Deseret News | Reader comments: High school basketball: New coach hosting girls basketball showcase

Reader comments
High school basketball: New coach hosting girls basketball showcase

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What Season Is It? | 10:51 a.m. Sept. 30, 2008

This is exactly why I can't stand basketball. It is volleyball and soccer season for high school girls, yet basketball thinks they are so big and bad that they should have a showcase in the middle of other coaches' seasons. Purely arrogant. Just like the NBA players and coaches.

Free | 12:11 p.m. Sept. 30, 2008

Its one of the only times that basketball coaches have time off. That is what sports are about, seeing what players are about whatever time of year. Its good for the area girls as well as coaches.

V-ball and soccer year round | 12:19 p.m. Sept. 30, 2008

If you are avid volleyball or soccer fan, you would know those programs go year round. Look at Pleasant Grove volleyball ... every kid on that team plays club volleyball year round.

I can't believe we actually have something this big in this state coming here. Rather than hate on a sport, support the kids who are going and looking for college opportunities.

You are probably a volleyball or soccer coach lol. I love all three sports and enjoy watching high school sports.

Good luck to the kids who are attending. 6 states represented is impressive.

Comments continue below

Crusing | 12:42 p.m. Sept. 30, 2008

There are brief periods of time during the year in which college coaches can actually go and watch and visit with high school basketball playerscoahces, etc., and this weekend is one of those rare times. The NCAA sets the rules, and coaches and players and showcase camps adjust accordingly. Thanks to Adam Barrett and to the Utah Swoosh Basketball Showcase Camp for providing the opportunity for the girls to show their stuff and perhaps find some scholarships in the process.

Anonymous | 12:48 p.m. Sept. 30, 2008

Some girls only play one sport. To stay on top of the game they play year round. I think it is great that there is so much interest in gilrs basketball in Utah. I don't think anyone is arrogant that wants to give girls a chance to be seen by so many college coaches.

Website? | 6:04 p.m. Sept. 30, 2008

Is there a website where one can go and see the list of players coming? How about the list of college coaches who will be there?

Free | 7:26 p.m. Sept. 30, 2008

Go to Utahswooshbasketball.com......its all posted there. Click on the Showcase Camp for list of coaches and players.

Salt Lake B-Ball Bruins Fan Club | 8:29 p.m. Sept. 30, 2008

Go Bruins!!
Finally an event fit for young talents in Orem. We got extraordinaire players in particularly in the Bruins team. I hope they will be given a chance to showcase their skills this coming Saturday. There's te duo of defenders like point guard Aja & Chelsea. They like to steal and hassle.Anjie has the speed to outrun everybody in court and many more talents. We look forward in waching these girls excel in this sport and hopefully get the chance to play in college level.

Goodluck!!
SLC Bruins Fan
PS If you practice & play hard,
you'll be hard to beat most like you will win.

Free or a fee | 8:53 p.m. Sept. 30, 2008

Is this a free camp, or another money maker for the coaches?

No advertisement | 12:02 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I didn't see this event advertised anywhere? I saw in the Trib that there was another event in Salt Lake at the Open Court? It appeared he was trying to get any players he could get. One event is open to public while the other is invite only to get the cream of the crop?

If one is advertising it to the public and will take anyone that wants to, then it appears there is someone trying to make money. I would assume the invite one is making money, but an invite only limits players. YET ... it appears all of the best players in the state of Utah are going to the Swoosh Camp. They also have some kids from other states.

Interesting events, both going head to head for competition in Utah. This is great for girls basketball in our state!

Invite only? | 5:41 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

If I go to the Swoosh website it doesn't indicate that it is by invitation only. It does say first 50 players and then the camp is full. I also count a list of more than 70 players at a camp that says it is full at 50.

Anonymous | 7:39 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

at a $100 a pop... It'd open the enrollment up too!
All of those schools that may be coming, yeah, right... and most of the "committed" schools are from Utah.

In it for the money | 7:38 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Do you think these events don't have costs associated with them? Gym rental, referees, coaches, trainers, insurance, etc. Not sure why you would expect a free camp.

As for the argument regarding the two events I have no idea what you are talking about. Why is an article in the Trib advertising while an article in the Deseret News is not? Is this article considered advertising?

Not seeing a lot of logic in your statements here.

Anonymous | 9:39 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

The Intermountain Showcase has been going on for the past few years. They have never really had schools from out of state besides Southern Idaho. The new showcase has USC, Boise State, Washington State, Cal State Northridge, Montana State, Idaho State, Saint Mary's of California, University of Nevada-Reno. Plus all of the instate universities, D2's and JuCo's. We all need to applaud chances like these and not turn them down.

