The new coach of the FFS 16U Nike Travel team

[semperfiballer]

is Keith Lynch, former head coach of RBS,

[DALIST]

Was he the Head coach of RBHS..I didn't think so...He thought he was!...That is Gina Millers team. WOW..good come up Lynch!

[HighLevel]

Was he the Head coach of RBHS..I didn't think so...He thought he was!...That is Gina Millers team. WOW..good come up Lynch!

Lynch use to coach at RBS prior to Diane Richardson. Someone correct me if I'm wrong

[bballmom]

Nike for now but, after all the ash settles on the FFS self-induced flameouts, it would be no surprise to see the swoosh swept away from all the Dix at FFS.

I got a feelin Daddy Warbucks in Oregon was just waiting for Jasmine Thomas to hit Tobacco Road.

FFS stock is way, way down.

Still, congrats to Coach Lynch and best of luck to the team.

[pgcop]

we've already had the ffs hate thread banned once. we understand that there are those who hate ffs for various reasons but this thread should not be about that. this move as well as ffs status in pv has some interesting implications and senarios I hope we can focus on that and give the thread some life of its own before anyone goes vouge and then flames out on the board and the poe poe (lboogie) shuts the thing down before we can even have a real discussion. how do you think the move will affect the region? is he still asst at rbs? does it affect lm in any way? are they elgible for nationals? who will play for him? there are many other points these are just a few.

[Coach CFerg]

And yes he was the coach before Coach Richardson,,,,,,,he's help Coach Miller a great deal. He knows the game if u watch him on the sideline. Even as her assistant.(not saying she doesn't know) I think he knows what he'sdoing.

Much respect to him.

[bball1love]

Just a little note to all you FFS fans. The FFS organization has been sanctioned by Potomac Valley and the AAU National Board. They were DQ for playing a player out of residence and had to give up there first place medal as well as not being able to participate in AAU nationals (16U) or host any AAU qualifying tournament.

Now all you people who ran over to FFS go head and jump ship and run back to your original clubs. And all you cry baby coaches will now have your chance to be BIG TIME coaches because now there is no one to steal your girls. :rolleyes:

[fhire]

Keith is a good coach and this was a decent move from a P.R. standpoint. He will attract some good kids from the area maybe some of those good RBS kids will jump ship from the Lady Magic and step over to the Fairfax Stars land.

[lboogie]

You da real poe poe Mr.PGCOP. But I hear ya. I think everyone is chilling now that the relax room is open.

Fact: The FFS have been sanctioned by PVAAU, they will not be able to host any AAU events for one year. Not sure if this will effect them qualify for nationals

Question: Will the Lady Magic players that play for RB move to the FFS?
Question: What happens to the FFS 14/15s that should be moving up next season?

[jjmack2000]

bballmom, how is FFS losing their nike affiliation help your team the VOGUES, stop all the negativity and stick to what you do best COACH. The topic of this thread is The new coach of the FFS 16U Nike Travel team, what is that got to do with yesterday's news.

[DALIST]

Keith was there b4 Rich..but I was thinking you were talking about this season..But yes he did coach there years ago. How do you VA lovers feel about getting some PG FLAVOR?:p

[lboogie]

...this thread and act accordingly!

http://hoopgurlz.com/forums/showthread.php?t=420

[CoachO]

Kieth could not attrct kids when he was the coach at riverdale the first time ....whydo you think they brought Dianne in. FFS are doing what they do best get another black coach on the other side of the bridge to try to continue to attract pg county kids to FFS. why did they not just get a coach from within thier organization for the vacant position?

[Balling]

Nike for now but, after all the ash settles on the FFS self-induced flameouts, it would be no surprise to see the swoosh swept away from all the Dix at FFS.

I got a feelin Daddy Warbucks in Oregon was just waiting for Jasmine Thomas to hit Tobacco Road.

FFS stock is way, way down.

Still, congrats to Coach Lynch and best of luck to the team.

Why u thing FF Stars will lose their Nike Logo? Their profile teams still win alot, and them being sanctioned from AAU has nothing to do with Exposure Tourneys. So what is really lost? They will still win, have name recognition and get top tier girls. They had all that before the Nike Logo came to town.

[fhire]

Kieth could not attrct kids when he was the coach at riverdale the first time ....whydo you think they brought Dianne in. FFS are doing what they do best get another black coach on the other side of the bridge to try to continue to attract pg county kids to FFS. why did they not just get a coach from within thier organization for the vacant position?

Keith was one of the first architect for the Riverdale Dynasty! He attracted such players as Tiffany Stansbury, Darby Burke, Jocelyn Logan Friend, T Nuget, T. Waller and a host of others. He definately had drawing power in the past. Also Diane was not his successor another brother had the job after Lynch left. He was the gentleman that was instrumental in Wannisha coming to RBS.

[aaubballmom]

First and foremost, congratulations to Coach Lynch and to the Stars. I hope this proves to be a good fit for both parties. The better the level of play in the PV, the more our kids will get seen, and that's what it's all about, so I hope the Stars do well. I'd love to have 3 PV teams in the Sweet 16 at AAU nationals.

The Stars will not lose their Nike affiliation at this point. They will only lose it if they don't continue to win at the "high level" tournaments, which include AAU as well as the Nike Showcase events, EOT, etc. As I've said before, the Nike affiliation means a great deal to the Stars and Aggie will do whatever she has to do to keep it, including recruiting whatever coaches and players she feels she needs to win. I suspect that getting Coach Lynch on board is part of that process for her. And before anyone gets all excited and sends me or themselves to the Relax Room, I'm not portraying her desire to win as a negative thing. :p

Kids will switch to the Stars (or the Vogues or the Majic or Team Unique or whoever), and kids will leave the Stars to go to other teams (Boo Williams, Lady Majic, TU, whoever). The movement amongst teams has been going on for years and will continue to occur. It's just a fact of AAU life. I don't see how anyone thinks that if the Stars imploded it would benefit one particular organization over another, and I think folks on here need to be careful about making assumptions regarding other poster's affiliations.

[Eastcoastbball]

Keith was one of the first architect for the Riverdale Dynasty! He attracted such players as Tiffany Stansbury, Darby Burke, Jocelyn Logan Friend, T Nuget, T. Waller and a host of others. He definately had drawing power in the past. Also Diane was not his successor another brother had the job after Lynch left. He was the gentleman that was instrumental in Wannisha coming to RBS.

I'm glad someone is setting the record straight for Coach Lynch... and Nike affliation has nothing to do with AAU... it primarily has to do with Nike tourneys... or competing against other Nike competition and Adidas competition.. there are enough Nike exposures and others to get the girls seen.. FYI..

[intelligenthoodlum]

The IH has been contemplating this announcement since the IH's shrimp, scallops, eggs, and rice breakfast this morning, and finds the possible scenarios very interesting, with implications for the entire MD/DC/VA region.

