Practice Notes 12-30-2008

Hi Girls,

1- Another great shootout during scrimmge in practice today. Very impressed with the continued improvement of the whole team.

2- Thought Jennifer had a great practice making plays by penetrating and seeing the court. I thought Jamie had a very good practice playing at the point for the Blue. She did a nice job making some good passes. Remember the PG is a distributor of the ball, they get the ball to players in their best scoring positions. Thats why they are called "playmakers", they are able to envision and make plays for the other positions on the team. We all know what Ashton and Courtney can do but I was also impressed with the hustle and rebounding of Meredith, Kaylee and especially Kaela. Rebounding is about 90 percent wanting the ball, keep up the good work.

3- Not to leave anyone out I saw good plays from the whole team both Blue and White. I feel like we are taking it up a notch right now. Lets keep pushing it and see where it takes us. That was a nice 3 Destiny had.

4- The last practice of this year is tomorrow at 11:30 to 1:00. Our next practice time will be next year. 2009!

5- Happy New Year in case I forget to tell you in practice tomorrow.

6- A closing thought to think about. " Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Character is what you really are, reputation is merely what you are perceived to be".

From John Wooden legendary Coach and 11 time National Champions.

7- Now one about basketball skills from John Wooden: Skill in basketball is not enough by itself, not only must you be able to do your job properly you must also be able to execute it quickly. Practice to get better at both.

8- Remember we play Bethel Christian at Northeast Academy Friday January 2, 2009 at 6:15pm, try to be there by 5:00pm. We will meet in the locker room at the end of the third quarter. BRING BOTH UNIFORMS, WE DO NOT KNOW YET IF WE WILL BE WHITE OR GREEN BUT I THINK WE WILL BE WHITE BOTH NIGHTS.

Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together Go Vikings

Coach May

Dec. 29 Practice & Notes.

Hi Girls,

1- Thought we had a great practice today. I see everyone on this team getting better. It was especially great to see the Blue's continue to improve and challenge the White's. Good job girls.

2- I thought that new girl with the light brown hair made some nice plays, also. What was her name, was it Destiny or something.

3- It is always fun when we all can see improvement, I love to have good friendly competition. We will keep looking for ways to keep the practice's fun and competitive.

4- Just as Ashton said at the end of practice we are a lot better than we were at the start of the season.

5- Just a side note but you girls have been loads of fun to coach. I like to have fun as long as we keep getting better. That's when it is really fun.

6- Defense is really our calling card. I see lots of girls playing great D. That said our offense is coming along nicely. We will get better and better as the season goes on. Everyone focus on knowing your roles on offensive plays and just when we are freelancing.

7- Today I saw girls that were not really involved in the immediate play setting screens to make it easier for their teammate to get free. That's playing together and playing smart. Keep it up.
Never worry about who score's, just worry about scoring as easy as possible. In our offense everybody should have a chance to get their shots.

8- Speaking of getting your shots. You all know about where those shots come in this offense. Work on those shots and those move's and don't be afraid to take that shot when the opportunity comes. If you hesitate the defense will recover and it might not be a great shot opportunity.

9- The same goes for passing, make the easy pass. Unless it is a play called if as soon as you see someone pop open make the pass then. Don't wait until the defense figure's out where you are thinking about passing the ball. If you think you have the chance to drive and create something and have a lane to the basket react quickly. Remember, Be quick but never rush. Keep up the good work girls.

10- I think the game this Friday will be White Uniforms but have BOTH with you just in case.

11- See you at practice Tuesday 12/30/2008 at 6:00pm. Practice will end at 7:30pm. Wednesday we will practice at 11:30 to 1:00pm.

12- I expect your hoodies possibly Tuesday. I will bring them as soon as they arrive. You will need to make a check to Halifax Academy for $19.00 and give it to Teresa Long or me.

Practice 12-23-08 etc.

Thought for the day- If you don't have time to learn to do it correctly now when will you ever have time to re-learn it. John Wooden UCLA Bruins, 10 National Championships in a 12 year span.


1- I thought everybody played really well yesterday in practice. It was especially great to see the Blue team be so competitive. Putting Jamie at PG and Kaela and Lindy on the wings really made for a much more competitive scrimmage. Keep up the good work.

