Point of Emphasis for Parents/Players During the Parke County Tournament

• Players and parents should NOT expect equal playing time. Throughout the regular season, I have committed myself to providing equal playing time to each and every boy that came out for the team this year. I really enjoy giving the players this opportunity; however, I have been encouraged by Mrs. Rohr and the rest of the administration to do my best to win this tournament and allocate the majority of the minutes on the court to the particular personnel that could most likely achieve this objective. Please know I see great potential in each player, and if I could keep every player on the court each second of the game, I would. As we know, though, this is not a possible scenario. As has been the case all season, an elevated number of participants on the team means fewer minutes on the court for each player. I will try to get all players in the game, but I will absolutely not guarantee that this will happen. Because I have communicated this to you, there should be no surprises on tournament day. I am always happy to answer questions related to your child, so feel free to talk with me during the day if you have a concern, but please do not approach me at any time on Saturday in regards to playing time.
  


• Players are NOT permitted to leave the gymnasium during the down time between their games. If the team loses in their first game and does not advance to the championship, the boys will be free to leave for the day immediately following the game. As has been the practice all season long, parents/guardians must come to me and sign the player out before they can leave the premises. If the team wins their morning game and advances to the championship in the afternoon, there will be a time gap between games. However, the team that is playing during that break could be a Rockville team. Please see all scenarios below:
  
  a. 5th Grade Wins Their 11:00 Game - They will be expected to sit as a team and watch the 6th grade game. Running around and goofing off will not be tolerated. Remember, we are representing the Rockville Community School Corporation. Players on my team will act like gentlemen at all times. Appropriate consequences for misbehavior will follow.
  b.) 5th Grade Loses Their 11:00 Game - Players are encouraged to stay and support the 6th Grade team. But since we are done for the day, players are free to go home with parents once they have been signed out.
  c.) 6th Grade Wins Their 12:00 Game - Hopefully, our 5th Grade team will play in the championship immediately following this game. Whether the 5th Grade team wins or loses, the 6th Graders will be expected to sit as a team and watch the 5th grade championship. Running around and goofing off will not be tolerated. Remember, we are representing the Rockville Community School Corporation. Once again, players on my time will act like gentlemen at all times. Appropriate consequences for misbehavior will follow.
  d.) 6th Grade Loses Their 12:00 Game - If the 5th Grade wins their morning game, 6th Grade players are encouraged to stay and support the 5th Grade team. But since we are done for the day, players are free to go home with parents once they have been signed out.
  
  The bus will return home as soon as both teams are done for the day.
  


• ALL uniforms and shorts will be collected following the final game. Each player needs to come dressed in their khaki/black pants and dress shirt. If the team happens to win their first game in the morning, they will want to put these clothes back on following the game. Whenever we are finished playing for the day, whether it’s after the morning game or following the championship,the boys will also want to make sure they have something to put on after we collect the jerseys and shorts.

Turkey Run Game Cancelled...For Good!

We have received word from Turkey Run that there is NO interest in making up the game that was cancelled on November 29. This will give us extra practice days to prepare for the upcoming tournament.

Parke County Tournament Schedule

Saturday, December 10, 2011 at Riverton Parke High School

SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY:
8:30 am Doors open at RPHS Gymnasium
8:50 am Game 1 teams take the floor for warm up
9:00 am Game 1 Rosedale vs. Turkey Run (5th Grade)

9:45 am All boys are requred to be at Rockville Elementary School to load the bus
10:00 am Bus departs for Riverton Parke

10:00 am Game 2 Rosedale vs. Turkey Run (6th Grade)
11:00 am Game 3 Montezuma vs. Rockville (5th Grade)
12:00 pm Game 4 Montezuma vs. Rockville (6th Grade)

1:00 pm Game 5 5th Grade Championship Game
(Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 3)

2:00 pm Game 6 6th Grade Championship Game
(Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 4)

• All times after Game 1 are approximate
• Games 2-6 will begin 10 minutes after the conclusion of the previous game
• The first team listed will be designated as the home team on the scoreboard

LOCKER ROOMS:
Locker rooms will NOT be locked. Players should not bring radios, jewelry, or valuables. Rockville and Riverton Parke will NOT be responsible for lost or stolen items. However, I will bring a gym bag that kids can store their valuables in. The bag will then stay with us on the bench so we can keep an eye on it at all times.

ADMISSION:
Adults $4.00
Students $2.00
(both prices are good for all day)

CONCESSIONS:
Will be available all day!

Important Information Regarding Away Games

I wanted to share some quick information with the players and parents in regards to the procedure we will take for our 5th and 6th grade players' away basketball games. As you know, for each of our upcoming away games we will take a bus. The bus departure times are on the season calendars I handed out at the beginning of the season, so please check those out.

Players need to be at the front main entrance to the elementary school 15 minutes prior to the time the bus is scheduled to leave. Therefore, if the calendar reads "Bus leaves at 5:00," each player needs to be there no later than 4:45. I will be at the school at about 4:30.

