Top South Carolina Basketball Twitter Accounts

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  1. South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association @SCBCA (6.4K followers)
  2. SC AAU @sc_aau (1.7K followers) South Carolina, USA
  3. South Carolina Women’s Basketball @GamecockWBB (107K followers)
  4. Gamecock Men’s Basketball @GamecockMBB (75K followers)

Top USA Basketball Twitter Accounts by State

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  1. SC AAU @sc_aau (1.7K followers) South Carolina, USA Top South Carolina Basketball Twitter Accounts

High School Basketball: “Win the Day!”

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Here is a great clip (96 seconds) for athletes in any sport. Former Texas Tech basketball  coach Chris Beard shares some words of wisdom for any athlete hoping to be a top competitor and succeed in a sport. Clip is taken from a press conference on December 2, 2019.

When you have that type of adversity and you lose a couple in a row, do you approach it differently with a young team than you would maybe a more experienced team whose been through stretches like that before. 

  1. Stay the course: A basketball career is a long journey, with many highs and lows. The same is true of a basketball season. Do not waiver, one step in front of the other. 
  2. Process: There is a process to becoming a good basketball player. It is a LONG process that takes time. Embrace the process! 
  3. Get up: AND get to school on time 
  4. Make sure you win today: There are 365 day in the year. Win as many todays as you can. There wil be players in your program, league, and state who do not win one. If you win half of the days you will be an above average high school player. 
  5. Go to class: AND pay attention. AND Participate! AND work!
  6. Sit on the first couple rows: Or ask the teacher to sit in the front.
  7. Take your hat off. Simple 
  8. Turn your cell phone off. 
  9. Listen to the teacher. Stay engaged in clas.
  10. Take notes. AND have an organized notebook.
  11. Get in the training room. 
  12. Take care of your body. 
  13. Make sure you eat four or five meals like a champion. It is important to plan you meals every day, but especially on a game day. 
  14. Stay away from the dollar menu. Fast food is not a friend to a basketball player. 
  15. Go eat something that has some color in it. Eat fruits and vegetables.
  16. Tell the Coca-Cola later and drink the water or milk. 
  17. Get in the video room and watch it. Hudl is a great resource for high school basketball players. Learn how to watch game film. Make your highlights, but also look for areas where you can improve, especially on the defensive end. 
  18. Take hard coaching. Be able to handle be criticized in public, substituted for a mistake, and corrected during a film session. If you want to reach your potential you need to ACCEPT and EMBRACE feedback. 
  19. Get to practice and get loose and embrace the practice. There are days when you are not motivated for practice. Shift your attitude and have a great practice. This is where great players separate themselves from others.  may be
  20. Come back at night and get your shots up. It is important to try to improve on your own. Great players find a way to get extra work in during the season.
  21. Be a great teammate. Easier said than done. Always put the team 1st. Pick a player up who is on the floor. Congratulate successes and support failures.
  22. Get in the weight room. Not a top priority fo many players. Ask your coach for advice.  
  23. Stay after it. The season is a roller coaster. Just Keep Working… win, lose or draw. 
  24. Earn the right to play in games. Pay the price in the off-season so you can get minutes during the season. 
  25. Keep fighting! 

Full press conference

Basketball Book Review: No Fear In The Arena

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I had the opportunity to read John Willkom’s new book, No Fear In The Arena, over the weekend. It is a #1 New book release on Amazon. The book is about Travis Diener, who starred at Marquette University, spent several years in the NBA, then took his game to the Italian League. For those unfamiliar with Travis, he’s certainly not the physically imposing type that you might assume when hearing that he’s a former NBA player. Raised in a small town in Wisconsin and despite his physical limitations, he goes on to not only achieve tremendous personal success but play on some incredibly
successful teams, including a 2003 Final Four run.

What I loved about this book was Travis’s incredible competitiveness and love for the game. When faced with a situation to sign another NBA contract as a third-string point guard or go overseas to play significant minutes, he passes up a significant amount of money to go star inthe Italian League. His cousin, Drake, is diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, eventually returns to form, then joins Travis in Italy to form one of the best backcourts in the world. Today, Drake is the Italian League’s all-time leading scorer, which is pretty incredible.

