Camps- Making Them Fun, Getting Kids Excited

I had an opportunity to go watch Streaks Girls Basketball Camp one afternoon this week. The girls who will be in 2nd thru 6th grade next year were being given instructions on how to do a variety of basketball skills, and drills to practice those skills. They were doing contests at different baskets. And they excitedly filled out entries to be a ball girls at a Streaks game next winter- the plan to draw out one winner. 

The HS players were engaged in their work with the young players. The HS players gave players tips and lots of high fives. They were tremendous role models for the young players. 

Happy Anniversary- June 13, 1982

Today is Amy and my anniversary. We were married on June 13, 1982. I know that for sure because Amy made a beautiful needlepoint that hangs in our dining room with the date of our wedding. So this is year 42. 

So how did we meet? Amy started her sophomore year at Galesburg HS in 1973-4. I student-taught in the Fall of 1973. Then I was hired to teach in 1974-5. So we were both at GHS for three years together. But Galesburg was a three year HS at that time with 2500 students. We never met, she was never in my class, and we never even knew each other. 

Shot Clock- My Thoughts

The NFHS several years ago allowed each state to put in the shot clock for HS basketball. The IHSA, which governs Illinois, has resisted implementing the 35 second shot clock. Just this week the IHSA announced they are moving forward with the shot clock for the 2026-7 season. 

I would assume the delay is to allow schools to buy and install shot clocks. Some small schools have resisted the move because of cost. Some large schools who play their varsity girls games in an older, inferior, second gym are not excited about having to install two sets of clocks. The shot clock will not have to be used on non-varsity levels. Whether true or not, a rumor is that because there are limited companies who make the shot clock, installation will actually take awhile.

Basketball Rules Changes- Today’s Changes & History of Changes

The National Federation of High School’s announced new rules and changes for the 2024-5 season. Among the most significant:

1- In their continuing role as uniform “police,” school logos will be allowed on the front of a jersey instead of having to spell out the names.

2- Failure of a player to pass the ball in a timely fashion (or setting the ball on the floor) will now be a delay of game warning. The second warning will be a team technical. Before the only option was for an official to give a technical in these situations which was considered a severe penalty. The hope is that now officials will give more warnings and thus correct the behavior.

3- Flopping or faking a charge will also be a player warning. The second violation will be a team technical. If you have not noticed, basketball rules over the last few years on all levels are trying to encourage greater offensive ability to drive to the basket- thus the dribble drive offenses. One of the adjustments is making it harder and harder to draw charges. In college basketball, it is almost impossible for a weakside defender to slide over to draw a charge.

Herbert Winfield Evans- Great Name, Great Man

As I get older and I have more time, I like writing and reflecting. With Father’s Day coming up, I reflex on the many “father figures” that I have been fortunate to have shape me. I got my name from my grandpa, Herbert Winfield Evans. Although my grandma wants quipped that I should have been “Evans” not “Evan” if I my mom was naming me for grandpa- it was always clear to me that I was named for my Grandpa Evans. 

When I was young, I was not always proud to have the name Evan. On the first day of classes in grade school when the teacher would read the class roll, inevitably a teacher would prounce my name as Even or Evonne. This would bring on laughter from the class. At that stage of life, I wished I was something simple like Bob or Bill. 

Basketball 101- Corner Three

Any of you who have watched NBA or WNBA basketball have heard the phrase “corner three.” A three point shot from the corner has actually become a popular weapon on all levels- high school, college, and pros. In the NBA, the corner three makes up 19% of all shots taken. The reason for the popularity:

1- In the NBA/WNBA, the corner three is only 22’0” vs 23’9” from above FT lines, so the corner three is almost two feet closer. In college, the shot is only 1.75” closer and in HS it is the same distance, so distance is really only a factor in the pros.

2- On every level, many coaches want their wings to run to the corner on the break. This forces defenses to get back farther, and allows either the wing to be open in the corner or if the defense gets to the baseline, it is apt to create shots out front on the break. 

Chennedy Carter- 670 Score Perspective

 

Women’s Basketball Fans- Learning About the Game

Now that I have more time, I really enjoy listening to podcasts my walks. I have stumbled onto one that I really like- The Hers Hoops Stats Podcast. It is all about college and pro women’s basketball. Each episode is about 30 minutes, but their conversation is VERY enlightening for fans of women’s basketball. 

This past week, here are some tidbits that I picked up:

1- The WNBA is packing in all the games before the Olympics, and because the college players are just coming off their season. As a result, all the players but especially the rookies are being guided by nutritionists on each team. The emphasis is on calories and vegetables. 

Streaks- Getting After It

I had a chance to go to Oregon today to watch the Streaks play three games. They won all three games, but that is not what is impressive. What was impressive?

1- They played really hard. They pressured the ball and worked hard defensively. Offensively they ran the court.

2- Everything was a team effort. Coach Demott subbed 3-4 players every 3-4 minutes. Not once did I see a player leave the floor unhappy. Part of the reason that they were never unhappy was because they had played so hard that they were ready to get off the floor. 

WNBA- Four Perspectives on This Exciting Season

I asked some people who are knowledgeable basketball fans and some people who are long time sports reporters if they would share their thoughts on this exciting year in the WNBA. I REALLY appreciate them taking their time to share their thoughts. I hope that some of you will share your thoughts in the comments at the end, and sign your name. Remember- keep things civil.

