ESG scholastic team announced
-
- May
- 30
I talked to Dan Ricci, and he gave me the names of players who made the team. They are:
Maggie Blair, Briarcliff
Taneka Whittaker, Lourdes
Alexandra Osborn-Jones, Eye Country Day
Sophia Aleksandravicius, Holy Child
Gillian Felix, Mahopac
Porsha Postell, Woodlands
Shannon Ray, Ursuline
Shelby Sferra, Ursuline
Kara Tancredi, Beacon
Alaina Walker, Albertus Magnus
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on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 12:46 pm by Josh Thomson.
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Josh Thomson has done some of everything since joining The Journal News in March 2003. He began working for the Gannett weeklies during the winter of 2002 as a freelance writer. He joined the daily staff soon after and has since covered various high school and pro sports. Away from sportswriting, Josh lives in Westchester and spends his free time either with his fiancee, Sarah, or expertly managing his various championship-winning fantasy sports teams. He's visited 21 major-league baseball stadiums and insists that Fenway Park and Wrigley Field are the best by far. Josh graduated from Carmel High School in 1998, then went to Boston University, where, in 2002, he received a degree in communications with a minor in history.
congrats to the 10 girls, and hopefully they can go to Binghamton and bring home a gold medal. I had tried to post this under the previous post, but I guess no one really saw it. Good luck to all involved. To me it seems like a pretty solid team
Go Tancredi Not a doubt in our minds here in the hamlet of Beacon that our home town girl wouldnt be the best in the area. Coach Ricci knows god given talent when he sees it. Good luck to this talented young lady and her talented team.
Someone told the Bandit that Tancredi, Whittaker and Felix don't even play for the Lady Knicks and I told him that I couldn't even dream of a world where such a thing were possible. Next you'll tell me that we put a man on the moon! Go on…
They play for the Lady Knights, surprise, surprise!!
Any ideas why Catelyn Moran from John Jay EF is not playing this year?
Not sure if this is the reason, but she didn't really get to play her game on last years team. If you saw the games last year, you know that there were only two girls who ever shot the ball. Some on this site would say they were the best on the team, because they were the top scorers. I, of course, would disagree. There was not a lot of teamwork on last years team, and that is not how Moran plays. And, the same two girls who couldn't figure out how to pass the ball, and shot everytime they got it, are back. It also could be that she has verbally committed to Boston University, and doesn't need to bother with another ESG team that doesn't play her type of ball.
IF YOU SAW THE GAMES LAST YEAR WALKER AND POSTELL DID SHOOT ALOT PORSHA SHOT 27 TIMES ONE GAME 17 WERE 3 POINTERS? WALKER ON THE OTHER HAND JUST MISSED ALOT OF PLAYERS UNDER THE BASKET THAT WERE WIDE OPEN ON HER DRIVES WHEN SHE WAS DOUBLED TEAMED.AS FAR AS MORAN SHE NEEDS TO SHOW UP FOR THE BIG GAMES SHE MISSED ALOT OF WIDE OPEN LAYUPS THE PRESSURE GOT TO HER.
Well they have Tancredi this year and she could catch roger clemens fast ball some pair of hands.
I guess moran showed up when needed- when BU was looking for players!!! You need to get off Moran about not showing up in big games-she not only shows up she makes those other players on her team look great.A very talented player who CAN HANDLE THE PRESSURE!!
The Bandit, even with onset of senility fast approaching, does remember someone who looks like Brittany Shields coming up huge in the games against Western. Moran did not look comfratable for whatever reason. I wish there was a link to the stats…
Well Bandit, there actually are results posted on the website and although it is just the scoring stats it does disprove the fact that only two girls shot the ball. In the 4 games they had 4 girls in double figures 3 times and 3 girls in double figures the other game. If they had the shooting percentage, rebounds, assists & steals it would give us a better picture but this is all we have. If you look closely they actually had threre different leading scorers in 4 games. That seems pretty balanced to me!
Check out this link…
http://www.empirestategames.org/summer/results/sport_results.asp?year=2007&sport=BA&division=S&clean=0
Poo Poo Bandit
You are as usual 100% correct- that is why Shields is going to Pace and Moran to BU.
The statistic that stands out for me is the fact that Moran scored 4 total points against Western in the two biggest games. Moran supporters will say that Postell and Walker hogged the ball and Moran detractors will say that she played scared. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
If No Show is correct, all you need to know is that in one game Postell shot 27 times, including 17 3's. I'd be curious to know how many shots the rest of the team took as a whole.
