PREPCASTS.COM
March 27
Still reeling from two great weekends in Columbia of STATE basketball and two All Star games last night on www.prepcasts.com, spring sports are already on the move. Some thoughts about the transition…..
…The highly successful small school basketball teams put a drag on
the same school spring sports. In small schools, the very good athletes
are necessary to compete in EVERY sport. With the short transition time
from basketball to baseball/track, these teams come out of the gate slowly.
By mid-late April, these talented athletes have honed their skills in the
spring sport. Team records may suffer from many early season losses but
by district these schools using winter stars are in position to compete
for a long run.
…It’s much easier to assemble all-star games for basketball than any other sport. Football requires too many players, requires team practices, possible injury. Spring sports have to deal with graduation ceremonies and summer time activities. We’re happy to witness basketball All-Star games increasing. There are many talented players in the STATE. As many athletes as possible should share in the excitement of playing in an All-Star game.
…For one, I wish that you could not schedule baseball games in March. Even though there are occasional spurts of good weather, often it is followed by several days of inclement or cold weather. Those “off days” set teams back—what is gained by playing a game or two then missing several days consecutively?
…The proliferation of club sports (i.e.lacrosse) in the St Louis area has affected roster size for track teams across the area. Track, once viewed as a sport that anyone could participate in regardless of size, speed, now loses many solid athletes to lacrosse. Small schools (especially out state) haven’t experienced this phenomena yet. ST Louis now fields many good lacrosse teams. Participation is the key—it’s great to have kids busy in athletics but it does cause fresh issues for athletic administrators as they juggle the constantly changing needs, and desires, of each school.
…Some
possible great basketball match-ups for next year….
BOYS: Charleston vs Vashon; Rockhurst-DeSmet; Borgia-Glendale; Ozark-St
James;
Nixa-Lafayette(St Louis); Kickapoo-Lincoln Academy; Hogan Prep-Sikeston
GIRLS--Pembroke Hill-IWA; ND de Sion-St Joe Academy; Ozark-Mehville; Howell
Central-Blair Oaks; Jeff City-Nerinx Hall; Clopton-Metro; DeKalb-Skyline.
Actually, you could mix and match anyway that you wanted to do. Wish some
sponsor could host a 1 or 2 day shootout with these teams!! (say 1st weekend
in December!)
…Some local baseball teams have traveled to Florida for a combination baseball-spring break trip. It’s becoming more and more popular – kids have fun and play good, solid baseball for a week. When they return, the teams are sharp and ready for more action.
….This coming weekend, www.prepcats.com will raise the curtain on the 2006 Prepcasts Baseball schedule. On Friday, March 31, Prepcasts will cover the NW House-Springs-Eureka game from beautiful Ballwin Athletic Association Field. Join us for all the excitement!