Schedule for Upcoming Week...

Hi, all.

First, Happy Holidays to you and yours! May it be a safe, fun, happy "season" for you all!

Bummer that we couldn't get the Grandville game in yesterday, but it is what it is, right? We only worry about the stuff we can control, right? Let us always remember that through the course of the season, on and off the court! On the looooong list of things we cannot control (and therefore should spend NO energy worrying about): weather, referees, opponents, opposing fans, etc.

Here goes with the schedule for this first week of Break:

**Monday: practice 2-4 PM (MS). We'll have a warm-up, some conditioning, and then a 3 v. 3 tournament to spice things up a bit, be competitive, and have some fun!

**Tuesday: OFF…Christmas Eve

**Wednesday: OFF…Merry Christmas!

**Thursday: open gym (with Varsity separately)…HS…11-1 PM.

**Friday: practice 1-3 PM…HS.

On Monday, we'll vote for our "team theme" winner from this past week. Stay tuned for the new team theme!

Take care, all.

34-28 Win vs. W.Ottawa

Boys,

Job well done today vs. the big guys down the road. I thought we were mostly stellar on the defensive end…a huge step up from our first game vs. Hopkins…even though we gave up two more overall points than that game. Overall, our defense won today's game, in my opinion.

We can (and will) certainly get better handling ball pressure from here on out…and run more crisp offensive sets…etc…but either way, I like what I'm seeing overall!

Bring on Grandville!

See you tomorrow for 3-5 PM practice at the HS.

This Coming Week...

Hi, everyone!

Here goes with the schedule for this upcoming week. Please take note:

**Monday: practice 3-5 PM (MS)…team pics at 330 PM (at MS)…team dinner at McMahon's (6 PM)

**Tuesday: home game vs. W.Ottawa (4 PM)…be dressed and ready by 315 PM…Cam/Kaleb on JV video duty

**Wednesday: practice 3-5 PM

**Thursday: practice 3-5 PM

**Friday: game at Grandville (4 PM)…bus leaves right after school

Note: Our team theme (as mentioned this past Friday) for this coming week still revolves primarily around being physically tough at all times; that is, REBOUND!! We all need to have this mentality on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Get after it.

 Of course, continue to always work on our themes from the past as well: communication, loose balls, and charges!

Boys, let's continue progressing individually and as a team this coming week…all the while focusing on the team principles and team goals to the left of this note.

Congrats...

…to Sawyer McMahon for his consistent "dirty work" these past couple of weeks. At the conclusion of practice today, Sawyer was nominated and voted by his teammates as alternate captain for his physical toughness (emphasis on charges and loose balls) in the recent past. Keep up the good work, Sawyer, and let's all strive for improvement in these areas!

34-26 Win vs. Hopkins….

Boys,

I thought that for the first game of the season…a win is a win…is a win…is a win. Job well done in that respect.

Now, as was mentioned in the post-game team room, we can (and will) get a heck of a lot better--handling full court pressure, attacking a zone defense, eliminating face cuts, rebounding positioning and tenacity, etc.

We'll get back to the drawing board tomorrow and keep working!

Check out the "game recaps" link below and to the left if/when interested for further game details!

Congratulations...

…to Chase Hagen and Keaton Mudd for their recent team captain selections as decided by their peers!

See the post below regarding "captain-like" characteristics that the team brainstormed the other night at our team meeting. And as I mentioned, it's great as a coach to see a LOT of individuals receive votes based on the criteria.

Continue to lead us in the right direction, you two…as well as the rest of us!

News, Thoughts, and Upcoming Schedule

Hello, all! I hope this weekend has been an overall therapeutic one?? Hang in there, and please let me (and/or the rest of the Hamilton basketball staff) know if you need anything at all!

First, here goes with the upcoming weekly schedule:

**Monday: practice 3-5 (MS East gym)

**Tuesday: no practice/no game…Mr. Hoppe's funeral/home Varsity game in the evening.

**Wednesday: home game vs. Allegan (4 PM) in MS West gym…more details to come.

**Thursday: home game vs. Hopkins (5 PM) in HS…more details to come.

**Friday: practice 3-5

Note: Our canceled team dinner is tentatively planned for next Monday, Dec. 16…same time/details…per Team McMahon's permission.

Next, take a look at the list of "team goals" to the left. The guys brainstormed and voted on these meaningful, measurable goals in our team meeting this past Friday.

Also, speaking of the team meeting, the guys also brainstormed fitting "descriptors" of what a TEAM CAPTAIN should have as part of his human skill set. Ideas like "takes charge", "has respect of others", "composed", "supportive", "personable on/off the court", "positive communicator", etc. were all brought up. As I review the anonymous nominations the guys made on paper, I'm very pleased to see that the clear majority of our 13 players at least received one captain vote! That's great news in my book. A lot of guys showcase some natural, positive leadership skills! Keep that up, everyone. And if you're lacking in any one department, make that a personal goal of yours to step it p. Oh, and captain results will be revealed in person tomorrow :)

Finally, keep in mind and continue to put into practice our team theme of TOUGHNESS (charges/loose balls)!

