available because I refuse to guarantee things that aren't 100%, but I'd be very surprised if that situation ever popped up. But just because there is that slim chance, it's a pay-per-week as an alternate so you don't pay just to not be able to play.
Jerseys: The $100 cost for being a full commit includes the jersey at the end of the season. Jerseys can be kept at the end of the season by full commits, but not alternates (exceptions may apply - a couple alternates kept KoK jerseys last summer after their fully replacing people who quit last summer).
So, there are advantages to being a full commit, but for people who can only make it 2, 3, or perhaps 4 weeks, it's not a bad option. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ALTERNATE - still fill out the coaches' packet info on the website. I need all of that, regardless of what capacity you'll be participating. Go to www.empirestatetakeover.org, and go to the dropdown selection under 'Contact Us' called 'Forms', and it'll pop up. Fill it out directly on the site and submit it, and it'll come directly to me. As usual, my contact info is right below this if there are any questions!
Thanks,
Jeff Mlinar
(315) 360-2730
jeffmlinar@yahoo.com
Monday, March 30, 2015
Zero Gravity, Saratoga Style: The Recap
So as you all know, I'm out & about recruiting on the AAU circuit now to tie up the loose ends from winter. Today, I stayed in the area to watch the Zero Gravity Thoroughbred Classic (or whatever it's called) in the Saratoga area. Main site was Skidmore, which is where I spent most of the time. What did I see? Not much new, but there was some good talent in spots. Very top-heavy - the best teams were way, way better than the bottom feeders. I paid most attention to 10th grade and varsity boys, with some varsity girls mixed in.
10th Boys
I only talked to one new person today, and it was in this age group. The City Rocks held off Bronx-based Castle Athletics in a chippy one in the finals. It was a team effort for the well-recognized squad, but Luke Hicks and Jalen Hawkins really made themselves stand out. Hicks certainly isn't rusty - he played varsity for state champs Shenendehowa this year, and their season lasted up through Friday in a close L to Wings. The 6'2" guard didn't see a whole bunch of run this year, playing behind the Huerter brothers and Petar Bebic, but he showed that the well isn't running dry in the land of the Plainsmen. He had a stretch where he scored 12 points (5/5 shooting) in 4 minutes during the later stages of the 2nd half. Hawkins also had his stretches of dominance in the backcourt. The lanky 6'1" guard representing Utica Proctor is the latest in a line of athletic Hawkins brothers, and at this age, he's the best. He's lightning quick and can get to the basket almost at will, but still plays under control and is willing to pull up for short or mid-range jumpers and floaters. He can hit from deep if it's given to him, and the athletic ability allows for him to be a tough on-ball defender. He had a couple impressive moments, coming from out of the play on transition D to pin a layup against the backboard on two separate occasions. Can't forget about Catskill standout Justyn Lacy, who also did a lot for the City Rocks despite catching a stray elbow to the face today, giving him a nasty fat lip. It's certainly a guard-heavy team, with Colonie's Josh Paszkowski and Berne-Knox-Westerlo representatives Zack Hilton & Justin Houck (a junior) contributing, among others I'm probably forgetting. The one true post player was Lansingburgh's Anthony Kempster, an athletic 6'6" big that works 15' and in. He didn't do a lot offensively, but did a good job rebounding, altering shots, and getting them second-chance opportunities. Before the finals, City Rocks had another close W in the semis, this one being over Mid-Hudson based Elite Hoops. Castle picked up their semifinal W over CNY Trailblazers, a team full of small schoolers. The program is based in the Oneida area, but they have Mohawk Valley reps from Little Falls (perhaps their best player, Todd Hubbell - physically strong point guard with great court vision) and Canajoharie, along with VVS, Canastota (Jake Purdy - 6'4"ish post player that is raw, but knows what he brings to the game and does well with it) and Madison. Really top-heavy - watched Castle jump up nearly 40 in the first half against a team - but it was good to watch in those top 4.