First up, is my brother Mark Massey. Mark was a long-time volleyball coach at Clinton, Iowa where is in not only the Clinton HS HOF but in the Iowa Volleyball HOF. Mark also actually at one time was a junior college men's basketball coach. For the record, even though he lives in Iowa, he is smart enough to remain a Badger fan. 

I’ve never been a big Hawkeye fan, I liked Tom Davis and his teams, but somewhere a couple years ago became aware of Caitlin. This year I watched many of her games during the season, and almost all during the end of the season tournaments. I was just attracted to her ability to sort of play pure basketball: she didn’t overpower people with size or strength, but just pure, shooting ability, ability to find the open person, and playing with passion and energy.

I think I was, and I am realistic enough to know that she wouldn’t necessarily take the WNBA by storm. My expectations were, and still are that she’d be a strong candidate for rookie of the year and would gradually improve and adjust to the game. 

I knew that there would be a level of adjustment and that the W would be much more physical. I know cheap shots happen all the time and that not every foul is called. I did not expect that Dremond Green type files, such as we saw the other day would just be treated with a shrug by so many. I’m old enough to remember the Bulls and Pistons, I don’t think Jordan accepted that?

Amanda Gunther Egli- Galesburg HS HOF

Congratulations to Amanda Gunther-Egli, who was selected to the GHS HOF. Amanda graduated in 2003, and had a successful career in both tennis and basketball. She qualified for State two years as a tennis player, while earning All-State honors in basketball.

In basketball, Amanda was on the varsity all four years, playing an incredible 116 games in her career. Her varsity teams were 126-22 during those years, while finishing winning Sectionals all four years. The Streaks finished 4th in State twice, Elite 8, and lost in Supersectional once. Her four years, the Streaks won three WB6 titles going 36-4.

Amanda was a regular her sophomore, junior, and senior years. She earned All-State and All-Conference honors twice. Her senior year was spectacular. While she averaged only 15.4ppg during the regular season, Amanda led an unbelievable finish to the 2003 season by scoring over 22ppg during the tourney run. 

Basketball 101- Arsenault’s Threes or Layups

Kareem vs Unseld

BACKGROUND

Basketball is not the same as it was in the 1970’s. Offensively it has changed significantly. 

In 1960’s- John Wooden wanted to fastbreak but then they ran the “UCLA High Post Offense.” Today, we still refer to the UCLA cut by the guard going off the high post. 

In 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s- Offenses still ran thru the post. The best players were Bill Walton, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In HS, college, and pros- everybody tended to put the big guy down in the low post.

Bob Knight- Indiana

In 1970’s Bob Knight popularized “motion offense.” The concept involved moving and screening away from the ball. Most scoring was the resulting of a pass for a cutting offensive player. It was tough to teach players to randomly read and cut, as a result many HS coaches followed the direction of coaches like Jerry Leggett and put in set plays involving screening, passing, and cutting. 

John Calipari

Caitlin Clark- Is Logo Three A Good Shot?

Caitlin Clark has become famous for her “logo threes.” While obviously she can make “logo threes,” are they statistically a good shot or not? 

When Michael Jordan was in his prime, I noticed how many boys players before and after practice would line up trying to dunk the ball “like Mike.” While it seemed to bring joy to the players, I thought most of them would have been better off to spend their time working on their jump shot.

In the mid-‘80’s when the three point shot went in, it seemed like boys and girls players before and after practice spent all their time shooting three point shots. It didn’t matter if they were a good shooter or a bad shooter- you shot three point shots. 

So pan ahead now to the era of Steph Curry and Caitlin Clark shooting “logo threes.” I wonder how this movement will impact high school players. Will we now have HS players shooting from 30 feet before and after practice? In games will HS players be looking to shoot 10 feet off the arc? And my question is- should they actually be working on this shot?

Coach Massey’s Advice to Parents

I would like to think of the basketball court as being a “classroom” for high school players. There is so much besides just the skills of basketball that can be learned. The exciting thing for parents is that unlike the “academic classroom” where parents  do get to observe their son/daughter, in basketball parents get to regularly be spectators in this unique classroom. 

With 50 years of coaching, I have had the opportunity to watch parents who have taken advantage of watching their son/daughter in basketball, and watch them have a positive impact on their son/daughter’s experience. And in other cases, I have observed parents who have had a negative impact on their son/daughter’s experience. Here are some tips for parents based on my 50 years of observations-

1- Praise your son/daughter for participating in sports. You want them to stay involved, the experience will help them in so many ways. 

2- As you watch them play, focus on your son/daughter’s effort, work ethic, body language, and interaction with their teammates. These are the skills that will make them successful later in life. When you see positive examples of behaviors in these areas, make sure you praise them.

3- Don’t allow your disappointment in your son/daughter’s playing time affect your son/daughter’s pride or happiness. When you complain about their lack of playing time, your son/daughter hears you saying, “Your role is not important.” I was surprised when a player did not go out for basketball as a senior. I was puzzled and asked another player why they had not come out. The other player replied,”They told me that they could not handle seeing how unhappy it made their dad when they didn’t play.”

Caitlin Clark- A to Z Plus Some More

Last night I got an interesting text from a friend that asked if I could think of any other rookie that veterans have gone after as much as they seem to be going after Caitlin Clark. I was with my son, so it provided a good conversation. 

Lebron James evidently was at least “challenged” by the veterans when he first entered the league. And veterans had made negative comments about his ability. 

Kareem Abdul-Jabber was physically challenged, but NBA refs responded by him shooting lots for free throws.

And obviously Jackie Robinson was attacked verbally and physically by oppoenents, and for the most part MLB umps let it go.