Tuesday, August 28, 2007

The receivers are quick to tell you, Griswold High School is going to set up the run with the pass if they can.
And Griswold coach Glenn LaBossiere does little to change that notion as he has been working on installing a new offense for the Wolverines, the run-and-shoot. Although in Griswold's case, the shoot may come before the run.
"It could be, we want to keep people on their toes," LaBossiere said with a little chuckle thrown in. "We don't want to have 11 in the box all the time and have people try and stop the run. We ran a little of it at the end of last season."
But it didn't stop there as LaBossiere continued to perfect his offensive overhaul over the course of the winter and really introduced it in spring football.
One thing about the run-and-shoot; it's an offense that doesn't provide optimum protection with, generally, no tight ends and only one full back. That means your quarterback has to be able to make quick reads. LaBossiere feels he has that in junior signal-caller Sean Brackett.
"I said last year that I don't think there's a better quarterback around than Sean," the Griswold coach said.
"He makes the reads, he's a smart kid and puts the ball where it needs to be. He doesn't fall in love with one receiver, he tries to spread it around. We'll also start running it with some of the younger kids so that we'll be ready when he graduates."

Sunday, August 26, 2007

It almost becomes a relief for a high school athlete to make the decision and eliminate the questions both internally and externally.
New London High School's Alan Chaney and Stonington's Heather Buck both decided that their minds were made up this week and instead of extending the process, they ended it.
Chaney, a rising star on the recruiting circuit, got the offer from two-time defending National Champion, Florida, and decided there was no better place for him to play basketball. Buck has been courted by the best and decided to stay close to home and play for UConn.
The two had different experiences to be sure. Buck's time in the spotlight was a much longer one than Chaney. Every where she went last season, she not only had family, friends and opposing fans keeping a close eye on her but also college coaches. It's a spotlight that won't shine as brightly this season and Stonington coach Paulla Solar admitted to me Saturday night that she's going to miss it a little this season. It's not every day that you get to chum around and pick the brain of some of the best in women's college coaches.
Buck and Chaney now get to enjoy their senior year and begin to think about the bright future that lies ahead. They also won't be asked that same question by everyone they meet and greet.
"Have you decided where you're going yet?"
That question has been answered, both internally and externally.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

When Florida comes knocking and you're a high school basketball player, you generally answer the door.
It comes as no surprise that Alan Chaney took the plunge Thursday and signed on the dotted line with the two-time national champion Gators.
The six-foot-eight forward from New London High School was clearly smitten with the fact that Florida coach Billy Donovan flew out to see him play in an AAU tournament a couple of months ago and offered him a scholarship.
Chaney has been a fast riser among the nation's top recruits thanks to his performance in AAU ball. He wasn't even in the top 100 list of potential recruits until this summer.
The nice thing for the forward/center is that now he doesn't have to worry about where he's headed after his senior year with the Whalers. The question will be just how much playing time he sees in a school like Florida.
If there's one knock on Chaney, as some have pointed out, it's his desire. That will be tested quickly in Donovan's program.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Unfortunately, the beginning of the high school sports season means the end of the summer season but so goes the circle of life.
High school football teams begin practice on Monday, the rest of the sports begin about five days later and then the fun begins after Labor Day.
Before that, however, there is one bit of unfinished business that will reach a conclusion on this Wednesday.
Fitch High School graduate, Matt Harvey, will have to make a decision. Take what the Los Angeles Angels are offering or go to the University of North Carolina in five days.
I spoke with his father, Ed, as they cruised Long Island Sound yesterday and he has spoken with the Angels in the past couple days although he said no decision would be made until late tonight. The deadline for a decision is midnight.
It has been said the Harveys are looking for about $2.5 million for the third-round pick of the Angels to sign. The family may take some cues from a signing that occurred yesterday.
A friend of Matt's, Detroit's first-round pick as well as fellow Scott Boras client, Rick Porcello, came to a contact agreement with the Tigers.
The pitcher from Seton Hall Prep in New Jersey inked a four-year deal worth $7.28 million.
Matt has consistently said he is gearing up to go to North Carolina, we'll find out later on tonight if that will be the case. As soon as we get word, we will post it on norwichbulletin.com.