|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,826
world cup
|
world cup
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,826 |
You can make the arguement that SC is disadvantaged compared to states/clubs with larger population centers. But this is the 21st century, man. When it all boils down.. it's 11v11.
There is no reason not to have high expectations for SC.
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,427
coach
|
coach
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,427 |
SC youth baseball has had past success in regionals and advanced to World Series in the past. I think it is because the geographical boundary levels things out somewhat as you say, but we still have smaller populations within those boundaries. So it is quite an accomplishment when a SC team does win a little league regional. So I do not feel that SC teams are prohibitive underdogs in youth baseball. It is difficult to compare to soccer because players of course can play outside their respective regions. Good luck to Fort Mill!
Last edited by 2004striker; 07/27/06 01:58 PM.
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,170
coach
|
OP
coach
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,170 |
>>[Hurst66] Or, because Little League confines their teams to geographic boundaries......do the South Carolina kids have just as good a shot as everyone else?<<
We in South Carolina now confine our teams to geographic boundaries (50%+ of a team must be of players from the district in which the club is registered) -- I wonder if that makes us more or less competitive with North Texas?
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,170
coach
|
OP
coach
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,170 |
>>[LE-Dude] You can make the arguement that SC is disadvantaged compared to states/clubs with larger population centers. But this is the 21st century, man. When it all boils down.. it's 11v11.
There is no reason not to have high expectations for SC.<<
I really couldn't agree more.
The answer in my opinion is stronger SC clubs that pull from a much broader recreational base and that are also able to draw players from a wide geographic area (e.g., other SC districts and even other states such as NC, GA, and TN.)
Anyone who cares about SC soccer being more competitive should ask the club(s) that they support what they are doing to increase the penetration of soccer at the youngest levels so that if nothing else we have a broader base of youth players from which to draw.
In the discussion that Beezer raised in another thread, while he and I might disagree on the details of tactics, the simple fact is that he's right -- despite advances made in the last few years, South Carolina soccer is absolutely not respected among other youth soccer players, youth soccer coaches, and many college coaches. We can either whine and complain about that or actually take action to make it better.
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,659
world cup
|
world cup
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,659 |
The #1 Class of 2007 high school boys basketball recruit, Kevin Love (whose Uncle Mike is lead singer for the Beach Boys) lives in Oregon where he attends Lake Oswego HS. He plays his AAU club ball for the Southern California All-Stars.
Now I'm not a geography major, but.........
Kids play sports because they find it fun. Eliminate the fun and soon you eliminate the kid.
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 249
corner kick
|
corner kick
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 249 |
The South Carolina 76ers are a Nike sponsored Girls' AAU basketball team that completes nationally. The roster is composed of players from Anderson, SC to Walterboro, SC, along with players from Georgia, North Carolina and Arkansas.
Do you want to compete nationally? A question that a parent needs to ask their child. It is then the parents' resposibility to advise and guide their children as to what that means in terms of sacrifice and commitment. In my opinion, the FAMILY makes a decision on whether that is feasible. The club/organization's only responsibility is to create/provide the offering.
Do you want to watch some of the best girls high school basketball players in the country (24 teams from California to New York) duke it out with our little ol' girls from South Carolina? Go to the Nike Nationals at Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta this weekend (shameless plug)!!!
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,427
coach
|
coach
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,427 |
It is actually - 'Our little 'ol girls from SC, NC, GA and ARK.' As Chico said somewhere, SC can attract players to play in SC from neighboring states, i.e. NC, GA, and possibly create stronger soccer teams, similar to this girls BB team. It all comes down to where can the top training, instruction, environment, determination and organization be found within a reasonable location.
Last edited by 2004striker; 07/27/06 06:46 PM.
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,826
world cup
|
world cup
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,826 |
How many of those Aiken Fire guys were from GA? Just curious.
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,427
coach
|
coach
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,427 |
Probably 3 or 4. I know some went to Richmond Academy and some to St. Thomas Aquinas high schools. Interesting read here on the FC Delco Crunch coach. Note in the article that 5 boys changed teams to play for her. Drove 3 hours 2,3 times a week to practice. Thats dedication, when there are plenty of other good teams in MD. http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060727/SPORTS13/607270427/1003/SPORTS
Last edited by 2004striker; 07/27/06 09:48 PM.
|
|
|
|