2- I thought the White team really showed they could step up their play when they got down to start the scrimmage. They were especially good on defense. Defense is what wins championships. That needs to be our calling card. We can change the game by dominating the other teams with a great suffocating defense. As always our ability to get the ball to the rim for lay ups and short shots is the offensive strenght of this team. Mixing in making some outside shots like today makes our inside game even better.

3- Have a Merry Christmas and a blessed time with your family and loved ones!

4- See you Monday the 29th at 11:30 am for our next practice.

Today's Practice 12-22-08

1- Girls practice today was very productive. We are going to execute like that against some of our opponents soon and blow somebody off the court. We are getting better at executing our plays and I really like it when we do it right. We are also getting better in our 22 defense, I am looking foward to our next practice. Remind me that we want to run the 22 scramble some in our next practice. Let's keep up the good work. We are getting better.

2- Tuesday's practice which is listed as To Be Announced on the previous blog will be at 5:00 PM not AM tomorrow afternoon. I have a work engagement until then. After that we will not practice again until Monday 12-29-2008 from 11:30 to 1:00. Have a Very Merry Christmas and do not forget the real reason for the season.

3- Your green hoodies might have come since we got out of school. Remind me to look in the coaches office and see. See you tomorrow 5:00pm, I think the middle school practice's from 3:00 to 5:00.

4- Champion's for the day in Lay Up Chase were the white's 2 to 1. Winner's of the scrimmage were the White's on a tipped pass by Jennifer that was picked up and driven to the basket for a lay up at the buzzer by Hayley for the win. Nice play girls, we will get you next time.

Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together and when the opportunity exists Play Fast and Always
Remember to Have Fun!

Coach May

Exams, Christmas Tournament and Practice's.

Hi Ladies;

1- First off, good luck on your exams, study hard and do your best. Never forget that academics and a Christian enviroment are the real reasons for going to Halifax Academy. Remember the pecking order. God, Family, School and Basketball.

2- We are going to have a JV Christmas tournament at Northeast Academy. It is a round robin tournament where whoever wins the most games is the champion. There could be a tie.

We play Friday Jan. 2, 2009 at 6:15 vs. Bethel Academy. Please ve at the Northeast Academy gym by 5:00pm.

We play Saturday Jan 3, 2009 at 5:30pm vs. Cornerstone Christian. Please be at the Northeast Academy gym by 4:15pm.

I think we will wear White uniforms both days but that has not been confirmed. Have both uniforms ready to go just in case.

This is a great opportunity to have some fun playing basketball and to work on our game. Lets be ready to play, but first lets knock out those exams. Let's remember to thank Coach Brown and Northeast Academy for putting this game together for us.

3- Our Christmas practice schedule is as follows and is posted on the board in the weigh room in the gym.
NO PRACTICE UNTIL AFTER EXAMS
Monday 12-22-08 11:30 to 1:00
Tuesday 12-23-08 To be announced will probably be late in the day if at all.
Monday 12-29-08 11:30 to 1:00
Tuesday 12-30-08 to be announced, will probably be late in the day, if at all.
Wednesday 12-31-08 11:30 to 1:00
New years day 1-1-09 to be discussed later by the team. We do play Friday.

4- Against Fayetteville Academy, basically we gave away a game we could have easily won. We just need to shoot the ball better and everybody needs to execute their jobs in our press offense and on our plays. I do expect us to improve in these aspects and they will be a focal point of the next few days of practice. Leading scorers for the game were Courtney Wood 6 points, Hayley Wood 5 points, Ashton Bradley 4 points, Jamie Harris 3 points, Lindy Clark 2 points.

5- Your green hoodies have been ordered. The price is $19.00 payable to Halifax Academy. Please either bring me a check stubbed Hoodie and made out to Halifax Academy or you can give it to Mrs. Long in the Library when she has time to record it. Ask her if it is a good time for her to record it first! The Green Hoodies are just like the Varsity hoodie but with your basketball number on the back but no names. We should have them by the time school starts back.

Play Hard, Play Smart and Play Together, Go Vikings!