1. Will Keith Lynch be assistant coach at Riverdale Baptist this coming season?
2. Word on the street was that Lynch was going to require all RB girls to play together year-round, anyway. Will this be true?
3. Will some of the older-team Lady Majic girls be going to RB, as was rumored?
4. Will both Lady Majic older teams be breaking up anyway, as is rumored?
5. How will this announcement affect RB's ability to bring younger Prince George's County ballers into RB, with Elizabeth Seton, Bishop McNamara, Eleanor Roosevelt, new PGC public school Wise, and newly-fired-up Jericho Christian looming in the background?
6. Is Artie Bryant, the last facilitator of that famous St. John's College-Fairfax Stars relationship, a part of the new SJC staff? If so, how must he feel about not getting the SJC head coach job AND also not getting the FfxSt flagship-program job?
7. Will SJC still be seen as a school for FfxSt girls to attend, and still fall under the "protection" of the FfxSt/Nike banner?
8. Keith BROWN was never a purveyor of PG girls like that; also, HIS first year, he coached the FfxSt 15U team, and grew in the organization with them. How will our sports fans on THAT side of the River feel about Keith LYNCH coming right in and running thangs, as the coach of the FfxSt flagship team?
9. With Boo Williams Elite on THAT side of the see-saw, Team Excel and Team Unique on THIS side of the see-saw, and rumors of a Baltimore division of the Philly Belles on the side, how will all of this affect Lynch's ability to pull in national-elite-level girls for the FfxSt from D.C., PG County, and Howard/Anne Arundel/Charles Counties?
10. Having said all of this, and with the Nike swoosh in their faces, what will the Lady Majic girls and parents do, if anything at all?
11. It's a known fact that the Lady Majic and Lady Neptunes (Tidewater, Virginia-based) organizations have more than a casual relationship? How will this FfxSt move affect those apparent plans to take over enough of the MD/DC/VA region?
12. As we sports fans speak, Tianna Hawkins/6'2"/2009/National Christian Academy/Oxon Hill, Md. or Riverdale Baptist/Upper Marlboro, Md.; Rahneeka Saunders/5'6"/2009/National Christian Academy/Oxon Hill, Md.; Myisha Goodwin/5'5"/2010/Thomas Edison/Alexandria, Va.; Sheronne Vails/6'3"/2010/Arundel/Gambrills, Md.; Sabine Proctor/5'10"/2010/Harrisburg/Harrisburg, Pa.; Ataira Franklin/5'10"/2010/Riverdale Baptist/Upper Marlboro, Md. seem to be the prize Lady Majic players. What will Boo Williams Elite, Team Excel, and Team Unique do about these girls, if anything?
13. If any of the Riverdale Baptist girls decide not to play with a FfxSt team, will they be allowed to continue their educations at Riverdale Baptist?
14. Assuming that enough of the Lady Majic 2010-class girls DO get drafted into the FfxSt organization, how will they mix with the current FfxSt 2010-class girls (a great idea, in theory)? Or would there have to be two separate FfxSt teams (a bad idea, in theory)?
(15. Especially with no apparent national-top-25-ranked girls in the 2010 class in either mob, at this point...)
16. With THIS relationship between Riverdale Baptist and The Swoosh consummated, how will this affect the new hugs-and-kisses relationship between Nike and H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C.? Will area 2010-class girls Marissa Brock/6'1"/St. John's College, Ronika Ransford/5'8"/H.D. Woodson, AND Ataira Franklin/5'10"/Riverdale Baptist EACH get premium national Nike political juice?
17. Just out of curiosity, sports fans, who will be the two point guards for the 2008 FfxSt top team?
18. Logic dictates that the bottom line, sports fans, is that Professor Lynch would not have been appointed that gig if he couldn't deliver Tianna Hawkins and Ataira Franklin, at least, in the IH's line of thinking. So, what are these girls and their parents going to do?

And so forth, and so on, sports fans...

[hoopslover]

The IH has been contemplating this announcement since the IH's shrimp, scallops, eggs, and rice breakfast this morning, and finds the possible scenarios very interesting, with implications for the entire MD/DC/VA region.

1. Will Keith Lynch be assistant coach at Riverdale Baptist this coming season?
2. Word on the street was that Lynch was going to require all RB girls to play together year-round, anyway. Will this be true?
3. Will some of the older-team Lady Majic girls be going to RB, as was rumored?
4. Will both Lady Majic older teams be breaking up anyway, as is rumored?
5. How will this announcement affect RB's ability to bring younger Prince George's County ballers into RB, with Elizabeth Seton, Bishop McNamara, Eleanor Roosevelt, new PGC public school Wise, and newly-fired-up Jericho Christian looming in the background?
6. Is Artie Bryant, the last facilitator of that famous St. John's College-Fairfax Stars relationship, a part of the new SJC staff? If so, how must he feel about not getting the SJC head coach job AND also not getting the FfxSt flagship-program job?
7. Will SJC still be seen as a school for FfxSt girls to attend, and still fall under the "protection" of the FfxSt/Nike banner?
8. Keith BROWN was never a purveyor of PG girls like that; also, HIS first year, he coached the FfxSt 15U team, and grew in the organization with them. How will our sports fans on THAT side of the River feel about Keith LYNCH coming right in and running thangs, as the coach of the FfxSt flagship team?
9. With Boo Williams Elite on THAT side of the see-saw, Team Excel and Team Unique on THIS side of the see-saw, and rumors of a Baltimore division of the Philly Belles on the side, how will all of this affect Lynch's ability to pull in national-elite-level girls for the FfxSt from D.C., PG County, and Howard/Anne Arundel/Charles Counties?
10. Having said all of this, and with the Nike swoosh in their faces, what will the Lady Majic girls and parents do, if anything at all?
11. It's a known fact that the Lady Majic and Lady Neptunes (Tidewater, Virginia-based) organizations have more than a casual relationship? How will this FfxSt move affect those apparent plans to take over enough of the MD/DC/VA region?
12. As we sports fans speak, Tianna Hawkins/6'2"/2009/National Christian Academy/Oxon Hill, Md. or Riverdale Baptist/Upper Marlboro, Md.; Rahneeka Saunders/5'6"/2009/National Christian Academy/Oxon Hill, Md.; Myisha Goodwin/5'5"/2010/Thomas Edison/Alexandria, Va.; Sheronne Vails/6'3"/2010/Arundel/Gambrills, Md.; Sabine Proctor/5'10"/2010/Harrisburg/Harrisburg, Pa.; Ataira Franklin/5'10"/2010/Riverdale Baptist/Upper Marlboro, Md. seem to be the prize Lady Majic players. What will Boo Williams Elite, Team Excel, and Team Unique do about these girls, if anything?
13. If any of the Riverdale Baptist girls decide not to play with a FfxSt team, will they be allowed to continue their educations at Riverdale Baptist?
14. Assuming that enough of the Lady Majic 2010-class girls DO get drafted into the FfxSt organization, how will they mix with the current FfxSt 2010-class girls (a great idea, in theory)? Or would there have to be two separate FfxSt teams (a bad idea, in theory)?
(15. Especially with no apparent national-top-25-ranked girls in the 2010 class in either mob, at this point...)
16. With THIS relationship between Riverdale Baptist and The Swoosh consummated, how will this affect the new hugs-and-kisses relationship between Nike and H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C.? Will area 2010-class girls Marissa Brock/6'1"/St. John's College, Ronika Ransford/5'8"/H.D. Woodson, AND Ataira Franklin/5'10"/Riverdale Baptist EACH get premium national Nike political juice?
17. Just out of curiosity, sports fans, who will be the two point guards for the 2008 FfxSt top team?
18. Logic dictates that the bottom line, sports fans, is that Professor Lynch would not have been appointed that gig if he couldn't deliver Tianna Hawkins and Ataira Franklin, at least, in the IH's line of thinking. So, what are these girls and their parents going to do?

And so forth, and so on, sports fans...

Well IH, I usually stay out of discussions of this sort, but I have heard from a very reliable source, that the Lady Majic 15's the majority of the players were POSSIBLY going to be joining BOO WILLIAMS, along with the coach of the LM 15's. Now this is what I heard, I am not confirming anything, and I know the LM coaches are on this board, so before you start talking trash, this is what I heard. Now if this is possibly true don't deny it now and then in the spring we see them with BWE.
About your SJC questions, does Artie still want to be with SJC and Fairfax now that Dominique is gone to school? He has always been involved whereever she was involved.

[semperfiballer]

:) that Artie Bryant will stay on with SJC, and I believe Courtney Hall is staying as well.

[pgcop]

IH just when the pundits begin to babble back and fourth with useless jibber jabber you come out the box with the thought provoking post. I have been in deep thought with my alter ego every since your post trying to figure out the answer. Shrimp, scallops, eggs and rice for breakfast?

[lordsofdogtown]

First and foremost, congratulations to Coach Lynch and to the Stars. I hope this proves to be a good fit for both parties. The better the level of play in the PV, the more our kids will get seen, and that's what it's all about, so I hope the Stars do well. I'd love to have 3 PV teams in the Sweet 16 at AAU nationals.

