THE WORLD ACCORDING TO FENNIS DEMBO

2018 NORTH ANDOVER FALL BALL SEASON RECAP The annual GOOD, BAD and UGLY is just a review from those running the league,input from coaches, volunteer coaches, refs, college coaches and gymrats that support and watch fall ball games. Take this information as food for thought and then you can file it in your mind or throw it in the dumpster. We hope you can roll with the information. Remember the information, performances, paper awards etc are based on the 10 weeks of Fall Ball only. Remember humor is a good thing. We have tried all fall to shed positives as well as constructive criticism on the teams and players that make up this league. We hope you enjoy the GOOD , BAD and UGLY season recap. As my good friend colonel Jessup says “You need me on the wall”

LOWELL RED RAIDERS -CHAMPS LAWRENCE LANCERS - RUNNER-UPS

THE HARDWARE IS NOT JUST HARDWARE IT’S ABOUT THOSE IT IS NAMED AFTER The TJ Mcevoy Memorial Cup is named after long time NAPD Sargeant TJ Mcevoy who was also a fall ball official for 5 years . TJ passed away in his sleep of a heart attack six months after retiring from the NAPD. The Bill Moeckel Memorial 2nd Place trophy is named after former NA star Bill Moeckel who passed away suddenly at too young of an age. Bill is known for “THE SHOT” where his game ending shot against Burlington in the state tourney was one of the greatest shots and endings in the history of NA Basketball. The Pat Connaughton MVP trophy is named after former SJP Fall Baller Pat Connaughton who went on to have a stellar career at Notre Dame and is now a member of the NBA Milwaukee Bucks. Pat is hands down the greatest player to ever play in the fall league as well as its only two time MVP. Pat never misses an opportunity on social media to give this league props and recognition.

2018 PAT CONNAUGHTON MVP

BRIAN MARTIR -LAWRENCE

MVP FINAL TALLIES 1. BRIAN MARTIR - LAWRENCE 21 VOTES 2. JARNEL SNOW-GUZMAN - SJP -20 VOTES 3. GARRETT MURPHY -NA - 14 VOTES 4. JOEY NUTTALL -WACHUSETT - 12 VOTES 5. CARLOS NUNEZ- LOWELL -8 VOTES

****Thank You to the Selection Committee, Great Job!!!**********

FIRST TEAM ALL FALL BALL 2018 BRIAN MARTIR -LAWRENCE JARNEL SNOW- GUZMAN -SJP JOEY NUTTALL -WACHUSETT GARRETT MURPHY -NA CARLOS NUNEZ - LOWELL SECOND TEAM ALL FALL BALL 2018 NATE SIOW -LOWELL CASEY MCLAREN - NEWBURYPORT KENDRICK JEAN-FRANCOIS - MALDEN CATHOLIC WILL BATCHELDER -SJP DAEJON PENDLETON-MILLS- HAVERHILL THIRD TEAM ALL FALL BALL 2018 DEVON OKOGWU -LOWELL KYLE MOORE -NA ADAM SCARAMUZZO-WESTFORD SAM DION - WACHUSETT RYAN MURPHY -BILLERICA HONORABLE MENTION: TONY FELDER-MC, HUNTER JOHNSON-WACHUSETT, BRANDON GORIS - LAWRENCE, EMMETT KIM-ANDOVER, CHRISTIAN RIOS-MC, DEREK CROWLEY -PELHAM, GRAHAM JEFFRIES-CHELMSFORD, PARKER MCLAREN-NEWBURYPORT, KYLE ROCKER-ANDOVER Real Talk: If you have not put in the time in the off season, don’t expect to have a big role this winter

NUMBERS DON’T LIE- BEST AND WORST

FOULS COMMITTED NA -62 LAWRENCE- 177

STEALS MC- 104 METHUEN -35

3PT FG% NA - 35.62% LONDONDERRY 19.03%

FG % SJP - 47.44% PEABODY 31.06%

FT% WESTFORD 67.81% CHELMSFORD 44.79%

TURNOVERS LOWELL 89 LAWRENCE 176

REBOUNDS LOWELL 440 BURLINGTON 238

ASSISTS MC/LOWELL 182 LONDONDERRY 79

POINTS LOWELL 800 CHELMSFORD 406

STACHEYS PIZZA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: (FRESHMAN) Hands down the winner is MC Freshman point guard Tony Felder. The kid came in game #1 and sent a message that this was no ordinary freshman. A true point guard who can run/manage a team. He makes his teammates better and can get his own shot. Defensively he gets after it and is always engaged. Continued improvement on the outside shot a must but this kid is a real good one. Congrats Tony

ALL FROSH TEAM: Tony Felder - MC Ryan Pacy - Andover Isaac Allen - Methuen Jack Wirtanen - SJP Aiden Camman - Andover Real Talk: Couple of fall athletes who finished 3 weeks ago yet to pick up a ball. Don’t whine when u don’t make team or your role is strictly to get water during timeouts Real Talk: If your fall consisted only of playing one fall ball game a week you did not get better!

