Hello Parents / SMS Tigers!

 Happy New Year to Everyone!

 Well, we’re back into the swing of work, school, and of course, Basketball!

 I wanted to cover a few items with each of you as we quickly approach our first game, this Saturday, January 9^th.

 Practice Boys

 We will resume our normal practice days/times this week

 Mondays:  6-8pm

 Thursdays:  6-8pm

Practice Girls

Wednesday, 4-6 pm

Friday, 4-6 pm

First Game

 First game is Saturday, January 9^th at St. Mark’s in Plano  

•  
  • 1201 Alma., Plano , Texas 75075 - Phone (Main) 972-578-0610
• Game time is 2:00pm
• We are visitors, and will wear WHITE
• I have room for about 2 kids who may need a ride so let me know (first come first serve) if you need help
• I will be leaving SMS School parking lot at 12:40pm SHARP
• Anyone who wishes to follow me to St. Mark’s is more than welcome, just meet at school around 12:30pm
• Let me know if any other parents can take a few kids should we need additional rides
• Please plan to be at St. Mark’s gym by 1:30pm so we can go over a few last minute items, and have our allotted time to warm-up
• Please bring a water bottle for yourself during the game (gym may have a water fountain but we must remain on the bench when not playing so let’s be prepared ahead of time)
• If you are not able to attend the game, please let me know ASAP so I can plan accordingly

Uniforms

 We are expecting to have our uniforms to hand out after this Thursday’s practice.

 Please note, the uniforms (shorts & jersey) belong to the school and must be returned at the conclusion of the basketball season.  There will be a $75 “replacement” fee if the uniform is not returned to the school. We are going to begin stocking the basketball teams with uniforms so in the future we do not have to buy all new ones each year.  If you would like to purchase a personal uniform to keep, please let me know and I can make arrangements for you, rather than keeping the one you have been issued this season.  (Plus the cost will be less than the $75 replacement fee). 

 There will be an SMS ‘warmup’ pullover issued as well to each player.  This will be yours to KEEP.  It is my donation to the team.  Please keep up with this pullover as I think we will look very sharp at the beginning of each game warming up with these over our jerseys.

 Playing Time

 Playing time will be very difficult to juggle each game so I want to be clear to each parent of how I will approach.

• We have 14 boys on the team, which is AWESOME!
• There are 4 – 10 minute quarters (continuous running clock) to each game for a total playing time of 40 minutes.
• Each player must play 10 minutes per game
• Referee will stop the game every 5 minutes for substitutions until each player meets this quota
  • This means we will be at the END of the 3^rd quarter before everyone meets this requirement
• Some players will only get to play the minimum of 10 minutes per game
• Some players will play about half the game
• Some players will play most of the game
• Playing time in addition to the 10 minute minimum will be dependent upon many things such as:  school grades/conduct, basketball skills, the flow of the game, who is working the hardest in practice, interest level displayed in learning/playing basketball, etc
  • Remember, we are STUDENT/ATHLETES.  That means school comes first so make sure we keep our priorities straight!
  • I will be monitoring the school aspect of it with Mr. Scheibmeir to make sure basketball there are no issues  (we have a great group of young men so I do not anticipate any issues)
• I will be as fair as possible but I wanted you to have a realistic expectation of how the playing time will look.  (if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask, I will be more than happy to discuss your son’s specific situation)

Finances

 Each player will be required to pay $75 to the school to participate in this year’s program.  The $75 will be added to each player’s “school account” and billed by the school accordingly.  Please include on any checks submitted to the school for basketball a mention of “2009 basketball” in the MEMO line of your check.  (I have money from a couple parents and will get that turned in to the school this week).  Please take care of this cost ASAP as we must pay the league fees by January 8^th and we also have to pay for the uniforms. 

 I have several copies of our schedule so if you need one, let me know.  Also, you can follow our progress this season on the DPL webpage listed below.  We are in the 8^th Grade, Division 3 WEST league.  (8D3 – West)

 http://www.dallasparochialleague.com/

 MAPS to each school can be found at below link. (CLICK on the school name and it will show a map)

 http://www.dallasparochialleague.com/league_schools.html

 Thanks again for your continued commitment to SMS and the Boys Basketball program!

 I’m sure I’ve missed something so please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

 Coach Stovall

903.267.9265