While the country is still experiencing the effects of the Covid-19 global pandemic the SJ Sharks AAU program will continue to cancel ALL team functions until further notice. Any players that wish to participate in any upcoming leagues and tournaments will have to look for another team to do it with, as we just do not feel comfortable putting any players, families or coaches in a position where they may contract this awful disease. We wish everyone continued safe and healthy days ahead.

Coach Tom

While we are in the midst of this unprecedented time in our world, it is still important to get plenty of exercise and continue to work on your games!  We're here for you!  If you would like to schedule a basketball training session you can contact Coach Tom Pierson at (856)524-6263 or tom.pierson@yahoo.com and we can set you up.  We are careful to train while still utilizing all Covid-19 guidelines, and can take anywhere from 1 to 4 players per training session.  We will even come to you!  Contact us for rates, and to schedule your training session!

Our mission of The SJ Sharks Girls Basketball Team is that we are a community based youth sports organization, that teaches skills to all of the participants of our club regardless of race, gender, religion or economic background.  While we stress the development of the individual, we are strongly committed to teaching leadership skills and teamwork and building social and moral values.  Our success is measured by many of our players by the development of growth through the discipline of our sport.  The collaboration of our coaching staff, our players and their parents will serve as the foundation on which our organization will continue to be built.  We strive to ensure that all of our players will be given the necessary tools to excel at the next level, both on the basketball court, as well as the court of life

For all of us involved in the SJ Sharks organization, we will not stop in our efforts to help each participant be all that they can be.  Below is a little more detail to let you know what is expected of your youth athlete and what you can expect of the coaches.

Welcome to the Sharks.

Practice, Practice, Practice - this is why shooters will be in the gym for hours, working on their craft - watch the footwork, watch the catch and watch the release, same thing everytime and this girl is MONEY!!!

https://www.facebook.com/espnW/videos/462264227914977/UzpfSTEyMDcwNjAyNDMyNToxMDE1NzAxMjk5MDY0OTMyNg/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tpJs7Msqvs

The Coaches are always stressing to "Practice Perfect" and do whatever it takes in the games to get the "W" ... take 3 minutes and watch this video "Fail Harder" - watch the video, but more importantly listen to the players words!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEVd0QMjCc8

GO SHARKS!

Congratulations to St. Rose Varsity, who defeated JPII this afternoon in their League Championship game at Camden Catholic.  The final score was 37-33.  The following members of the SJ Sharks Girls Basketball team were all on the championship squad: Anna, Morgan, Isabel, Alyssa, Emily Tori, Siena and Kayla.  Hopefully this is a sign of things to come this spring during the AAU season!

7/8th Grade Sharks:

1.  Giavanna  --  Haddonfield Travel

2.  Kayla  --  St. Rose

4.  Isabel  --  St. Rose

8.  Hadley  --  Catholic Partnership Schools

10.  Siena  --  St. Rose

18.  Emily  --  St. Rose

21.  Morgan  --  St. Rose

23.  Alyssa  --  St. Rose

24.  Anna  --  St. Rose

25.  Carolina  --  Good Shepherd

33.  Tori  --  St. Rose

55.  Enya  --  Haddonfield Travel

5/6th Grade Sharks:

6.  Siena  --  St. Rose

7.  Ariselle  --  Cherry Hill

9.  Maggie  --  St. Rose

11.  Camryn  --  St. Rose

12.  Luisa  --  St. Rose

15.  Bridget  --  St. Rose

17.  Emma  --  St. Rose

20.  Jessica  --  Haddon Twp.

22.  Emily  --  Cherry Hill

30.  Ella  --  St. Rose / Haddon Heights

35.  Molly  --  St. Rose

44.  Hayden  --  St. Rose / Haddon Heights

On Friday, February 21st the St Rose Varsity Team celebrated their 8th Graders, 6 of which are members of the SJ Sharks!  Congrats to (r/l) Isabel Rotaeche, Alyssa Elliott, Tori Harper, Emily Rienstra, Anna DiPiero and Morgan Haas, along with their teammate Julia Prete, who next year will all be moving on to High School!

This past Sunday, while the 2020 Sharks were preparing to head to the gym for the first time this season, former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, along with his 13 year old daughter Gigi and 7 others all perished in a devastating helicopter accident in Southern California enroute to an AAU tournament.  The entire Sharks family send their prayers and condolences to the families, friends, and teammates of all those involved.

Kobe Bryant was not just a great basketball player, but last year won an academy award for his video short "Dear Basketball". I'm going to put a link here for everyone to enjoy

https://youtu.be/Z4E_4c3j9Y8

RIP John, Keri & Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah & Payton Chester, Ara Zobayan, and Gianna & Kobe Bryant

https://youtu.be/FshSlvGVgTk

Notre Dame Head Coach Muffet McGraw speaks the truth when it comes to helping develop strong women athletes, and strong women!  Take a moment to watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HX4Txmn3gY

#gosharks

Former Pitman High School & Apex AAU Basketball star, as well as a walk-on for the Villanova Wildcats, Karlie Crispin, stopped by practice this evening to talk to Sharks players.  Karlie talked about the importance to take pride in your craft and work hard at everything you do, while continuing to have fun and enjoying playing the game!  Thanks very much for coming by Karlie, anytime you want to come back your more than welcome!  #gosharks

Forward, Emily Rienstra, #18 on the Sharks, became the 2nd player to reach the 100pt plateau this season - scoring 6 pts in the Sharks loss to Lower Delco at the Battle of the Hardwood on Sunday morning!  Congrats Emily... ... ...who's next?!?

#gosharks

During Sunday afternoons Sharks win over the Philly Heat - White squad during the Lizzy Haddon Tournament, Guard Kayla Dunn became the first Shark to hit the Century mark in points scored!  While we're confident that she will be joined very shortly by more members of the 2019 7th Grade Girls team, it is a big accomplishment to become the first player to do so for our program.  Congratulations Kayla!!!  Hope that there is many more points to follow!

Beginning with our practice on Wednesday, May 1st we will begin incorporating these drills in our Form Shooting portion of practice:

https://www.facebook.com/ProBasketballTraining/videos/169950150559742/?t=82

Sharks Girls Basketball: Pictured from L/R: Kayla, Isabel, Morgan, Hayley, Emily, Alyssa, and Anna

The Sharks Girls Basketball Team defeated the Bulldog Pride on Sunday Afternoon, 30-23, to become the 2019 YES! Jamfest Champions in the 7th Grade Girls bracket.  On Sunday the Sharks put it together in the 2nd Half and were led by Emily with 10 points and Alyssa with 8 points - pulling away from the Bulldogs after taking a 1 point lead just before the half on a put back basket by Kayla!

Along the way to the title the Sharks defeated TEAM ELITE on Saturday, 20-16 - then edged the Bulldogs, 20-17.  Late Saturday night the Sharks dropped their lone game of the weekend, dropping a game to Hoop Dreams, losing 37-28.  Still early in the AAU season for 2019 the Sharks record now stands at 6-3, and of course 1 tournament championship thus far!

  We had a great first experience this past weekend at the YES! Nothing But Net tournament.  A couple of games our energy level fell off, and the Coaches of the Sharks would like everyone to read the attached article regarding proper nutrition during days of tournaments.  We can all work on this each tournament and watch how much better our athletes are able recover and get ready for the next game!

https://jillcastle.com/young-athletes/7-tips-feed-young-athletes-all-day-sporting-events/

#gosharks