Quick E Mart,
Yes there is a gap - however, wouldnt you say that a kid that hasnt displayed the skills AT ALL on Friday nights will struggle much more to apply them at a National Championship level, than another player who has quite successfully applied them in their district game? The former would have a greater "gap" to bridge than the latter.
You said - "If I had to pick a team and there were 20 players to choose from, I would pick the best 10 players from the practice's that I am coaching". The Nationals isnt a week full of "Shell" Drills, 3v2s, "7 mins of 3s" contests or "Piggy in the middle" passing games. Its fully timed, highly competitive games - not simulations. So picking the best 10 "drills boys" going around will certainly make your team look great executing their layup footwork in the warmup, but it wont translate to Medals at the end of the week.
Also, why isnt Mesecke's performance valid to the debate? Is it because it contradicts your argument that teams that fail in U/16s should logically fail in U/18s....and if they do, the coach is free from blame and the players should cop all the criticism. Ho about auguing the reasons why it isnt valid?
Until then thank you for leaving the thread.
Anon (#89400), I cant speak for the silver medal U/18 group because I didnt see them play first hand, however, the Bronze Medal group performed much higher than expected (they were a small group whos best player ended up being a kid that never made a state team in the past)and from the amount of times Mesecke has gotten more out of his groups than was exepected, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. But that's cool to have your opinion.
Completely agree with you on the second point though re "over scouting". However, I think that excuse gets used as a bit of a "cop out" from some coaches who are not comfortable with their scouting abilities and therefore do very little. I'll leave it up to you whether that applies to this case or not.