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LADY STORM take field trip to cheer on the MIAMI HEAT!

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-12-02T03:31:00Z

LADY STORM players and special guests took a field trip to the American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami, to cheer on the MIAMI HEAT. Our girls were treated to Heat t-shirts, special court access to see the Boston Celtics warm up and to participate in the “Fan Tunnel” greeting and slapping Heat players as they entered the court. All of our girls had a great time and the HEAT staff (right down to the ushers) were very friendly and helpful. In keeping with the special occasion, this was also the night when Coach Rick was officially nicknamed the “AXE MAN”.................... wonder why? Wow, what a night to remember! The LADY STORM would like to thank the MIAMI HEAT for granting special court access and for being so kind to our ladies.

Players of the LADY STORM give back by sending holiday greeting cards to wounded US soldiers.

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-11-28T17:36:00Z

Several members of the LADY STORM basketball team met to participate in a baking party and to write holiday greeting cards to our wounded warriors. This was a nice event allowing our girls to get together for a great cause. In addition to the goodwill generated by creating the cards, the bake off was a success, providing the girls with lots of laughs and goodies while they wrote to the soldiers. All of the cards will be sent to the troops in hopes of brightening their day and reminding them that we are thinking about them all of the time, not just during the holiday season. Join the LADY STORM girls, find a cause and get involved!

LADY STORM Girls (8th Grade) take field trip to High School basketball tournament

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-11-22T23:34:00Z

Some of our 8th grade storm players took a fild trip to Chaminade Madonna High School to watch want turned out to be an electric preseaon tournament between Piper High School vs Arch Biship McCarthy and Blanche Ely and Pine Crest. Both of these games turned out to be phenominal, high intensity games. We learned a lot from the matches and had a great time! Thanks to all of the teams for a great evening!

The LADY STORM will “give thanks” by giving a little something back to our community!

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-11-16T04:52:00Z

This November, the girls of the LADY STORM will “give thanks” by giving a little something back to the community. Each player will prepare a wrapped shoe box of goodies for children in need! Our “shoe box” project is in support of a local Christian charity which has the infrastructure to deliver the boxes to truly needy children. Community members willing to partner with the LADY STORM basketball teams to donate a small box of non-perishable toys or trinkets for a child, should use our contact page at www.ladystormbasketball.com to let us know you want to help. Come on girls..... get involved!

Go LADY STORM!

LADY STORM take field trip to Florida International University (with photos!)

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-11-15T03:54:00Z

The LADY STORM Basketball teams went on a field trip to Florida International University to see the FIU Golden Panthers play the Nova Southeastern University Sharks in a women's basketball exhibition game. As guests of the Golden Panthers, the LADY STORM brought a cast of 20 to what turned out to be a wonderful evening for our girls. Our players and coaches got to see some great basketball by both teams and spend a little quality time bonding with each other. At the conclusion of the game, both FIU and NSU players talked with our girls and took photographs. The college players were fantastic, spending a lot of time with our kids, answering some great questions and having a few laughs together. The LADY STORM will be planning many more field trips, but we will definitely schedule some more outings to see the FIU and NSU teams play. The women players on both of these teams are class acts and we really appreciated the invite and friendship to our players!

Also, the LADY STORM sends out a special get well to Stephanie Sarosi and hopes that all is better soon!

The LADY STORM Sixth Grade Team take the court for the very first time!

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-11-14T14:10:00Z

History was made in November for the LADY STORM as our first sixth grade team was fielded in the Ron Zicardi, sixth grade preseason tournament which took place at the David Posnack JCC. Our girls had a good showing, winning two of the three games. They showed lots of fight even though two of the games were played back-to-back. All of teams who entered the tournament did a great job making the day a wonderful event. Coach Zicardi always does a great job with his tournaments and the LADY STORM would like to express our appreciation to him and the David Posnack JCC, for supporting women's basketball and extending an invitation to our organization. Preseason games are important to us as it helps us measure our progress prior to the start of the official travel basketball season.