Anonymous | 9:44 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Why is this hot shot from the great northwest coming to utah anyway? because utah is a hotbed for undiscovered girls basketball talent? the d1 schools and wnba are overflowing with utahns!

or because we here in utah are famous for our "big score" mentality?

As Jerry McGuire says | 11:05 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Show these camp guys the money!!!

Advertising | 11:09 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Do the math, 75 times $100. I don't think the Dnews should be providing these guys with free advertising. It's a business they're running here, not a community service.

Anonymous | 12:23 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Yep... Nothing like living the dream by living OFF someone else's dream...

Anonymous | 1:15 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Adding players does two things only. Makes the camp more crowded and makes the event organizer more money. If quality and helping the kids is the motivation you would stay with what you claimed in the first place, 50 players.

Anonymous | 2:50 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I would really be interested in how many college coaches (besides the ones from any of the colleges in Utah) do show up to this extravaganza... I'm willing to bet not as many as advertised by the DeseretNews.

Its good | 4:09 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I think that the whole state is going to get a boost with camps like this. Its hard to get noticed in the first place. The reason more players are coming than the limit is their are tons of people who want to be at a camp where MT. West, PAC 10, and other colleges will be. You can see on the website which colleges have commited. You wouldnt make up colleges coming as that would look bad for Utah.

Hoping to commit | 4:17 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Quite a list of schools contacted and "hoping to commit" Are the schools hoping to commit or is the organizer hoping they commit? A little misleading if you ask me you could contact every school in the country and claim contact and hoping to commit.

Stop Hating! | 4:17 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Haha, all you crazy haters! Let the camps speak for themselves! By Saturday we will all know which was the best camp, Swoosh or Intermountain Hoops. The college/player turnout will speak for itself. And one man will be left with egg on his face...

Show up | 4:24 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Only one way to find out if this camp is good....show up.(Period!)

Stop the Talk | 4:32 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Hey, this is a great event both people are trying to put on. Intermountain Hoops has done a lot of great things over the years. Give him credit. Utah Swoosh looks like a good thing as well. I welcome people to start new things rather than have a monopolization on things. Dave Hammer somewhat runs all of girls basketball in Utah and now has competition. Isn't that what America is about? So, rather than rag on either event, let's support both.

I would hope Utah Swoosh is honest in listing players and coaches who have committed. I see there are some Metro players (Hammer kids) who have committed to both. That will be interesting.

Word is out the Jennifer Hamson is training with Utah Swoosh and going to Swoosh Camp. If so, that is a great thing for girls basketball in Utah.

I see USC, Boise State, and Washington are recent commits to the Swoosh Camp. Good luck to both events.

And by the way, I have sent my kids to camps where it cost $150-$200 for 1 or 2 days and NO college coaches watching. Stop the Talk about Money and who has a better camp.

College Commits | 4:41 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Swoosh website does list schools who have been contacted, shown interest, and/or hoping to commit. I don't think any of that is misleading? Looks pretty straight forward. I bet those schools have been contacted, some have shown interest, and some are actually committing (according to the site).

Dave Hammer | 5:26 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

So I was told to check out the anonymous bashfest that is usual on these comments page. We run events to try to help ALL players with their collegiate recruitment. If there is another camp, then that is additional opportunity for the local players which is a good thing.

We recently had a camp with one of the top national scouting services in town. At that time, I brought up to him Jennifer Hamson and the fact that her mom was a McDonalds All American. Hamson didn't attend our camp or isn't one of our Metro players. The service has contacted Hamson for information for inclusion in his scouting service. She deserves the recognition, she has a chance to be a very good player. I'm sure there are lots of curious coaches interested in a 6-6 player.

As for our program, our camps are nationally ranked. Our club teams have been successful since 1995. We entered girl's basketball 3 years ago and have produced 51 college players during that time. There have been lots of club teams come and go during that time, our proven track record of player development and collegiate recruitment speaks for itself. Welcome aboard Swoosh

Colleges | 5:50 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I see that there are separate lists for colleges that are committed and below is the list of colleges that show interest and might show up. Its good for all Utah and surrounding areas.

basketball fan | 5:56 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Interesting that clubs are taking credit for "producing" college players. Utah has numerous high school coaches whose teaching/coaching ablilities are significant influences on players' ability to play in college. Did the club coaches forget they are not the only ones in the gym with these elite players?

