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The family is not always the best informed, but the family is far more likely to have the welfare of the child first and foremost on the list of priorities.
What I see broken in the high school system is the limitation on freedom of choice by families to do what they think is best for their child -- and only in athletics, by the way. If a family feels a very talented singer can learn more in a choir or program at another school, that singer can transfer and sing in the choir from day one. No one has yet satisfactorily explained to me the difference between choir, or any other extracurricular activity, and athletics.
Of course families will make poor choices, but at least it's their choice, not some set of rules set up by bureaucrats who don't want some schools to gain a competitive edge. What's more important: The won-loss record of the girls' basketball team, or what's best for the girl?
If the issue is player development, then I think it's important to look at it from the player's and player's family's point of view, not just from the school and competitive equity point of view.
Let's say a college scholarship is worth $250,000, and you believe your daughter has a chance to get one. From your perspective and her perspective (considering the whole student loan issue), maximizing her chances of getting a scholarship is not just some ego boost, but a serious financial investment.
So if you believe that having your daughter attend Mitty, or any other school, will improve her chances of getting that $250,000 scholarship, you would almost be derelict in your duty as a parent if you didn't do it.
Which leads to another point: The "broken system" here is really the expensive American collegiate system that makes scholarships so incredibly valuable, and as long as families feel that investing in club basketball or transfers increase their odds of paying for a college education, then we'll continue to see this kind of movement.
It's easy to say this is all about Mitty or the WCAL or club basketball, and to some extent it probably is, but the bottom line is the bottom line, and if your daughter elevates her level of play in a different program and gets a full D-I ride instead of $5,000 a year from a D-II school, there's no doubt which path you should take.
If you think any of the top players at PW are paying that then you are the one not being real...Pineweood costs 40k and that's before books, computer, travel.
If you think any of the top players at PW are paying that then you are the one not being real...
I never said they got full scholarships.. but I have known enough families that chose PW (or turned them down) that were offered tuition significantly lower than the 40k you mentioned. I'm not just making this up. I doubt that multiple, unrelated sources would all lie about something like that.do you actually know the demographic of the kids/families at Pinewood? We have family friends with Scott Rich (head of school) and you'd be surprised what athletes actually pay. This isn't BOD, SHC, or SMS. I think it's funny how many people thing all these athletes at private school are on full scholarship...it's girls basketball. It's not boys where they actually have donors that pay for kids scholarships. There's a catholic school here in the East Bay where there is ONE donor that contributes 100% to three ATHLETIC basketball scholarships. THREE FULL! and guess what...they're always in contention for a state title. Their girls program? Shambles....there aren't too many institutions that really put their money where their mouth is with girls sports. it's always about the boys...
Also....these are independent schools---not private. big difference...
do you actually know the demographic of the kids/families at Pinewood? We have family friends with Scott Rich (head of school) and you'd be surprised what athletes actually pay. This isn't BOD, SHC, or SMS. I think it's funny how many people thing all these athletes at private school are on full scholarship...it's girls basketball. It's not boys where they actually have donors that pay for kids scholarships. There's a catholic school here in the East Bay where there is ONE donor that contributes 100% to three ATHLETIC basketball scholarships. THREE FULL! and guess what...they're always in contention for a state title. Their girls program? Shambles....there aren't too many institutions that really put their money where their mouth is with girls sports. it's always about the boys...
Also....these are independent schools---not private. big difference...
How is the BOYS program at Pinewood or the other sports??? Exactly, so Scott Rich is obviously supporting one coach and one sport.
I have always liked the banter on various topics
Some good, some bad
Maybe you should just ask the parents if you really want to know...just a thought
You would be surprised how many are willing to share that their kid got offered a full ride without having to ask. Kind of like being proud of college offers I guess?doubt ANY parent on financial assistance or not is willing to tell anyone what they pay. it's like asking how much money you make....
I am all over Mitty and the national championship sweatshirt thing in a different thread. But they are the pinnacle for girls basketball in northern cal and the entire state. With the relaxed transfer rules and limited sit out periods Mitty is going to benefit as they should. They care about their sports, support girls basketball and have the top coach, players and program in the state. It is really not close.You would be surprised how many are willing to share that their kid got offered a full ride without having to ask. Kind of like being proud of college offers I guess?
