updated 5/11/11 CURRENT RECORD 11-8

Welcome to the 2011 CD Raptor's U13 Homepage! 

We will be making updates when possible so check back often...give us a couple days after each tournament...updates should be loaded by the following Wednesday night.

2011 OPENING TIP

Well it was a great start to the AAU season with two quality wins for the Raptors U13 team!  Game 1 was an exciting 53-37 win over the North County Crushers from Watertown, NY.  Game 2 was a back and forth battle until the end when the gang in orange & blue pulled away for a 56-40 win over the hosting Southern Tier Rage from Binghamton, NY.  Tomorrow's game wil be updated as soon as I can (sorry, but I have to flight out for business meetings).  Good Luck Gang!  Pics loaded later this week (when I get home).

Sky High

Driving the baseline...with a bonus..."And One"!

It was a tale of two different days for the gang in Orange & Blue.  What worked well on Saturday, went away on Sunday.  In both of Sunday's games against the AC Rapids the passing, rebounding, and team play wasn't as strong as in games 1 & 2.  Too many missed outside shots and less boxing out seemed to add up.  Both games were close at the half, with the Raptors battling back from early deficits in both, unfortunately each game ended in a 10 point loss...Keep Your Heads Up!  Still a good start...now turn it around and play as a team...You Can Bounce Back Strong!

Yes, he got the "And One"!

Going in strong!

Game 1 action down at the Zero Gravity Tournament brought  another early season victory to the U13 team from Troy.  In a 47-43 win over Hoop Express (Connecticut), I think the team may have found what is their keys to victory...Good ball movement, getting up the court quick for fast paced scoring opportunities, and the ABC's of basketball...Always Be Changing...Changing your position (MOVE WITHOUT THE BALL), Changing your defensive position...Don't let them know how your going to play them every time.  Changing your pace...Don't let them get comfortable on how to defend you and don't let them always assume your not going to step up the "D".  And change your direction...DON'T always pass to the same side or player on a play...Your plays have multiple looks...go somewhere else once in a while...something will open up (if every MOVES!!!).  GREAT GAME 1 WIN!

Setting up the "O"

Unfortunately Game 2 brought out the other side of the picture...right from the opening tip, there was little movement, the pace was slow, and passing was not crisp and sharp...Don't depend on coach to always call a play...sometimes let your instincts take over and play ball.  But that's just what didn't happen... too many hesitant series out there, not enough confident drives to the hoop...No matter what the size of a team, if you are moving and creating your opportunities, you will have success...but if you sit back and let them dictate what you are allowed to do on offense, you will lose every time.  COME OUT STRONG AND CONFIDENT EVERY PLAY>>>NEVER LET UP!!  GOOD LUCK !  WE KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Crucial shots from the line late in the game...swish!

What a great way to end a weekend!  Even though the gang didn't make it to the championship round, they knocked out the 2-0 Queensbury Spartans 35-28.  It was a tight contest throughout the game, but the U13 Raptors held tough down the stretch (Reilly's 4 for 4 fouls shooting in the last minute was clutch!) .  Plenty still to be worked on (big guys...watch the pro's playoffs this week...see the boxing out techniques!...Guards & forward's...watch the moving without the ball...make your opportunities happen!)).  It's a great way to go into a week off!  Good Job Gang!  

Quick pace up court = easy 2

Game 1 of the Albany Spring Classic was an exciting one.  In a game that really should have been a win, the U13's hopefully learned that just because you have a lead, NEVER LET UP.  If you play down to your competition, that just let's them get back in the game...One thing that is becoming evident, pushing the ball up court is this team's style...many more points scored when you all hustle and get up court quick. Passing, moving without the ball, and teamplay is proving to work well.  Now get back on defense and get your hands up!  Too many un contested shots from the outside let this opponent back in the game and steal a win...

Way to close!

Game two may have been a big loss points wise, but in many ways it was a great game to learn from.  After getting shell shocked in the first 4-5 minutes, EVERYONE came back strong.  You all played with great intensity, desire, and HEART.  The sense of teamwork was evident throughout the game.  Remember how you played during this game before every other game from now on...THIS IS HOW YOU HAVE TO GO AFTER IT...RIGHT FROM THE START!

GET OUT OF HERE WITH THAT!

Game 3 was a very different game from many of the other games you played this year...a 44-10 win doesn't come often, so enjoy it and in some ways forget it...Again the sense of teamwork and hustle was evident.  Defensively you have all improved greatly...but still...GET YOU HANDS UP & BOX OUT!!  

For 3!