Coach May

Commitment vs. Talent/Experience

It's time to take ownership of your JV Program, talent alone will not do it. Experience alone is not going to do it. Having the commitment to work on your skill levels and then matching that skill level with talent and experience is the the way to win.

You ask what are skill levels. Well each position might have a somewhat different set. But here is food for thought:

1- Learn to pass the ball properly and accurately. A two handed chest pass is made with a hand on each side of the ball, not one hand on the side and one hand behind the ball. Passes made the incorrect way are usually not accurate, are harder to catch, have a tendency to sail or curve in the air.

2- Learn to make lay-ups. From all directions. It is the most basic shot in basketball.

3- Learn to execute your role in the different plays and offensive sets/defensive sets that your team runs. Have enough pride in your game to spend some time thinking about where your position line's up and what is your job on all the plays and defensive sets.

4- Learn to make foul shots. Work on improving your shooting form. Do you want to improve each year or are you satisfied shooting the ball as a senior no better than you can shoot the ball now? Practice doing it right. Make one little step each week or two towards doing it right and making more shots.

5- Understand where your shots will usually come from in our offense based on the position/positions you might play. Think about the shots you will most likely get in a game and work extra hard on learning to make those shots.

6- Spend time learning all the skills necessary to play your position. Points Guards have to be able to dribble and pass, 4 and 5's have to be able to score close to the basket and rebound and make outlet passes. Everybody has to be able to play defense and not turn the ball over.

7- Take ownership of your team. It is everyone's team. The best way for the team to improve is for each player to improve as an individual.

8- A coach might be able to design plays that get easy shots but it is up to the individual player to make the shot.

9- Remember, Hustle make up for many mistakes, but do not be fooled that hustle will ever make up for not developing the skills necessary to do a good job playing your position. As a coach I think I can say the one thing all coaches have in common about who plays is which players have earned the coaches trust. Can the coach depend on the player to have the skills necessary to get the job done, can the player make the shots, passes etc necessary to play that position well. Is the player going to make the effort to play hard, does the player know where she is supposed to be on offense, on defense, in transition. Is the player a team player? Think about it, work on it, and we will become a better team as each player improves their games.

All of you girls have been a joy to coach and fun to be around and if each player makes a little more effort in improving our skills you girls have a chance to make this season more special than it already is. I am proud of all of you for where we are now but everybody we play is working on getting better everyday. If we don't make the effort to get better we will fall behind.

Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together,

Coach May

Fayetteville Academy

Friday we play Fayetteville Academy away. We will leave school at 11:00am and we play at 3:00pm. We will stop at Bojangles on exit 97/I-95 for a team lunch. Fayetteville Academy's Address is: 3200 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville, NC phone:910-868-5131.

We will wear our Green uniforms and warm ups. We will wear our warm up pants and Team Tee Shirt to school that day. Try to not make to much noise while we are leaving the school.

I will be taking orders for team hoodies. They will be about the same green as the writing on your Tee Shirt. These hoodies are optional. If you think you will be warm enough with just a Tee Shirt at school you do not have to order one. It is my understanding if you wear a hoodie at school over your Tee Shirt they should all match. The cost is not set yet but will most likely be about $20.00. It will say Halifax Basketball with a net on the front and will have your Basketball # on the back like a jersey.

Make certain you all have ride's down and back. See you girls at practice tommorrow. Remember practice is going to be at the TJ Davis Recreation Center and Coach Herman is going to take all of you over on the Activity Bus. Make certain your parents are at TJ Davis to pick you up by 5:00pm.

Coach May

Tuesday Practice 12/9/08

Hi Girls,

Sorry I had to miss practice Monday. I had a work commitment that I had to attend to. I had hoped we would practice on Tuesday for a few minutes but it looks like that is not going to be possible. Our next practice will be Wednesday at the regular time. I will have Debbie make an announcement in the morning at school.

It appears we might have a JV Christmas tournament at Northeast. Dates right now are Jan 2 and Jan 3 (Friday and Saturday). They just need one more team in order to have it.

I checked on optional green hoodies for the girls who would like them for the cold days. Depending on how much writing is on them it looks like they will cost between $17 and $23 plus tax and shipping. We will discuss it at our next practice.