Here are the facts!!! C. Moran did not have a very good Empire Tournament, the reasons why only she could know. Gethelp, you are wrong in trying to make fun of Shields because she did have a A10 offer that she turned down, the A10 is the biggest Mid-Major Conf. in the Country look at their RPI. Interrested, the game was a 40 min. college type game with 172 pts. scored in it.
Porsha P. had 22 shots (5 shots that she took she was fouled on and that does not count on shot totals) and 27pts.
Britt S. was next with 18 shots and 16pts.
Alaina W. had 15 shots with 13pts.
Sophia A. had 14 shots with 16pts.
Emily S. had 11 shots with 6pts.
Caitlyn M. had 7 shots with 0pts.
The other team in the game was Western which had 2 players take over 20 shots each and Shenise J. had 28pts.
No one is making fun of Shields- she also is a very good player- if anyone makes a joke of this blog it is you POO POO so relax I guess this time it hit too close to home . There are a few other players on the EMPIRE team that also it could be said that did not have a good tournament. To sum it up there just weren't enough basketballs to go around!!!
Hey Get Help, they won a silver medal and only lost the gold medal game by 4 points(with 6 underclassman on the roster.) Not to mention that the team they lost to (Western) had the best player in NYS on it. You make it sound like they stunk! What exactly have you won in your athletic career?
BOO BOO, what about the gold medal game? THATS THE GAME THAT COUNTS.BIG TIME GAME BIG TIME PLAYERS.MARIST GIRL TOOK SOME CRAZY SHOTS.
Porsha Postell is the best player on the team and should get the most shots.
There isn't anyone out there that thinks Moran is as good as Postell or even Walker, is there?
Smokey, Porsha is a very good player but she needs to work on making the players around her better.porsha draws alot of attention from other teams but when u take 17 3's and only make 5 thats less then 30% she needs to have a better shot selection. something for the coaches and porsha to work . And yes i think moran is better outside shooter.
Hey need more help- no one said anyone stunk- It seems when you look at the stats and also observed the game- there was alot of one on one basketball going on. My point is it is not all about the points. Was there any defense,assists, rebounding?
New blood on team this year a power forward that used to be a guard that can shoot inside outside and upside down and a talented center should make for a very interesting tournament Good luck girls
gethelp, please read before you write/talk #$&*. There is a one letter difference between Boo Boo and Poo Poo. With the B you get Yogi Bear's best friend and with the P you get what Yogi's friend does after a big meal and a healthy serving of Fiber 1.
Now the Bandit is not about disparaging kids so I will do what politicians need to do more of: I will state my case and not tear down the opponent. Message to Hillary!
I will just say that in my time as a fan I have never seen a more "money" player than Brittany Shields. When the game is on the line, if I'm coaching, I want the ball in her hands. She has taken over more "big" games than anyone, including Ms. Moran, in Section I history at least my history. There are 3:00p players and there are 8:00p players and I would bet the Banditos inheritance that Shields is an 8:00p player. I don't care if she's going to Pace, Purchase, Penn St or Pomana A&M.
Also, what you call one on one I call not being afraid to take the big shot or not having deerintheheadlightsitis. A disease that cripples many good players. The opposite of deerintheheadlightsitis is geterdoneitis.
YOU JUST PROVED MY POINT. I WAS RESPONDING TO YOU POO POO
HAVE A NICE DAY-
There is also a disease of not knowing when not to take a shot. That's something many "one on one" players never learn. Hurts the team but those players don't care about that.
Interested – Very well said!
Interested
Agree thats why there are 5 players on a team not two will be a foolish mistake on their part if they don't use their other players this year. Dan Ricci I am sure will not allow it trust me he knows what he is doing.
What some of you need to try and understand is that many of these kids come from programs where they are it. They are options 1, 2, 3 and 4. For them to pass to someone else is foolish. Do you think there is anyone else on Woodlands who is in Porsha Postell's stratosphere? In girls HS basketball you rarely see a team that has 3 or even 2 superstars. It doesn't make her selfish it makes her smart. If I'm coaching her I don't want her passing to some kid that A. Doesn't work as hard as she does in the off-season and B. Can't walk and chew gum at the same time.
Coach Ricci has to try and mold 10 kids with that mentality into a cohesive unit in a short amount of time and it isn't easy. Considering I can't remember a time when they didn't metal I assume he and those that preceded him are doing a competent job.