Boys Varsity
Another Albany area squad picked up a W over Castle to take home a title. This time, it was NYE Elite that secured the lead in the last few minutes and scored time after time against Castle's press late to hold them off. NYE features a lot of Green Tech kids, along with 2 of the 3 top players from this year's squad at Troy's Catholic Central HS. Arguably GT's top dog this year, senior Anquan McLean, did some things for NYE. Three guys on the squad that really flexed were Green Tech junior Dasier Lukes and a pair of CCHS senior guards, Raiquis Harris and Brian Brooks. Lukes, a 6'2" guard who loves to get to the rack, did so time after time in the finals, especially late against the press. He found holes in the defense and took advantage without forcing the issue, and he showed a great ability to finish in traffic. Harris does the same, and also can make the tough pass look easy and is as quick as they come. The 6'0" senior with a motor that doesn't stop signed his NLI to play ball at Division II Bloomfield College in the fall. His backcourt running mate, 6'1" Brooks, has a unique ability to excel in whatever style his team plays. He can kill people in the open court, but can do the same in a much more controlled, half-court pace. Brian's also a knockdown shooter and has a noticeably good attitude on the court. He's unsigned (coaches, hello!) but has been shown some real interest by Division II programs such as Dominican, Le Moyne, and Davis & Elkins. Post-grad prep may be an option for him - if you're a D2 program looking for a point guard, he's definitely worth a look. Castle won a close one over Not Even Famous in semifinals, a team full of Capital District seniors. The most noticeable presence on that team was Troy senior Zach Radz - a senior 2 guard with a pure stroke and the ability to put it on the floor & get to the basket. He's received Division I interest, but no offers yet - post-grad prep is certainly an option for him, and he's another one worth a look if you're a scholarship level school looking for a shooter. Cohoes explosive 6'2" senior Shelton Alston made his presence felt too, and showed he has a perimeter stroke to match the above-the-rim athleticism. Schuylerville 6'3" senior Dante Langley made things happen on the perimeter too, as well as Joey Shehadi, a widely talked about senior point guard from Burr & Burton Academy in southern VT. Word in the winter was that he was planning on attending Colby in the fall.
Varsity Girls
There were two separate divisions in this group, and they didn't play each other for the overall championship. Therefore, I only got to see one. Spartans Elite, a team with some of the top varsity players in the Albany area, put a queen-sized beatdown on Hudson River Titans, a team based in Mechanicville (I believe). It was so bad, the parents of Titans players wanted to take pictures with the Spartans Elite girls after. These were girls they had only watched before in sectional finals and events of the like. They boasted a scholarship-level lineup. Bethlehem junior Jenna Giacone is perhaps the most highly touted of them - the 6'0" point guard has major conference schools such as Boston College, Wake Forest, Miami, and plenty of others salivating. She's the real deal. Shenendehowa 6'0" sophomore wing Sydney Brown is every bit as impressive to me. She doesn't really have a flaw in her game - perimeter & post offense, perimeter & post defense, fundamentals, attitude, all top-notch. Also a Division I lock. Throw in Shaker 5'11" sophomore wing CeCe Mayo, who has all the physical tools and skill to be successful at the next level already. Many Division I schools are on her trail, such as VCU, St. Joseph's, and Fordham (to name a few). Add Catholic Central senior guard Madison Purcell (Le Moyne commit) and Bethlehem senior Gabby Giacone (yes, the Giacones are double trouble - Northeastern commit), and there's probably even a couple I'm forgetting. Yeah, that was a squad. Hudson River Titans, led by Mechanicville sophomore point guard Amanda Kenyon, didn't quit though. They at least gave a solid effort even when the game was 35 points out of reach. Caught the Spartans Elite team for a little while elsewhere, as they beat Castle Athletics soundly earlier in the day. Mayo, in particular, had herself a game in that one while I was there. At the same time, Niskayuna AAU girls team was beating JC Ballers pretty soundly. Niskayuna had a couple solid players - although it was mainly a Nisky team, a couple Guilderland girls jumped in along with Shaker junior Audrey Martino. Martino did some things in the first half, running the show and leading the way to a nice little cushion. JC Ballers was without their best player by far, Cohoes standout sophomore guard Nerea Brajac, who was sitting on the bench in street clothes, out with injury.
My opinion? It was an alright tournament. The brackets were very top-heavy, which led to a lot of blowouts. I'd rather see closer games, but it's something you run into everywhere with the watering down of AAU. The talent among those top teams was solid, though, as you can see above. Things ran much more smoothly than last year's ZG tournament in the Saratoga area, which I left midway through the day because I couldn't stand how half-assed it was. They got it together for this year. Officiating was alright. Typical AAU officials, and there was only one guy that I came across who really let things get out of control. If you replaced him with any other able-bodied human, I'd say the officiating wasn't half-bad. If I had a team, I'm not too sure if I'd send them to ZG tournaments, but I have a much more positive view of them while typing this now than I did at this time last year. That being considered, it was a success.