ALL players are expected to ride the bus to the games, but may ride home with a parent. If a player is riding home with a parent, the guardian must come see me after the game (preferably before the 6th grade game if you are the parent of a 5th grader) and sign a permission form so that I know where the child is going. If a player plans to go home with another parent, I MUST receive a note written and signed by the parent of that child. For example, "Brad's" parents are not at the game, but "Jack's" parents are. Brad wants to ride home with Jack after the game and appropriate plans have been made between the two parental units. Brad needs to bring a note to me from his parent(s)/guardian(s) saying he will be riding home with that family. Jack's parents would then need to see me after the game and sign out both Brad and Jack. If there is no note, I have been instructed that a child cannot ride home with another family, and I will stick FIRMLY to this policy.

If you have questions or would like me to clarify some confusion, feel free to give me a call.

North Vermillion vs. Rockville - 11/07/11

5^th Grade (1-0)

North Vermillion - 16
Rockville - 18

If I had to choose three words to describe my feelings following Monday’s game, they would be pleased, proud, and ecstatic. This was easily one of the most fun games I have ever had the opportunity to coach. I saw each and every player on our team display signs that they’ve listened to instruction over the first couple weeks of practice. Our boys jump stopped under control (which has been a big emphasis), and I think they had a lot of fun playing the game. As this age, seeing excitement on the kids’ faces is the most important thing for me.

We have to remember that we still need to get LOTS better. We are going to play some good teams later this season, so we can’t become content that we’ve won one game. The one area we need to work on extensively is on the defensive end. We have to remember to stay between our men and the basket, which will also put us in better position to play helpside defense. This is an entirely new concept for these boys, but they are absorbing it very quickly.

I will be the first to admit that we worked hard every second of the game, and I was so proud to see kids diving on the floor for loose balls. This team definitely possesses a tremendous amount of hustle and passion for the game. This coach can’t wait for the next one!

6^th Grade (0-1)

North Vermillion - 38
Rockville - 33

After the first night of competition, I can say I am content with where we are.

The game on Monday night was a “tale of two halves.” I was quite upset with our performance in the first half, and the fact that we were behind on the scoreboard had minimal influence on my emotions. What disturbed me the most during half one was our inability to display teamwork. I felt that the kids had a very individualistic mindset. We did not take good shots – some were fadeaways, some involved entirely too much one-on-one, and some we were well-guarded. My message to the players at halftime was that this is a team sport, and we needed to start acting like it.

For those of you that were present at the game, you were able to see the transition in the second half. We played like a team and passed the ball well. We set up our teammates, and we converted easy, open lay-ups as a result. It was exactly what I desired from this group. When we bought into the idea of teamwork, we erased a 7-point deficit before the end of the 3^rd quarter, tying the game and giving ourselves a chance to win. I think the boys learned a valuable lesson – teamwork and ball movement get the job done. A one-on-one move to the rim is okay every now and then, but I don’t want that to be our MO.

On final analysis, I was extremely happy with their coachability and resilience. We didn’t play well at all in the first half, and I don’t think anybody would argue that statement. However, they listened to instructions at halftime and executed exactly as I asked. That means far more to me than a win or a loss. We have to remember that this is only game #1. We have lots of games left to go, and I expect the improvement to progress immensely. Great job, Boys!

Rockville Elementary Basketball Rosters

5th Grade
1 Jaylan Kerr
2 Ryan Wagner
4 Clay Butler
10 Jake White
11 Curtis McElheny
12 Dylan Whitmer
13 Wade Black
15 Connor Wilson
20 Koltin Spurr
23 Jack Gooch
24 Brett Pezan
25 Trevor Rapp
31 Brayden Taylor
34 Marty Sparks, Jr.
40 Blaine Crane
42 Austin McLin
43 Chase Harkrider
45 Chase Sasin

6th Grade
3 Nick Johnson
12 J.C. Clary
14 Nick Ramey
21 Garrett Nichols
22 Nathan Stone
23 Matt Casey
24 Parker Stadick
25 Nick Sparks
30 Nick Goings
32 Ethan Spence
33 Hunter James
45 Wesley Cottrell
51 Tyler Milner
52 Trevor Mace
* Paul Dickerson

Head Coach: Steve Hartman
Assistant Coach: Bruce Hartman

Reminder of 5th Grade Arrival Time for Home Games

All 5th grade players must arrive at the gymnasium 45 minutes before the start of the game (our home games begin at 6:00pm, so 5th graders need to be here by 5:15pm to be dressed and ready to warm-up at 5:30). 5th grade players will be allowed to leave following their game; however, I MUST be informed by a parent or the player that he will not be staying to watch the 6th grade game. The player’s name will be checked off of a list; therefore, if I am looking for that player later in the night I will know where he has gone.