A WORD FROM BEANS PALLADINO WHO DID A GREAT JOB WITH THE GAME RECAPS THIS FALL “This second Fall Ball season was a blast for me. I enjoyed seeing returning players from the year before, many of them who vastly improved over the last year. From the first game to the last game the players brought it every night. They get into it as much as they do their winter seasons and that is what makes me want to help this being the best experience possible for them. Thanks to Rick, Pepe, Will, Dylan, Nicky Naps, and Chik for a great season! Thanks to all of the coaches, players, and spectators for being a part of New England's Premier Varsity Fall League!” BST TRAINING SOPHOMORE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Will Batchelder -SJP. Will has gotten taller and stronger and he has taken his game to new heights this off season. Kid is a three point killer who gets his shot off quickly and does not hunt shots. His ability to take players off the dribble is so improved and he is mentally/physically tough. Was sick during a three game streak but the other 7 weeks he was tremendous. Congrats Will ALL SOPHOMORE TEAM: Will Batchelder - SJP Cody Smith - SPM Mason Hunt -Billerica Christian Rios - MC Andrew Lussier - Methuen Aiden Callahan -SJP Jackson Cox -Londonderry Honorable Mention: BRETT DUNHAM -NA, ANDREW BARNABY -SPM, ZACK GUERTIN-HAVERHILL, JEREMIAH PHILLIPS- HAVERHILL, GABE ZORILLA -LAWRENCE, JAKE ROBERTSON- NEWBURYPORT, JACK CLOUTIER-ANDOVER, JAKE DUMONT -PELHAM, BRANDON SIMONS-HAVERHILL

TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: CHELMSFORD LIONS. Yes the Lions won only one 1 game all fall but they came to play every night. Under the direction of Charlie Micol and his fall coaches Matt and Dave the Lions played the right way and carry themselves well. As I always tell Charlie this league helps the Lions as they prepare for the winter. The Lions have not won many games in their first three years but they represent their school and this league well. Congrats Chelmsford

LADY BYNG SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD (PLAYER) JAKE ROBERTSON - NEWBURYPORT

Jake is a sophomore starter for the Clippers. He is getting better everyday. He needs to know that he is better than he actually thinks. From a basketball standpoint he is going to have a nice career for the Port but what I am most impressed by is his mannerism, compete level, how he treats teammates and opponents. He is so coachable and a joy to be around. Congrats JAKE . Honorable Mention: Max Matarazzo -BG, Colin Kirkpatrick-Andover, Zack Carballo-Salem

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDS AWARD: GARRETT MURPHY- NORTH ANDOVER 11.4. The Best of the Rest: Brian Martir 11.13, Graham Jeffries 10.43, Casey McLaren 8.88, Andrew Barnaby 8.88 and Ben Laycock 8.75. Our rebounding group is strong. Murph is a beast on boards, Martir’s use of his length is outstanding, Mclaren is a very smart rebounder, Barnaby is a man child as a soph and Laycock so improved and a great rim protector

Garrett Murphy is a BAD MAN BEST REBOUNDING GUARDS: I love guards who can rebound and this league has some good ones. ZACK CARBALLO 7.88.-SALEM Carlos Nunez 7.50, Derek Crowley 7.5, Jarnel Snow-Guzman 7.38. Love this whole crew. Nunez, Crowley and Snow-Guzman so relentless. Carballo is just a smart and crafty rebounder

Zack Carballo is a great rebounder from the guard position DR. DUNKENSTEIN AWARD: ANDREW BARNABY -SPM. Honorable mention: BEN LAYCOCK-SALEM, DEVIN OKOGWU-LOWELL, CASEY MCLAREN-NEWBURYPORT. Always love some guys that can get the barn going with some dunks. Barnaby can assault the rim. I would like him to work on his dunking game as I have him down for 6 blown dunks