The Stars will not lose their Nike affiliation at this point. They will only lose it if they don't continue to win at the "high level" tournaments, which include AAU as well as the Nike Showcase events, EOT, etc. As I've said before, the Nike affiliation means a great deal to the Stars and Aggie will do whatever she has to do to keep it, including recruiting whatever coaches and players she feels she needs to win. I suspect that getting Coach Lynch on board is part of that process for her. And before anyone gets all excited and sends me or themselves to the Relax Room, I'm not portraying her desire to win as a negative thing. :p

Kids will switch to the Stars (or the Vogues or the Majic or Team Unique or whoever), and kids will leave the Stars to go to other teams (Boo Williams, Lady Majic, TU, whoever). The movement amongst teams has been going on for years and will continue to occur. It's just a fact of AAU life. I don't see how anyone thinks that if the Stars imploded it would benefit one particular organization over another, and I think folks on here need to be careful about making assumptions regarding other poster's affiliations.

Well said aaubballmom. All these negative posts about FFX Stars are getting old. It's obvious there are some with person axes to grind. We should be promoting the high quality of womens basketball that is played in this area. Some of the best talent in the nation is right here. Talk about that!

[intelligenthoodlum]

...LOD, then check THIS out, sports fans:

2009-class girls
1. Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, 5'10", T.C. Williams/Alexandria, Va. (Boo Williams Elite);
2. Nyree Williams, 6'1", Howard/Ellicott City, Md. (Team Unique);
3. Alyssa Bennett, 6'0", Hampton/Hampton, Va. (Boo Williams Elite);
4. Sidney Wilson, 6'6", St. John's College/Washington, D.C. (Fairfax Stars);
5. Akeema Richards, 5'8", Western/Baltimore, Md. (Team Unique);
6. Brandy Wingate-Holland, 6'1", Howard/Ellicott City, Md. (Team Unique);
7. Elashier Hall, 5'11", Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Md. (Team Excel);
8. Abby Oliver, 6'1", Hidden Valley/Roanoke, Va. (Boo Williams Elite);
9. Taylor Hilton, 5'10", Sidwell Friends/Washington, D.C. (Team Unique);
10. Olivia Applewhite, 5'11", Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Md. (Team Excel);
11. TaShaunda Rodgers, 5'10", Kings Fork/Suffolk, Va. (Boo Williams Elite);
12. Leandra King, 6'2", Parkdale/Riverdale, Md. (Team Unique);
13. Carleeda Green, 5'7", H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C. (DC Lady Cobras);
14. Jeniece Johnson, 6'5", H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C. (DC Lady Cobras).

2010-class girls
1. Ronika Ransford, 5'8", H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C. (DC Lady Cobras);
2. Tiara Butler, 5'9", North Point/Waldorf, Md. (Team Unique);
3. Talen Watson, 5'8", Arundel/Gambrills, Md. (Team Unique);
4. Nicole Cunningham, 6'1", Clarksburg/Clarksburg, Md. (Team Unique);
5. Terah Mustaf, 5'10", Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Md. (Team Excel);
6. Tyaunna Marshall, 5'9", Elizabeth Seton/Bladensburg, Md. (DC Extreme).

2011-class girls
1. Destiny Shearin, 5'11", Bishop O'Connell/Arlington, Va. (Team Unique);
2. Elizabeth Williams, 6'2", Princess Anne/Virginia Beach, Va. (Lady Neptunes).

Sports fans, these are the 22 girls in our region--from the RBR top-25 in each respective class (75 TOTAL)--who either played 17U ELITE BALL most of this last club season, or participated in a national-elite-level age-group all-star camp. Therefore, these would be the girls in our region who CURRENTLY have national pedigree with the gear companies, pundits, scouts, and college coaches.
The Fairfax Stars have one, 2009 girl Sidney Wilson. How many of the other 21, particularly the 2010's and the 2011's, do you sports fans think the Fairfax Stars and Keith Lynch can get to come over to the Burgundy 'N Old Gold for the 2008 club season?
Big-up to these 22, and a special big-up to Big Sid, sports fans, for rolling down into the D - M - V to vibe with us, no doubt. And congrats to Keith Lynch, as well.
But Our Man Lynch has some work to do, and the streetz is watching...

To be continued, to be certain, sports fans...

[teammom4]

#2 & 3, I heard both and expect both to be so.
6 &7, I often wonder myself about Artie. I was thinking the same thing when I first heard there was a chance RB's coach would be with FFs.
#2, 12, 13, again I think RB is requiring it's kids to stay together all year and that will have a heavy impact on this summer's teams(it kinda already is), and it could possibly spill over into the school year!:cool:
(#16) What's the hugs & kisses relationship HD has with Nike? Isn't RB Adidas, are you thinking they are going to be picked up by Nike because the ass't coach is the FFSe coach? How do YOU think something like that would effect Nike & HD?

Three out of 22 on the Pedigree List ain't bad at all for a HS team turned upstart Elite Club Team! Don't sleep on a few others... Bernisha Pinkett,(HD's leading scorer last year) has some of the hottest defense I've seen!
IH, we are The DC Cobras, not Lady Cobras!:D and Coach Oliver will also be looking to grab two or three of the area's "goods" to roll with them to Chi-Town and other Nike tourneys & showcases that they have been invited to for the Summer 08...
Let the games begin!!!

[DALIST]

RBHS has always been Team Excel Land...I know Diane Rich will not be happy to hear that Burgandy and Gold will be flowing through her old stomping grounds!..Just a side note I just don't feel Keith have enough juice or respect from his kids to MAKE them stay together! They have mastered to art of seperating CHURCH and STATE when it comes to High School Season and AAU Season. Hey Coach Shawn (SPWRI)..what do you feel about this? I would love to hear a comment from your perspective. If Keith/Gina develops the respect of their players this could truly be a big step to making RBHS one of the Elite high school teams on a national scene.

[hoopdad]

Today at the Showcase Theater I have a special treat for you all. Hoopdad is sponsoring an all night move thon. You must bring your own popcorn and drinks. First up I have a little Clash of the Titans, along with some War Games, and to top it off the Warriors.

We have some of the best on display showing us what power play looks like, and how the real game is played. If you lack the experienced do not come to the show. We have some real Tactician’s that are grossly engaged in Gen. Powell type war fair. This one here is for the big dogs. This is not for the squeamish, this is divide and concur. If you are not one of the elite camps I suggest that you stay on the porch. Mind your manors and watch.

Question? What would you do if the bully on your block was seemingly down or weekend? Would you let him get up? No way!

This is not checkers folks this is chess.

Don’t be mad at me I’m just in the cut playing the real to real.

[spwri]

Those young Ladies that where in the Lady Majic program need to get focus on school
ball and there books. AAU is a long time away so let them get through the high school
season then we will worrie about what program they will playing with but I do know it will
not be with Lady Majic 16

[lboogie]

Hoopdad....we just installed a Blu-Ray joint in the relax room...all I could get from my man at the metro station was Player's Club

[hoopslover]

Those young Ladies that where in the Lady Majic program need to get focus on school
ball and there books. AAU is a long time away so let them get through the high school
season then we will worrie about what program they will playing with but I do know it will
not be with Lady Majic 16

Go ahead and confirm that they will be going to Boo Williams so that I can really start trusting my sources. By the way everyone should watch out for the Metro Lady Stars 16 team next season, they will be way better with some solid players that are flying under the radar.

[spwri]

Thing I can confirm is that I'm going to coach with BWE now I cant speak for players

[Balling]

All this dialog about Lady Majic.........did this team break up or sumthin? And if so, why. I heard they went to Nationals and did pretty darn good. Last season they won more than they lost....why are...or why would they break up. Can someone enlighten me?

[hoopslover]

Thing I can confirm is that I'm going to coach with BWE now I cant speak for players

Well I guess my info was right, but I'm not going to put all of the players business out there, or what happened to the team because I have no problems with the Lady Majic or former Lady Majic, so good luck to all of you.

[Balling]

Thing I can confirm is that I'm going to coach with BWE now I cant speak for players

Send your message again, it was deleted by accident and i didnt see it.

