| Strong Quality Basketball News |
| PLEASE SIGN THE GUESTBOOK BEFORE YOU LEAVE |
|
|
Wayne Alsberry signs Letter of Intent with Cincinnati Christian University
SQBA Blue's Wayne Alsberry gives us the rundown on recruitment, his season with SQBA and his feelings on signing his National Letter of Intent.
What was the recruiting process like?
"Recruiting process was interesting because my basketball coach at my school (Coach Harbin) emailed a lot of coaches and Cincinnati happen to be one of them. Coach Zawadzki emailed me early February and I responded. Then we kept in touch for awhile, and then he stop emailing me for awhile which made me worry. I don't know if it was because of him being busy with basketball and other recruits or if I was just in a dead period."
What schools were showing the most interest?
"Cincinnati Christian University, Kentucky Christian University, Colorado Christian University, and Penn State Beaver"
What made you pick Cincinnati Christian?
"The atmosphere there is great. The basketball program is extremely good. Plus the student to teacher ratio is great!"
What were your feelings prior to signing your Letter of Intent?
"I was really nervous to the point to where I was shaking and I had to do a interview with Northern Virginia Daily, ha-ha"
How has your season and experience with SQBA so far?
"My season and experience with SQBA has been great. I wish I could've gotten a hold of Coach (David)Fowler a long time ago because he is a great coach and runs practices and coaches games like were in college. He never lets us slack. Always encourages to support our team and build a bond with one other."
|
|
SQBA presents Get Strong Showcase June 21st-22nd!!!
SQBA will be holding its Annual Get Strong Showcase June 21st-22nd at Orange County High School located in Orange County, VA. This event is open boys teams 7th-12th grades and girls teams 7th-11th grades. To register visit our Get Strong Showcase page: http://www.sqba.org/getstrongshowcase.html
|
|
|
Patrick Lucas recaps his Freshman season at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University
Former SQBA Select Patrick Lucas gives us the rundown on his Freshman year at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and his time with SQBA.
How would your summarize your freshman season?
"My freshman season was definitely a learning experience but showed me where I stood with the other competition, so encouraging because I know I can can do big things in this league."
What were your expectations and what surprised you about being a collegiate student-athlete?
"My expectations was to come and do what was asked of me and to try to hold my own and the main thing that surprised me about being a student-athlete was the time management you need to have, to not just focus on basketball but to on my school work to continue to be able to play basketball."
What made you decide to attend Mt. Vernon Nazarene University?
"Out of my choices in schools that wanted me Mount Vernon was a good fit with school size, location and the ability to come in and make a difference right away."
What are your thoughts on your time with SQBA?
"SQBA was a good experience for me because it gave me a chance to get out and experience what other competition was out and to get outside of my hometown, also helped me improve a lot of different ways."
What advice would you give student athletes going through the recruitment process?
"I would say that you need to do your best in getting your name out there yourself and not try to rely on other people doing the recruitment for you and to choose a place that is going to benefit you the most in the classroom and on the court, just because it's the biggest school doesn't mean it's the best situation for you sometimes smaller schools where you can come in and have a chance to play right away is the better choice."
|
|
|
|
Emily Stotmeister recaps her Freshman season at Liberty University
Former SQBA Lady Select Emily Stotmeister gives us the rundown on her Freshman year at Liberty University and her time with SQBA.
How would your summarize your freshman season?
"My freshman season has gone by so fast! Filled with memories and moments that have shaped me for the rest of my basketball career. I get to experience opportunities that the normal student would not have a chance to do. I have also been developing into my identity as a player that can contribute to the team in different aspects that I was not able to do before. I have learned so much more about the game of basketball and can’t wait to learn even more because this is just the start."
What were your expectations and what surprised you about being a D1 student-athlete?
"My expectations for being a student-athlete was the busy schedule and finding the balance between school, basketball, friends, family, and other activities. I also had high expectations for the level of the talent on the team and the practices we would have. I have to say that I am always busy and constantly moving but even through all the workouts, lifts, practices, games, there was always time to do various activities and most importantly, school. What also surprised me about being a student-athlete was the opportunities I have to excel both on and off the court. Such as special tutors for athletes, community outreach, and the amazing people you get to meet that deal with athletics. I was also surprised at the many details that make being a student-athlete worth all the sweat. For example, when traveling for games, we stay at nice hotels, have great meals, and get to go to places I would not have the opportunity to see before. Most importantly, being able to represent my university in the best way I can by playing basketball is an amazing experience."
What made you decide to attend Liberty?
"Starting at a young age, I have always wanted to go to a Christian college or university. Though I would have options at other schools, I would always lean towards colleges that were based on Biblical doctrine. With this plan, my options of playing basketball at a Christian school was limited so discovering Liberty and it being a women’s basketball power house while training champions for Christ was the best fit for me. Being able to represent not only my school but represent someone higher, our faithful God, is truly a blessing. Building my relationship with Christ at a school that encourages you spiritually while playing the sport I love is the best balance I could ever imagine."
What are your thoughts on your time with SQBA?