See the photos here:

Isn't that TWEET! The LADY STORM goes tweeting on Twitter!

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-08-31T22:44:00Z

No putty cats here! Follow the LADY STORM on Twitter as we follow Dwayne Wade, Lisa Leslie, Katie Meier and many other tweet basketball fans! We can be found at LADY_STORM_WBB or just checkout the scrolling tweets on the side of this page! Find out who's following who?

Tweet ya soon!

LADY STORM INVITED TO ZOE’s SUMMER GROOVE!

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-07-11T14:12:00Z

The LADY STORM was invited to participate in Zoe’s Summer Groove 2009. Our players received an inspirational session with NBA great Walt “the Wonder” Jones and participated in a mini workout. Walt really connected with the girls using his great sense of humor and “down to earth” speaking ability. “You knew you were talking with a friend” as he spoke about basketball, academics and life! The LADY STORM would like to thank Walt Jones, Alonzo Mourning, Dwayne Wade, their respective charities and all their hard working crew for giving us the opportunity to participate. A special thanks goes out to Coach Justin Hampton for thinking of the LADY STORM when the invitations were considered.

LADY STORMS GOES TAX EXEMPT!

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-03-15T18:38:00Z

The IRS has approved the LADY STORM Basketball Team as a 501.3c "tax exempt" organization!

What this means to our team is that any donation to our team can now be claimed as a tax deduction. SInce our coaching staff is all volunteer, all donations made to our team go directly to team expenses, equipment, gym rental expenses and even team membership dues for a child who's family can not afford to pay to play. Although this is rare, from time to time this does happen and it breaks our hearts to turn away a player because their parents can not afford the travel team expenses. When we receive donations, it keeps our kids in the gym and makes the expenses easier on all of the children's families, especially during these hard economic times.

Please consider partnering with the LADY STORM basketball organization to use your tax deductible donation for a great cause. The more donations we get, the more kids get to play!

LADY STORM and LADY LIGHTNING Meet Again!

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-03-04T18:04:00Z

In what started out to be just another scrimmage game, the LADY STORM and the LADY LIGHTNING created what could be called the "perfect storm" on the court of Walter C Young Middle school. The LADY LIGHTNING brought their “physical game” to the court, pushing the LADY STORM to their limits. The STORM answered with elevated speed and a physical game of their own. In the end, the game came down to two points and a game clock, which was not in the favor of the STORM.

Sharpening their weapons for tournament play, both teams won the day by taking away added confidence and skills which can only be gained in a game environment. Our many thanks to the LADY LIGHTNING for their good sportsmanship, great play and player fellowship.

LADY STORM and the LADY LIGHTNING Meet For Training Scrimmage Game

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-02-22T03:14:00Z

On February 21st, the LADY STORM basketball team (7^th grade) hosted their first scrimmage game against the Lady Lightning basketball team (8^th grade) in Pembroke Pines. The Lightning fielded a good team, full of speed and experience. The game was intense, resembling more that of a tournament game than a informal scrimmage. The Lightning were great sports and arrangements were made to play another game.

With both teams sharpening their game skills, it will be interesting to see these two teams match up in future. After a great game, LADY STORM players remarked how nice it was to see old friends and to make many new ones. Our thanks go out to the staff, parents and players, and as the Lightning are not in our official tournament age bracket...........Go get'm Lightning!!

Special Thanks to The South Florida Lady Jaguars and the Miami All-Stars

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-02-16T04:55:00Z

On February 15th, the LADY STORM basketball team had the pleasure of attending a pre-season tournament sponsored by the South Florida Lady Jaguar basketball organization. The event brought together South Florida women's travel basketball teams for a day of fun and scrimmage games under tournament like conditions. The venue was the basketball gym at Cypress Bay High School, a new school located in West Broward County (Southwest Ranches). The gymnasium was outstanding and well suited to such a large event. The tournament was extremely well run and a credit to the South Florida Lady Jags staff, parents and players!