There are some great stories in here from Dwyane Wade, 11-year NBA veteran, Steve Novak, and several former NBA and professional players. The book does a great job illustrating some of the challenges for anyone playing overseas, while also highlighting what an incredible experience it can be. For young players looking for inspiration to parents who enjoy a true story of overcoming the odds, this is a great add to your reading list.

High School Basketball: Week #2 Preseason and Scrimmages

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The teams have been selected. Tryouts are over and now it is time to prepare for the 1st game. The anxiety and drama are in the past. Now it is time to develop a team identity, create team chemistry and define roles.

This also is a week that most teams will have one or two scrimmages. These scrimmages will be controlled and players will. have opportunities to show how they can help the team.

Uniforms will be handed out.

Pictures will be taken for programs.

High School Basketball: Week #1 Tryouts & Cuts

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The 1st week of basketball is such an exciting time. It is filled with anxiety, enthusiasm and hope. Players and teams prepare for the long journey that lays ahead and each team is undefeated. Each player is filled with the dream that he can fill an important role on the team.

We are going to look at a high school season for a team that starts the Monday after Thanksgiving. A week stats on a Monday and ends on a Sunday. (2022 – 2023 season)

Week #1 November 28th – December 4th

The 1st day of a high school basketball season varies from state to state. We have done our best to create a list of the 1st day of tryouts for each state. We hope to have a complete list each year.

Monday November 28th: The 1st Tryout is a filled with anxiety for most players. So man questions race through a player’s mind. What will the practice be like? Am I in good enough shape? Have I prepared? How are my skills? Who will be my competition? How many players will make the team? How many players will be cut?

Tuesday November 29th: Day #2 of tryouts. For some teams this may be cut day. Coaches will identify players on the fence and schedule to tryout to put these players in situations where they can be evaluated closely with other players “on the bubble.” Players who may be cut are aware of their rank in many cases. It is important for these players to have a great tryout. Other players have solidified their position on a team. And for some, the but has already been decided and this will be the final day of the season. It is all over but the crying.

Wednesday November 30th: Many coaches have already put in offenses and defenses during the 1st two days of tryouts. With each day, more and more of the team concepts will be introduced. Starters will be named, and roles will be identified for all the players. the 3rd day is a common day to make the final cuts of the players. This is hard on a coach, not matter how easy the cut is. The cut is devastating to the player.

Thursday December 1st: The team is now picked and the chemistry needs to develop between the players and the coaches. Leaders will emerge.

Friday December 2nd: Many teams will scrimmage over the next three days. This will give a coach a chance to see who the top players will compete against other varsity players. Teams will face different defenses. Team and individual strengths and weaknesses will be identified.

Saturday December 3rd: Most varsity teams will practice on at least one day of the weekend. The times may vary, but most coaches like to take advantages of any chance to get players in the gym. A weekend practice may be like every other practice or a coach may choose to work on more individual skills.

Sunday December 4th: Many coaches will practice all 7 days during the 1st week of the season, however, some may see the value in giving the players a day off. It is a long journey that has just began, and coaches want players to be rested and healthy and a day off might be the best option for some teams.

High School Basketball: What Time is Practice?

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For a high school basketball player to have a great season and career, he must pay attention to little things, so that he can focus on just basketball as much as possible. This can be a challenge because there can be a lot to figure out. For example, what time is practice.

What time is practice?

Practice times for a basketball player can vary from day to day and week to week. High school gyms are often shared by several sports and teams. Most athletic directors seem to give the practice slot immediately after school to the freshman teams for several reasons. The biggest one is that freshmen lack the ability to get to and from school easily, Freshman typically do not drive, and most parents find after school transportation challenging. So in some cases, for freshman players, the practice time is practice is going to be the same every day. Th freshman block is usually shorter than other slots. Courts will be shared with boys and girls teams, so a team may be limited to a half court.