Like the Great Oz the Bandit has spoken…
Plain and simple when you have 10 players with equal talent and ability and looking at the list and knowing most of these girls and having seen them play over the years,it will not not be all about the guards. It will be up to coach Ricci and his staff to coach a TEAM not individual players. This is empire states not school ball or recreation ball these 10 kids mentally and physically are the best in the area and they "Should" know the game of basketball. If they don't I am sure Coacn Ricci will bench them.
Once again your are correct Mr Bandit! Since Coach Reilly and Coach Ricci have been on the staff together, starting back in 2001 these are the results.
2007 – Silver
2006 – Silver
2005 – Gold
2004 – Silver
2003 – Gold
2002 – Gold
2001 – Bronze
Reilly was a member of the staff in 2000 & 1999 as well both Bronze Medal winners.
The Bandit knows his stuff!
I was not at the games but from what I have read there seemed to be quite a bit of showboating going on. Coach Viani would sit you in a new york minute if he thought you were chucking, ball hogging and leaving a person open who has a better chance at the shot. I am sure Dan Ricci will do the same.Good Luck girls I wish I was playing
Simple basketball if you don't have a clear open shot you find someone who does.This year you have Blair and Tancredi trust me they will find away to get open and handidly make the put up.
I also watched last year's gold medal game, and I was impressed with Sheilds,the bandit is correct, she scored when they needed it. Also, I saw contributions from everyone on that team that day, not just 2 players. That was the first I saw personally of Moran, and I felt she played ok, but couldn't score, even when wide-open oppportunities were handed to her…......
Instead of arguing over who's a "ball-hog" or not, I am just going to congratulate all that made the team and wish them well while they prepare and play at the ESG tourney!! All quality players – and that includes this year's and last year's team. These are young ladies and I wish them all well.
Thats the point Bandit. On Woodlands she may have to heave it up, but on an "all-star" team she has to realize others are just as capable as she is and be more selfLESS.
agree draftboy some as capable for sure!!!
THE POO POO BANDIT, Some people think walker and postell are competing against each other instead of the other team? 5/17 from 3's out of control sounds like a individual. No need for that on that team.
Come on POO POO this is Empire you don't think Tancredi will catch their passes come on now
Ice Cold – Porsha P. and Alaina W. Recruited by Top 25 teams in the Country!!! Big East, ACC, SEC, Big 10, Big 12 and PAC 10. Do you know more than the people who get paid to evaluate talent. If you were at last years Empires you would have seen the stands loaded with college coaches. I guess they seen what they wanted to see out of Postell and Walker.
I agree with Boo Boo and the College Coaches, Walker and Postel are the best 2 incoming Seniors in Section 1 and 2 of the best guards on the East Coast.
Isn't somone from the area going to the Bonnies? When did they sneak in the top 25?
Becuase Walker selected St Bonnies it does not mean she did not have Top 25 offers.
Boo Boo, Correct me if you know, but Walker had offers from UNC, Vandy, St. John's, GW and Lou.Cards. She just like St. Bonnies and the area.
Not for anything a free education is amazing, and God bless anyonre who is fortunate enough to earn one, but UNC or Bonnies? Hmmm, St. Bonnies its!
With a "Little bit of Luck" this team will win the gold
Yogi,A letter from a college is alot different then a offer.Yes they are talented but that does not make them great team players.One thing i can tell you if they shot like that at those schools they would be fetching water.I think there might be a couple of better guards in Long island.
Ice Cold, I never blog on this site. Ask Josh T. But since all you know it alls (ice cold, boo boo, poo poo, yogi, draftboy, ballin or anyone else) keep on talking about good student athletes I just want to set the record straight. Any time any of you want to call me, I will meet with you and call the college coaches together so you can see what interest and offers are out there for any of my players. I have a real problem with a site that lets slime-balls like you talk about 15, 16 and 17 year old student athletes without putting your own name in front of your comments. I just wish this site was used in a proper manner to promote all the female student athlete that play basketball.
"Lot of Luck" has spoken!
Mr Reilly, with all due respect sir, the Poo Poo Bandit DOES KNOW IT ALL.
You and Coach Ricci may want to retain his services if really want to win the Empire State Games.
As for ICE COLD, he is probably coaching some want-to-be team in some crapy league that could never compete with the Porsha and Alena's of the world
Coach Reilly
with all do respect which i think seriously you and Coach Ricci deaerve. Do you think your guards shoot to much or is that just blog opinion?
thats a hard hard question???
with a really easy answer
Coach Ricci and Reilly know what they got and will deliver…
You have the best ten around and I wish you Coach Ricci and Reilly a gole medal you deserve it!!!!