Our LADY STORM basketball team was not only able to watch and learn from the other teams, but were able to play against two teams, the South Florida Lady Jaguars and the Miami All-Stars. Both teams played well and showed real class from their players and coaches. The tournament was the first competitive event attended by the LADY STORM basketball team. If fact, the event was the first ever games played against other teams by the LADY STORM.

We are very proud of our girls for the level of play in our first games. The LADY STORM came away from the event a better basketball team, full of hope and desire. We credit a great and memorable day to South Florida Lady Jaguar basketball organization and look forward to future events sponsored by the Lady Jaguars.

Every Player NEEDS Fundamental Basketball Training

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-01-07T23:58:00Z

Now this may sound like a half hearted attempt at personal advertisement, because I am by profession a basketball trainer, but the truth of the matter is that I believe all kids NEED some type of personal instruction whether from a trainer, coach, or otherwise. The only alternative to learn the correct way to play the game is through trial and error, and that could take a player many years to learn skills that would have only taken them minutes to learn under the proper instructor.

The problem is that there just aren't enough good available programs out there for people who want the fundamental skills needed to excel in this game. I have talked to numerous parents who said, “I did not know that these personal training programs even existed”. These same parents are reduced to sending their children to over-priced basketball camps that, for the most part, are simply glorified babysitters. The kids play pickup games and participate in contests that are fun, but lacking in teaching the skills desired by the parent or player. On top of that, the average camp environment is so overcrowded that even if the camp is fundamentally sound the child won't receive enough personal attention to make sure that they understood the concepts being taught. It’s a big mess.

Then, much to the parent's dismay, they seem to have one last resort, the child's coach. The responsibility of teaching fundamental skill has fallen on the one whose real job is to teach team concept. The coach's job is to develop a winning team. He/she has to take the players that are already at their disposal and get them to work as a cohesive unit. If his/her time is taken developing individual skill, then the team concept is lost or underdeveloped. The plays run by the team will be disorganized and the defensive schemes in shambles. That is why teams with better players usually succeed, because the coach can spend more time teaching plays, and defensive responsibilities that will be executed by more skillful players.

At this point players can get frustrated, and parents may be at a loss for what to do. They are left scrambling through the phone book or internet searches to find the best options that they can to help their child succeed. But with very few listings, the journey ends there for most and along with it the dreams of a successful basketball future for their child. If only they could find the secrets to unlocking the potential player inside their child.

I am convinced that there are three keys to long term success at anything in life, basketball included, (1) Hard Work Ethic, (2) Informed Decision Making, and (3) Winning Character. The right personal trainer will attempt to instill all of these qualities in the players that they work with. However most only try to develop the first two, not understanding that with one simple slip of character, all the hard work, and skill sharpening has been in vain (ask Kobe).

All of these qualities are needed to be the best player that you can be. You can work hard, hours on end at the wrong thing and be great at ineffective techniques simply because you are uninformed. You could be the best underhanded three point shooter in the world, but what good is that? I know that's an exaggerated example but you get the point.

In all the players that our company trains we try to drill into them the understanding that information alone is not enough either. One or two hours per week with us are just not enough. We will give them the knowledge to make informed decisions on the court, but those decisions have to be made in a split second and executed to perfection, otherwise they'll be saying, “that's not what I meant to do”. The only way to ensure perfect play is through perfect practice. And the only way you can practice perfectly with the proper instruction. Players must take the skills taught by their trainer, or coach, or even a DVD and practice them daily.

One thing I took from the large camps I attended as a player, namely Georgetown basketball school, was that I had to do something every day to improve my game. I had to do something every day to get better, because on the days I wasn't getting better, someone else was. Even if that meant timely rest for my body.