Game 4 proved that you have to come ready to play right from the start...It's great to get an "easy" win, but remember the next game might not be that way.  The start of game 4 showed that when you get a little confident and cocky...things can go wrong.  After being down most of the first half, you all showed heart and desire to be up by 2 at the break.  A strong second half showed what you are made of...now let's see that every minute of every game...you can beat just about anyone if you play like you played in games 2 and most of game 4.  Great way to end a weekend!  now let's see that every game next week...YOU CAN DO IT!!  STAY FOCUSSED! 

Come back and help against the press...play together!

Game one at the Hoop Mountain Tourny started out pretty rough for the team from Troy.  Right from the outset we knew it would be a tough one against the bigger, stronger, (& older?? hmmmm) team from Boston.  Again after being down 35-4 (yes....no typo there), the scrappy Raptors kept battling and didn't give up Final( 53-18...ugh).  However, once again the lack of boxing out, moving without the ball, and weak passing hurt the offensive attack.  You guys are excellent on the fast break style of offense...keep up that pace...you will score many more points.

Splitting the "D"

Game two was a nice win against Mass Elite.  The quick pace paid off in a good win.  This time you guys came ready to play right from the start (22-14 at 1/2), and only had a little lapse early in the second half (almost letting them back in it).  Stay focussed and play your game for every minute....and when you're on the bench...pay attention to what's going on...you will be in, and need to know what each of their players are doing out there!  Good Job...37-26.

The Big Man!

Game three of the Hoop Mountain Tourny was close throughout the game, but again rebounding and turnovers hurt.   When in a tight game at the end, you guys have to pick up the defensive pressure...don't let them dictate the pace with two minutes to go and you're down by 3. Make smart, strong passes.  Good game, tough outcome!  Loss 57-51.

Going up strong!

Game one at the Capital Region revolution against the Heldeburg Thunder was a great start to a great weekend for the U13's.  It was great to see some different faces get some time to shine.  Everyone needs to put in some some extra effort on these long weekends of basketball.  Games like these are needed to save some "legs" for Sunday games.  Games 4 and 5 will always be tough if the bench doesn't eat up some playing time in the big wins.  Excellent, HUGE win 52-20.

That's a solid pic!

Game two brought a little bit of the same...great  passing, hustling,  and teamwork.  When you run the offense and don't slow it down you play your best basketball.  Another HUGE win vs. the Foothills Hoop Club...57-25!  Great Job!

Driving in the paint!

Game 3 proved to be your biggest win yet.  Even the early morning start time did not stop the offense from running and the continued sense of determination.  Yes I will say it a HUUUGE win 60 - 24!  WOW!

Going Up... and In!

The fourth game of the weekend resulted in a great playoff round win 43-22 over the scrappy Clifton park Cobra's.  Foul trouble a little early from the "big men" may have come into play a little during this game, but it didn't hurt too much.  Great way to stay in the money rounds....GOOD JOB!

Bring it up quick...beat the "D"!

Well the Semi-Final round proved to be too much for our Raptor U13's.  A strong Make A Play team came out early and took a quick double digit lead that could not be overcome.  The legs did not seem to be there for a lot of the players and the quick, push the ball up court and drive to the hoop only showed a few times during the game.  Once again the 3/4 court press seemed to confuse and slow down the offensive attack...help out your teammates by moving to the ball,and make HARD, SMART passes.  Rest up for next weekend, come back strong and healthy!

PICS LOADED AT :

davejohnsonphotos.photoreflect.com

and

http://community.webshots.com/user/LeeYouthSports

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HOTEL INFO FOR WILKES-BARRE and SYRACUSE:

MAY 21-22     WHO'S GOT GAME      WILKES-BARRE, PA            

HILTON SCRANTON & CONFERENCE CENTER

100 ADAMS AVE

SCRANTON, PA 18503-1823

(570-558-7319

ROOMS: $119.00 +TAX +$9.95 PARKING

MUST BOOK ROOM BY APRIL 29TH, 2011

TWO NIGHT STAY RECOMMENDED BUT NOT MANDATORY

Ask for AAU booking under: Capital District Raptors

 

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JUNE 17-19    CARRIER DOME PRE NATIONALS      SYRACUSE, NY

EMBASSY SUITE HOTEL 

6646 OLD COLLAMER ROAD

EAST SYRACUSE, NY 13057-1204

(315) 446-3200

MUST STAY TWO NIGHTS MANDATORY

Rooms w/ 1 king bed suites + pullout sofa = $119 + tax

Rooms w/ 2 double beds suites + pullout sofa = $119+ tax

All rooms complimentary breakfast included served from 6am to 10am

Complimentary Reception each evening 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Online booking @ www.Embassysuites.com/syracuse

Code : CDR

 ALL HOTELS ROOMS NEED TO BE BOOKED by May 23, 2011

Question Contact Larry Senior Jr. 518-961-9144  

PICS LOADED AT:  http://community.webshots.com/user/LeeYouthSports