[semperfiballer]

Lady Crusaders or Beltway lady Cougars or Team Sol? 14/15/16's

I don't hear much from them on the street or on the board, I do hear a little about Beltway,
are there any good players with these org's.

like I said I do hear a little about Beltway 14's or rising 15's. so CoachO please don't take this the wrong way,:)

[bballmom]

Y'all need to remember that no HS coach is allowed to have more than one third of his/her AAU team from the HS program. That is, unless the team don't plan to play any AAU sanctioned games and are just gonna play shoe ball.
The way I see it no way RB can stick as a team for AAU. Also, no AAU team can have more than 3 players from outside the district, and it has to be a neighbor district. So, theres only so much pandering a coach can do.

[hoopslover]

Y'all need to remember that no HS coach is allowed to have more than one third of his/her AAU team from the HS program. That is, unless the team don't plan to play any AAU sanctioned games and are just gonna play shoe ball.
The way I see it no way RB can stick as a team for AAU. Also, no AAU team can have more than 3 players from outside the district, and it has to be a neighbor district. So, theres only so much pandering a coach can do.

This rule doesn't apply to Private schools I thought. Can someone clarify?

[pass1stpg]

" and rumors of a Baltimore division of the Philly Belles on the side"- please do tell !!

[bballmom]

AAU rules apply to every team and coach regardless of what kind of school. It is meant to keep coaches from showing favoritism to their HS players instead of just picking the best team regardless..

[talk2me]

On the contrary bballmom.....RBS is an independent school therefore not restricted to the regulations of many of the area conferences including Public Schools. And remember the PV encompasses the vast majority of the locations that the IH's post discusses. Of all the HS in the area that could pull this off, it would be RB and a very few other independents.

[bballmom]

Open your eyes and read what is said. This is AAU, not HS rules. AAU don't care whether you are even in HS. But, if you're a school coach (HS, MS, ElemS) anywhere, any conference, you can't have a AAU team with more than 1/3 made from your school. Period. Check it out.

[hoopslover]

Open your eyes and read what is said. This is AAU, not HS rules. AAU don't care whether you are even in HS. But, if you're a school coach (HS, MS, ElemS) anywhere, any conference, you can't have a AAU team with more than 1/3 made from your school. Period. Check it out.

I never knew that, or never saw it. I thought it was a High School rule (public) becasue they didn't want the coaches and teams playing all year round together. I never thought it was an AAU rule. Is it on the website? Anyway how many of the coaches really follow it anyway?

[talk2me]

I actually did, and AAU doesn't have any regulations regarding HS affiliation for participation/eligibility with a AAU club or team. AAU regulations refer to location of players residence which will include a HS's location but AAU does not stipulate numbers who attend HS. The 3 players per HS team is an NHFS regulation for HS teams in Maryland. The neighboring district regulation is for AAU purposes only, HS have there regulations regarding student residence specific to their school circumstance (Private or Public). You have mix School Conference and AAU sets of regulations together. Unless there are other policies that are not within the AAU National Bylaws that you know about?

[talk2me]

And hoops the rule also extends to some of the major private conferences in particular the WCAC in this area.

[hoopslover]

I actually did, and AAU doesn't have any regulations regarding HS affiliation for participation/eligibility with a AAU club or team. AAU regulations refer to location of players residence which will include a HS's location but AAU does not stipulate numbers who attend HS. The 3 players per HS team is an NHFS regulation for HS teams in Maryland. The neighboring district regulation is for AAU purposes only, HS have there regulations regarding student residence specific to their school circumstance (Private or Public). You have mix School Conference and AAU sets of regulations together. Unless there are other policies that are not within the AAU National Bylaws that you know about?

I just read the by-laws, and there is nothing in there at all dealing with HS Coaches, I think you got your rules mixed up.

[hoopslover]

And hoops the rule also extends to some of the major private conferences in particular the WCAC in this area.

I got you, when I was coaching boys at Pallotti we didn't have that rule, we could keep them together all year round.

[semperfiballer]

Open your eyes and read what is said. This is AAU, not HS rules. AAU don't care whether you are even in HS. But, if you're a school coach (HS, MS, ElemS) anywhere, any conference, you can't have a AAU team with more than 1/3 made from your school. Period. Check it out.

the FFS 16U nike team been banned from AAU for a year,(I read that on this tread) why would they care what AAU has to say for the 2008 season, if you are going to play the shoe tourneys anyway for the 2008 season, the 2008 season is the last season most of the girls will play on the club circuit, and they will be working hard for schollys.
If they go BWE they will not be coach by there high school coach anyway, they will be coach by maybe their AAU coach. either way they are in good hands and will work hard.


just my take.

[lordsofdogtown]

...LOD, then check THIS out, sports fans:

2009-class girls
1. Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, 5'10", T.C. Williams/Alexandria, Va. (Boo Williams Elite);
2. Nyree Williams, 6'1", Howard/Ellicott City, Md. (Team Unique);
3. Alyssa Bennett, 6'0", Hampton/Hampton, Va. (Boo Williams Elite);
4. Sidney Wilson, 6'6", St. John's College/Washington, D.C. (Fairfax Stars);
5. Akeema Richards, 5'8", Western/Baltimore, Md. (Team Unique);
6. Brandy Wingate-Holland, 6'1", Howard/Ellicott City, Md. (Team Unique);
7. Elashier Hall, 5'11", Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Md. (Team Excel);
8. Abby Oliver, 6'1", Hidden Valley/Roanoke, Va. (Boo Williams Elite);
9. Taylor Hilton, 5'10", Sidwell Friends/Washington, D.C. (Team Unique);
10. Olivia Applewhite, 5'11", Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Md. (Team Excel);
11. TaShaunda Rodgers, 5'10", Kings Fork/Suffolk, Va. (Boo Williams Elite);
12. Leandra King, 6'2", Parkdale/Riverdale, Md. (Team Unique);
13. Carleeda Green, 5'7", H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C. (DC Lady Cobras);
14. Jeniece Johnson, 6'5", H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C. (DC Lady Cobras).

2010-class girls
1. Ronika Ransford, 5'8", H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C. (DC Lady Cobras);
2. Tiara Butler, 5'9", North Point/Waldorf, Md. (Team Unique);
3. Talen Watson, 5'8", Arundel/Gambrills, Md. (Team Unique);
4. Nicole Cunningham, 6'1", Clarksburg/Clarksburg, Md. (Team Unique);
5. Terah Mustaf, 5'10", Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Md. (Team Excel);
6. Tyaunna Marshall, 5'9", Elizabeth Seton/Bladensburg, Md. (DC Extreme).

2011-class girls
1. Destiny Shearin, 5'11", Bishop O'Connell/Arlington, Va. (Team Unique);
2. Elizabeth Williams, 6'2", Princess Anne/Virginia Beach, Va. (Lady Neptunes).

Sports fans, these are the 22 girls in our region--from the RBR top-25 in each respective class (75 TOTAL)--who either played 17U ELITE BALL most of this last club season, or participated in a national-elite-level age-group all-star camp. Therefore, these would be the girls in our region who CURRENTLY have national pedigree with the gear companies, pundits, scouts, and college coaches.
The Fairfax Stars have one, 2009 girl Sidney Wilson. How many of the other 21, particularly the 2010's and the 2011's, do you sports fans think the Fairfax Stars and Keith Lynch can get to come over to the Burgundy 'N Old Gold for the 2008 club season?
Big-up to these 22, and a special big-up to Big Sid, sports fans, for rolling down into the D - M - V to vibe with us, no doubt. And congrats to Keith Lynch, as well.
But Our Man Lynch has some work to do, and the streetz is watching...

To be continued, to be certain, sports fans...

I guess if I did a top whatever list I'd have a lot of my girls on it as well.

[lboogie]

L O D where's your list?

[aaubballmom]

from AAU nationals. They were DQ'd from AAU 16U Nationals this summer ('07) and appparently they are not allowed to host any AAU tourneys for a year. They did have to forfeit their PV gold medal from this spring as well. I can't imagine they'd be banned from AAU Nationals in '08-- that would be horribly harsh. They certainly are free to hold tournaments-- just not AAU qualifiers. While that means they can't hold PV District tourneys or SRT's, that's been a fraction of what they do.

I do think it will be interesting to see how Coach Lynch's presence at the 16 U level affects the FFS 14's and 15's. I predict lots of new faces.......

