The Baltimore Stars 12Under team is proud to say that we are excelling at a very fast pace. In last year’s Baltimore Invitational Tournament we were a very disappointing 1-4. After the tournament we realized that we had six players playing at six different recreation centers throughout the winter season. The parents and coaches made a commitment to keep the team together for one year; allowing them to practice, train, and compete together to determine if this group of kids were capable of competing at a higher level. After six months of hard work, including over 1000 layups, 1000 jump shots, and push-up, push-ups, push-ups, we are proud to say that we have arrived! Our philosophy is tough practices produce tough players, and results in success for all. Our practices or workouts, as we have appropriately named them, consist of advanced dribbling drills with a concentration on keeping your head. The drills are not only for the guards, but all of our players. We incorporate all of our players in every drill to ensure that they all get the necessary and proper fundamental preparation. We also work on passing, rebounding, offensive and defensive footwork, and DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE!
Earlier this season we participated in the Elite Level Sports Challenge and all of our hard work was immediately put to the test. We played against the nationally ranked Maryland Panthers 12U AAU Team. This team featured Andre Boykin (6’2), the # 1 ranked player in the country. Although we started out slow, losing by 16 points at halftime, we overcame the deficit and went on to defeat the MD Panthers by 16 points! Later that day, we defeated another very tough team which propelled us to the tournament’s final four. Although we lost in the final four games, we were quite pleased with our progress as a team.
We later played in the Maryland Marauders’ tournament and defeated the very tough and competitive Severn Elite 12U basketball team in the final game to win the Championship.
After winning the MD Marauders Tournament, we went on to participate in the Maryland State Basketball Tournament. We were defeated in the first game against Baltimore Elite. However, we regrouped and went on to win our next two games allowing us to qualify for the MD State AAU Championship game, against Maryland 3D at Morgan State University. We won the championship game by 18 points and every player made a significant and unique contribution to the win. The kids were great, and after all our hard work we were again Champions. The Baltimore Stars 12U team now holds the Maryland State Champion Division II title.
Our quest continues and we’re in the gym working hard to achieve our goal of becoming better and more fundamentally sound basketball players. As the head coach of the Baltimore Stars 12U team, I truly believe that if one player shows up in the gym, we’re working out…PERIOD! We work hard year around with hopes of getting better through fundamental preparation.
Who are we? “Baltimore stars”, Who are we? “Baltimore Stars”, Who are we?
“Baltimore Stars 12U!!!!”