The Buddha of the Hardwood has spoken and all should bow down to his greatness! Next time he needs to keep my name off of his list and his keyboard but other than that he has said how he feels. Coach Buddha Reilly is the real Big Brown!
Now as for this Gags fella. I always thought he was a bit touched in his massive cranium but this dear man might just have some redeeming qualities that the Bandit has overlooked. He knows of what he speaks and he speaks some really good thoughts. He should henceforth be known as…"The All Knowing Gazoo"
I'm with you Reilly. More than half of the people on this blog could never dream of playing as well as ALL of the student athletes who go to school, practice, have jobs and play usually more than one sport. Grow a pair and stop hiding. If you want to be vindictive, give your name or are you afraid that a little girl will smack you around..No use living life a a scared fool!!!!!!!!
BREAKING NEWS: Ricci and Reilly have been fired and Willie Randolph and Tom Nieto have been hired to replace them. More details to follow…
St Bonaventure over UNC LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
Are we serious people, you dont get recruite dby Top 25 and end up at St Bonaventure.
to Mike hoops—-you do if thats the type os school you are looking for. These women go to school for the education, not for the name of the school. Not everyone likes the idea of an extremly large school that far from home..stop being so cynical and definetly stop thinking you know everything about everyone.
to Mike Hoops-Also what big name school did you attend on a basketball scholarship that you have the right to LOL,LOL,LOL at someone elses choice????
Heard the team has 1 less Lady Knick due to a major player changing clubs.
She is not with the knicks team, but she is still with the Empire team
I guess the lady knicks are not as great as people thought they were. When your best player goes to a better club, and plays in better tournament than the ones you play in.
Or maybe people have no loyalty anymore; maybe they take advantage of people's generosity. Maybe people are just selfish and have no morals…
So who left??????
She did NOT go to a better team. She went to a team that told her she can travel more. I guess she took everything for free that she could so it was time to move on
who and who would do such a thing this late in the season??
someone who is torn by what is best and what your being told. It is usually chalked up to being a teenager. The only problem is that what they are being told could have a lasting effect on a young person.
Thats why teenagers, for the most part, have parents.
There must be something else to this story.
From what I have seen, anyone who plays for the Lady Knicks 15 or 16 year-old top teams get the best exposure and they play all of the top AAU teams at every tournament up and down the east coast. I saw that they recently played 4 top-10 clubs, including 2 National AAU champions at one weekend tournament. It doesn't get any better then that. I also heard that they were invited to play in Chicago and Vegas this summer. On top of that, there isn't a college coach around the north east who doesn't know John Reilly.
It doesn't make any sense.
Unless the girl is signed and doesn't need exposure.
You said it all when you said "for the most part thats why they have parents".Sometimes they don't see the big picture. I to believe that Reilly and all the WBA coaches have only the best interest for the girls. He is taking them to Chicago to give them more exposure to west coast schools that may not have heard of them or had an opportunity to see them play. I also know his daughter as well as other WBA"grads" have come back to coach in the same league they played for. I feel that says alot about an organization.
Everyone needs to remember that AAU is a business and as such the WBA does not always have the girls best interests at heart. There have been girls who were part of those top 15 and 16 teams who felt like second class citizens as they were not part of the top five. There are girls who were not placed on the top 15 and 16 teams that should have been but were placed differently due to "other" reasons (politcal picks, personal favorites, size not ability). Every player and their parents should be looking out for the players best interests – but that does include honoring the commitments already made to your teammates, if not the club.
un·grate·ful (n-grtfl)
adj.
1. Not feeling or exhibiting gratitude, thanks, or appreciation.
2. Not agreeable or pleasant; repellent
Street Agents:
1. Pimps without the snazzy clothes
TWO WORDS
de·lu·sional
Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[di-loo-zhuhn]
a false belief or opinion: delusions of grandeur.
Psychiatry. a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact: a paranoid delusion.
par·ent
Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[pair-uhnt, par-]
a father or a mother.
I GOT MINE THE HELL WITH THE REST OF YOU
She wanted to travel all over the country to invitation tournaments with a great team so what!!! This summer has to be about her if she wants to go to the best school possible. So she went to the best program that she felt would get her the best exposure so what!!
DONNY, ITS FUNNY HOW HER TEAM AND COACH STOOD BY HER WHEN SHE GOT IN TROUBLE NOT TO LONG AGO. HOW QUICK WE FORGET THE SUPPORT WE RECEIVED WHEN TIMES GOT TOUGH. SO MUCH FOR THE WORD "LOYALTY"
Why not try on another team if it gets you results like this from a major NE tournament? Wasn't getting it before…
-The definition of a shooting guard. Quick to the basket, who can stop and pop from any range. Can create shot off the dribble, or get into the lane to finish or find teammates. Active defender, good free-throw shooter. Rutgers heavily involved.
