AZ Elite Spring Classic

We're back from Phoenix. Last weekend we played 4 games against some very good club teams from around the nation and by the end of it all it was clear to me we were a top team at the tournament. With a little better scheduling luck we could have won it all. We went 3-1 only losing to eventual champion AZ Elite (the home team) by 4 points. It was our first game and only game on Friday…at 9:00 pm no less!
We beat Oregon Elite, New Mexico Select and NBA Select (don't know where they are from) in our last three games. Our team plays terrific defense, we are scrappy and play well together. Our kids are very unselfish and appear to enjoy playing together. I was sure pleased with how far we came in just 3 practices and 4 games. By the end of July…look out!
The girls were very coachable and made my experience a pleasant one. I wish the games would have been longer so we could have gotten them all a little more playing time. It’s difficult for players who are used to playing every minute of every game, to accept a new role with a new team. I guess this was their first taste of college basketball where all teammates are good and suddenly they have to accept a role they may be unaccustomed to. I thought our team did this with class and understanding.

We head to the Portland area in July to compete in the largest girls basketball tournament in the U.S., the End of the Trail Tournament. We'll have to drive to this one but it should be a great experience with our 9 Montana kids. I know we will once again make Montana proud! Have a great spring ladies.

Coach Albert

Big Sky Hoops

This is a picture of our Big Sky Hoops team from 2008. This team traveled to Phoenix, Portland, Seattle and Las Vegas seeking the exposure necessary to earn a college scholarship. We had a great time and every player did receive at least one offer to play basketball at the next level. Two of these young ladies currently play in the Big Sky Conference and two or three others will join the league next year. Two of these girls play at schools not in the Big Sky and are having a blast playing the sport they love all the while earning a college degree at a reduced expense...this is the part most parents appreciate!

This week I will be meeting the 2010 version of Big Sky Hoops. We have 8 girls right now from both ends of the state...Miles City to Hamilton. I am very excited about coaching this group. Like the 2008 team, I am confident these players will represent Montana with class and competitiveness. We have practice at Manhattan High School this Saturday and Sunday and then fly to Phoenix next Thursday for the AZ Elite Girls Basketball Tournament. The basketball is great and the weather isn't too bad either:) This is the tournament where our girls will get their first look by coaches and hopefully calls will follow.

Coaching an elite group of players is a real treat for me. The best part is getting to know quality young ladies and their parents from around Montana. I know the transition to a new coach and a new set of teammates can be tough, but it can also be very rewarding. Friendships will be formed and memories will be made. Shots will be made and charges will be taken. We will play hard, play smart and play together. Isn't this a great game?!

See you soon ladies.

Coach Albert

09-10 Highlight Video

End of an era...

Dear girls,

Over the past four years, we have really seen the Hamilton Lady Broncs program excel and become one of excellence and tradition…the highlight being our appearance in last year’s state championship game. During this four year period, our teams won a combined fifty games and competed with class and character in every contest. I feel our teams have done a superb job in representing our school and the community of Hamilton. It has been an absolute privilege to be your coach.

Unfortunately, I will have to watch future Lady Broncs from the stands and not from the bench. I have decided to step down as head coach. I will have both a son and daughter in high school over the next five years and another daughter playing college basketball. I’m going to be pulled in too many directions and will be unable to devote the kind of time necessary to help next year's team be their best and support my four kids in their activities. In short, I need the freedom to be a better dad.

I have coached basketball at some level for the past 22 years…stepping away from a program and students I love is very difficult. Perhaps the most difficult part is the loss of potential relationships I could have with future players. I do want to stay involved somehow, but I simply need to concentrate on being a good parent, husband and teacher right now. This decision is a tough one for me and may be tough for some to understand, but I know it’s the right thing to do.

Coaching high school basketball is a tough job, tougher than most realize. It is my part time job that consumes me on a full time basis. That being said, being a coach is also one of the most rewarding positions one can hold. I was truly blessed by players, parents and fans these past four years and hope to one day return in some capacity to help the program continue its winning ways.

I look forward to supporting next year’s version of the Lady Broncs. I have no doubt they will carry on our core covenants of Sportsmanship, Tradition, Unity and Competitiveness. Go Broncs!

Sincerely,

Coach Albert


P.S. I want to especially thank Coach Faris for his unwavering support and wisdom over the past four years. I have never worked with a finer assistant or a better man. If he chooses to apply for the head coaching position, I know our players will be blessed and our program will be in excellent hands.