Take care, all! Let's get the game schedule portion of our season off to a positive start…while also focusing on the truly important things in life like loving and respecting each other!

Schedule for This Upcoming Week

Hi again, everyone. Please take note of the below schedule for this upcoming week, and please pay attention to a few minor changes.

**Monday: practice 3-5 PM (instead of 5-7 PM as previously stated)…receive uniforms...ORDER FORMS DUE!!

**Tuesday: practice 5-7 PM (Middle School East gym)

**Wednesday: practice 3-5 PM…team pictures at a time yet to be determined.

**Thursday: practice 5-7 PM

**Friday: practice 3-5 PM…team meeting from 4 to 5 PM in my classroom.

Note: stay tuned for further details coming soon regarding our first team dinner on Monday, Dec. 9 at the McMahon household!

Team "theme" for this week: TOUGHNESS.    Stay tuned for further information, and congrats again to Chase Hagen for his nomination/win as the best "communicator" thus far!

Scrimmage vs. H.C.

Hey, all.

Regarding the AM scrimmages vs. H.C. today, I thought it was a solid overall "official" start for us. Obviously, we can and WILL get better from here on out, but it would be foolish to overreact (that's the word I was looking for today while talking to you guys! haha) this early in the season.

After 9 10-minute quarters played today vs. the Maroons, we went 4-3-2 overall. Not bad, but again, we'll be much better in the long run.

Things to especially focus on after today's performance: transition defense, keeping attackers out of the middle in our half court defensive sets, and actual "motion" on our Motion…among other concepts.

See you all on Monday at 3 PM (the practice time has been changed from 5 PM to 3 PM!) ready to WORK and GET BETTER!

This Week

All recovered from the all-nighter, everyone? Ready to get back to work?! Ready to kill it in the classroom for finals??!! Go get 'em.

Here goes with the schedule for this upcoming week:

**Monday: practice 3-515 PM

**Tuesday: practice 5-715 PM

**Wednesday: NO SCHOOL…practice 1015 AM-1230 PM

**Thursday: NO SCHOOL/NO PRACTICE…HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS!

**Friday: NO SCHOOL…practice 3-5 PM

**Saturday: Scrimmage vs. Holland Christian (@Hamilton) 9-11 AM…more details later.

Reminder: be focusing on our first team theme--COMMUNICATION--each and every day! How can we all continue to get better with this life skill??

An Official "Welcome"!

Greetings, everyone!

I'd like to officially welcome all of you to the Freshmen Boys Basketball Family. Simply put, we should all be very excited for the positive direction this program is headed. And the best part is this: you players (and parents) represent the bright basketball future that WILL come to pass here in Hamilton! This season, i'm proud to be a small, positive cog in the machine that is Hamilton Boys Basketball.

Please read/review this site as often as possible as I put a lot of work into various features all in the name of "positive communication"--our first weekly TEAM THEME of the season.

I look forward to individual player, team, and coaching progress in all facets of life each and every day from here on out.

And again--WELCOME!!

We're Back!!

Hello again, everyone!

Long time, no "talk".....  :)

I hope your guys' respective fall schedules have been going smoothly and that you're all taking care of business in the classroom first and foremost? Please always remember, we are "students" before "athletes"!

I wanted to check in with you now that the majority of the fall sports seasons have concluded. Hopefully, you are all already looking forward to the basketball season coming up here?? Of course, take some time to rest, rejuvenate, and charge up those batteries....especially if you just finished a season, right?

Here's what we've got on tap a handful of weeks from now:

**Tuesday, Oct. 29 (this coming Tuesday): A meeting for all freshmen boys who are interested in playing basketball this winter in my classroom (rm. 111/junior hallway) during Summit (first thing in the AM that day). You will receive a bunch of basketball information at this meeting, so it's important that you make it! BE SURE to check in with your Summit teacher first before heading my way!

**Tryout Week:

       --Monday, Nov. 18: Meet at 430 PM in my classroom for a brief meeting (fully dressed and ready
          to go for physical activity)....take the court in the HS gym from 515 PM to 730 PM.

       --Tuesday, Nov. 19: same as above....

       --Wednesday, Nov. 20: take the court from 3-515 PM...brief team meeting until roughly 545 PM.

       --Thursday, Nov. 21: take the court from 3-515 PM...brief team meeting until roughly 545 PM.

      -- Friday, Nov. 22: "Meet the Teams" night...5-6 PM practice...6-630 scrimmage (parents invited)
         ...630-730 PM program meal (bring a dessert to pass)...730-830 team meeting (with parents)...
         ...830 PM - 8 AM program wide "lock in".

     Note: stay tuned for more information from Coach Haverdink regarding pre-season workouts if
      interested!