WHY NOT, RUTGERS JUST HAD A GREAT RECRUITING CLASS. MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST FIT (PLAYING TIME)? STOP POP FROM ANY RANGE WE SAW THAT AT THE EMPIRES BUT THEY JUST DIDNT FALL 5 FOR 17 LESS THEN 30% FIND TEAMMATES? IT WILL BE INTERSTING TO SEE HOW HER FORMER TEAMMATES TREAT HER ON THE EMPIRES. SOPIA ,WALKER ,MAGGIE ,SHELBY
Smokey, one can only hope and pray that you are not a…pair-uhnt. If you are there is a psychiatrist somewhere putting a down payment on their next BMW with the future earnings that your kid will deliver to them when they seek out the help they will need after your done screwing them up.
I wouldn't worry how the young woman will be treated at Empires 'cause she quit that too. Does anyone detect a pattern here? Maybe somebody should contact Coach Stringer and let her know, if she's done whining about Don Imus…
So if Postell quit who's replacing her??? By the way, not everyone needs the great John Reilly, her talent speaks for herself.
Oh, and the "great" was sarcastic LOL
If u quit ur aau team and your empire team at this time in the season there is just one word for you LOSER plain and simple. I don't want her on my team
They never did post who the alternates were for the Empire State team. I think there were only 2/3 chosen and I am not sure if those 2/3 accepted. So if you know who the alternate is… let us know too.
this site is not good for our kids! bashing coaches and kids….. honestly this is not a help josh shut it down…. coaches on here kids on here parents on here not a good combo….
hey ballgirl, John Reilly IS a great coach. Yes the girl has a lot of talent. She was shown the fundamentals by coach Reilly and that made her a great talent.See, that's what a coah does, he sees there strenghts and weakness, and shows them how to get better at all of. You being "sarcastic" means you or your child had that rose colored lens on and even though you think there is none better, There is always someone better..Grow up
Hey Poo Poo, I was talking about "aau mom" and agreeing with you, but of course you didn't get it.
But anyway, I have another definition for everyone:
POO-POO-BANDIT (pooh-pooh ban dit)
1. One who stinks up every place he goes.
2. Unknown male who leaves a smelly mess behind him and moves on to the next place only to do the same thing
3. man who walks funny because he is carrying a load of
poo-poo in the back of his pants
Sounds good to me, if you don't know what WHY NOT is talking about check out gym rat web. She wasn't getting that at the Knicks.
Hey fan,
You think that Rutgers was looking at her because of 4 games in Albany? For your information, the DI schools/coaches weren't even allowed to be there. Please know what you are talking about before you open your mouth and spew "dumbness"
Lots of top schools have been looking at her since Penn State 2 years ago.
You are a fool.
Please crawl back under the rock you came from.
wow Real class (real fan)
Bottom line is some players take the generosity of others and have little respect for what others do for them. Someone be an adult and just say "we are going w/ another program, thank you for everything." That would be sufficient. Not lie and sneak out to another tourney. That’s weak and very disheartening.
as a player and kid you just don't do that to your team bottom line no matter what someome needs to inflate that head of hers before it pops
Lets just wish these girls and coaches well regardless of who is on the team!
First AAU Mom,
I'm not sure how the other organizations are run, but the WBA Lady Knicks are strictly a non-profit organization. All monies left over are used on the girls and none of the coaches are paid for their services. No one is in it to make money, so don't bash people's integrity because your daughter wasn't good enough. It stinks of bitterness.
Second,
If Postell wants to leave, who cares? That is why it is called a team, there are plenty of other girls who are excellent basketball players. I heard Postell milked the Lady Knicks. I heard from a parent, that she cried poverty until she ran that well dry, and now she's moved on to use someone else.
Also, from what I have seen, John Reilly is a pretty stand-up guy. The problem a lot of the "Westchester Priss'" have with him is that he tells it like it is. He doesn't baby girls, and he doesn't give parents or players false hope. Some people don't like that because they want to hear that their daughter is the best.