Andrew Barnaby off the court MOST IMPROVED PLAYER(S): BRIAN MARTIR-LAWRENCE /ADAM SCARAMUZZO-WESTFORD. Both of these guys put the time in this off season to not only improve but reinvent themselves as all around strong basketball players. Brian was incredible this fall winning the MVP and Adam earned 3rd team All-Fall Ball in being Westfords Best and Most Important Player

ALL FALL BALL MOST IMPROVED TEAM: BRIAN MARTIR-LAWRENCE ZACK CARBALLO - SALEM HUNTER JOHNSON -WACHUSETT ADAM SCARAMUZZO -WESTFORD DEREK CROWLEY -PELHAM MAX MATARAZZO -BG GRAHAM JEFFRIES - CHELMSFORD SUUBI NKUGWA-CHELMSFORD ALEX WONG -BURLINGTON TY CALLAHAN - PEABODY

BRANDON GORIS -LAWRENCE ANDREW ARIKA - BG BEN LAYCOCK -SALEM JAMES SLATTERY BEST OFFICIAL AWARD

THIS IS NOT CHRIS BENNETT CHRIS BENNETT- 2ND YEAR IN THE LEAGUE, RESPECTED BY ALL, REALLY WORKS THE GAME, GIVES EVERYONE A GOOD WHISTLE NIGHT IN AND NIGHT OUT JOEY MCINTYRE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK REF AWARD:

ANDREW CHABAN-1ST YEAR IN THE LEAGUE. IMPRESSED WITH HIS MECHANICS AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL. REFS FOR THE PURE LOVE OF THE GAME DIKEMBE MUTOMBO BLOCK PARTY AWARD

BEN LAYCOCK - SALEM - BIG TIME RIM PROTECTOR Ben is improving everyday and I believe his best days are ahead of him. Always a defender who now has an improved offensive game. In terms of being a rim protector he also had the most blocks of anyone in the league by a substantial number

AMERICAN AIRLINES LONG DISTANCE SHOOTERS: We do have some shooters in this league that can knock down shots from distance. SAM DION, CODY SMITH, STEPHEN SHAW, ZACK GUERTIN, WILL BATCHELDER,ANDREW LUSSIER, CARLOS NUNEZ, CASEY MCLAREN, BRIAN MARTIR, ADAM SCARAMUZZO, TY WILLIAMS, COLIN KIRKPATRICK BUT THE AMERICAN AIRLINES LONG DISTANCE SHOOTER FOR 2018 IS KYLE MOORE OF NA. So much more than a shooter but his beautiful release, unlimited range and ability to knock down shots of all types sets him apart. D3 Coaches salivating over the junior and his ability to hit shots will garner some D2 interest going forward

SOPHOMORE ZACK GUERTIN ® OF HAVERHILL HAS STEPH CURRY RANGE BEST FRESHMAN CLASS: ANDOVER GOLDEN WARRIORS: Been telling Faz since July I love his frosh. He has three frosh on the fall roster and not sure what that will mean in January but he has a nice base going forward with a scoring pg, a strong two guard and a very talented big man

GEORGES NIANG YOU DON’T PASS THE EYE CANDY TEST: ANDREW LUSSIER may not pass the immediate eye candy test but the Methuen soph has a great skill set especially his ability to shoot and he has a high basketball IQ who makes the right decisions. He will have to adjust going from his role at BG to his role at Methuen but don’t sleep on this kid

ANDREW LUSSIER - METHUEN. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THIS GUY REAL TALK: If you are a coach and you didn’t put the time in this off season you are not a better coach BEST BENCH: Nominees LOWELL, LAWRENCE, METHUEN but the clear winner is the BILLERICA INDIANS. LOUD, HUGE NUMBERS, EVERYONE ENGAGED, GREAT CULTURE

COCA COLA 6TH MAN AWARD: Tough to know exactly in the fall with so many changing lineups but one guy who was a great 6th man when Lowell had everyone was OTTO OKONOBOH. The kid has a mans body, can take his defender off dribble, can hit an outside shot and rebounds well. Pretty good weapon for the Champs TEAM HUSTLE AND EFFORT AWARD: LOWELL RED RAIDERS: NOT SURPRISING THAT TRANSLATES TO A CHAMPIONSHIP

TEAM ENIGMA: Most teams were what they were this FALL but one team that was an enigma to me was the WACHUSETT MOUNTAINEERS. At times this team looked every bit of what I expected and then at other times they looked lethargic, disinterested and unfocused. It is only fall ball but the enigma AWARD will be a friendly reminder on their quest to a CMASS Title