For varsity and JV practices, there almost never are set times for an entire season. The practices times will be all over the place. Typically there are two practice blocks. At the start of the week or the start of the month or the start of the season the two varsity coaches would sit down and map out the practice slots. In some schools the slots may be 2:30 to 4:30 and 4:30 to 6:30. It will vary from school to school, but these blocks are usually 2 to 3 hours.

For the majority of varsity high school players there will be no consistency with practice times. This means players must be prepared for different routines depending on the practice time.

What you will pack?

Heading off to school can be very challenging with a full backpack of books, notebooks, calculators and a computer. When a player is practicing immediately after school, a basketball bag must also be packed and brought to school. The practice bag will include sneakers, shorts, reversible jersey, undershirt, sweatshirt winter hat – all the things necessary for practice. When practice is not after school the bag can be packed and left at home if a player decides to go home before practice.

What to eat?

It is very, very, very important for a high school basketball player to fuel his body. A player needs to plan out meals for the next day and possibly for the entire week. Many high school students may hop in a car with a friend and get some food at a local fast food restaurant. Although this may be convenient and enjoyable, in the long run, it is better for a player to eat as healthy as possible. Pack an extra sandwich. Even eat some fruit. Eat a power bar. There are many options but it will take some time to prepare food for before practice. Some players are fortunate enough to have other family members that will assist in this process. Be sure to thank this person.

Transportation

Transportation can be a bit of a challenge for many players. Some players play for the hometown, which makes it a little more convenient for transportion. However many towns are very large, so the school might be located several miles away from a players home and it might not be practical to go home before a late practice.

Players attending private school can commute up to an hour. In this case , it is probably not an option to head home before practice. Players will remain at the school until the practice time.

No matter what the situation it’s important that you always allow time to get ready for practice and allow time for any unexpected delays. At some point in a player’s career, he will have to coordinate transportation with another teammate, family member, or friend. And with changing practice times in game times this can be a bit of a chore. It is best to have a weekly schedule that you write out, so that the player can focus on being the best basketball player possible.

Jimmy V Week: ESPN 30 for 30 Survive & Advance

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ACC Tournament

  1. Quarterfinals #4 NC State 71 #5 Wake Forest 70
  2. Semifinals #4 NC State 91 (1 OT) #1 North Carolina 84
  3. Final #4 NC State 81 #2 Virginia 78

NCAA Tournament

  1. 1st Round NC State (W6) 69 Pepperdine 67 (W11) (double OT)
  2. Round of 32 NC State (W6) 71 UNLV 70 (W3)
  3. Sweet 16 NC State 75 (W6) Utah 56 (W10) 
  4. Elite 8 Regional Finals NC State 63 (W6) Virginia 62 (W1) 
  5. Final Four / Semifinals: NC State (W6) 67 Georgia 60 (E4) 
  6. Championship NC State (W6) 54 Houston 52 (ME1)

ESPN Description: SURVIVE AND ADVANCE Directed by Jonathan Hock In 1983, the late Jim Valvano led the NC State Wolfpack through a series of nine overtime and 1-point games. But one game and one play will be remembered forever. (IMBD Review 8.5/10)

What an amazing season that is captured in ESPN’s 30 for 30 Survive and Advance. This is an incredible documentary about the North Carolina State “Cardiac Pack” Wolfpack, which had one of the most amazing runs to a NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.

 

The documentary also recounts the rise of the charismatic coach, Jim Valvano. Unfortunately Jimmy V’s is diagnosed with terminal cancer. His courageous battle with cancer, his Arthur Ashe Award “Don’t Give up. Don’t Ever Give Up!” speech, and the creation of the VFoundation for Cancer Research are all explained in detail.

ESPN celebrates the life and dream of Jim Valvano every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. His iconic speech is shown, top collegiate basketball teams compete in the Jimmy V Classic, and people are encouraged to donate to the VFoundation for Cancer Research. The goal for Jimmy V Week 2022 is 1.6 million dollars. (November 29th – December 11th)

Some of the themes in the documentary are:

One championship moment. The play will be relived each March as so many teams try to capture that “One Shining Moment” like the one celebrated by N.C. State.