Thank you objective. I have been looking at this site and getting so angry. It bothers me that people can make up names and say what ever they feel without anything to back it up. I know for a fact that the WBA coaches DONOT get paid. I also know that they pay for hotel rooms, gas and meals for themselves. I know this because the spouse I am is John Reilly's. It's me that doesnot go on vacation during AAU season. And me who a "night out" means I am going to a high school game! Don't bash young women who, win or lose play hard and try hard. If you do, stand behind your statement with your name..mine is Pat Reilly
I never knew that John Reilly was married to Pat Reilly
2 great coaches in one marriage
Nice Team. Great offensive players. But, can they play defense???? As we have learned over the past couple of years, defense wins gold medals. The ESG coach has emphasized offense, and not put together a true "TEAM" which includes some defensive stoppers. Thus, the silver medals in '06 and'07. Where is Tony Santos when you need him?
Good luck to this year's edition
bball mom vet you are more right then anyone knows…..
tony was the man
does anyone know where he is??? Call him back to coach….NOW
Did Lakeland's Tori Jarosz try out? If she did, I'm surprised she didn't make it.
AT the end of the day porsha would dog all your sons and you so if she wants to travel experience something new leave her alone please
B Ball,
no she did not try out
I heard a vicious rumor that the mighty Lady Knicks (aka Empire team) lost to the measley Hudson Valley Knights!!! No! Could it be!! Let me guess, all the Knicks had food poisoning, no, the flu, no they all played on a broken leg!!! Please, we need your excuse!!!!!!
It's true, the HV team with 2 Empire players on it beat the LK team with 4 Empire players on it. 40-38
Both teams showed well with HV finishing 8th and the LK finishing 9th in the top bracket. That is great for a showcase event and says a lot about Section 1 basketball.
I heard through the grapevine that there were some very angry parents in spite of the win because a lot of the HV girls didn't even play in the game.
Well they got Moran, Tancredi felix and kiowgis if they want to win these girls can't come out of the game. There bench is to weak you play to win not to make the parents happy.Coach Viani knows what he gots and knows how to win. Give me Moran ,Tanredi anyday over any of those girls. They are unselfish and topclass players on and off the court.
I couldn't agree with you more!!!
To bball-isn't time to grow up.People posted on other venues that this particular page is vicious towards the young women who play basketball. Nothing could be more true with your baby ranting. Not everyone wins every game and GREAT for the women who played well leading to a victory. STOP HIDING behind a fake name and let everyone know who the SAD BITTER person really is. That we can get you the help you need to STOP being so Jealous of young women and their abilities…We should be encouraging them not ridiculing them…Pat Reilly (still not hiding!!)
I was at the game between HV and WBA LK because my daughter knows players on both teams, and I was glad to see some coaches stick to there guns and do the right thing for all the girls.(Bball, Haldane1 and Beafan) you must have not been at the game or your daughters were the ones that had some playing time for Coach Vianni. The game was a well played game in front at least 50 college coaches. I saw the LK coaches play all 9 girls in both halves of basketball. After the game was over you would have seen a LK team that was disapointed with a loss, but walk out of the gym content. On the other side the winning team, there was 4 or 5 parents that were upset with Coach Vianni, I do not say HV coaching staff because I heard Coach Martinez very upset that his daughter did not play. I saw other players on HV crying because they did not play or thought they should have had more time. I am a out side observer but Coach Aldo of the NY Pride always told me it is about showcasing all the girls for D1 D2 and D3 college coaches. The other thing that was interesting is that C. Moran who has already committed to BU played the entire 32 mins. I thought I would see her play less because she already had a D1 offer and was set with her school. Being from the NY Pride it look like the losing team won and the winning team were losers in disaray.
Anyone who knows or has been around Al Viani knows he has his reputation to uphold. He has one mission at Penn State and that is to win it, not to showcase the girls.
EXCUSE ME PAT REILLY!!! As I recall, when you husbands team beat the knights earlier in the season your parents were writing in halftime and final updates and went on to to say how there was no other elite team besides your knicks. So when the shoes on the other foot you don't like it!! Maybe it's time to get off the high horse and give other girls in the area a kudos. Instead of course, excuses. If Vianni didn't play certain girls, so be it. I'm sure the bottom of your bench got there 2 minutes a half
Bottom line there are a lot of great players in the area and they're not all Knicks!!
Is it true?
Is it true that the Knights lost their next two games at Penn State becasue all the kids played? If that is true, why the change in philisophy? Did the coach cave into the crying kids or parents? Or is it that the only game that their philosphy is different is when they play the Knicks?
