We’re old-school! We believe in honesty, transparency, and accountability. We want to prepare our kids for an opportunity to play college basketball. This is why we have three core principles at PHD. These principles are what all college coaches look for when recruiting.
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1. Competitive Desire:
Everyone must be ultra-competitive, unafraid of the moment, and never back down. No matter the opponent or obstacle, you must believe that you belong. Examples of being competitive are scoring 20 points and holding your opponent to 0, not being ranked but competing against someone ranked, and dominating using being snubbed as Jet Fuel. All the greatest athletes have ultra-competitive spirits. Allowing the person you're guarding to score with such ease is not competitive. You must have self-pride. This must come from within.
2. Team Cohesion:
Here’s the reality: each of us aspires to be successful. The program, players, parents, and all stakeholders involved. If we all prioritize the team's success and make sacrifices, everyone will benefit individually and achieve success together. In the end, we will all get what we deserve. While it’s not guaranteed, making sacrifices gives us an opportunity.
3. Mental Toughness:
The psychological aspect of winning includes maintaining focus, composure, and resilience, especially under high-stress situations. Mental toughness is the difference between winning and losing. Are you a finger-pointer when things go wrong? When a team makes a run, do you give in and quit? Will a few missed shots destroy your confidence?
Development is essential at every stage of a player’s journey, but our approach differs when working with Middle School players compared to High School players. Regardless of age, we have a passion for players who exhibit an ultra-competitive spirit. At the Middle School level, we emphasize following the USA Basketball Development Pathway, which focuses on exploring and participating in the game of basketball while learning.