[4street]

I guess if I did a top whatever list I'd have a lot of my girls on it as well.
The list is based upon an interesting if not shaky premise. I find it hard to believe that an Ataira Franklin or a Jazmin Pitts aren't on a national radar because they aren't playing 17U, particularly since one has already verballed to an ACC school.

[Balling]

Thing I can confirm is that I'm going to coach with BWE now I cant speak for players

Are you taking any with u? Would u like to? Any want to come with u? If so, can u name them? With all this dialogue last few days about players going here and there next year...just wondering whats up now with yours. Much respect to what u accomplished.

[intelligenthoodlum]

The L.O.D., 4street, and selected sports fans:

1. a player being on the national radar and having national pedigree are two completely different things;
2. at least 75% of the top rising-sophomores and rising-juniors play 17U and 16U elite club ball;
3. undeniable and irrefutable political pedigree comes with a) participating in USA Basketball; b) participating in the main Nike Skills Academy and in the Regional Nike Skills Academies; c) participating in the adidas Top-Ten All-American Camps; d) being ranked as one of the top 3-5 rising-freshmen in the current version of the adidas Junior Phenom Camp; e) and, being one of the top 12 players of the Final Four teams in the 16U AAU Nationals;
4. there are good and great players who don't participate in any of this stuff, and they all go to college for free; but, they rarely obtain political pedigree BEFORE they are seen playing with and against the best oldest girls--if they ever obtain it at all;
5. for those of you who may care, Ataira and Jazmin are in the RBR 2010-Class Top-Ten;
6. having said this, until these two play 17U Elite or attend one of the aforementioned elite-level camps, they will not be considered for any of the All-American stuff, nor will they be considered for national 2010-class top-25 rankings;
7. and, in the context of this thread, IF these two were to join the Fairfax Stars for the 2008 club season, they would not get their political juice UNTIL AFTER they blazed on the Stars' top team;
8. the IH's list IS NOT based on premise, nor on who plays for what club; it's based on specific and relevant criteria; either a girl played on a 17U elite club team, or didn't; either a girl participated in a national-elite-level age-group all-star camp, or didn't...

[TRAYPIECE]

It appears to me that Ms. Pitts is doing fine without it. :)

[intelligenthoodlum]

Is Ms. Pitts going to grace the Fairfax Stars with her fine, national-radar, Virginia-commit presence, whiners, posers, and selected sports fans?

[talk2me]

Not to rehash

but wasn't Team Excel a RBS affiliation...didn't all the girls play under Excel? Wouldn't that be the same scenario for RBS under the FFS situation.

[Rebounded]

The L.O.D., 4street, and selected sports fans:

1. a player being on the national radar and having national pedigree are two completely different things;
2. at least 75% of the top rising-sophomores and rising-juniors play 17U and 16U elite club ball;
3. undeniable and irrefutable political pedigree comes with a) participating in USA Basketball; b) participating in the main Nike Skills Academy and in the Regional Nike Skills Academies; c) participating in the adidas Top-Ten All-American Camps; d) being ranked as one of the top 3-5 rising-freshmen in the current version of the adidas Junior Phenom Camp; e) and, being one of the top 12 players of the Final Four teams in the 16U AAU Nationals;
4. there are good and great players who don't participate in any of this stuff, and they all go to college for free; but, they rarely obtain political pedigree BEFORE they are seen playing with and against the best oldest girls--if they ever obtain it at all;
5. for those of you who may care, Ataira and Jazmin are in the RBR 2010-Class Top-Ten;
6. having said this, until these two play 17U Elite or attend one of the aforementioned elite-level camps, they will not be considered for any of the All-American stuff, nor will they be considered for national 2010-class top-25 rankings;
7. and, in the context of this thread, IF these two were to join the Fairfax Stars for the 2008 club season, they would not get their political juice UNTIL AFTER they blazed on the Stars' top team;
8. the IH's list IS NOT based on premise, nor on who plays for what club; it's based on specific and relevant criteria; either a girl played on a 17U elite club team, or didn't; either a girl participated in a national-elite-level age-group all-star camp, or didn't...

I'm not convinced #2 above is true. There are several ways to get to a top-tier college program, and while it helps to play 17U at a younger age, and go to the camps, not every player going this route will outperform a kid working on skills while playing for an elite HS and/or placing on a top finishing AAU team.

It depends on your end game, what kind of education your kid wants. "National pedigree" versus "national radar" versus "political pedigree" is not the end game; a good college and team match for all the area's top players is the end game. Don't buy into the idea that there is only one shining path.

[4street]

PLAY SOMEBODY!..Miss Pitts and Miss Franklin need to put themselves in a more competitive market, Play against ELITE level competition..Then and only then will they obtain ELITE status. Keep in mind that the entire purpose is to go to school for free, so they both will be fine. Yet, If you want the glory..you must be put in BIG TIME situations and the IH has mentioned and PERFORM! Didn't the Lady Majic 92's play in and win a league championship that involved several of these so called elite teams? Was that not competitive enough? Does that make the 92 Lady Majic team the elite team in this area? Does that mean that Franklin can now be considered an elite player? If the D-M-V is all that, and everyone knows it, do you think that someone outside of the D-M-V, at least within this Eastern region of the country, took notice that one of the very best High School teams, one of the most reliable in producing D1 players, in one of the most competitive areas for girls basketball in the country (and everyone knows it)was led by a freshman, and that they started rolling when another freshman started getting time. Those 2 players last 3 summers go like this: AAU National Championship runner up; AAU National Champion; AAU Nationals 5th place. Add to that a NACA championship in their freshman year in high school and I'd venture to say that they've seen their share of "GLORY" in "BIG TIME" situations against ELITE level competition. The Chica down in Richmond, all she's done is win 3 States in a row, along with a trip to the Final 4, as well as put a brand spanking new school on the map averaging a double double in her Freshman year and of course verballed to an ACC school.

[Rebounded]

There's plenty of room for committed players who work hard and love the game. But you have to have your own plan and know where you want to go. For some people, IH's plan is the way to go. For others, they will have their own plan. Good news is, the DC area is under the BIG MICROSCOPE.

[DALIST]

She almost pulled the biggest upset as a junior against the first state championship E. Rosse team.. She scored like 38 and grabbed 20 against 6'4 center Pittsburgh Center Selena Nwude. She transfred to Riverdale her senior year and put up big numbers there as well. She was a part of the D.Liles and L. Harris group. That team traveled and finished number one in the area and was ranked nationally. She also played with Team Excel which ultimately landed her to be recruited by ODU. She had to red shirt her freshman year due to injury. The bottom line was that she was a 5'11 post. A task that can not be fulfilled at the next level.

[4street]

The Franklin I've seen in AAU plays the wing. A finisher who maneuvers very well along the baseline along with a killer Bernard Kingesque turn around jumpshot. On defense she's often at the top of their zone because of her length and ability to get steals and deflections because of her quickness. Hits the jumper from about 15 feet in Strong rebounder and clutch free throw shooter. So, if she has the ability to play the post along with those skills, and is performing at a high level in COMPETITIVE games as the hunted ones, that bodes well for her. Also I recall a player named Barbara Turner who played post for a pretty decent team at 5'11". Of course there were experts/pundits/prognosticators who also said that there would be no way that 6'4" guys like Dantley, Aguirre, and Barkley could play in the post in the NBA and succeed.

[DALIST]

The Franklin I've seen in AAU plays the wing. A finisher who maneuvers very well along the baseline along with a killer Bernard Kingesque turn around jumpshot. On defense she's often at the top of their zone because of her length and ability to get steals and deflections because of her quickness. Hits the jumper from about 15 feet in Strong rebounder and clutch free throw shooter. So, if she has the ability to play the post along with those skills, and is performing at a high level in COMPETITIVE games as the hunted ones, that bodes well for her. Also I recall a player named Barbara Turner who played post for a pretty decent team at 5'11". Of course there were experts/pundits/prognosticators who also said that there would be no way that 6'4" guys like Dantley, Aguirre, and Barkley could play in the post in the NBA and succeed.

