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

What time is it? Game Time!

Well, tomorrow it all begins. This new version of the Lady Broncs starts on its own journey...to Hamilton...the site of this year's state tournament. We're on the road to home:)

We sure have a lot of work ahead of us, but I am truly encouraged by what I see. We have strong leaders/returners and a crop of sophomores ready to get better and keep the tradition alive.

We came up with a type of "core covenant" that we will hopefully reflect daily. We're S.T.U.C. Our girls demonstrate great Sportsmanship, embrace the Lady Bronc Tradition of excellence, are unconditionally Unified, and are always Competitive.

Good luck this weekend girls and may we truly reflect these covenants throughout the season!

Go Broncs.

Coach Albert

Be totally committed...

What does it mean to be totally committed? This applies to both daily life and of course basketball. Today at practice we worked on our half court defensive responsibilities. Several of our players knew where to be...as in when it was necessary for them to help when a teammate got beat. However, none were willing at this point to totally commit to taking a charge. Granted, this is a difficult and challenging skill, but it really does simply require a player to sacrifice themselves for the good of the team.

Commit to doing whatever it takes to get better, to make your team improve. Do the little things. Commit to making the jump stop, to making the extra pass, to talking on defense, to crashing the boards, to blocking out and to encouraging others. Commit to leading by example and putting the needs of the team ahead of your own. Finally, commit to being the most excellent teammate you can be. Take the charge!

We are...the BRONCS!

Coach Albert

3-0 On The Road Ain't Bad...

Congratulations to Bert and the Lady Bobcats on their

3-1 start! They just beat up on the University of Idaho in Moscow on Sunday. Ashley had 13 points and 4 rebounds off the bench. The Cats have some very nice depth this year, especially with their freshmen class.

We had a nice trip to Bozeman on Friday to watch MSU in their first home game...they didn't play very well versus a very good (big and strong) BYU. Rachel, Jill, Misha and Kaurie represented the Lady Broncs enthusiastically from the stands...signs and all!

It starts tomorrow ladies...the Broncs will try to continue what they started 4 seasons ago. We have gotten better every year since then and I am confident this year's version of the Lady Broncs won't be any different. We set a high standard last season with our magical finish. I am more excited about this season than any in recent memory. I'll be here by 5:40 am...see you ready to go by 6:00! Don't forget to bring all paperwork and a great attitude. Get some sleep and we'll see you in the morning.

Coach Albert

The Journey Begins on Monday, the 23rd...

High school basketball practice begins on Monday, November 23rd. The varsity and JV teams will practice at 6:00 am and the frosh at 6:00 pm.

Check out the picture of former Lady Bronc Ashley Albert playing for the Montana State Bobcats last weekend in California. Bert represented us well with 6 points in the game vs Bakersfield and 7 against the university of Pacific. She plays about 10 minutes a game backing up all confernce forward Sarah Strand. The Cats are off to a great start with 2 road wins. They will play their first home game this Friday against BYU. Should be a good one. If you're interested in either watching the Cats play or listening to the radio broadcast, just click on the appropriate link on the Montana State website. http://www.msubobcats.com/

With the college season under way, it gets me excited about the Lady Bronc prospects this winter. We should be a contender...even with the likes of returning state champion Anaconda and tall and talented Stevensville. "Risk must be taken to pursue solutions to seemingly impossible situations." I hope you are all ready to get after it! See you Monday morning!

Coach Albert

We're half way through our 2009 "Instructional League For Girls." It's been a terrific time of skills, drills and games. The graphic above is this year's T-shirt design...I love it!

This year we are spending 90 minutes with 1st - 4th graders and another 90 with 5th and 6th graders. We have about 60+ young ladies all trying to become better basketball players. The evenings can get a little long for Coach Brumwell and myself after a day of work but we are having a blast. The girls have been very coachable and we're already seeing signs of improvement. Last night there were a lot of little red faces by the time we were done.

I am so encouraged by the enthusiasm for our awesome sport of basketball. I have no doubt the things accomplished by the the last three Lady Bronc teams, especially last year's state runner up has gone a long way towards inspiring the future young ladies who may one day suit up for the us. Thanks girls.

I am also getting geared up for this year's season which starts on the 23rd. Boy do we have our work cut out for us with Anaconda returning 4 starters and Stevi also with four...plus adding the state's best freshman player. I am excited nonetheless. We have a terrific group of girls and some very solid players returning for us this season. I have a feeling that by the end of this year, no one will want to play us. Come catch a game if you can, and cheer on this year's version of the Hamilton Lady Broncs!

Coach Albert