Right now there is no practice Thursday due to the music program in the gym that night. We are looking for a place to practice or at least have a walk through since we play Friday @ Fayetteville Academy. Dismissal time Friday is 11:00am and it will be Green uniforms.

Coach May

Viking JV Girls make great comeback!

That headline sure looks sweet doesn't it girls. I would rather it said JV Viking Girls win in blowout but a hard fought comeback victory always does the heart good. Before I get into reporting on the game I just want to thank you girls for all your effort in making this comeback a success. It took a lot of effort and lots of heart, we played each possession like it might be our last chance to win and we played to the best of our ability. As a coach you have got to love it. Don't think for a minute that lots of other people in the gym that know and love basketball didn't take note of the effort both of the girls that played and of the girls on the bench cheering their hearts out. It was sweet. We will work at building on this win.

Game tidbits, we trailed 6 to 2 at the end of first Quarter, we trailed 8 to 2 at the end of the first half. We played even for the quarter with a late rally after falling behind by 9 I think early in the 3rd quarter. From that point in the game until the end of the game playing our Bandit Team in the 24 defense we outscored Harrell's Academy 14 to 4 to win by one point. Remember the old axiom about how Defense wins games. It did.

Leading scorers for tonights game were Hayley Wood with 8 points. Courtnee Wood with 6 points, Jamie Harris had 2 points and Jennifer "Jenn Jenn" Harvell contributed the winning basket on a great driving lay up with less than a minute left in the game plus a lot of leadership down the stretch. All in all it was great fun and a great chance to compete. Basically we out competed a team that was well coached and playing hard. Be Proud Girls of what you accomplished, I know I am.

Play Hard, Play smart and Play Together, looked to me that is what we did and look how it turned out!

Coach May

Warm up suits

Our warm up are due to be shipped by Monday of next week 12/8. I will be very excited for all you girls to have them. Remember the dress code. After games we can either dress back up, no jeans, or you can wear your warm ups.

We might want to consider a hoodie similar to the one the Varsity girls purchased to wear with our Tee shirts and Warm up pants. It is a real pretty shade of Viking Green. I will inquire as to the price if enough of you girls would like to have one for the cold days at school. The team can vote on color and design etc.

By the way, I think our new Tee Shirt look really good, I hope they fit everybody well.

Playing Notes and tidbits

Lets talk about the skills we are looking for to play our different positions. Basically the 5 position (Center) and the 4 Position (Power Foward)are interchangeable. Each player has different responsibilities on plays and the 5 might have a little less high post type game but they will usually be able to play each position equally as well.

The Low Post players 4 and 5's need to be able to:

1- Post up on the block, catch the ball, pass to the open players from the block and hopefully have a go to offensive move like a dropstep or a turnaround, drive to the basket and a counter move like a jump hook . 3 scoring moves would be a nice combination to develop. Low post players should focus on learning to get position catch the ball well make these moves and practice on perfecting them. Our #1 option offensively will be trying to score close to the basket if we had a player who could play the low post and score consistently they would have a great career.

2- Low post players need to be able to make foul shots and shots from inside the paint close to the basket.

3- All players need to be able to make Layups. Our offensive plays are geared at getting layup opportunities. We need to be able to make about 9 out of every 10.

4- Low Post players need to be able to box out and rebound and make an accurate outlet pass both the short passes and a outlet pass to about the half court line.

5- Low post players need to be able to defend their man and be able to be in position to help on players that have beaten their men from the perimeter. They also need to be able to deny their man the ball by fronting them. This is used against low post players who have great scoring ability with their backs to the basket.

6- Low post players need to be able to sprint the court after the rebound and run the secondary break. In the secondary break the low post players are the first two options to score.

Wing players: 2's(shooting guards) and 3's(small fowards) also interchangeable with each other and you should know the plays for each other in all our offense's.

1- Wings need to be able to run the court properly on fast break opportunities. Get wide in the lanes on fastbreaks and run hard to the basket if not guarded.

2- Wings absolutely need to be able to make lay ups at speed.

3- Wings need to pass the ball properly and quickly and to be able to make the low post entry pass to the players on the block or at the high post.

4- Wings need to the able to step in and catch the ball and shoot the 12 to 15 footers effectively.

5- Wings need to be able to stay with their man in both a pressure defense and a passive man to man defense.

