It's that time of year again... March is here. It happens every year, and there does not seem to be a cure for it, this condition is called March Madness. For all of those basketball junkies out there, who just can't get enough of high school and college hoops, this is the best time of year.

Where did March Madness originate and why? March Madness began in Illinois in 1908, as what just started as an annual invitational tournament. By the 1930's it grew to be a statewide event with more than 900 teams competing. The remaining 16 teams in the tournament known as the "sweet sixteen" would draw sell out crowds. This was before the time that college and pro games were on television. 

The term "March Madness" was given to this tournament by an assistant secretary (Henry V. Porter) for the Illinois High School Association after seeing this event. He was so impressed by it that he wrote an essay to commemorate the tournament. The press loved this term and they continued to use it. The tournament was officially called March Madness by the 1940's and 1950's.

Today March Madness is an annual event for both high school and college basketball. March Madness now includes the Elite Eight and Final Four. This year's Final Four for Georgia High School includes 3 Elite Hoops Trained Teams (St. Francis Boys and Girls, and Greater Atlanta Christian Boys) Sit back, grab your favorite snack, and enjoy the talented young men and women who love to play this game... March Madness is HERE!!!

Henry Porter's Poem: Basketball Ides of March

The gym lights gleam like a beacon beam
And a million motors hum
In a good will flight on a Friday night;
For basketball beckons, "Come!"

A sharp-shooting mite is king tonight.
The Madness of March is running.
The winged feet fly, the ball sails high
And field goal hunters are gunning.

The colors clash as silk suits flash
And race on a shimmering floor.
Repressions die, and partisans vie
In a goal acclaiming roar.

On a Championship Trail toward a holy grail,
All fans are birds of a feather.
It's fiesta night and cares lie light
When the air is full of leather.

Since time began, the instincts of man
Prove cave and current men kin.
On tournament night the sage and the wight
Are relatives under the skin.

It's festival time, sans reason or rhyme with nation-wide appeal.
In a cyclone of hate, our ship of state Rides high on an even keel.
With war nerves tense, the final defense
Is the courage, strength and will

In a million lives where freedom thrives
And liberty lingers still.
Now eagles fly and heroes die
Beneath some foreign arch
Let their sons tread where hate is dead
In a happy Madness of March.

Michelle Manfredi
Elite Hoops Basketball
#ReleaseYourPotential

Do you know what all basketball teams have in common? All basketball teams have is that ONE player the team trusts to be the best player. I'm not saying a team only has one player like this, or the one player is the whole team. My simple definition of this factor is the one player you trust with the ball, ultimately helping the team become better. Best of all...helping OTHERS to become ONE.

Today's playset is called "1-4 FLAT ATTACK". Ball starts at the top of the key with the one player you trust with the ball. For example I will use P1. The other players will be lined up across the baseline creating a 1-4 flat look. P1 begins to attack the defense as P5 comes to set a screen for P1. After the screen, if P1 has a open lane to the basket then attack. If not, P1 comes off the sceen and P5 rolls to the basket. As P5 rolls, P4 will rotates up to the high post looking for the shot. If P4 does not have the shot, P4 passes to either side for another pick and roll.

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Special opportunities during a special time in a basketball game can end in a special way with a special play. Too much? Let me break down what I mean by the word "special" in basketball terms. Special simple means  taking advantage of that rare chance to surprise the opposing team with something different or "special". As I discussed in a previous blog, baseline and sideline out of bounds plays need to be used effectively and not lightly. Lets find out what happens when we give the other team a SPECIAL gift!

Today's playset is properly named "Sideline Special". The play starts when the team has the ball on the sideline. Make sure a good passer and decision maker is in-bounding the ball, and your most athletic player is on the receiving end. P2 takes the ball out and the rest of the players are in a box set. P1 and P4 are on the elbows, and P3 and P5 are on the block. P4 sets a cross screen for P1 to come off, then P3 sets a cross screen for P5 to come across. Immediately after P3 sets the first screen, P3 will quickly set a back screen for P4. P4 rolls off the back screen toward basket for an ally oop pass by P2. If the defense covers P4 properly, P2 will inbound the ball to P1 to avoid a 5 second call. After inbound pass, P2 will go set a screen for P3. P3 fakes to come off P2's screen then simultaneously P4 comes back up to set a back screen for P3. Now P1 can pass a second ally oop.

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What do most basketball fans think about when the name Christian Laettner and Duke is mentioned? I doubt the answer would be the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, but instead his memorable last second buzzer beater against Kentucky would ring some bells. Sometimes to win a game you need extra time or maybe just enough time. Laettner needed just 2 seconds to make history!

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