4street...Barkley, Dantley, and Aguirre could do nothing against Stodamire, Shaq and Dwight Howard. The game has totally passed the 5'11 to 6'4 post by. Those guys are now LITTLE GUARDS in the NBA!..Now I will agree with you that her possesing the post up skill will in fact make her a more marketable gaurd, but this can not be the primary facet of her game. She has to have a stronger skill set as a gaurd. I did have a few chances to see her play this summer, and yes she was able to get out on the wing, but the kid I witnessed appeared to struggle with the gaurd adjustment. There were a series of turnovers, something I would expect from a player adjusting, and I did not see her draining a host of jump shots. DON'T GET IT TWISTED... I am not saying that this kid cannot play BY ANY MEANS...she really did her thing for her high school program. But in order to gain Elite Status you have to compete against Elite and perform...BOTTOM LINE!

[intelligenthoodlum]

4street, the IH is feeling most of your post about Ataira. There are about 90-100 wing/guards and wing/forwards in the national 2008 class--with about 11-12 of them right here in our region--some of whom THAT Ataira should have been able to match-up against this past spring/summer season, to get her head properly cracked-by at the 17U ELITE LEVEL, and to get up-to-speed on that real wing work.
Can you imagine what it would have done for her game and for her politicals for her to have gotten mashed off by 2008's Chasity Clayton, Shanel Harrison, Jocelyn Bailey, Laura Broomfield, Brooke Wilson, Danielle Parker, Josette Campbell, Brittany Crowell, Bonae Holston, JoNiquia Guilford, and Sonia Johnson, all from our region?
How about these 2009's from our region, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, Nyree Williams, Alyssa Bennett, Brandi-Wingate-Holland, Elashier Hall, Abby Redick, Taylor Hilton, Olivia Applewhite, and TaShaunda Rodgers?
These are the current and projected-for-college wing/guards and wing/forwards in our region from the 2008 and 2009 classes, who played at the 17U Elite level most, if not all, of last club season. Twenty girls in Ataira's own back yard, and she couldn't get an education from at least ten of them this past spring/summer, in local/regional scrimmages and games?
There's a generally-accepted premise amongst national scouts on the boys AND girls sides, that at the younger age groups, it's very difficult to rank a kid at the top--top-5, or so--in his or her age group ON A NATIONAL LEVEL if they haven't played with and against the best oldest kids at the national level, or at the least, IN HIS OR HER OWN REGION, and DONE something.
This is part of the science of scouting, and part of the politicals that go into the decisions made by the shoe/gear companies, pundits, scouts, college coaches, and the like.
Undoubtedly, Ataira is a very good player, and has done some outstanding work in her AAU age group, and for Riverdale Baptist. And she has a bright future, and will definitely go to college for free. But is she a part of these REAL conversations about the national 2010 class? (By the way, sports fans, please note that in 2009, USA Basketball will be holding the USA Youth Development Festival, and will also be selecting a U16 National Team for the FIBA Americas U16 Championships. Which means that the powers-that-be are already talking about 2010-class girls...)
Right now, the RBR has Ronika Ransford/5'8"/H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C. (#1-ranked); Tiara Butler/5'9"/North Point/Waldorf, Md. (#2-ranked); and, Ataira Franklin/5'10"/Riverdale Baptist/Upper Marlboro, Md. (#3-ranked) as its top three ranked players in the MD/DC/VA region's 2010 class--Ronika as a point guard, Tiara as a wing/guard, and Ataira as a wing/forward.
Ataira MAY be the best of the three NOW; and she certainly MIGHT end up being the best of the three LATER. But for now, the RBR has her ranked third, primarily because she hasn't put in work at that 17U Elite level yet, while the other two have, and have DONE SOMETHING at that level while getting their heads cracked. Let's also note that Ronika and Tiara ARE ALREADY PLAYING THEIR COLLEGE POSITIONS FULL-TIME, while Ataira is just now transitioning out to HER COLLEGE POSITION in her age-group play.
So, sports fans, if Ataira and the people in her circle care about all of this stuff, then they need to make an educated and careful decision about what club she's going to play with in 2008: the Lady Majic, her current club, playing up; the Fairfax Stars 16U, under Keith Lynch, one of her school coaches; Boo Williams Elite, under assistant coach Shawn, one of her former AAU organization heads; DC Lady Cobras, alongside Ronika Ransford; Team Unique, alongside Tiara Butler; or Team Excel, alongside 2010 classmate Terah Mustaf/5'10"/Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Md., another girl in the RBR 2010-class top-ten.
And whichever club Ataira plays for, sports fans, she needs to be ON THE COURT...

[teammom4]

4street, the IH is feeling most of your post about Ataira. There are about 90-100 wing/guards and wing/forwards in the national 2008 class--with about 11-12 of them right here in our region--some of whom THAT Ataira should have been able to match-up against this past spring/summer season, to get her head properly cracked-by at the 17U ELITE LEVEL, and to get up-to-speed on that real wing work.
Can you imagine what it would have done for her game and for her politicals for her to have gotten mashed off by 2008's Chasity Clayton, Shanel Harrison, Jocelyn Bailey, Laura Broomfield, Brooke Wilson, Danielle Parker, Josette Campbell, Brittany Crowell, Bonae Holston, JoNiquia Guilford, and Sonia Johnson, all from our region?
How about these 2009's from our region, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, Nyree Williams, Alyssa Bennett, Brandi-Wingate-Holland, Elashier Hall, Abby Redick, Taylor Hilton, Olivia Applewhite, and TaShaunda Rodgers?
These are the current and projected-for-college wing/guards and wing/forwards in our region from the 2008 and 2009 classes, who played at the 17U Elite level most, if not all, of last club season. Twenty girls in Ataira's own back yard, and she couldn't get an education from at least ten of them this past spring/summer, in local/regional scrimmages and games?
There's a generally-accepted premise amongst national scouts on the boys AND girls sides, that at the younger age groups, it's very difficult to rank a kid at the top--top-5, or so--in his or her age group ON A NATIONAL LEVEL if they haven't played with and against the best oldest kids at the national level, or at the least, IN HIS OR HER OWN REGION, and DONE something.
This is part of the science of scouting, and part of the politicals that go into the decisions made by the shoe/gear companies, pundits, scouts, college coaches, and the like.
Undoubtedly, Ataira is a very good player, and has done some outstanding work in her AAU age group, and for Riverdale Baptist. And she has a bright future, and will definitely go to college for free. But is she a part of these REAL conversations about the national 2010 class? (By the way, sports fans, please note that in 2009, USA Basketball will be holding the USA Youth Development Festival, and will also be selecting a U16 National Team for the FIBA Americas U16 Championships. Which means that the powers-that-be are already talking about 2010-class girls...)
Right now, the RBR has Ronika Ransford/5'8"/H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C. (#1-ranked); Tiara Butler/5'9"/North Point/Waldorf, Md. (#2-ranked); and, Ataira Franklin/5'10"/Riverdale Baptist/Upper Marlboro, Md. (#3-ranked) as its top three ranked players in the MD/DC/VA region's 2010 class--Ronika as a point guard, Tiara as a wing/guard, and Ataira as a wing/forward.
Ataira MAY be the best of the three NOW; and she certainly MIGHT end up being the best of the three LATER. But for now, the RBR has her ranked third, primarily because she hasn't put in work at that 17U Elite level yet, while the other two have, and have DONE SOMETHING at that level while getting their heads cracked. Let's also note that Ronika and Tiara ARE ALREADY PLAYING THEIR COLLEGE POSITIONS FULL-TIME, while Ataira is just now transitioning out to HER COLLEGE POSITION in her age-group play.
So, sports fans, if Ataira and the people in her circle care about all of this stuff, then they need to make an educated and careful decision about what club she's going to play with in 2008: the Lady Majic, her current club, playing up; the Fairfax Stars 16U, under Keith Lynch, one of her school coaches; Boo Williams Elite, under assistant coach Shawn, one of her former AAU organization heads; DC Lady Cobras, alongside Ronika Ransford; Team Unique, alongside Tiara Butler; or Team Excel, alongside 2010 classmate Terah Mustaf/5'10"/Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Md., another girl in the RBR 2010-class top-ten.
And whichever club Ataira plays for, sports fans, she needs to be ON THE COURT...

