February 2011

Dear Coach

I know this is a very busy time of the year for you, but we must recognize, honor, reward, and select the proper people who have had a positive impact on Vermont High School Basketball. To make sure we get the right people, you must do the following:

A. You must vote. Fill out now or mark your calendar so you have it in before the February 24 deadline. If you don’t vote, you not only hurt your people but you deprive your opponents a chance for the honors they deserve.

B. You must encourage your opponents to vote. Check “the don’t belong list” of schools who are not members. If some of your opponents are on the list, it really hurts your team’s chances for more honors. Call them.

C. Carefully fill out all of the various categories on this ballot. Let’s reward and honor all the deserving people out there.

The Senior All Star Game is March 26 at Windsor. This is our celebration of all that is good about Vermont High School Basketball. This is where we honor the categories listed below and also induct the 5th class of coaches to our VBCA Hall of Fame. Do a thorough and careful job and let’s make this a great day for Vermont basketball.

1. Milestone Wins—A plaque to varsity coaches reaching 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 wins. Let us know if you reach a milestone.

2. Thousand Point Scorers—Fill in the blank enclosed with confirmed or maybe 1000 point scorers. At the end of the season, call, fax, or e-mail me with the exact total to be put on a framed certificate and included on our web site. Some years we miss a thousand point scorer and it is embarrassing to tell parents their coach never told me about the 1000 pt. milestone award.

2a. Forty points scorers. This goes on our website. List points scored, player’s name, school, date, vs. what school.

3. Media Award—You nominate and write your thoughts why this media person “Made Basketball Better.” The Executive Board will sort through the nominations and select the winner.

4. The Dream Dozen Award—Given to 12 outstanding underclass boy and girl players. They receive a framed certificate at the March 26th game. You list the top five players you have seen, only two of yours if you feel they qualify.

5. VBCA Scholarships—A financial award given to senior players nominated by their coach. The coach must write a letter nominating the player for consideration by the VBCA scholarship committee. The one page letter should include the following: Name, school, why the player is worthy of the scholarship, colleges planning to attend, GPA, and class rank if possible. You should include how that player “Makes Basketball Better.” If you know of any extenuating financial circumstances, please include those as well. This award is mailed to the coach to present at the school’s end of the year awards program. We have awarded twelve to fifteen $500 awards in the past. This money is raised by our members selling Final Four t-shirts at UVM and Barre.

5a. The Tristan Southworth Scholarship – Awarded March 26th to a student/athlete who best mirrors the depth of character, commitment, loyalty and service to team, school, community and country. This unique individual should give us the opportunity to honor his life by making the criteria for this award only for the rare student/athelete who stands above the other exceptionally gifted players. Please consider the extraordinary nature of Tristan Southworth’s contribution to Hazen Union, Vermont, and our country. We look forward to honoring Tristan with a person who best models his quality of life at the highest level possible. Tristan was deployed to Afghanistan in early 2010 where he was killed in the line of duty. Please write a page explaining why your nomine deserves this award.

6. The Tommy Finnell Outstanding Service Award—Nominate and write a one page write up of how your nominee (sub varsity coach, long time helper, manager, etc.) helps “Make Basketball Better.” A plaque will be presented March 26.

7. VBCA Coach of the Year Award—A plaque presented at the March 26 game to the 4 boys and 4 girls coaches who get the most of your votes. Please vote this award. This year at least 1/3 of the division must vote or no coach will be named.

8. Senior All Star Game Players—You vote the top 15 players who you feel should play in our All Star Game. If you vote for a player from your team, remember to include their phone number for notification purposes. Your votes are how the team is picked. You must vote for at least 10 players for your ballot to be counted. Please vote for at least 10 from your group--someone you would want on your team.

9. Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year—Coaches vote for the player (regardless of grade or class) who they feel is the best in the state.

****DEADLINE FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE IS FEBRUARY 24.***** Ballot Form - Word Doc | PDF

Sincerely,

Dave Fredrickson

P.S. To make this day and games a special event for all those playing and being honored costs money. Last year’s game cost $5,103. I solicit people to sponsor the game and offset the cost. If you have anyone in your community that would be willing to help, please approach them. I will follow up with more details. Thank you.

Some basketball things to ponder or think about.
The following thoughts are not those of the VBCA executive board, just some old retired guy with time on his hands!!

* I think if your team can defend, you're in every game.
* I think if you can defend and rebound, you have a chance to win every game.
* I think if you let little things slide, they can become big things (problems).
* I think what happens in practice and in the locker room should stay there (no texting, tweeting, etc.)
* I think if you seek out and find assistant coaches and utilize them, they will make you a better team.
* If you don't use video, I think you are missing a great teaching tool.
* I think patience is a great virtue in coaching,
but make sure you don't us it all up on your team and have none left for your family.
* I think you should make a point to talk with every player at least every other day. It is easy to talk to your stars, but make a point to involve everyone.
* I think running practice without using the ball is a waste of time.
There are so many drills that allow you to condition and improve skills.
* I think your team should dress up for away games.
It not only looks classy, but they behave better (dress like a slob, behave like a slob).
* If your best ball handler brings up the ball most of the time, shouldn't your best shooter get the most shots. I also think not everybody should be allowed to shoot 3 pointers.
* I think if you have the media talking with you after games you don't have to "talk up" your big scorer.
They will say enough about them already.
Give credit to your defenders, rebounders, and passers. Also mention what a nice job the opposite coach does.
* I don't think frosh or sophomores should be on the varsity team unless they play significant minutes. They would do better getting playing time on the JV team.
* I think if you have an athletic director or principal who stands behind you, you are a lucky person.
* I think it is important for your "featured shooter" to be well liked and
thank people for the great pass that helped him or her score.
* I think if you assume players remember the fundamentals and basics
you taught last year without reteaching and reviewing, you are making a mistake.
* I think it is important to make sure you spend quality time in practice on defense and rebounding.
Don't spend an inordinate amount of time on "plays" and offense.
* I think you can "out work" people by organization, preparation, scouting, and practice planning and
it will lead to success.
* I think you should recruit students for managers, stat people, video, etc.
and make sure they are valued and appreciated.
* I think if you don't list all the situations and things you want to cover in practice,
one of them will come up in your first game.
* I think you must do more than tell your team to "play hard."
Define playing hard-take chances, dive on the loose balls, hit the offensive boards, pressure the ball.
* I think you must find a place for your best shooter even if he or she cannot defend anyone,
there must be a match up you can find to hide them.
* I think you must remember your family is #1.
Don't let coaching become so all important that you miss your kids growing up.

Have a great season!!

Dave Fredrickson