6- Wings need to be able to dribble the ball well enough to help the point guard and should be very good passers. They also need to be able to step in and help on the boards.

Point Guards: 1's

1- PG is a stand alone position. There is no other position on the court that has as much responsibility.

2- PG is the Primary ball handler on the court, they need to be the best dribblers on the team and one of the best passers on the team.

3- PG's need to be able to lead the team. They should be an extension of the Coach on the court. They should understand how to use the different segments of play from the drills we do and how the plays we run fit into our play on the court.

4- PG's need to know where everybody goes on every play. Remember they are the Coach on the Floor.

5- PG's call offensive plays and defensive sets. Also need to recognize when everyone is set or not before calling Break or Go to start a play in motion.

6- The PG needs to be able to pressure the other teams PG and force them to not be able to run their offense, and to do so without excessive fouling.

7- PG's need to be able to make Lay ups, foul shots and open jump shots especially those shots around the top of the key and around the foul line.

You girls need to focus on developing the skills associated with your positions. All around skills are also important but devote at least 80% of you time working on the skill set of your position. Low post players time will be much better spent making short shots like they need in a game than wasting time shooting long 3's. In 25 games or so over the past two seasons we have only made 3 three pointers and all of them were in games that were basically settled before they were shot.

Remember we should improve as a team from practice but the best way to improve the team is to improve your own personal skills.

Tee Shirt's are In!

The Tee shirts you ordered with you names on the back are in. They are $20.00 each payable to me in cash or check. If you pay by check make it payable to Bland May since I had to pay for all the Tee Shirts myself in order to place the order. Once I have your money I will bring your shirt the next day of practice.

By the way, I think the Tee Shirt looks great.

I expect our warm ups and practice jersey's to arrive this week. The 2 piece warm up was $38.00. Just the pants a couple of girls ordered are $20.00. The Practice Jersey's are $15.00. Both of these items are payable to Halifax Academy.

Coach May

Fayetteville Christian Game Tuesday

1- Hope each of you had a Happy Thanksgiving. We all have much to be Thankful For.

2- We will leave Tuesday at 11:15 am for Fayetteville Christian. This is the gym that the players sit on the stage at midcourt.

3- I will post the address later but it is very close to Village Christian.

4- We won down there last season but there are lots of good players in the Fayetteville area so I am sure they will offer us quite a challenge.

5- It will be Green Uniforms and hopefully our Warm Ups will be in before that game. As I said in an earlier post your Tee Shirts have been shipped. I expect your practice jerseys to come in next week also.

6- We will stop at the same place Bojangles at Exit 97 to the right at the light if that suits everybody. I thought it was good last time and they have enough space for all 15 plus parents to sit.

7- Game directions are suppose to be available online at the HalifaxAcademy.org web site.

Northeast Academy Game

1- Game time for Monday is 3:15 PM

2- Dismissal time is usually 2:10 for home games.

3- Wear White Uniforms for home games.

4- Northeast Academy is one of our biggest rivals. They are very well coached so come ready to play hard.

5- Emily has cake duty for the first home game.
Renee has game 2 versus Harrells

6- The rest of the games in order are: Meredith, Destiny, Jennifer, Jamie,Kaylee, Kaela,Courtnee,Lindy, Kimberly and Lyndsey.

7- Your new Tee Shirts have been shipped and we should have them by next week. Once you have brought me $20.00 I will bring you your shirt the next day.

8- I would think we have a chance to have our warm ups-$38.00 and our Practice Jersey's $15.00 by the coming week.

9- Game Captains for Northeast Academy are, Kimberly, Kaylee and Jamie.

10- We did pretty good against Ridgecroft at times but I do not think that will be good enough to beat Northeast Academy. Be ready to pick it up a notch.

Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together and have Fun. Plus focus on making shots.

Coach May

Village Christian, Fayetteville NC

1- We will leave school as soon as we can assemble out in front of the school after 11:15. Hopefully all girls have planned transportation to Village Christian and back home. We plan to stop for lunch as a team I think it will be Exit 97.

2- You will need Green Uniforms, Black shoes, money for meals. This week since our warm ups will not be in we will need to Dress Up for this away game. No Blue Jeans!