The best of days...the worst of days.

Last Saturday, February 27, 2010 was like the title suggests, the best of days the worst of days. No, nothing tragic or serious happened. However, the 2010 Lady Broncs' season ended with a heartbreaking loss to Dillon. I was sure proud of my girls. We battled back from 10 down at the start of the 4th to take a one point lead with a minute left. Unfortunately, we were unable to make free throws to secure the win. Our kids had a solid tournament but were again plagued by shooting woes. We missed at least 8 lay ups against Frenchtown on Thursday and despite a solid shooting performance from Cookie on Saturday, or team percentage was still less than 25%.

If I could point to a couple of skills we missed most from previous seasons it was our ability to shoot the basketball, make free throws and last year's team really had a "feel" for the game. That being said, this year's team could have taught previous teams a thing or two about taking charges and offensive rebounding. Boy was I proud of our effort in these categories over the weekend. We took 9 charges between the two games and out rebounded both opponents.

Sorry it didn't work out ladies, but again I was very proud of your effort and progress this season. I had fun and enjoyed coaching you. As most of you know, there are no guarantees in basketball or life. I was bummed for us last week but it could have been worse. We could have been like Livingston, ranked #1 in the state only to lose Saturday night and Monday night by a combined 2 points and have our season end in extreme disappointment. Thank you. It was a very successful season in many ways!

Saturday was also one of the best days for our family...especially for our new Bobcat family. The Lady Cats defeated the Lady Griz in Dahlberg Arena for the first time since 1977! Ashley played 16 of the first 20 minutes as Sarah was in foul trouble and held her own in front of what might be considered her home town...at least it was her parents' home town:) Sarah dominated the second half and Katie Bussey was amazing hitting two clutch threes in the last 2 minutes to secure the win. Katie was 6-10 on threes...now that's what I call a shooter! (I wonder how many hours Katie has put in to become that type of shooter?)

Good luck this week Lady Cats and good luck in the Big Sky Tournament. Unfortunately the Lady Broncs won't be participating in the State A Tournament here in Hamilton, but now I'll be able to watch Ashley and the Cats make a run at getting into the NCAA Tournament...WOW!

Coach Albert

P.S. Saturday also marked the 42nd birthday of my best friend Carla. Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Tourney Time!!

Well, tomorrow at 2:00 the new season begins. The Lady Broncs take on Frenchtown in the 4 vs 5 game. The winner will advance to the semi-final vs Anaconda, the #1 seed for the 6th year in a row.

There are numerous routes for our team to take and make it to state (in Hamilton)...however, we'd sure like to take the 3-0 route! Remember girls, it's not over until we've lost two games. Don't ever give up. Fight to the wire. Play with courage, have fun and play with composure.

Even though we're the number 5 seed, our best basketball is ahead of us. We're at home and we'll have an awesome crowd. Embrace this moment in time and play with confidence. Be your best when your best is required.

Go Broncs!

Coach Albert

How productive are you?

Productivity...it's an interesting word. It can apply to so many areas of our life. How much homework can you get done in a two hour period? Can you stay focused or are you like I was in college, always wandering around, trying to find anything to do but school work?

Do you get your chores done in a timely manner or do you put them off until "later" and don't really start them until after mom has to nag you about it? How long does it take for you to write thank you cards after Christmas or a birthday?

What is your productivity like as a player? Do you make the most of your minutes or do you spend most of your time complaining about your lack of playing time? What are you doing with your minutes? Are you scoring, rebounding, playing solid defense or are you turning the ball over, soft on defense and making poor decisions? Are you helping or hurting? Are you productive?

This past game against Stevensville, my team was very productive despite not shooting the ball very well. We got key contributions from all players and our team "managed" the game very well. Our points per possession needs to increase but we are taking care of the ball and limiting our turnovers.

On a related note, I am especially proud of Ashley for her most recent "productivity" for the Montana State Women's basketball team. The Cats beat Portland State last weekend in perhaps their most complete game of the season. "Bert" was especially solid in her fifteen minutes of play...16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, an assist and no turnovers. Her field goal percentage has needed improvement, so her 6 for 8 performance was especially encouraging.