BUT, April is a LONG time away, so we will have to see what varibles go into the process.
In my journey to turn this game over and find what's in all the nooks & crannies I have come up with quite a few of my own conclusions, and one is I tend to feel the same way about age group (AAU) ball.
If I'm trying to get my daughter a scholly she will dominate age group AAU and play on a decent to good HS team. If it's the "Glory", she plays on a good to great HS team and RUNS EARLY with the Elite gals, and possibly dominates on an AAU team until the summer of her 10th grade year where she would play only Elite level and work on her game! Of course a lot of other stuff goes into this, but that's the jist of it! MY WAY IS NOT THE ONLY WAY and it's not fool-proof!!

Question...
As it stands, who is returning to the Va teams?? (FFS & BWE)

[semperfiballer]

from this summer, and it looks like Sydney Wilson(6'6"), Dymond James(5'11"), and I just forgot the girl's name from Riverbend, that looks like it, I don't know who from their 15U team will be moving up, but from what I here they when through a tough time this season, but have some decent players,

The 16U nike team will be rebuilding so it is wide open as far as who will tryout or make the team.

[mrsoupjdc]

And yes he was the coach before Coach Richardson,,,,,,,he's help Coach Miller a great deal. He knows the game if u watch him on the sideline. Even as her assistant.(not saying she doesn't know) I think he knows what he'sdoing.

Much respect to him.

Diane Richardson was handed a winning team. He set her up WELL:) :) Alot of people need to do their homework and find out who Keith Lynch really is and what he does......you gotta love this guy:)

[mrsoupjdc]

:rolleyes: from this summer, and it looks like Sydney Wilson(6'6"), Dymond James(5'11"), and I just forgot the girl's name from Riverbend, that looks like it, I don't know who from their 15U team will be moving up, but from what I here they when through a tough time this season, but have some decent players,

The 16U nike team will be rebuilding so it is wide open as far as who will tryout or make the team.

It looks like some girls were added to that Roster from RBS. It is wide open:)

[mrsoupjdc]

:confused: 4street, the IH is feeling most of your post about Ataira. There are about 90-100 wing/guards and wing/forwards in the national 2008 class--with about 11-12 of them right here in our region--some of whom THAT Ataira should have been able to match-up against this past spring/summer season, to get her head properly cracked-by at the 17U ELITE LEVEL, and to get up-to-speed on that real wing work.
Can you imagine what it would have done for her game and for her politicals for her to have gotten mashed off by 2008's Chasity Clayton, Shanel Harrison, Jocelyn Bailey, Laura Broomfield, Brooke Wilson, Danielle Parker, Josette Campbell, Brittany Crowell, Bonae Holston, JoNiquia Guilford, and Sonia Johnson, all from our region?
How about these 2009's from our region, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, Nyree Williams, Alyssa Bennett, Brandi-Wingate-Holland, Elashier Hall, Abby Redick, Taylor Hilton, Olivia Applewhite, and TaShaunda Rodgers?
These are the current and projected-for-college wing/guards and wing/forwards in our region from the 2008 and 2009 classes, who played at the 17U Elite level most, if not all, of last club season. Twenty girls in Ataira's own back yard, and she couldn't get an education from at least ten of them this past spring/summer, in local/regional scrimmages and games?
There's a generally-accepted premise amongst national scouts on the boys AND girls sides, that at the younger age groups, it's very difficult to rank a kid at the top--top-5, or so--in his or her age group ON A NATIONAL LEVEL if they haven't played with and against the best oldest kids at the national level, or at the least, IN HIS OR HER OWN REGION, and DONE something.
This is part of the science of scouting, and part of the politicals that go into the decisions made by the shoe/gear companies, pundits, scouts, college coaches, and the like.
Undoubtedly, Ataira is a very good player, and has done some outstanding work in her AAU age group, and for Riverdale Baptist. And she has a bright future, and will definitely go to college for free. But is she a part of these REAL conversations about the national 2010 class? (By the way, sports fans, please note that in 2009, USA Basketball will be holding the USA Youth Development Festival, and will also be selecting a U16 National Team for the FIBA Americas U16 Championships. Which means that the powers-that-be are already talking about 2010-class girls...)
Right now, the RBR has Ronika Ransford/5'8"/H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C. (#1-ranked); Tiara Butler/5'9"/North Point/Waldorf, Md. (#2-ranked); and, Ataira Franklin/5'10"/Riverdale Baptist/Upper Marlboro, Md. (#3-ranked) as its top three ranked players in the MD/DC/VA region's 2010 class--Ronika as a point guard, Tiara as a wing/guard, and Ataira as a wing/forward.
Ataira MAY be the best of the three NOW; and she certainly MIGHT end up being the best of the three LATER. But for now, the RBR has her ranked third, primarily because she hasn't put in work at that 17U Elite level yet, while the other two have, and have DONE SOMETHING at that level while getting their heads cracked. Let's also note that Ronika and Tiara ARE ALREADY PLAYING THEIR COLLEGE POSITIONS FULL-TIME, while Ataira is just now transitioning out to HER COLLEGE POSITION in her age-group play.
So, sports fans, if Ataira and the people in her circle care about all of this stuff, then they need to make an educated and careful decision about what club she's going to play with in 2008: the Lady Majic, her current club, playing up; the Fairfax Stars 16U, under Keith Lynch, one of her school coaches; Boo Williams Elite, under assistant coach Shawn, one of her former AAU organization heads; DC Lady Cobras, alongside Ronika Ransford; Team Unique, alongside Tiara Butler; or Team Excel, alongside 2010 classmate Terah Mustaf/5'10"/Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Md., another girl in the RBR 2010-class top-ten.
And whichever club Ataira plays for, sports fans, she needs to be ON THE COURT...

DON'T SLEEP ON ATAIRA------------THE GIRL IS VICIOUS;)

[intelligenthoodlum]

The original core of the Riverdale Baptist girls program--the originals, who put RBS on the map for girls basketball--was Joi Jefferson and Sarah Jenkins, who were there BEFORE Keith Lynch arrived.
Once Lynch arrived, he hooked up with the Mayland Sparks, which landed RBS more players, such as Jocely Logan-Friend, who transferred to RBS from SJC for her senior year, and he also secured the well-traveled Tiffany Stansbury. All of this together turned RBS into a local power.
After Keith left the first time, he was replaced by the former assistant from the men's side at the University of Alabama, where he was involved with a scandal over there that got him into trouble with the NCAA. He started back up with a clean slate at RBS with the girls, coaching B-Mac summer league and running camps. His new assistant was Diane Richardson, coming over from being an assistant at Fairmont Heights.
This guy never made it to the season with RBS, and Diane took over. Wanisha Smith moved here from Ohio--Keith Lynch had nothing to do with this--to go with Pam Stanfield, who was already at Riverdale, along with Lindsey Harris, and Demauria Lyles, who came from the Keith Brown Maryland Mystics AAU team, and Xenia Stewart, who the UA guy tried to get to come over from Bowie HS. Add Forestville HS transfer Yolanda Lavender the next year, and Diane transformed RBS from a local power into a national one.
It seems that most of the current RBS girls Diane either brought in, or recruited right before she left to be assistant coach at American, and/or were ex-Team Excel players--Diane and Rod Hairston's club program.
Keith Lynch seems to have made his first mark as recruiter this second time around by bringing in the Hawkins twins to RBS. This should ensure that RBS goes back to being an area/regional power again; but it remains to be seen if RBS will get back to national-power status.
As for the Fairfax Stars, the IH has always contended that Misses Ataira and Tianna were jewels in that Lady Majic crown, so to speak. The streetz are watching...

[pgcop]

the bio on keith lynch can be found at www.fairfaxstars.org/page.asp?con_id=1336 also it appears that on sept. 27 he will be at csc so you can meet him, take pictures and get autographs, as well as get some skills training. great opportunity to showcase yourself for a possible spot on the team or just learn some techniques before the exposure events.

