Tuesday, August 04, 2009
In The Zone
This week Coach Rob Ferrante, assisted by members of the Lady Raiders holds the annual "In the Zone" basketball camp. The players receive instruction in basketball offensive and defensive fundamentals, and participate daily in games to sharpen their skills.
The community has impressively and generously supported the Lady Raiders through the years, and the basketball program has helped grow not only winning basketball players but successful young ladies who become leaders in our area.
The community has impressively and generously supported the Lady Raiders through the years, and the basketball program has helped grow not only winning basketball players but successful young ladies who become leaders in our area.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Coaching Interview: Ed Beattie, Winnacunnet High School
Melrose competed this weekend at the Stonehill College Basketball Tournament and gained valuable experience playing some of the best area talent.
The Lady Raiders finished 2-1 on Day 1, competing against Highham, Wellesley, and Marshfield, with a terrific game against 2007 State Champion Wellesley, losing 56-53 in double overtime.
Day 2 saw the Lady Raiders best Methuen by one before New Hampshire dynasty Winnacunnet dished out their brand of magic beating Melrose handily.
I had the opportunity to chat with Winnacunnet coach Ed Beattie who shared his thoughts about basketball. Beattie has coached at Winnacunnet for 28 years, has five Class L New Hampshire state championships, and is a member of the New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. Beattie has also developed nine Division I girls' basketball scholarship players, including his daughter.
The current Winnacunnet squad has a point guard, Tiffany Ruffin who earned a full scholarship to BC, and their center and shooting guard are choosing among Division I and Division 2 schools. All five starters return from their title team.
He came from it honestly, as his father, Bryce won over five hundred games coaching basketball in Maine.
With a toothy smile, Coach Beattie called his practices "vigorous". His presence at Stonehill reflected the ability in New Hampshire to coach year round unlike in Massachusetts where offseason coaching is prohibited. He emphasizes the transition game with a devastating fast break, has a machine-like motion offense, and predominantly plays three-quarter and full court zone traps, taking advantages of his teams' athleticism and discipline in execution. He noted that the UCLA 2-2-1 three-quarter court trap offered "flexibility" when you have the athletes to play it.
In another interview Coach Beattie reported that his "deal" is with the players, not the parents, and that parents do not attend practice.
Although there's no doubt who's in charge, he's not an indifferent autocrat. This coming season, the team had numerous options for holiday tournaments and voted for a more "fun experience" as they will play in Florida.
I asked Coach Beattie if he found it difficult to find competition to challenge his team. He said, "I'm not arrogant, but we don't scrimmage. Our practices provide more competition."
To paraphrase Rick Pitino's "Success is a Choice", Coach Beattie and his players deserve the success they've achieved, as they've earned it via hard work and discipline.
The Lady Raiders finished 2-1 on Day 1, competing against Highham, Wellesley, and Marshfield, with a terrific game against 2007 State Champion Wellesley, losing 56-53 in double overtime.
Day 2 saw the Lady Raiders best Methuen by one before New Hampshire dynasty Winnacunnet dished out their brand of magic beating Melrose handily.
I had the opportunity to chat with Winnacunnet coach Ed Beattie who shared his thoughts about basketball. Beattie has coached at Winnacunnet for 28 years, has five Class L New Hampshire state championships, and is a member of the New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. Beattie has also developed nine Division I girls' basketball scholarship players, including his daughter.
The current Winnacunnet squad has a point guard, Tiffany Ruffin who earned a full scholarship to BC, and their center and shooting guard are choosing among Division I and Division 2 schools. All five starters return from their title team.
He came from it honestly, as his father, Bryce won over five hundred games coaching basketball in Maine.
With a toothy smile, Coach Beattie called his practices "vigorous". His presence at Stonehill reflected the ability in New Hampshire to coach year round unlike in Massachusetts where offseason coaching is prohibited. He emphasizes the transition game with a devastating fast break, has a machine-like motion offense, and predominantly plays three-quarter and full court zone traps, taking advantages of his teams' athleticism and discipline in execution. He noted that the UCLA 2-2-1 three-quarter court trap offered "flexibility" when you have the athletes to play it.
In another interview Coach Beattie reported that his "deal" is with the players, not the parents, and that parents do not attend practice.
Although there's no doubt who's in charge, he's not an indifferent autocrat. This coming season, the team had numerous options for holiday tournaments and voted for a more "fun experience" as they will play in Florida.
I asked Coach Beattie if he found it difficult to find competition to challenge his team. He said, "I'm not arrogant, but we don't scrimmage. Our practices provide more competition."
To paraphrase Rick Pitino's "Success is a Choice", Coach Beattie and his players deserve the success they've achieved, as they've earned it via hard work and discipline.
