THE COMETS BASKETBALL SHOWCASE IN SAUK RAPIDS WAS A SUCCESS

After the introductions of the Comets basketball staff, the players broke out into groups at the Comets Showcase in Sauk Rapids. The coaches then ran the players in stations. The station work let players work on their individual skills. They worked on posting up in the low block, shot selections and jump shots. Coaches also put the players through game situations. Each station was 12 minutes long.


Most of those who helped the Comets put on the clinic were small college and AAU coaches from around the surrounding area.


There were college coaches in attendance throughout the afternoon watching different players. Most of the college coaches that were in attendance were from the upper Midwest area.


I thought that all of the players looked well in the drill portion of the program. The players took the drill work seriously. They went all out and gave it their best.


After the station work the players broke down into predetermined teams and they played two 15:00 minute halves. The open games gave the college coaches a chance to see players in game situations. There were a total of five different games.


I thought that the Comets did a good job of making it feel like a showcase event. The coaches did a good job of instructing the players on what they wanted them to do. They did not scream and shout from the sideline. The coaches wanted to make sure the event was geared toward the players. I thought that the coaches did a good job of doing that and they did that throughout the event.


One of the players who caught my attention was Jayme Moten who was all over the court. He was able to get his teammates involved in the action. On the defensive end he was able to guard his opponent like a hawk.


After two rounds of games the camp broke for box dinner. It gave the players, coaches and the media a chance to get a meal and time to relax for a bit.


After the light supper the players had a chance to digest their food and then they were back out on the court for the final three games of camp.


Ibrahim Abukar who goes to St Cloud Apollo high school was also all over the court. He knew where his players were on the floor and was able to feed them the ball. He got his teammates involved in the game. He knows the game very well and he helps his team get into the offensive mode. Ibrahim is also very good on the defensive end as he was able to slow down or stop his opponent on several different occasions.


TJ Okafor from Chaplin Park did a job of getting his players involved in the game. He shared the ball well. He passed up contested shots and passed the ball to his teammates if he thought that they were open.


Andrew Turnblad who goes to Minnetonka high school and is in the class of 2012 did a good job of distributing the basketball to his teammates. He was another player who knew where he was on the floor and was not afraid to get his teammate involved. Turnblad was not afraid to shoot the ball if he had an open look at the basket. He was able to make a nice 15 foot jump shot with ease.


Terzesz VanPelt of Osseo did a good job of running the floor. He was able to lead the fast break for his team. He was able to stop his opponent on the defensive end. VanPelt had very good foot work. I also thought that he knew the game very well and was able to use that to his advantage to get his teammates involved in the plays.


Shane Bosek from Minnewaska Area had a nice game. He was able to find his shot early on in the contest. He was dead on. He was not greedy though as he would pass to his teammates if he thought that he had a better shot than him. Shane was not afraid to get his teammates involved in the game.


Throughout the games most all teams played a strong man-to-man defense. Everyone played hard. The players wanted to show their skills and not show anyone else up. I thought that the players did a good job of doing that throughout the day.


The reason that I thought that the showcase was a success was because I thought that the players did a good job of working with their teammates. Most of the players didn’t know each other before they attended the camp. They just met each other and they had to go throughout the day playing with each other. It was a good sign that kids were working together to improve their games. Overall I was pretty impressed with this showcase. I liked how all the coaches were able to interact with the players. I liked how the players knew that the drill work was serious. I also thought it was a good chance for the college coaches to get a look at some of the talent that the state had to offer in the upcoming years. I thought that it was a benefit for everyone who was involved.


I was joined by the Czar of Twin Cities Boy’s Hoops. Check out his thoughts of the Comets Showcase in Sauk Rapids.