Yes, I'm bragging about my kid again. But my point is really how impressed I have been with Ashley's production as an 18 year old reserve player. Against Weber she only played 5 minutes but had 6 points and was in at the end to finish out a fairly close game. I am especially proud of her attitude and her willingness to embrace the role the coaches have laid out for her.

Like I always tell my team, every game is different. You need to be ready when you are called on. Make the most of your time. There are a lot of people out there who'd love to be in your shoes. Be productive.

Coach Albert

P.S. Check out Bert on the MSU website in a short interview after the PSU game. http://www.msubobcats.com/

Unique Challenges

One of the unique challenges coaching presents is to make all members of a team FEEL valued while at the same time making sure the top 8 players or so get most of the reps. At the college level this means about 6 to 8 kids don't see much time...though there still is 40 minutes to find some time for kids. At the high school level (32 minute games), we practice with about 18 kids between our varsity/JV teams...this means about 8-10 kids see limited or no varsity time. Unlike college, we do a have a JV team for kids to participate on, but it's not uncommon for kids to feel "left out" during the week as the head coach is trying to prepare for the upcoming opponents.

Being a JV player may be one of the most trying positions to be in...I know, I too was a JV player. What I didn't realize at the time was what a privilege it was for me to simply be healthy enough to play at all. I made a team in the program...there were kids who got cut, who are injured, disabled or not skilled enough to be on the team. It's so easy to take our teammates, coaches, parents and just health in general for granted. We all need to keep an attitude of gratitude as we walk through this life.

In high school basketball, there are 160 minutes of playing time to distribute between our players. By comparison, soccer has 1320 minutes available to spread around. Again, basketball presents unique challenges. I am thankful our girls are so understanding and accommodating. It's tough being on varsity but not really playing much. Our coaching staff truly appreciates your commitment ladies. Just like my own experience, your turn will come. We need you now and especially the next couple of years. Stay positive, have fun and keep getting better. You are very much a valued part of the Lady Broncs!! Good luck this week vs the Beavers.

Coach Albert

Life is Precious.

This weekend I attended my Grandma Betty's funeral. She passed away on Thursday from a massive stroke she experienced two days before. Despite the loss of such a special lady, the time spent with family and friends recounting her life and her influence on all of us, it really became a weekend of joy. Life is short. I didn't get to know Grandma Betty as well as I would have liked but I know she loved me like all of her grandkids. She lived by a pretty simple motto: Be good, do good and live good. This is very "good" advice.

God is good...and life is good despite all of its challenges. Embrace where you are at and who you are with. Smile. Love those nice enough to put up with you:) Stop by your grandma/grandpa's house, "just because." Call your parents today just to say "hi." Remind your friends that you are thinking about them. Pray for them all. It was good to reflect this weekend on what's important. I'm sure I will slip back into my old selfish habits soon enough, but for today and tomorrow, I choose to reconnect with as many as I can. Thanks for helping me remember what's truly important Grandma Betty. "Fly to Jesus Betty June...you go girl."

Love,

Mark

Free Throws, Rebounds and Turnovers

Of all the statistics in basketball there are perhaps none carrying more significance than the three listed in the title. In every loss, teams need only look as far as one, two or all three of these areas to see why their team fell short for that game.

In order to win, a team must get to the line and make a high percentage of free throw attempts. Be confident at the line. This is the one time we like our players to be selfish...it's time to "get a point for you."

The Lady Cats gave up 19 and 18 offensive rebounds to their opponents this past weekend. Both games were close and had the Ladies been more successful in this area, they would have won both conference games. Rebound "the first one" and you'll win nearly every game...yes, rebounding is that critical!

Rebounding (locating, locking up and blocking out) is simply a commitment. Good rebounders are great team players. They are committed to doing the dirty work, the little things that in the end are huge. Good rebounders block out EVERY time and are committed to the technique necessary to get the ball, secure it and to keep the opponent from getting it back. There is no such thing as a good defensive team that doesn't finish the possession with the ball. The rebound finishes the defense.

Finally, take care of the ball. Possession is everything. You can't score without the ball. Don't be careless with it, protect it with your life. How many points are we getting per possession? If it's over one point per possession we'll more than likely win the game. Turnovers limit our possessions and give our opponent more opportunities to score. Nothing changes the momentum of a game more than a turnover that leads to points.

This week as we prepare for our opponents, let's commit to making our free throws, rebounding the first one, and taking care of the ball. These we can control...the winning will take care of itself.

Coach Albert