[smokeyhip4]

The original core of the Riverdale Baptist girls program--the originals, who put RBS on the map for girls basketball--was Joi Jefferson and Sarah Jenkins, who were there BEFORE Keith Lynch arrived.
Once Lynch arrived, he hooked up with the Mayland Sparks, which landed RBS more players, such as Jocely Logan-Friend, who transferred to RBS from SJC for her senior year, and he also secured the well-traveled Tiffany Stansbury. All of this together turned RBS into a local power.
After Keith left the first time, he was replaced by the former assistant from the men's side at the University of Alabama, where he was involved with a scandal over there that got him into trouble with the NCAA. He started back up with a clean slate at RBS with the girls, coaching B-Mac summer league and running camps. His new assistant was Diane Richardson, coming over from being an assistant at Fairmont Heights.
This guy never made it to the season with RBS, and Diane took over. Wanisha Smith moved here from Ohio--Keith Lynch had nothing to do with this--to go with Pam Stanfield, who was already at Riverdale, along with Lindsey Harris, and Demauria Lyles, who came from the Keith Brown Maryland Mystics AAU team, and Xenia Stewart, who the UA guy tried to get to come over from Bowie HS. Add Forestville HS transfer Yolanda Lavender the next year, and Diane transformed RBS from a local power into a national one.
It seems that most of the current RBS girls Diane either brought in, or recruited right before she left to be assistant coach at American, and/or were ex-Team Excel players--Diane and Rod Hairston's club program.
Keith Lynch seems to have made his first mark as recruiter this second time around by bringing in the Hawkins twins to RBS. This should ensure that RBS goes back to being an area/regional power again; but it remains to be seen if RBS will get back to national-power status.
As for the Fairfax Stars, the IH has always contended that Misses Ataira and Tianna were jewels in that Lady Majic crown, so to speak. The streetz are watching...

IH
You are right but Xenia actually played her freshman season at Bowie she was coached there by the U of A guy ( he was dismissed after that season).
1. Diane also brought in Mia from Fairmont
2. Keith recruited Terrel Waller and Dawn Sims from Northwestern
3. Tiffany Stansbury came from Philly (hit me on the PM and I will give you more on this)
4. Joi transferred from DuVal
5. Diane not only elevated the program nationally, even the 10th girl on her bench received a scholly (sounds like what took place at DeMatha during Wootens time).
6. Honestly, Keith recurited well.:cool:
7. Don't forget the bigs that she brought in like Erica P.
8. To date more than 10 kids that played for Diane are playing college ball all of them from free. From big time D1 to D2's.

[DALIST]

KEITH..Lets talk about that gig you had at LARGO..before you became the assistant to Gina Miller!..Talk about that!..Noooo...You wanna boost up your accolades..you people are so funny! :D Keith NEVER would have been able to PROMOTE or AFFORD those kids at RBS to make them a NATIONAL POWERHOUSE like Dianne did! BOTTOM LINE!..Way to fill in the gaps Smokey..

[Eastcoastbball]

the bio on keith lynch can be found at www.fairfaxstars.org/page.asp?con_id=1336 also it appears that on sept. 27 he will be at csc so you can meet him, take pictures and get autographs, as well as get some skills training. great opportunity to showcase yourself for a possible spot on the team or just learn some techniques before the exposure events.


I just read on the www.fairfaxstars.org site that the girls can meet Coach Keith tonight (Sept 13th) at the Capitol Sports Complex.... :) and to bring their shoes...

[pgcop]

thanks for the correction ecbb I knew it was on a thursday and I wouldn't be able to attend and in my haste I neglected to verify the date.

[DadNCoach]

IH
You are right but Xenia actually played her freshman season at Bowie she was coached there by the U of A guy ( he was dismissed after that season).
1. Diane also brought in Mia from Fairmont
2. Keith recruited Terrel Waller and Dawn Sims from Northwestern
3. Tiffany Stansbury came from Philly (hit me on the PM and I will give you more on this)
4. Joi transferred from DuVal
5. Diane not only elevated the program nationally, even the 10th girl on her bench received a scholly (sounds like what took place at DeMatha during Wootens time).
6. Honestly, Keith recurited well.:cool:
7. Don't forget the bigs that she brought in like Erica P.
8. To date more than 10 kids that played for Diane are playing college ball all of them from free. From big time D1 to D2's.

i have been watching this thread for a while and quietly laughing to myself. I have been a parent and a coach in this area for quite a while. Diane Richardson is definitely the one who elevated Riverdale baptist. She was a smart and savvy recruiter who kept her ear to the ground and found kids that fit into her system.

More than anything though she was a smart coach! If you think for a second you can elevate your team to a national power by just recruiting a bunch of good players you are fooling yourself. She melded them together (year after year). I give Keith his props but he is no Diane Richardson.

[pgcop]

I hear that the ffs meet keith lynch night was a huge success. hundreds of people turn out. he also introduced his new asst. coach shina miller (spelling) who also coaches with him at rbs. they even let girls tryout for the team. among those who made the U16 elite were sharp shooter lefty ashley davis formally md hurricanes and arundel hs leading scorer.

[intelligenthoodlum]

The Fairfax Stars organization has apparently put itself out there, with its annoucement of the Keith Lynch hire, up through its recent announcement of the lineup for its showcase tomorrow and Saturday.
Of course, these announcements were truly necessary, as speculation was swirling about concerning the Fairfax Stars's ability to maintain their Nike sponsorship and affiliation, as well as swirling about concerning Keith Brown's "abrupt" departure for the assistant coach gig at Georgetown.
These announcements, along with the subsequent board jockeying by us sports fans--including the IH, by the way--obviously had the desired effect on the girls basketball community in the immediate area for the Fairfax Stars, as "hundreds of people" showed up for their open house and tryouts.
Looking at their listed 16 Elite roster for their showcase, the IH sees that the Stars picked up a much-needed shooter from their tryouts in Arundel's Ashley Davis, a Hoopgurlz.com Top-2009-Class girl. So if nothing else, the Davis draft pick gives that 16 Elite team someone who can stroke a J-ball from w-a-a-a-y over there, somewhere.
Keith Lynch, and Ashley Davis. And Gina Miller, and Sheronne Vails, a long, athletic-enough 4/5, who can run the court, block shots, and face the basket from the high-post, elbow, and short-corner--and she's a 6'3" 2010-class girl.
Now on the OTHER hand, sports fans, all of this Fairfax Stars business has had the UN-desired effect of RUINING THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR FOR GIRLS BASKETBALL, ALREADY.
Normally, most of us sports fans don't start tripping on all of this spring/summer business until January--February, at the latest. Fall leagues have gotten themselves underway, then out of the way; The first month of the school season, December, gets to rolling, and the Holiday tournaments successfully take place. In other words, the school year/season has built up a heathy momentum, and it would be difficult for the normal January back-and-forth about who's playing with whom for the CLUB season to mess up the rest of the SCHOOL season.
Right this minute, EVERY fall league in the area IS AWFUL. Too many fall league teams and their fans and co-signers only care about winning these fall-league games. What's wrong with being COMPETITIVE, while also working on some stuff? How about playing the veterans and the rookies TOGETHER at the same time, some of the time? What's up with all of this diving on the floor with rugby-scrum tactics, with AT LEAST 6 of the 10 girls on these courts risking serious injury EVERY POSSESSION OF THESE GAMES?
And in general, who ARE these fall-league coaches? They should at least FAKE like they're doing some game coaching! Where did these high school programs get THESE posing statues from?
We sports fans are ALREADY twisted up over this spring/summer stuff, AND FALL LEAGUE JUST STARTED! And the main reason is us sports fans--including the IH--in the street, on these boards, ON THIS THREAD, running our mouths about and getting all hot-and-bothered about what really is MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING--since it's been generally agreed-upon, across organization lines, that as many as a half of these listed Fairfax Stars girls MAY NOT EVEN END UP PLAYING WITH THEM, once the spring gets going.
We've already messed up the fall leagues, sports fans, with our shenanigans, behind this "excitement" over the Fairfax Stars. It would be very depressing if the school season ends up being a disaster, too.
The IH apologizes...

[bballmom]

Cheer up, IH. Don't let the Death Star squat on your head. They'll get theirs sooner or later.