Athletes linked together forever. Dereck Whittenburg and Lorenzo Charles are the bookends to that magical play. That last-second desperation shot found its way to Lorenzo’s hand to complete the magical Cinderella story of the 1983 N.C State Wolfpack team. (Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are another pair historically linked by an NCAA championship game and so much more.) 

Glory Days: The discussions around the lunch table can be found in communities all across America and the world. Any former athlete can relate to the season and stories of the former players, though few can match the success and excitement.  

Busting Chops: “Earl you got skinnier baby.” This is part of the chemistry developed on teams between teammates over years and careers. 

Being Part of a Moment: There is no way of telling when a “moment” will happen, but each night, there is a chance for that magical moment. 

Dreams: Many times throughout the documentary individuals share personal dreams. The NC State program’s collective dream of cutting down the nets is the heart of this documentary. 

High School Coaches & Fundamentals: Morgan Wooten’s (Red on Roundball) influence on Sydney Lowe and Dereck Whittenburg is significant. Most of us are influenced by coaches, teachers, and mentors in high school. 

Team Chemistry: “I coached 46 years at DeMatha high school and I don’t think I ever saw two fit together any better than Sydney and Witt.” Morgan Wooten 

High School All-Americans: Players are recognized for excellence, today more than ever. Social media shares stories of so many rising stars and very young ages, but even in the 1980s, the best players were acknowledged.  

Dilemmas & Choices. We are all faced with choices. This looks at career choices of coaches and players. Choosing the right job or school is as important today as it ever was. 

Relationships & Coach K: The transition from adversaries to special friends happens so often in life. It is nice to know that close relationships can develop at all stages and ages of life. 

Career Pressure: In coaching and so many jobs there is pressure to perform. We all must try to rise to the occasion. 

Dream Big “I Know”: Have dreams and don’t stop dreaming. “I know I am going to win a National Championship.” Jimmy V

Vision: The vision of cutting down the nets. Practice cutting down the nets. 

Time Flies: The 1st 3 years at N.C. State are not what the seniors have hoped for. This season is it. All or nothing. 

Dickie V: He is AWESOME, BABY! Dickie V is college basketball and certainly was a huge part of the 1980s and ESPN. His insights are great! 

STUDS played 4 years of College Basketball: Legends. Absolute legends. My how the times have changed with the ear of the “one and done.” It was a great time to be a college basketball fan. 

The Evolution of College Basketball: Isn’t that ACC 3-point line incredib? And the absence of a shot clock? My how the times have changed. It great to appreciated the history of college basketball. 

Injuries: Always part of a season and a career.

The ACC Tournament: There is always something exciting and amazing at an ACC tournament, no matter what the year there will be moments that will live on. 

Survive and Advance: Amazing. Phrases stick. The motto of any team, in any sport, playing in a single elimination tournament. 

Words of Inpiration: It is always a challenge to stay motivated. Words have a way of pushing us to achieve our goals. “Nothing great has ever been accomplished without enthusiasm.” Ralph Waldo Emerson “Ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things. EVERYDAY!” Reverend Bob Richards

Cinderella Teams: Every year there are lower seeded teams that advance. 

Pressure Situations: With 5 seconds to go, on the line to win or lose a game. These are defining moments for players and teams.

A Game of Inches: “Sam Perkins, was a quarter of an inch from sending his home. That much.” 

Overtime Games: 

Rivalries and Upsets: 

Win or Go Home:

Game Plans: 

The Diagnosis:

Trash Talk and the Need to Prove it! Sydney Green “punks” Thurl Bailey. It is important to do your talking int the court. 

“Team of Destiny.” Cardiac Pack. 

This is about hope. Sports are so much more than the games: 

WORST SHOT EVER! 