"Strong Quality Basketball Association is a great program that has always put the players first. It allows the players to develop their game in a way that will help them excel at their basketball goals. The coaching that I received has been such a great help to developing my game. They are always there to help me and push me to do my best. The coaches work hard to run practices that will better prepare us for games ahead and yet still focus on our individual skills. Every player on the team gets equal attention from the coaches and has the chance to help the team become that much better. The coaches are great about bringing the team together to create relationships on and off the basketball floor. They will always go out of their way to help the players get noticed from coaches at the next level during and after the AAU season. SQBA has helped me improve my game and get the exposure that I wanted in order to play at the collegiate level. With the opportunity to play with great players around the area on my team, it allowed me to be challenged in practice which is needed to have the ability to achieve athletic success. Playing other AAU teams from around the country gave my team and I competition that we would not see on any other AAU team in the area."
What advice would you give student athletes going through the recruitment process?
"My best advice for student athletes going through the recruitment process is to keep pushing in every aspect. This would include keeping your grades up, practicing your game, and not compromising on where you want to play. God may not open doors that you expected to go through but He has a plan for you. Expose yourself to the top and don’t ever stop reaching for your goals because by working hard, you will have the opportunity of a lifetime like I do."
|
|
|
Bridgett Holleran recaps her Freshman season at Roanoke College
Former SQBA Lady Select Bridgett Holleran gives us the rundown on her Freshman year at Roanoke College and her time with SQBA.
How would your summarize your freshman season?
"I would summarize my freshman season as being a really fun and rewarding experience. Yeah, there were some up and downs just like every season has but it was really cool forming friendships with new teammates and coaches. Its hard work but it pays off."
What were your expectations and what surprised you about being a collegiate student-athlete?
"I expected that it was going to be difficult to adjust to the higher level of play from high school competition and just attending college in general. I was surprised how helpful my teammates and coaches were in helping to make the transition a lot easier for me. I think having a team is an automatic family and having that in college really makes the overall college experience better."
What made you decide to attend Roanoke?
"I had a really hard decision choosing between Roanoke and another school so it helped to make a pros and cons list about both schools. The three main factors that helped me make my decision were which school (campus) I liked better overall, who needed me at the position I play, and who really fought to have me come to their school. You want to go somewhere where they want you."
What are your thoughts on your time with SQBA?
"SQBA helped give me exposure with the tournaments and also was a fun experience meeting people and playing basketball with girls other than who were on my high school team.The coaching staff was very knowledgabe about basketball. Coach Frankie taught me things that helped me in high school and also things that I took to college with me."
What advice would you give student athletes going through the recruitment process?
"I would tell student athletes going through the recruitment process to just try and enjoy it because not many people get the opportunity to continue playing after high school. It helps to visit campus' and talk to as many coaches as you can to get a feel for where you will be living the next 4 years of your life and its also important to understand the coaches logic and style of coaching to see if you agree. You'll know what decision is right for you!"
|
SQBA Blue's Stephen Hinton commits to the Merchant Marine Academy
Liberty High School (Bealeton) & SQBA Blue 6'9 185lb. center Stephen Hinton has committed to attend and play basketball at Division III United States Merchant Marine Academy. When asked why he chose USMMA, Hinton explained:
"I committed to the Merchant Marine Academy because it had everything I was looking for in a school. It is one of the top rated engineering programs in the country and their facilities are top notch. It also offers the opportunity to travel the world on a merchant ship as part of your education and has numerous career opportunities upon graduation. Currently they have 100% job placement after graduation either in the maritime industry or as a commissioned office in any branch of military service. I visited the USMMA in August and spent time with the basketball team, the coaches and touring the campus. I had the opportunity to scrimmage and practice with the team and talk to current students and players. I was impressed by their small class size, the concern shown for academic success the faculty and coaches had for their students, and their basketball program. After the visit I pretty much decided this was where I wanted to go to school and play basketball. However because the USMMA is a service academy I had to meet all of the academic, medical and physical requirements plus obtain a Congressional nomination to get in. I completed all of these requirements in late January and accepted my appointment to the academy and their offer to play basketball in early February."
Stephen who will be majoring in Maritime Engineering with a focus in Nuclear Propulsion was also recruited by Hampden Sydney, Lynchburg College, St. Vincent, Methodist College Fayetteville & Bridgewater College.
When asked about his experience with SQBA:
"My experience with SQBA was fantastic. Coach (David)Fowler was a great coach who worked with me to develop my skills as a player and improved my knowledge of the game. SQBA gave me the opportunity to play against top notch competition in some of the best tournaments in the country. Because of SQBA, I was given exposure to college coaches and the colleges which did contact me all said they saw me play at one of the tournaments I went to with SQBA. The USMMA recruiting coordinator saw me play at the tournament we went to in Indianapolis and he said that was when they decided they wanted me because of the potential they saw based on how well I played there. If it were not for SQBA I do not think my basketball abilities and confidence in my game would be where they are today."
|
Strong Quality Basketball Association Inc.
2014
|
|