10th Boys
I only talked to one new person today, and it was in this age group. The City Rocks held off Bronx-based Castle Athletics in a chippy one in the finals. It was a team effort for the well-recognized squad, but Luke Hicks and Jalen Hawkins really made themselves stand out. Hicks certainly isn't rusty - he played varsity for state champs Shenendehowa this year, and their season lasted up through Friday in a close L to Wings. The 6'2" guard didn't see a whole bunch of run this year, playing behind the Huerter brothers and Petar Bebic, but he showed that the well isn't running dry in the land of the Plainsmen. He had a stretch where he scored 12 points (5/5 shooting) in 4 minutes during the later stages of the 2nd half. Hawkins also had his stretches of dominance in the backcourt. The lanky 6'1" guard representing Utica Proctor is the latest in a line of athletic Hawkins brothers, and at this age, he's the best. He's lightning quick and can get to the basket almost at will, but still plays under control and is willing to pull up for short or mid-range jumpers and floaters. He can hit from deep if it's given to him, and the athletic ability allows for him to be a tough on-ball defender. He had a couple impressive moments, coming from out of the play on transition D to pin a layup against the backboard on two separate occasions. Can't forget about Catskill standout Justyn Lacy, who also did a lot for the City Rocks despite catching a stray elbow to the face today, giving him a nasty fat lip. It's certainly a guard-heavy team, with Colonie's Josh Paszkowski and Berne-Knox-Westerlo representatives Zack Hilton & Justin Houck (a junior) contributing, among others I'm probably forgetting. The one true post player was Lansingburgh's Anthony Kempster, an athletic 6'6" big that works 15' and in. He didn't do a lot offensively, but did a good job rebounding, altering shots, and getting them second-chance opportunities. Before the finals, City Rocks had another close W in the semis, this one being over Mid-Hudson based Elite Hoops. Castle picked up their semifinal W over CNY Trailblazers, a team full of small schoolers. The program is based in the Oneida area, but they have Mohawk Valley reps from Little Falls (perhaps their best player, Todd Hubbell - physically strong point guard with great court vision) and Canajoharie, along with VVS, Canastota (Jake Purdy - 6'4"ish post player that is raw, but knows what he brings to the game and does well with it) and Madison. Really top-heavy - watched Castle jump up nearly 40 in the first half against a team - but it was good to watch in those top 4.
Boys Varsity
Another Albany area squad picked up a W over Castle to take home a title. This time, it was NYE Elite that secured the lead in the last few minutes and scored time after time against Castle's press late to hold them off. NYE features a lot of Green Tech kids, along with 2 of the 3 top players from this year's squad at Troy's Catholic Central HS. Arguably GT's top dog this year, senior Anquan McLean, did some things for NYE. Three guys on the squad that really flexed were Green Tech junior Dasier Lukes and a pair of CCHS senior guards, Raiquis Harris and Brian Brooks. Lukes, a 6'2" guard who loves to get to the rack, did so time after time in the finals, especially late against the press. He found holes in the defense and took advantage without forcing the issue, and he showed a great ability to finish in traffic. Harris does the same, and also can make the tough pass look easy and is as quick as they come. The 6'0" senior with a motor that doesn't stop signed his NLI to play ball at Division II Bloomfield College in the fall. His backcourt running mate, 6'1" Brooks, has a unique ability to excel in whatever style his team plays. He can kill people in the open court, but can do the same in a much more controlled, half-court pace. Brian's also a knockdown shooter and has a noticeably good attitude on the court. He's unsigned (coaches, hello!) but has been shown some real interest by Division II programs such as Dominican, Le Moyne, and Davis & Elkins. Post-grad prep may be an option for him - if you're a D2 program looking for a point guard, he's definitely worth a look. Castle won a close one over Not Even Famous in semifinals, a team full of Capital District seniors. The most noticeable presence on that team was Troy senior Zach Radz - a senior 2 guard with a pure stroke and the ability to put it on the floor & get to the basket. He's received Division I interest, but no offers yet - post-grad prep is certainly an option for him, and he's another one worth a look if you're a scholarship level school looking for a shooter. Cohoes explosive 6'2" senior Shelton Alston made his presence felt too, and showed he has a perimeter stroke to match the above-the-rim athleticism. Schuylerville 6'3" senior Dante Langley made things happen on the perimeter too, as well as Joey Shehadi, a widely talked about senior point guard from Burr & Burton Academy in southern VT. Word in the winter was that he was planning on attending Colby in the fall.