A couple points need to be made about Mitty and transfers. First of all, the girls I've heard mentioned (on this thread) are freshmen. For quite some time, freshmen could transfer without sitting out. So relaxed transfer rules aren't really important in this case. Secondly, Mitty does not typically rely on transfers. I know of only two or three in the last ten years, and they had limited impact as basketball players.As in not a lot of playing time or not continuing on the team. I'm aware of at least a couple VERY good players (eventually D1 players) who were not accepted for transfer because their grades did not meet the standard. I believe you need much higher grades to transfer into Mitty than to be accepted as a freshman. Maybe I'm missing someone, but I can't remember a transfer to Mitty who had a major impact since Hannah Stevens, and she must have graduated in 2007 or 2008. So we'll see if anyone transfers in next year, but it would be a rarity if they had an impact on the program.With the relaxed transfer rules and limited sit out periods Mitty is going to benefit as they should.
A couple points need to be made about Mitty and transfers. First of all, the girls I've heard mentioned (on this thread) are freshmen. For quite some time, freshmen could transfer without sitting out. So relaxed transfer rules aren't really important in this case. Secondly, Mitty does not typically rely on transfers. I know of only two or three in the last ten years, and they had limited impact as basketball players.As in not a lot of playing time or not continuing on the team. I'm aware of at least a couple VERY good players (eventually D1 players) who were not accepted for transfer because their grades did not meet the standard. I believe you need much higher grades to transfer into Mitty than to be accepted as a freshman. Maybe I'm missing someone, but I can't remember a transfer to Mitty who had a major impact since Hannah Stevens, and she must have graduated in 2007 or 2008. So we'll see if anyone transfers in next year, but it would be a rarity if they had an impact on the program.
I am all over Mitty and the national championship sweatshirt thing in a different thread. But they are the pinnacle for girls basketball in northern cal and the entire state. With the relaxed transfer rules and limited sit out periods Mitty is going to benefit as they should. They care about their sports, support girls basketball and have the top coach, players and program in the state. It is really not close.
Mater Dei should be in that conversation as well. And maybe Pinewood too. Not too long ago, Brea Olinda would have been included. And Long Beach Poly. SMS isn't too shabby. Refresh my fading memory: Has Mitty ever won an Open Division title?
I know the argument regarding norcal champs, state champs or national champs could be endless and numerous POV's can be expressed. I know as far as a successful program, Mitty absolutely develops and prepares young girls for playing at the next level. The program is run in a college like atmosphere. If there is a young girl truly looking to extend her playing career and the chance to attend a major university there are very few programs that have them more prepared than Mitty. I feel that many coaches look at those players from that program and feel that the college level play and the rigorous workout and academic workload is something they have been accustomed to over the course of their high school experience.
I think Nor Cal has several programs and coaches that have developed talent and that talent has had success at the next level.As much as I hate to admit it, SJbasket is 100% true. No other program develops the ENTIRE player like they do at Mitty. I would also put Pinewood in that conversation. They play great man to man defense, zone it up once in a while, players have developed IQ and they do get it done in the classroom. Sure you have programs like SMS, Salesian, Miramonte, and C-Let that are successful, but when you look a the entire body of work that Sue does with her players, it's night and day. Being able to play and defend properly is a great measuring stick. The before mentioned run systems and play majority of zone and when they try to play man, they get away with it because of their athleticism-terrible man principles. Winning over development vs. Winning and development...BIG differences
Doc and Sue are in a class of their own.
I think Nor Cal has several programs and coaches that have developed talent and that talent has had success at the next level.
I think Nor Cal has several programs and coaches that have developed talent and that talent has had success at the next level.
you say that without providing examples... who else is even close?There are other programs that are developing talent and sending kids to the next level prepared athletically, socially and academically in the South Bay. Mitty is getting the best talent and therefore sending the most kids to the next level, but not the only program or school able to BEST prepare kids to succeed at the next level. It is the school that is sending the most kids to the next level though and there is also a definite advantage to wearing a MItty jersey in the college coaches eyes, especially the kids who have gone mid major or low D1 and got full scholarships that may not have otherwise.
you say that without providing examples... who else is even close?
you say that without providing examples... who else is even close?
also very very true. And in that case you could make a point for pinewood. They have gotten a lot of kids into the d2 level. Which like you said.. get an education for free or discounted by playing a sport you love, no brainerMY last take is who the hell cares what division. If kids the get the opportunity to play at the next level, get some money for it or get it paid, then that's what matters. Use sports to be a vehicle to get you to where you wanna go.