ALL COAL FOR CHRISTMAS RECIPIENTS (ZEBRAS PRESENTING): parents that don’t understand what is taking place on the court, players that whine for the sake of whining, players who are only about themselves. We won’t embarrass by naming you but you know who you are and you need to clean it up for everyone sake especially yours ADRIAN DANTLEY PLAY BIGGER THAN YOU ARE We had a list of 10 that fit the bill but one was a tad better: ANDOVER CHARLIE MCCARTHY, an undersized combination of a water bug, pitbull, road runner. This kid first of all is improved basketball wise but his motor and toughness will guarantee he gets minutes this winter

ANDOVER CHARLIE MCCARTHY BILL RUSSELL CONSUMMATE TEAM PLAYER Every team has one of these guys but for the past 4 years I have watched EMMET KIM play in this league and although I expected to see him be a bit more productive scoring this fall he did everything Andover needed him to do. I thought he was a leader, I thought he was good with Faz young frosh and sophs and I thought he played the game the right way. Congrats EMMET

EMMETT KIM - ANDOVER

NA FALL BALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: NATE SIOW of Lowell was a terror on defense. His speed and reactions are off the chart. His ability to make steals without fouls impressive and he can keep his man in front of him at all times. Nate is BASKETBALL STRONG

NATE SIOW-LOWELL 2018 ALL DEFENSIVE TEAM: NATE SIOW- LOWELL ETHAN MAY-LONDONDERRY KENDRICK JEAN FRANCOIS-MC BRIAN MARTIR-LAWRENCE DEVON OKOGWU-LOWELL GARRET MURPHY-NA BEN LAYCOCK-SALEM DEEPEST BENCH: LOWELL RED RAIDERS, THE RED RAIDERS COULD FIELD A SECOND TEAM THAT COULD COMPETE IN MVC D2 FALL SURPRISE TEAM : BILLERICA INDIANS. The Indians took the spot vacated by Tewksbury and although they played a tier 2 schedule this team could play with anyone. They played hard and epitomizes the play of when their coach Mark Mastrullo demonstrated for Billerica how a tough player plays. Do not sleep on this team this winter

PRE-LEAGUE FAVORITE: Don’t mess with Fennis! In August I designated the Lowell Red Raiders the favorite and unlike last year the boys from Lowell did not disappoint REAL TALK: Coaches please value players who do everything asked of them; that have high character, integrity and an amazing work ethic

OSCAR THE GROUCH GARBAGE MAN AWARD: Wachusett Paxson Heiniluma is coming off ACL surgeryand he just does the dirty work. Set screens, rebound, get loose balls, be physical COACHES ROW: We were happy to have 35 D2/3 Colleges in the barn this Fall. The main guys they came to see where GARRETT MURPHY, CASEY MCLAREN, JOEY NUTTALL, BRIAN MARTIR, JADEN CASTILLO, DAEJON PENDELTON-MILLS, KENDRICK JEAN FRANCOIS but also SAM DION, MAX MATARAZZO, DEVON OTAGWU, ANDREW ARIKA, JEFF SULLIVAN, EMMETT KIM, STEPHEN SHAW, GRAHAM JEFFRIES, ZACK CARBALLO, BEN LAYCOCK, ADAM SCARAMUZZO, ETHAN MAY, NICK CLARK, AJ VOIKA, CHRIS CANELLA. So happy for a number of guys who had no recruitment prior to the start of fall ball

CASEY MCLAREN WAS OUR MOST COVETED RECRUIT THIS FALL. TUFTS GETS A GOOD ONE NEXT YEAR THEY WILL BE HERE TO SEE KYLE MOORE, CARLOS NUNEZ, NATE SIOW, KYLE ROCKER, HUNTER JOHNSON, PARKER MCLAREN, AIDEN DEADY, ALEX JEAN, TY CALLAHAN, BRANDON GORIS, KYLE INGLIS, JON ORE, SAM MULLETT, DEREK CROWLEY, SUUBI NKUGWA

As a soph Kyle Moore shot sent NA TO D2 North Title Game. As a senior he will be heavily recruited