Hammer | 8:33 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I think that is good you are publicly welcoming Swoosh. Are you encouraging your players to attend the Swoosh Camp since they have better players committed and more college coaches coming? If you are doing this for kids and promoting them for scholarships like you say you do, it would make sense for your kids to go to Swoosh, Now, if you did that, you would really be making a statement about how much you really care about the kids.

Swoosh has two of your Metro kids listed. What is the word on them? They are two of your better players.

You have a great program and have helped a lot of kids. Keep up the great work ... and remember, it is about the KIDS!

Not that great | 10:53 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I keep hearing about how great all the club teams are but after seeing them I am not impressed. PG High entered the spring fling and competed against many club teams in the JV and varsity divisions. The JV team went 8-1 with girls that had never played together and some were only in the 8th grade. We heard about how great some of these teams were but we handled most of them easily despite the fact that they play huge club fees and practice together all the time. It just shows that talent makes up for money every time. As far as camps go, if you need one of these to get noticed then you probably aren't good enough to make it anyway. Just a waste of cash.

Recognition | 12:07 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Maybe the schools and programs arent good enough to get recognized, but this is a bigtime opportunity no matter how you look at it. If all is true, there are about 20 colleges, not just from Utah, all over that will be there. If I had a daughter(well I do actuall just not that age) I would have her going to learn AND possibly get recognized. Its a talent show for college coaches.

to: Not That Great | 2:45 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

If what you say is true, then you better win the state title this year, something you haven't done yet. Are you talking girls or guys? If guys, then beat Lone Peak and I will shut up. If it's girls, then beat Riverton or American Fork and I will shut up. Until then, don't point fingers.

Wow! | 1:18 p.m. Oct. 3, 2008

This has been very entertaining to listen to! I think everyone should take a deep breath, and let the two camp directors do their thing! Yes, they are making money, and at the same time they are helping your girls to become better basketball players! So whats the big deal! I've played for Dave Hammer on his Metro teams and he had a huge influence on me getting a scholarship, My high school coach helped me just as much! AAU and club teams are very helpful to high school coaches because it keeps the players with a ball in their hand, and out of trouble! Dave and Adam make your money, but don't forget to teach those kids something that will help them become good basketball players as well as good people!
Good luck!

See it? | 1:49 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Did anybody go to the camp and watch? If, so how was it and were there college coaches there?

Utah Swoosh Camp | 9:38 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

This was an amazing camp. It was the best camp my daughter has ever attended. Adam Barett put on a clinic in the morning session. The skill work was incredible. It exposed a lot of players to what their strengths and weaknesses were. The movement from drill to drill was impressive. Players fed off his energy. The staff he had worked hard. I counted 26 coaches in the gym at one time. For those who didn't think coaches would be here ... USC was front and center, as were others.

This was the best thing that could have happened for this area. We needed this.

Other parents I talked to felt the same way. 70 players were there. The camp was at such a high level that he could have cut it off at 60. They gym was crowded at first but players and staff adjusted within the first ten minutes. Drills were smooth. Games in the afternoon were smooth. Parents had a roster of each and every player, which nobody gives out at these camps.

Overall, I give it a 10. I have only seen 1 other camp but this was a 10!

Flight Director | 9:45 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

One more thing I would add ... I didn't think it was fair that the Utah Flight lady was talking to all the coaches and pointing her players out. Parents could not talk to the college coaches and the other club coaches that were helping with the camp didn't have time. It seemed that the Flight director took advantage of this opportunity in a wrong way. On the website it looks like there may have been 12 or so club teams represented, and only one of those programs had a coach or director talking with all of the coaches . . Flight.

I wish the Utah Swoosh director would have said something to her about that. Every player paid the same amount and deserved to have someone talking these college coaches ear off like the Flight director did.

That is my one negative feedback of the camp. I might add that I didn't like the rain either.

Great job to the entire staff that helped with the Utah Swoosh Camp. Very successful.

Thank you Adam for your efforts. This area needs you.

to: Flight Director | 11:00 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

You made a good point but let's give some credit to the college people that were in attendance. They are smart enough to know what they are looking for so they won't be influenced by those pushing their own kids. The next thing that a college coach or assistant will do is to call the high school coach to get another feel of the players they are interested in. I am a high school coach that talks to college coaches almost daily. Congrats to Adam and how things were done. Did anyone hear how the camp at the Factory with Coach Hammer went?