3- For game time, make sure there are NO earrings in your ears and no sharp objects like hair clips in your hair. The officials Will Not Let You Play with these items on your body during a game.

Friday games and Practice Jersey's

1- We will be going to Village Christian Academy, 908 S. McPherson Rd, Fayetteville, NC
the school phone # is 910-483-5500.

2- I ordered you Reversible Practice Jersey's from RTS Sports in Rocky Mount. The cost of the jersey is $15.00 even. You can bring your money to Mrs. Long and make the checks out to Halifax Academy stubbed Practice Jersey and your name.

3- I will try and order our team shirts by tommorrow with the names you picked on the back. They will be $20.00 and you will need to bring your money to me. I will pay for them and when you pay me you can pick yours up. Cash or check will work but cash would be easier.

4- Let me emphasis to all you JV Girls. You need to focus on working on getting excellent at the fundamentals. Passing form, dribbling, Hands on the ball correctly shooting (if you practice they will eventually go in), Lay ups from both sides done with proper form and defensive stance.
The sooner you learn proper technique the better you will be as a player as you move up the ladder. Bad habits are hard to unlearn, work on doing it right everyday now.

5- You have all been a fun group to coach and I appreciate the effort you are making for the team. Keep working hard.

Play hard, Play smart, Play together, Go Vikings

Coach May

Misc. first game Information

1- Girls remember to bring enough cash money to pay for your lunch. We will be eating at a fast food type resturant in the Smithfield Selma area. Sheila Wood thinks the exit might be Exit 97. I will try to confirm that.

2- Green uniforms and black shoes for road games. As of now we will dress for our travel game Friday, once our warm ups are in (about 10 days) we will all wear warm ups to away games.

3- Do not forget to turn your uniforms inside out and wash them in cold water. Do not put them in the dryer, hang them out to dry. Take care of them, we do not have any extra uniforms to my knowledge.

4- I would like for all of us to having match socks, we will discuss that at practice today(Tuesday).

5- Parents driving remember to make your players in your car buckle up. Also make certain you can account for them before leaving after the game. Girls if you decide to go back with someone other than who brought you it is your responsibility to tell that person what you are doing.

Play hard, Play smart, Play together, Go Vikings

Coach May

Travel and other Notes.

Hi Girls,

1- Our first game is in Fayetteville vs. Village Christian on Friday Nov. 21. Game time is 3:00pm. Dismissal time from school is 11:15am. We will meet out front. Remember to not hang around in the hallways anymore than necessary.

2- It is your parents responsibility to get you to the game or to make travel arrangements for car pooling.

3- You will need to bring your Green uniforms. Black basketball shoes, socks. We will make a decision on the warm ups by Thursday.

4- We will all stop for lunch in the Smithfield Selma area. More information later to come.

5- The school will provide travel directions at the front desk.

6- We will come out and shoot around. Go to the locker room to have a team meeting and say The Lord's Prayer. Run out onto the court for our lay up drill.

7- Captains for the first game will be Ashton, Kayla, Destiny. We will rotate game captain every game with three different girls having the honor each game until the end of the season.

8- During full timeouts the whole team will stand and allow the 5 players in the game to sit.

9- During 30 second time outs we will stand. Players not playing at the time will be asked to offer the girls on the court some water. Each player may bring their own bottle of water if they like.

10- We will break each huddle with a hand touch and GO Vikings.

11- Each player that ordered a warm up suit can bring the money to Ms. Long at school, make the check payable to Halifax Academy Athletic Council and stub the check Warm up/Name. It is $38.00 for the entire suit. $20.00 for the Pants only.

12- Once the warm ups arrive you can have your initials embroidered on the pant leg and the shooting shirt sleeve if you wish. Check with me later on the exact location.

Play hard, Play smart, Play together, Go Vikings,

Coach May

Practice Times

We will practice everyday after school at 3:15 pm. until 4:30 pm unless otherwise noted. Please try to be on the court as early as possible.

Coach May

JV Girls Internet news

Hi Girls,

I have created this free blog to post information about practice and what nots to keep you informed about Halifax Academy JV Girls Basketball. I will try to update it on a regular basis.

Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together, Go Vikings!!!

Coach May