ALL DO YOUR JOB TEAM: I absolutely loved when we started this weekly award 3 years ago. Love guys that do whatever has to be done for their team to succeed. This years team is led by Co-Captains: Derek Crowley of Pelham and Christian Rios of Malden Catholic DEREK CROWLEY -PELHAM CHRISTIAN RIOS- MC DEVIN OTAGWA-LOWELL JOEY NUTTALL- WACHUSETT ETHAN MAY- LONDONDERRY SEAN MCDONALD -SJP KYLE POULIN -SALEM

CHRISTIAN RIOS -MALDEN CATHOLIC KEVIN DURANT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Man we have some terrific scorers in the this league but for the second year in a row we are going with LOWELL CARLOS NUNEZ. Because of so many blowouts and the fact Lowell goes 10 deep Carlos numbers were a little less than last year but this kid is a bucket getter

CARLOS NUNEZ 2 X Durant Winner REAL TALK: Parents stop coaching from the stands. Let the coaches coach and you sit down and enjoy your son. Do Not Embarrass Your Son

REAL TALK: Zebras could care less who wins a game. Before you bitch at the refs KNOW THE GAME BEST ASSIST GUYS: These were the best by numbers and numbers don’t lie: BOBBY LETOURNEAU 5.50, MIKE GORGONI 5.05, DAEJON PENDLETON-MILLS 5.0, NATE SIOW 5.0, JARNEL SNOW GUZMAN 4.88, TONY FELDER 4.50

BOBBY LETOURNEAU - SPM, Has played in fall ball since 8th grade BEST SCHOLARSHIP ATHLETE IN ANOTHER SPORT: RYAN MURPHY is a D1 Baseball recruit for University of Maryland

NA FALL BALL FAN OF THE YEAR George York won it last year but this year it goes to the voyeur JOHNNY BAG O DONUTS MCELROY of NA who watched most games behind the hallway glass, Always kibitizing with anyone he could but have to give the guy credit for attendance. Mrs Bag O Donuts loved not having him at the house every monday, tuesday and wednesday

REAL TALK: It takes football players 2-4 weeks to get in Basketball shape and get Basketball timing down. Deal with It BEST TEAMMATE COMBO: Dion and Nuttall, Moore and Murphy, Martir and Castillo, Snow-Guzman and Batchelder, Felder and Jean Francois were all great 2 man game players but it was unbelievable to see how well CARLOS NUNEZ AND NATE SIOW play for Lowell. You can tell they have played for years with each other

NATE SIOW / CARLOS NUNEZ - LIKE STEPH/KLAY 2018 JOHN PAGNETTI COACH OF THE YEAR I am so impressed with the volunteer coaches we have every year. The quality of experience, the character and passion they show not to mention the volunteer time they spend helping out the hometown team. Named after 4 time winner John Pags this years winner in a landslide is NORTH ANDOVER STEVE BOUDREAU. In three years all he has done is take an undermanned NA squad to three straight final fours. It is almost unimaginable that a high school program has not turned their varsity reigns over to the man named BOUDA

STEVE “BOUDA” BOUDREAU REAL TALK: NA Fall Ball is the best run off season league in New England. We have real refs, stop time, real VARSITY teams, stats, weekly recap, a real scorers table, league

reversibles, towel boys, REAL COLLEGE RECRUITMENT, an electric atmosphere and the closest thing you have to an in season game. Don’t ever question the passion and commitment of those who put this on FENNIS NEW IMPACT PLAYERS OF THE YEAR 2018-19 Every year I like to predict the breakout performers from Fall ball. I have been pretty accurate year in and year out so here we go the following are my 6 breakout performers for 2018-19 that I feel will take their games to whole new levels this winter. ST-PETER-MARIAN sharpshooter CODY SMITH, LAWRENCE “Player” BRANDON GORIS, LONDONDERRY playmaker JACKSON COX, SJP versatile guard/wing AIDAN CALLAHAN, PELHAM machine DEREK CROWLEY and WACHUSETT forward HUNTER JOHNSON. Let me know if I am wrong in February

WE MAY NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN: Easy Ed Scollan is a big Seals and Crofts fan and we play this song as we say goodbye to all the seniors. We wish you all the best in your senior year. Enjoy every minute of it boys because it goes by way too fast 10 WEEKS OF WEEKLY PET PEEVES. Please visit the 50 Pet Peeves we covered this fall at www.fallballna.com

OUR YEARLY THANKS YOUS ● Rich Napolitano for assigning the officials. The Guy works tirelessly for the league ● All the high school and college refs. You are a credit to the game and no other off

season league has the quality of refs as NAFB has ● Webmaster Jaryd Piecuch for doing an amazing job with the website and managing it

every week ● Our Sponsors: Town of North Andover, Stacheys Pizza, T’s Printing, NA Youth Center,