Varsity Girls
There were two separate divisions in this group, and they didn't play each other for the overall championship. Therefore, I only got to see one. Spartans Elite, a team with some of the top varsity players in the Albany area, put a queen-sized beatdown on Hudson River Titans, a team based in Mechanicville (I believe). It was so bad, the parents of Titans players wanted to take pictures with the Spartans Elite girls after. These were girls they had only watched before in sectional finals and events of the like. They boasted a scholarship-level lineup. Bethlehem junior Jenna Giacone is perhaps the most highly touted of them - the 6'0" point guard has major conference schools such as Boston College, Wake Forest, Miami, and plenty of others salivating. She's the real deal. Shenendehowa 6'0" sophomore wing Sydney Brown is every bit as impressive to me. She doesn't really have a flaw in her game - perimeter & post offense, perimeter & post defense, fundamentals, attitude, all top-notch. Also a Division I lock. Throw in Shaker 5'11" sophomore wing CeCe Mayo, who has all the physical tools and skill to be successful at the next level already. Many Division I schools are on her trail, such as VCU, St. Joseph's, and Fordham (to name a few). Add Catholic Central senior guard Madison Purcell (Le Moyne commit) and Bethlehem senior Gabby Giacone (yes, the Giacones are double trouble - Northeastern commit), and there's probably even a couple I'm forgetting. Yeah, that was a squad. Hudson River Titans, led by Mechanicville sophomore point guard Amanda Kenyon, didn't quit though. They at least gave a solid effort even when the game was 35 points out of reach. Caught the Spartans Elite team for a little while elsewhere, as they beat Castle Athletics soundly earlier in the day. Mayo, in particular, had herself a game in that one while I was there. At the same time, Niskayuna AAU girls team was beating JC Ballers pretty soundly. Niskayuna had a couple solid players - although it was mainly a Nisky team, a couple Guilderland girls jumped in along with Shaker junior Audrey Martino. Martino did some things in the first half, running the show and leading the way to a nice little cushion. JC Ballers was without their best player by far, Cohoes standout sophomore guard Nerea Brajac, who was sitting on the bench in street clothes, out with injury.
My opinion? It was an alright tournament. The brackets were very top-heavy, which led to a lot of blowouts. I'd rather see closer games, but it's something you run into everywhere with the watering down of AAU. The talent among those top teams was solid, though, as you can see above. Things ran much more smoothly than last year's ZG tournament in the Saratoga area, which I left midway through the day because I couldn't stand how half-assed it was. They got it together for this year. Officiating was alright. Typical AAU officials, and there was only one guy that I came across who really let things get out of control. If you replaced him with any other able-bodied human, I'd say the officiating wasn't half-bad. If I had a team, I'm not too sure if I'd send them to ZG tournaments, but I have a much more positive view of them while typing this now than I did at this time last year. That being considered, it was a success.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
LEAGUE UPDATES
Just relaying all the updated information via the blog for players & families. I'm in the process of scheduling information sessions, but it's taking a while trying to get it lined up and I don't feel like waiting any longer. If there are any questions, please ask!
Nothing has changed as far as main details over the last 2+ months. It'll be at Union College. Boys will be on Wednesdays, starting June 24, with girls on Thursdays starting June 25. Playoffs for both will take place on Saturday, August 8. The only possible change: flip-flopping the 6th week. Girls will move up on the final regular season week from Thursday (7/30) to Wednesday (7/29) - a third session falling in the girls' NCAA Division I evaluation period. Planning on moving the boys back from 7/29 to 7/30 for that week. Regular season game times will be at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00, with everyone playing 2 games a night.
*** Real time update - as of 4/18, we will have certified college officials manning the whistles at all games, both boys & girls. Costs a little extra, but as you see in AAU ball, you get what you pay for and we'll have the best!
I've received numerous questions about recruiting packet information and payment, and there have been some recruiting packet forms submitted and checks sent in so far. There's a form on the website for recruiting packet information. It can be filled out directly on the website and gets submitted directly to me - no one sees the info on it besides myself and the coaches who attend unless otherwise specified (name, grade entering, height, school, and stats/awards will be on roster pages when the time comes). It consists of general, contact, academic, and athletic info. To find the form, go to www.empirestatetakeover.org, and there's a 'Forms' dropdown selection under 'Contact Us'. As far as payment goes, it'll be $100. If you'd like more detailed info about payment, feel free to ask directly. Don't feel like throwing my address out there - contact info below! I treat the submission of recruiting packet information as a way of saying 'save my spot', and of course the payment as 'count me in'.