Both the coaches of the HVK and LK are fine coaches. Each with their own styles. AAU basketball has lost some of its integrity due to"PARENTS" thinking their kids are better than they are.Parents if they do not like the coach or their kids playing time they either make them selves look like fools in the stands or next year form their own AAU team to showcase their kid- it is out of control! Congratulations to the girls that are lucky enough to get basketball scholarships for "whatever reason"
they are the fewadvice to parents- have your daughters work hard in the classroom there is more money given for academic performance. All I know is there are alot of very good players in the Hudson Valley and not all are playing for the Knighs,Knicks or the Empire team.response to blackbird- it was most likely due to crying parents- it happens every year.
To Bball- I DONT EVER look for excuses! I don't care who plays, As long as EVERYONE gets a chance.I NEVER said anything about HV or their team I was not at the game nor did I want to be there. My thoughts are that these young women ALL of them try hard play hard and practice hard. Unlike you, I donot get my jollys by making smart ass comments about people. The difference between us is that I have the GUTS to stand behind my statements. I do not say anything behind peoples back. I face you. Thats why unlike you I am NOT afraid to give my name..PAT REILLY
Spouse
Wow!!! So much anger, resentment, ready to jump off the roof attitude. Obvious you were looking for something because nothing the other blogger said was mean or nasty to any players. It was true. This blog should be renamed for the Knicks. Every chance anyone can get to praise the knicks is done on this blog and any opportunity to put down another aau team is also done. Noone is saying the knick players aren't really good, but there is basketball beyond your husband and his team whether you and your parents want to believe it or not. I also remember the last time the knicks beat the knights it was pretty nasty, but now the knights don't deserve their time. There are many great players in section 1 and they don't all have to play for the knicks like many people think. A little kudos to the knights for a job well done is all anyone had to say, they have some great players who deserve their recognition. They obviously played well. Maybe if you sat back and really read what was written it was less about the knicks and more about the knights it looks like you were at your computer waiting for something negative.
B-Ball relax ! these are young girls who love basketball- yes there is some competition between the two teams but lets not make more of these wins or losses- this is AAU!!
Again both coaches try to teach their players the game and to be "smart" players- that doesn't mean always be the top scorer it means to do what the team needs to be successful.
Both coaches have no children that play on their teams
they are doing this for the love of the game. So relax congratulate the team that one and get on with lifedo not make more of this than what it is "A GAME"I heard it was a great game, unfortunately when you're not associated with the knick organization in their eyes (and others) you're second class. There are many great players on the knight team why can't someone from the knicks just acknowledge that. Everything I've heard about this blog is bashing any player but a knick. I'm not saying anything negative about any knick player, but let's open our eyes to the rest of section 1. The End!
Proud Pride Parent: Coach Aldo does not showcase his girls in July, which is when the important scouting is done…Not so good…Also, he is unfairly partial to those who "train" with him for big bucks!
Alex Venuto was chosen from the alternates as the tenth member of the scholastic team. Ms. Venuto plays for Ossining and the related Hudson Breeze team in AAU.
Ms. Venuto is one of the hardest working players i've seen with the ability to be at the top of the section before she's through.Good luck and have a great time.
Any coach who thinks that winning is more important then showcasing ALL of their players at an event like this shouldn't be coaching AAU.
Every year some of the top players in Section 1 do not tryout for the Empire State team even though they would be a lock to make the team. It doesn't matter what AAU organization they play for. All of the AAU organizations have good players.
Aldo had 2 teams at Penn State
Go to www.bluechipbasketball.com and click on "schedule of events" to see the results
That's NY Pride's only showcase this recruiting summer. They did well at Penn State, one team finishing 4-2 and Aldo's team finishing 3-3
A couple of comments:
1. Assuming that what has been said is true-
that not all girls played in the LK game-if Viani did what he usually does, those girls received additional playing time either in prior games or in subsequent games.2. The format of the Penn State tournament makes winning important. If you lose early, you are relegated to remote gyms where few, if any college coaches go. The teams that are winning play in the two main gyms on the last days where they will be seen.
3. Duly the July exposure period, the Knights and the Knicks will play 25+/- games before college coaches. All girls will have more than enough opportunities to be seen.
What about the Westchester Hawks, do they showcase their players?
WERE IS PORSHA WHEN U NEED HER MOST?
Who needs Porsha? Her team went 5-1 without her. The only loss was the 2 point loss spoken about earlier. They seem to be doing fine without her, and the girls and coaches didn't seem too distressed that she was gone. It was probably a weight lifted off their shoulders.
To everyone on this blog:
I thought this blog was created to discuss basketball in the Hudson Valley. It wasn't created to bash organizations, coaches, or players. All of these coaches volunteer their time and they all do what they think is the right thing. It seems like evryone wants to make it about the Lady Knicks and their "evil empire." Get over it. All the Knick haters just make them more popular by talking about them every 5 seconds. I missed the LK HV game, but I heard it was a very well-played game on both sides, and I hope a lot of coaches got to see the girls.
