Welcome to the U.S. Junior Nationals

Pre-game huddle. Maggie (on the right) is recovering from a

broken nose, so she's wearing the mask.

Haley (in the middle) during warm-ups. Note the Ipods!

Belles out of uniform. Standing (l. to r.), Shakiah, Lexie, Katie, Maggie, Seated (l. to r.) Jess, Charmaine, Dior, Haley, Steph and Dara

Belles on the Bench

The U.S. Junior Nationals, one of the best summer AAU hoop tournaments for high school girls, begins Tuesday, July 22, in Washington D.C. I'll be there with my 15-year-old daughter, Haley Peters, who plays for the Philadelphia Belles 16/17 and under team.

For those of you unfamiliar with the world of traveling sports, here's a short primer. AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball operates outside of high school leagues and in the off season. For example, players on the Belles all play on their high school teams from November through March, and then play together as a travel team from March though July. Because the teams draw from a wider base, they tend to be much more competitive and provide the best exposure for college recruitment. July, and a short period during late March - early April, are "open" Division 1 recruiting periods, which means that under NCAA rules college coaches can watch and evaluate players while they play in sanctioned tournaments.

Playing travel sports requires a huge commitment of time, money and energy from the players and their families. In a later post I'll describe the travel schedule and the other commitments required. For now, though, know that these are players hoping to play Division 1 college ball.




Here's a little about the Junior Nationals tournament. About 160 teams from around the country will be playing, first in pool play and then in championship brackets. This is just in the 16/17 bracket. Many more will be there in the younger age groups. Just as many (if not more) college coaches will be there as well, evaluating players.




And a little about the Belles. The Belles are one of 20 Nike-sponsored elite traveling teams in the country. In late July, the Nike teams play against each other at the Nike Nationals in South Carolina, in what has been called the premier high school girls hoop tournament of the year. The girls on the team come from the Philly area, two are from N.J., and one is from Delaware. All are rising high school seniors, except Haley and Maggie, who are rising juniors. All already have scholarship offers from Division 1 schools, including Virginia, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Duke, Villanova, and others. Most, if not all, were high school All-Americans last year.




We leave tomorrow morning for Washington, and the girls have a mandatory NCAA meeting in the evening. Their first game is Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.




I'll report this week on their progress and at the same time give you a glimpse into the pressure-packed world of high school travel sports.




Go Belles!!









Sharon