Time spent properly training is an investment no different from a savings account. The more you store or invest in your skills, the more you'll have to spend when you step on the floor during game situations. Your skill set will be rich and your gains will be plentiful. But if you lack the right technique, your investment of hard work is in depreciating stock. In other words, you're pouring all your effort into a bucket filled with holes. A GOOD personal trainer and or workout DVD is probably just what you need to “patch up” those holes in you or your child's game.

Keep Working Hard,

Coach Justin (Hoop Life Basketball Training)

Justin Hampton is a South Florida coach and basketball instructor for
Hoop Life Basketball Training.
www.myhooplife.com

Super Women

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2009-01-02T02:19:00Z

University of Miami to Host McDonald's All American High School Basketball Games

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2008-12-30T06:37:00Z

CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(Business Wire)--
The University of Miami has been selected to host the 2009
McDonald's All American High School Basketball Boys and Girls Games,
it was announced today in Milwaukee, site of the 2008 Games. UM was
represented by Kirby Hocutt, who will become Athletic Director on June
1st.

   The Games, scheduled to be played at the BankUnited Center on the
University of Miami's Coral Gables campus, will be played April 1,
2009, and will be nationally televised on ESPN.

   "We are very excited to host the 2009 All American Basketball
Games," said Alex C. Rodriguez, local McDonald's owner/operator and
chairman of the Miami game. "Seeing the up-and-coming basketball stars
and all their fans here next year will be very exciting for South
Florida."

   Throughout its history, the McDonald's All American Games' primary
purpose as a fundraiser for RMHC has been fulfilled alongside its
ability to showcase the nation's top high school basketball players. A
portion of the proceeds from the 2009 Game will benefit Ronald
McDonald House Charities of South Florida. Since the Game was first
played in 1978, more than $5 million has been raised for RMHC and
other children's charities.

   "Hosting the Game here in South Florida provides us with an
excellent opportunity to not only raise money for our charity, but to
increase awareness about all that we do to help local children live
happier, healthier and more productive lives," said Soraya
Rivera-Moya, executive director of RMHC of South Florida. "All of our
programs directly improve the health and well being of children right
here in South Florida."

   The 2009 McDonald's All American Game will be played April 1 at
the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Coral Gables. The
McDonald's All American Boys Game will be broadcast live on ESPN and
the McDonald's All American Girls Game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
Visit www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com and www.mcdonalds.com for more
information on the McDonald's All American Game.

Coaches Words.........

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2008-12-28T22:59:41Z

Website Looks Great! Girls keep up the good work! Go Lady Storm! Coach Jim

Happy Holidays and a Healthy, Happy New Year

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2008-12-28T16:23:00Z

It is appropriate that as the first post on the LADY STORM blog, we should wish all of our players, coaching staff and parents happy holidays and a prosperous New Year. We recognize the commitment you all have taken on to make this a team. We are a very diverse team of race, colors, ethnic origins, and religions, and I am sure our new friendships will be lasting.

Coaches, we the parents and all of the players appreciate what you do for us. Under your direction, we look forward to a great season of fun and learning.

Happy New Year to all of the young women basketball players in South Florida.

GO LADY STORM

Welcome To The LADY STORM Blog Site. Contributions Welcome - Read On!

Lady Storm Site Administrator — 2008-12-22T15:53:57Z

Welcome to the LADY STORM web blog. This blog is meant to provide current and useful information to not only LADY STORM players, but any girl interested in playing travel basketball. Check back often for the latest news and information.

If you feel you have something worthwhile to contribute, please email the entry to ladystormbasketball@gmail.com.

Once we check your entry for appropriateness and editorial accuracy, we will publish your entry on our blog site. All entries are subject to coaches review prior to publishing.

Coaches, parents and players, be part of the larger South Florida basketball family and submit your tips on travel basketball to our site. If you want to contribute but are unsure about a topic of interest, please shoot us an email and we can provide some suggestions. We are all interested in your observations and in what you have to say.

We hope you enjoy the site and contribute often!