If people looked at the Empire roster, they would see that there is a variety of AAU organizations represented, it just happens that the Knights and Knicks are bigger so most of the girls play for these organizations. Coach Ricci isn't even affiliated with the Knicks, so why would everyone be suggesting he just picks Knicks? I don't get it, but I guess that's why spouse thinks people are making excuses. If these commenters are all parents, I shudder to think what their kids are like.
Can anyone tell me which colleges were their, and was the Head Coaches in attendance.
I think this site is good, but I think there should be more accountability. It gets very hostile when people can hide behind psuedo names. It's just obvious to me that a lot of these nay-sayers are players and parents scorned and it's sad that they try to place blame on people without using their real names. I don't think this blog would ever get out of control like this if there was some sort of checks system to know who people were. Most of these people would keep their mouths closed and tuck their tales between their legs like they do in person, without their alter ego and a keyboard.
Too many colleges at blue chip to list. For years now it has been one of the best showcase tournaments on the east coast.
I little birdie has informed me that Porsha quit her new AAU team after only a couple of weeks. Can anyone tell me who she is playing for now?
Section 1 Fan – Usually head coaches aren't in attendence because the bigger schools have scouters and recruiters to do that for them.
Thanks for the info.
Here is the link to the page from the Penn State tourney with the list of colleges that attended—218 in all.
http://www.bluechipbasketball.com/schedule_for_events.php
I doubt porsha quit her team already. She was in portland just a few days ago
Please don't compare Aldo and the NY Pride with Lady Knicks or HVK. Aldo is only in it for the money, he charges comparable fees to Lady Knicks and only attends 8 tournaments some one is making alot of money. He is a trainer not a coach.
The Pride was defending the Knicks, now you diss them. Wow!!
Very important point made and no one has commented on it as there are too many people on this blog with self interests. In the july (and April, Sept and Oct) tournaments you must win to stay in the winners brackets…... different tournaments have different formats but the premise is the same …lose and play a loser …win and play a winner…. early in the tournaments college coaches are all over but as tournament progresses they get relegated to the bigger sites that are inhabited by the winning teams….. it is unfortunate as it is the gola of most aau programs to showcase all the girls but sometimes the system makes it difficult….... there arent many aau programs "that make money" whatever money is made is used to offset the expenses….coaches expenses… insurance etc etc …..
there are exceptions belles and comets… run by guys who run USJN and Blue Chip…they are good programs and they run good exposure tournaments but THEY are in it for the money…..just do the math and see what they make…...
it is big bucks…...
Bball fan I see your point, but if these are such elite teams, shouldn't all the girls be able to hold their own and play against better teams? I don't think anyone on this site is calling for equal playing time for all girls. However, all girls should be showcased, that's the main reason these girls play. I guess it just comes down to the coach and his/her philosophy, and I think most coaches are doing what they think is right for the girls.
..........I know it's not easy, and there are points for both sides. I guess if it was easy everyone would do it, right?
While they may be elite teams, just like any team, be it high school, AAU or college, you have girls of different abilities. In addition, the issue with the Knights involved one game, apparently, out of the six they played at Penn State. Coupled with the fact that teams of this sort usually play approximately 25 games during July during the college showcase period, all girls, I'm sure, will be seen by a lot of college coaches. The fact that some did not play in a single game will not cost them the opportunity to play in college if they have the ability to do so.
Objective you are right on the money. All girls on these teams are suppose to be the cream of the crop. But with many AAU teams forming alot of times the first 5-6 can play anyone and the talent falls off there. Usually at top tournaments where you are playing teams where they are made up of the top players of any given state along with the pace of the game these teams play, you really need ten strong players to win-showcasing girls I think most College coaches aren't interested in the final score they are looking how a player hustles,what type of shot they take ,how they shoot ect. Although at tournaments like Penn
State as the tournament goes on the coaches are at the winning sites-you are right it is a very hard job.
To add to my earlier comment…..
The playing time issue brings me to ask why girls get so upset if they don't make the "A" team. I know from experience that girls have left organizations because they were upset they didn't make the top team. Isn't it better to be on a "B" team and get a lot of playing time, rather than be on the bench of an "A" team? "B" teams go to Penn State and other showcase tournaments as well. College's also know what they are looking for, so many of the D2 & D3 colleges, along with smaller D1 schools look at these girls. Many parents/players argue on this site about what team they are on, and this may be a perfect answer to them.