Good for area | 3:40 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Outstanding for all in the area.

Swoosh vs Intermountain | 6:17 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

I know of two players from the same program and each of them talked about their camps. Intermountain ... played games all day and placed top kids on one team. Not a lot of coaches. It appeared that some of the coaches stopped in to say hi to Dave and show support.

Swoosh had skill work all morning long. Kids were pushed to work hard and learn and work on new things. Games in the afternoon. 20 + college coaches there all day.

Sounds like different styles and philosophies of running and directing a camp. In listening to the two players, Intermountain camp only had 2 or 3 kids. They advertised to get anyone they could while Swoosh was invite only.

My bet is kids will get to Swoosh next year. Intermountain had 2 3 states while Swoosh had 6 states.

Just some basic info. Glad over 100 kids benefited from the showcases.

Swoosh teams | 3:59 p.m. Oct. 6, 2008

I see that they are going to put some of the Swoosh teams together. I hope they compete nationally. Some of the places they will visit are on the national scene, like Boo Williams, End of Oregon Trail, Chicago Summer Classis and others. Should be exciting.

Swoosh Training Sessions | 4:28 p.m. Oct. 6, 2008

They are doing training sessions for local kids, should be pretty good.

Swoosh v. Intermountain Hoops | 9:01 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

The Swoosh showcase was so overcrowded and clausterfobic that I struggled mightily with their camp. Coaches couldn't figure out who the players were and played 6 teams of 12???

From word that I got the Intermountain Hoops Showcase was FAR better for the college coaches. They had games all day with the coaches knowing what kids were playing where and when.

The Swoosh camp was also cut an hour short because the kids were too tired so they decided to do some more skill stuff since the kids were looking so bad. Also, there were very few players at the Swoosh camp that were over 6'0 which made guards have to play the 4 making it extremely tough to tell what certain players could do.

Invite only | 9:30 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

The Swoosh camp didn't hand select the participants. They basically had the Sky and Flight players in attendance. Add in his old high school players and some random attendees from Montana and Nevada and that's basically the camp. None of the out of state players, except for his HS player are considered recruitable athletes.

Remember | 10:55 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Remember this is only the first year this camp has been put on, and you got much talent in the first year, and that many college coaches. This will only make all the talent better for the local girls. Seeing any out of state players is a bonus so you can see where some of the Utah girls stand. It was still a pretty impressive list, and when the Swoosh Team gets going, wait and see what some of the competition will be like then. Sky's the limit for the local girls. It should be great competition with the local club teams as well. I sense the level of expectations going up for Utah no matter how you look at it, and thats good.

Thanks to Both | 12:04 p.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Both directors of the camps did a great job. It takes a lot of time and energy to put these showcases together. Let's face it, the college coaches will make their decisions not based on showcases only. There were talented players at both showcases. All this Swoosh showcase was better than Intermountain showcase has got to stop and vice versa. THe players and college coaches are the ones who will make that call. Good luck to both programs.

Future | 11:12 p.m. Oct. 7, 2008

The competition level will be great for all players. I look forward to seeing how the new Swoosh teams will compete with other club teams. I hope that all will be able to get better recognition. Should be a good year for Utah Hoops.

JMos | 10:06 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

To Invite Only:
At the end of the camp, an all-star team of 20 girls was picked from all of teams (probably based on who the college coaches wanted to see compete against each other)and almost half of the all-star team was from out of state, I know that 4 of the Nevada girls were picked, add the couple of girls from Washington, a few from Idaho, and a couple of good underclassmen from Utah and that only left about 10 2010/2009 girls from Utah that looked "recruitable". I know for a fact a girl from Nevada has received recruiting information from a D1 college as a result of the camp. Those who didn't like this camp or think it was negative in some way... well they just don't understand how the recruiting process works. Either get on board or get left behind. Thanks Adam for getting this together and thanks to the State of Utah for having the colleges all show up.

Crusing | 3:00 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

The SWOOSH SHOWCASE CAMP was phenomenal!
Seventy plus girls, and a couple dozen college coaches, and yes USC and other out of state colleges, as well as most of the Utah schools were there. Amazing support. Great showing girls. You looked good. And Coach Barrett, thanks.

To JMos | 9:29 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Sounds to me like there were only 20 players out of 70 that the college coaches were potentially interested in. That assumes that all 20 were worthy of inclusion. The inital conversation was that all the players were supposedly invited. What about the other 50? Hand invited and not recruitable or random signups? You can't have it both ways.

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