Esco Awards. This league does not happen without you ● The Best Scorers table in the biz, guys aren’t checking their cell, reading the paper they

are working: pepe lepu, will the thrill, beans palladino ● Our Towel Boys, the only league with towel boys. Nick Napps, Chik and Dylan ● My front desk customer service reps: Sydney, Haley, Hanna ● Our amazing volunteer coaches who care about the league and their kids they coach ● My good friends the HS Varsity coaches who believe in this league ● All the college head and assistant coaches who have been with me for 14 years ● All the fans of fall ball who make this so special. There are no faces in the crowd, no

fashion of the week and most importantly no league without you ● All the players, I hope you have enjoyed another year of fall ball because it is YOU that

we do this for. Much Love to all of you ●

Real Talk: A LION NEVER TURNS AROUND WHEN A SMALL DOG BARKS Real Talk: The Wolf on the Hill is Never as Hungry as the Wolf climbing the Hill

The Weekly Rant: Food for thought or Food for the Dumpster…. You Decide Thank you for all the great emails, texts, direct messages and personal conversations about the WEEKLY RANTS. I knew it would be well received but had no idea I would be hearing from people I have never met, organizations that believe in the messages relayed, as well as people asking permission to publish and reprint. I also want to thank those that have forwarded me topic suggestions that are near and dear to them. If you have not read the previous ten rants this year you need to. …...stay tuned to the FENNIS DEMBO PODCAST

PARENTS: LEARN TO ENJOY THE RIDE BECAUSE TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE

After 10 weeks of Fall Ball I feel I need to write to the parents. My intention is not to necessarily judge but rather for you to listen with open minds from someone who has no agenda and has been in the very shoes you now walk in. It is tough being a high school athlete with everything that comes with it but athletes should not feel stress from the people that absolutely love them the most and that is you Mom and Dad. This fall I have seen parents trying to coach their child and even worse try to coach their child teammates from the sidelines. Parenting 101 states you are not the coach and you should not be giving your child any x and o advice. The coaches of the team are the only ones that should be doing it and the only ones your sons should be listening to is the coaching staff. I have witnessed players who have had it, and end up telling their parents to “Shut Up” or even worse from the court. It should never get to this point at all. This fall we had a couple of incidents of parents, coaching or scolding their sons teammates. Quite frankly this is stepping way over the line and an apology is what is in order, not a justification for your reasoning. I have witnessed a few parents who were disgusted with their son’s performance and actually walked out of the gym and one got in his car and went home. To be honest to these parents it is not about you, it’s about the kids .. your kid. If you have gotten to this point maybe it’s time to find a new hobby. In one case it was obvious to me the kid played better when his father wasn’t at the games going forward. Rides home are not interrogation time and unless your son wants to break it down you should probably talk about something else. If a kid doesn’t play well.. he knows it already and what he needs is his supportive dad or mom, not another adult critiquing him. What parents sometime forget is that Time Waits For No One and this period of time of enjoying your son’s athletic career is a fleeting moment but your relationship is a lifetime relationship that you don’t want fractured over a game. Unfortunately I have seen Dads and Sons who to this day have a fractured relationship because all they wanted was for you to be Dad. It is not too late you can change today and I recommend that you do. It is also not just parent/child relationship I have also seen wives who cannot sit with their husband for the very reasons I have mentioned. Please also do the coaches a favor and let them do their job. They in most cases know more about the game and in most cases know more about what your son can do and not do so let them coach, let them develop and you sit and cheer for your son, his team and enjoy the company of other parents. I loved coaching my son as a travel coach and aau coach but as a high school and college parent I sat in the stands and watched my son grow up. I never once critiqued the game or his performance unless he asked, I may not have always agreed with his coaches but I kept my mouth shut. Boy I would give anything to be back sitting at fall ball watching my son but it all passed with a blink of an eye. I look forward if God willing

I have grandchildren to go and watch them play what I think is the greatest game in the world and I will sit there and let him/her play and the coaches coach. Please before you throw these words in the dumpster digest for a bit then go out and cheer and support like heck…….. YOUR BOY. I wish all the parents a great basketball season, enjoy it especially senior parents and hope to see you all around the courts ONE LAST TIME…..DON’T GET TOO HIGH, DON’T GET TOO LOW….IT’S FALL BALL