It's been a while - Summer is here

The last time I posted, the YMCA championships had just ended in March of 2010. Now it is the end of May - the Friday that starts the Memorial Day weekend. Tonight, a team of Alaska STARS are headed down to Seattle to compete in two tournaments, playing in multiple divisions in each tournament.

We have just gone through Alaska Basketball Development League with our class of 2013 and 2014 players (AKBDL). We have just finished ACS Spring League with the others (two 7th grade teams, a 6th grade team, a 5th grade team and a 3/4th grade team).

I would like to thank the coaches and the parents for their continual support in this very hectic and dynamic environment. We are always on the go and everyone just makes it work. Coach Sam Freelove has been so wonderful picking up some slack for me as I have to take on responsibilities with our high school team for summer travel. The 6th grade team has been wonderfully patient as I get through these distractions. Thanks, Sam.

I would like to alos give a special shout out to Coach Jesse Smith and Coach Brian Kewan for keeping our torch lit at the Mountain View Boys and Girls Club, ensuring that we have a continual presence there during "Power Hour", providing our boys an opportunity to give to a community that gives so much back to them. Thanks for keeping that important part of our overall mission alive and running and ensuring that our boys enjoy the fullest experience of the program.

I am proud of all the accomplishments of all of our boys. The 8th graders (class of 2014) did a bang-up job in a high school division of the AKBDL. They placed fourth and went into the playoff against the first-place ACS Lions. Lost the game at the buzzer by 1. Wow! What a battle! Great job fellas!

And, I want to recognize all of the growth and achievement that our other teams experienced in the ACS League. We had most of them playing "up" a division and competing well (if not winning). Way to go!

Summer means more activities. The Class of 2013 is about to go to multiple NCAA Live events. Class of 2014 is about to go to Hawaii. This is a great time when more development happens and the kids reap incredible rewards for it.

I look forward to us doing all that we are doing .... and learning how to do it even better.