One more thing. I've talked about this to many of my people from farther away (Syracuse, Binghamton, Plattsburgh, LoHud, central MA), but here's a good time to drop it to everyone. I do offer the option of being an 'alternate'. This is for those who are interested in playing, but would only be available for 2-3 weeks during the season. The rate would drop from $100 and become a per-week thing. Again, it's for people who want to play but can't make it for most weeks. Let me know if this ends up being you, and we can discuss. I try to refrain from having loads of alternates, but I'm not going to turn people that want to play away because of lack of consistent availability.
Again... this doesn't really have schedule conflicts with AAU, for the most part. It's not a "AAU or this" sort of thing. Everyone that plays will be playing AAU somewhere. Many coaches have become paranoid in the couple weeks I've been on the trail... don't worry, not stealing your players!
We're getting into April, so I ask everyone I've talked to about the league to start thinking more seriously about whether or not you want in, if you haven't already. I'm requesting that I get a yes, no, or alternate decision by early-mid May and payment by the May 15 area. It's very important that I can provide accurate prospect lists well in advance to send to college coaches. Many go on vacation for an extended period of time in late May, so I want to get the bulk of e-mails out BEFORE spring semester wraps up. The more I can build 4-6 weeks in advance, the more programs will attend. With May 15 being six weeks away, it's EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you ask me anything & everything you're wondering about. So I'll be a broken record and say this again... Questions/comments? Please, ask away!
Jeff Mlinar
Cell: (315) 360-2730
jeffmlinar@yahoo.com
Nothing has changed as far as main details over the last 2+ months. It'll be at Union College. Boys will be on Wednesdays, starting June 24, with girls on Thursdays starting June 25. Playoffs for both will take place on Saturday, August 8. The only possible change: flip-flopping the 6th week. Girls will move up on the final regular season week from Thursday (7/30) to Wednesday (7/29) - a third session falling in the girls' NCAA Division I evaluation period. Planning on moving the boys back from 7/29 to 7/30 for that week. Regular season game times will be at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00, with everyone playing 2 games a night.
*** Real time update - as of 4/18, we will have certified college officials manning the whistles at all games, both boys & girls. Costs a little extra, but as you see in AAU ball, you get what you pay for and we'll have the best!
I've received numerous questions about recruiting packet information and payment, and there have been some recruiting packet forms submitted and checks sent in so far. There's a form on the website for recruiting packet information. It can be filled out directly on the website and gets submitted directly to me - no one sees the info on it besides myself and the coaches who attend unless otherwise specified (name, grade entering, height, school, and stats/awards will be on roster pages when the time comes). It consists of general, contact, academic, and athletic info. To find the form, go to www.empirestatetakeover.org, and there's a 'Forms' dropdown selection under 'Contact Us'. As far as payment goes, it'll be $100. If you'd like more detailed info about payment, feel free to ask directly. Don't feel like throwing my address out there - contact info below! I treat the submission of recruiting packet information as a way of saying 'save my spot', and of course the payment as 'count me in'.
One more thing. I've talked about this to many of my people from farther away (Syracuse, Binghamton, Plattsburgh, LoHud, central MA), but here's a good time to drop it to everyone. I do offer the option of being an 'alternate'. This is for those who are interested in playing, but would only be available for 2-3 weeks during the season. The rate would drop from $100 and become a per-week thing. Again, it's for people who want to play but can't make it for most weeks. Let me know if this ends up being you, and we can discuss. I try to refrain from having loads of alternates, but I'm not going to turn people that want to play away because of lack of consistent availability.
Again... this doesn't really have schedule conflicts with AAU, for the most part. It's not a "AAU or this" sort of thing. Everyone that plays will be playing AAU somewhere. Many coaches have become paranoid in the couple weeks I've been on the trail... don't worry, not stealing your players!
We're getting into April, so I ask everyone I've talked to about the league to start thinking more seriously about whether or not you want in, if you haven't already. I'm requesting that I get a yes, no, or alternate decision by early-mid May and payment by the May 15 area. It's very important that I can provide accurate prospect lists well in advance to send to college coaches. Many go on vacation for an extended period of time in late May, so I want to get the bulk of e-mails out BEFORE spring semester wraps up. The more I can build 4-6 weeks in advance, the more programs will attend. With May 15 being six weeks away, it's EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you ask me anything & everything you're wondering about. So I'll be a broken record and say this again... Questions/comments? Please, ask away!
Jeff Mlinar
Cell: (315) 360-2730
jeffmlinar@yahoo.com
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