That's it for now, all! Needless to say, I am/we are so excited to officially start working with you all in the very near future!

Please don't hesitate if there are any questions, concerns, and/or comments at this point.

July Cookout

Hi, everyone!

I really hope this past 4th of July week was great for all...friends, fam, travels, etc.

I wanted to remind you that this Tuesday, July 9 at noon is our summer freshmen boys basketball cookout at Trenton Peters's home. Please review the prior email I sent about it if you are confused about details. The Trenton's fam would love for you to RSVP either way in order to plan for food...and please bring a few dollars to cover those expenses.

Would love to see all who can make it!

PS. Footballers will still be able to make camp that evening...no worries...cleared it with Coach Randall.

Take care, all!

Basketball Update

Hi, all!

First, nice job this week at B.C.! Growth was certainly noticed from the first day through yesterday. Keep getting better every day, right?

Next week, we'll be scrimmaging at W.Ottawa High on Monday, June 24 and Wednesday, Juen 26...both from 6-9 PM. And both days, we'll meet at HHS at 5 PM to carpool again. Parents, can we gather some drivers again? Thanks ahead of time! And thanks for this past week as well. Much appreciated. Players, come prepared with the same apparel you've been wearing to B.C. I'm afraid neither I nor Coach Haverdink has any further details at this point regarding what's planned over there. It IS free of charge though...so i've heard.

Beyond that, either Trenton's fam or Elliott's fam will hopefully be hosting those that can make it for a get-together of some sort in the future. As I've told both families, it'd work best for me if we schedule it sometime during the week...perhaps in July? July 8 or 9? Last week of July? First week of August? My schedule is crazy from here on out what with multiple camps, training, weddings to attend, etc. If we can get a date solidified, then we can make further plans accordingly. Let me know what you guys think when you can! It'll be a great way nonetheless to simply bond off the court. Lookin' forward.

Don't forget also:

http://hamiltonfreshmenboysbasketball.blogspot.com/

Take care, all! Have a great weekend.

Best,

Coach Robinson

Summer Update

Hi, everyone!

First, thanks a lot for a great 4 days of work last week, gentlemen. It was a pleasure getting to know you all just a bit initially. From here on out, i'm all ears...willing to help...field any questions, concerns, comments, etc. I'll be around most of the summer what with soccer coaching responsibilities, school work, etc. Please don't hesitate!

As for next week...the week of June 17-20... and the Byron Center Shootout, here's what we've got going thus far.

**We'll meet at 4 PM at Hamilton High on Monday, June 17 in order to have a brief walk-through/review of basic concepts and plays that we learned this week (man-to-man defense, Ohio, press-break, and Motion). Check your email accounts for respective attachments regarding the aforementioned. Please be prepared. Anyway, we'll plan to leave the HS that day for Byron Center at 430-445 to head to B.C. High School (address below). Bring your practice jerseys and/or a black AND gold t-shirt....as well as $$ (see below)

8542 Byron Center Ave SW
Byron Center, MI 49315

**We should be all set with car-pool drivers that day.  Thank you very much, volunteer parents! Much appreciated....

**As for the remaining days of the shootout week, we'll leave at 445 PM each day from Hamilton High. Note: Coach Haverdink will have reigns of the team on that Tuesday since i've got soccer coaching duties that evening in Holland.

**Please be reminded that I still need Free Throw Competition forms/$$ from those who participated last night and who got donations. AND be reminded that I need $10 from each student-athlete who'll be involved in the B.C. Shootout.

**On the horizon later this month (Monday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 26) is our West Ottawa competition dates. More details later...

**Finally, i'm looking to get together as a summer freshmen team off the court for some fun (pool party? cookout? etc.) sometime in June or July for any who might be interested. Any ideas, all? I'm
all ears...

Take care, everyone...please encourage others to check their email accounts/sign-up for the "reminder101" service.

Welcome, Everyone!

Welcome to the Hamilton Boys Basketball Program, all!

We, as a coaching staff, are all very much looking forward to meeting you, starting our positive work with you all, and working with you on your respective journeys to become honorable high school student-athletes. Now, let's get going!

Here is the schedule for the upcoming week:

**Monday...practice in the middle school (3-5 PM)
**Tuesday...practice in the high school (3-5 PM)
**Wednesday...practice in the high school (3-5 PM)
**Thursday: 1st Annual Hawkeye Free Throw Marathon in the high school (6-9 PM)
**Friday: OFF

In the more distant future (June 17-20), we'll have our Byron Center Freshman Shootout during those respective evenings. We'll need to arrange rides to and fro in the meantime. Please let me know!

Miscellaneous: If you'd like to purchase a black/gold practice jersey, the charge is $15. Let me/us know ASAP! In addition, be prepared for more information coming up in the near future regarding summer weightlifting/conditioning opportunities.

See you all soon. Good luck with the last week of school year coming up here!