Heart and Character: 

March 4, 1993 ESPY Greatest Speech Ever:

Three Things: 

The Speech: He gave us every bit of ammunition he had to put us in that mindset that it’s now or never. I’ve never talked about that speech and got through it. That’s how good it was. He took those kids from here and took him right to here. Just like that. And they didn’t go through the door, they ran through the brick wall on the court. 

Halftime: We go into halftime up 8. I guess the power 50 million people watching us. And we got 20 minutes, and we got a chance to win the national championship.

Start of 2nd half. 

We woke up Phi Slamma Jamma. Boy, they woke up. We woke up Phi Slamma Jamma. We woke ‘em up. 

Big, Big Free Throw (1:05): 

The Hot Hand: 

Adjustment at Timeout: 

Not Taking the Shot: 

Fundamentals: Benny Anders reaches with one hand and I reach with two. Thank goodness for DeMatha High School Morgan Wooten. The fundamentals of teaching needs to catch the basketball with two hands.

I didn’t even I look your way. 

Dead Silence:

It was magical. I feel to my knees. I saw the wave of fans rushing down on the floor. It was magical.

All the Above: 

What can I say? 

Meeting the President: 

All the Time: On that note, let’s give a toast to Lorenzo Charles. Who is not long with us. This is a great reunion. Guys I love you guys. I think about you all the time. 

The Legacy of the Underdog:

Bigger than life: 

The Last Time: 

I Love You:

Lessons from a Season / Team / Coach: 

Moved to Tears: Whitt: It is hard to think that he is not here.

He always had little notecards. Amnd he would write down his dreams in his notecards. And I took the coats to the dry cleaners. 

“Win the National Championship” V Bucket list 5 new items Goal

“Beat Cancer”

Ending. 

Sports Illustrated NC State Championship as the 

Greatest College Basketball moment of the 20th century. 

That is Why You Play the Game!

High School Basketball: 1st Tryout

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The first high school basketball tryout is one of the most exciting days for any basketball player or coach. It also is one of the most stressful days for players and, in some ways, coaches. Players can place an incredible amount of pressure on themselves to perform well at tryouts.

Here are a few thoughts from several decades associated with high school basketball.

  1. There are many factors that are considered when selecting a high school basketball team. The older a player is, the less important a tryout becomes. This is because coaches have been able to watch players perform for an entire high school season. Often high school coaches run clinics, watch summer leagues and fall leagues. Some coaches also watch youth leagues and have been evaluating players since elementary school. Some coaches are also employed by a school in some other capacity, so a coach has an opinion of a player.
  2. Players will be Rusty. Many high school athletes play multiple sports. The transition for high school football players can be challenging. In some state, players have only three days off between seasons. If the team is competing for a state championship, sometimes a football season continues during basketball season for a week or two. Football conditioning is not the same as basketball conditioning. It will take a while for players to get into basketball shape. A handful of players work at the game year-round. These players should not be rusty, and should be ready to go.
  3. There will be cuts and hard decisions. It is not easy selecting a basketball team. It is not easy creating a basketball rotation. So there will be individuals who are disappointed. They will be players who will be asked to play a position other than the one they prefer. This is all part of developing a good basketball team. And a player’s willingness to accept the appropriate role is critical to a successful season and successful team chemistry.
  4. Hearts will be broken. There will be players in each and every state in a majority of high schools who will cry once the teams are in announced. The tears will remain hidden until in the privacy of a car, or a home, or a bedroom,. But there will be MANY players who cry because they have been told they can not be a player for a high school basketball team. This is a tough reality for many players and wake up call for a select few. But for this season, the player who is cut cannot participate on the high school team. He is faced with the decision as to how he will handle this devastating news.
  5. Coin flip decisions will be made. There are decisions that are too close to call. And in some cases the decision will involve an actual coin flip. Click on this link if you feel you may be a coin flip player.l

Coaching 4th Grade Basketball

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Google Search “Coaching 2nd Grade Basketball”

There are some good resources to get started.

  1. Pre-Season Email
  2. 4th Grade Travel Team Basketball Tryout
  3. 4th Grade Travel Team Shot Chart