Unfair Basketball Tryouts

Basketball Court Picture

My daughter tried out for the 8th grade basketball team. Since last year she has played on a club basketball team and even played up a level.

I like to think I am being objective of her skills. I really expected her to make the A team. Her basketball coach didn’t even have her scrimmage with the A team.

The high school varsity coach came in, pointed to all the big girls playing on the B court and they went over to play with the A team. None of these girls even picked up a basketball from last year. The teams were already picked obviously.

There is a lot of political stuff that goes on in our basketball program. Who plays with whom. Whose older sister is already on a team. Stuff like that.

My daughter is average in height and does have some good basketball skills. She also has been given permission to try out for a freshman AAU basketball team and she is 8th grade.

She obviously will make the B team but her goal was to make the A team at least to be able to practice with them would be more advantageous.

My basketball question is, should she accept the B team ranking or just wait for her club team season?

Thank you,
Lou

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Jan 29, 2008
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B Team
by: Anonymous I think she should wait for club team season.

Jan 24, 2008
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Make em pay
by: Anonymous My advice to you and her is take the B team. Then go out and tear every court you play in down. Set the places on fire and just flat out dominate. Make the coaches pay for not putting her wear she should be.

Jan 19, 2008
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Show them they were wrong
by: Anonymous Accept the B team and show them they were wrong by playing her butt off.

Jan 18, 2008
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Bad Coach
by: Anonymous In my 6th grade year I had the worst basketball coach possible. His daughter played on the team. She always hated me because in 5th grade I came along and no one knew I played basketball – and I out-shined her and took the position.

So he coached the 6th grade basketball team. He coached and got her so-called position back. We are small school with only 1100 students.

The whole basketball season she was the point guard. She made bad passes and lost the ball EVERY time coming down the court.

Her dad messed up my great form and put me down. And the whole basketball team looked up to me. So after the season a player from AAU who was 2 years older got several offers to play at a much bigger high school.

The coach there wants me to play. Now Iâ€™m in 7th grade with an awesome coach. I could have easily moved and bailed on my team. But I stayed strong. So be thankful for the good basketball coaches in your life!!!

Jan 18, 2008
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unfair basketball tryouts
by: lou Hi thanks for your comments it is always good to here from other parents that have had to deal with this.
I dont know if it would do any good to talk to the coach.
He told my daughter the only reason she did not make the a team was she couldnt use her left hand enough. This is 8th grade girls. I think this sounds silly. I would rather of had the truth like he needed more tall girls on the team.

Jan 17, 2008
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Hard to be objective
by: James I went through a similar situation with my son earlier this season when he was selected for the 3’s, not the 2’s at his rep (state level) club. I did not approach the coach, but I sat down and analyzed the kids that had been selected ahead of him & in reality, once I looked over it objectively I could see where the coach was coming from.

Look at positions & skills my son is on the shorter (and younger) side, but his tenacity sees him out-rebound kids much bigger than him, but he was never going to be selected as a “big”. His ball handling skills are good, but there was at least 3 better than him who all made the 2’s – he was probably next best.

All in all I could see why, in every position, there was someone better than him, however overall, because of his desire for the ball at a domestic level he often out plays the kids in the 2’s, but this sort of intangible is often hard to see in pre-season practices. Add to this the fact that it is sometimes it is hard to look totally objectively at your own child and compare them to others.

He is happily playing in the 3’s, getting more court time than he would have in the 2’s & has set his goal to make the 1’s next season.

Jan 16, 2008
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I understand your point…
by: Joe Waters – webmaster Hi Lou – great basketball question and comments.

I know there is a lot of political “stuff” that goes on with basketball – especially at the more competitive schools and leagues. It’s unfortunate, but it happens.

What I would do if I were you:

First, meet with the basketball coach to find out why your daughter wasn’t considered for the A team. This way you and your daughter know where he is coming from. Maybe there are some things that your daughter needs to work on to get to the level of play he’s looking for on the A team.

Second, I would definitely have your daughter play on the B team. Playing more basketball is always a good thing – even if it’s not at the level she wants to be at. Plus, it gives her a chance to show the coaching staff that her skills are worthy of an A team position.

Third, as a parent I think it’s important that you let the whole thing develop as it’s supposed to. What I mean is, after you meet with the coach and get their point of view – leave it at that. Let your daughter progress through the season and see what happens from there.

Your daughter sounds like a solid basketball player and you are obviously a supportive, concerned and involved parent. Good things usually happen to parents/players in your situation.

By the way, my oldest son (7th grade) is going through a similar situation. His playing time has diminished a bit over the past couple weeks and he (we) can’t figure out why. However, he continues to play hard, have fun and be a good teammate. Those are all important attributes to have at this age.

Best of luck with you and your daughter.

Joe