ECAA Past Editorials

Dated November 14, 2007

As promised, here we are now with the fourth and final installment of our four part round table interview series with Tiny Morton, Gary Charles and Ron Naclerio. We at ECAA are so proud to be able to give you basketball reporting that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Because as you already know, and we don’t want to sound redundant, but we will, “Always committed to excellence and the absolute sincerity to give to you, as always, top notch reporting. Not just the glossed over scenario of the game but the up close and personal.” ECAA will continue to present to you hard-hitting, in your face, journalism. We are emphatic about not only giving you the basketball insight from the players and coaches, we take that extra step in giving you the intricacies that surround the whole aspect, not only of the game but the life challenges that shape and form the individuals themselves. We at ECAA are deeply involved from a personal level because we are truly hands on. We care! We treat every individual as if they were our own child and are truly concerned for their total well-being outside of the basketball arena. We want to be a part of the machine that produces productive and constructive individuals in society. This is what gives us the edge over other informative websites. We are the one who is there, from the beginning to the end with the moral support that if needed, will be addressed with absolute concern.

Which brings us to another installment of our periodic editorials that inform you of what is going on with our youth and what part is being played, or not being played by the, “role models and systems”, that are presented before them. Some of you might or might not know about the avoidable tragedies that exist in the world that terminate the promising lives of our children so abruptly before they even get a chance to fulfill any of their dreams or even their chance to dream at all. For instance, within the last seven days, a fourteen year old child was shot and killed in Brooklyn, NY. A thirteen year old child was shot and killed in Elizabeth, NJ. An eighteen year old was shot and killed in Brooklyn, NY. An eleven year old…. (Shall we continue? We think you get the picture.)  These unnecessary terminations of lives concern us here at ECAA deeply because of our sincere passion to develop, mold and guide individuals. So when these situations happen, we take off our basketball hats and put on our humanitarian helmets. We have to realize that we are so much more than basketball, football, and baseball coaches. We are so much more than diving and karate instructors. Piano teachers, Cheerleading and Booster coaches, etc. We are the ones who are on a daily basis impacting the lives of these individuals and therefore we must take more of a concern for their well-being. We at ECAA are consciously doing our part to be a part of the solution and not only are we not part of the problem, but when we see that there is a problem we are going to address it by exposing those who are responsible for the virus that grows into a plague.

As you read in our last editorial, we spoke about the showcase camps that exploited our youth. By no means are we saying here that they are responsible for the murders that take place but what we are implying is that because they are in a position to positively impact the lives of these youth, they should do so first and foremost and let this be their forum for being in the lives of these people and not let the greed of financial gain be the catalyst for running a showcase camp. If we at ECAA are aware that there is absolutely nothing to gain in the way as capitalizing on the talent of a child in their adolescence, we will not focus for strictly financial gain, we are committed to developing the individual from a moral aspect and we strongly recommend that others that care about the development of our youth, take the same stand. That’s why we applaud the High School camps that were run this past summer, (Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Steve Nash, just to name a few), that focused on skill and fundamental development. And the beauty of these camps was that in addition to being invite camps they were offered at no cost!

So we ask that you as a mentor, in any way, place the well being of an individual first and realize their potential as a human being so that in this way they too will pass on the love and understanding that they have received from you. After all, this is America, and if not for the opportunity to create courageous and patriotic red blooded individuals what’s next? Division of values? I think not! Let us continue to be in the forefront and set the stage for positive values just as ECAA is doing each and every time we come to you!

In closing we would like to send out our blessings and a speedy recovery to Cory Edwards of Christ the King High School/New Heights (AAU), who injured his shoulder and is scheduled for surgery in December. We would like for Cory to know, that we at ECAA know you have a great future ahead of you. Not only as a basketball player but as a great individual!

 

Dated: November 5, 2007

 

Here we are again down low in the paint with our third part of our four part interview series with Tiny Morton, Gary Charles and Ron Naclerio. The response that we have received from the ECAA fan base was so overwhelming that we at ECAA are very excited and proud to have the exclusive interviews that you as well as ourselves, are looking forward to on a weekly basis. This confirms our commitment to excellence and the absolute sincerity to give to you, as always, top notch reporting. Not just the glossed over scenario of the game but the up close and personal, from the mouth of the players and coaches themselves. We thank you, the ECAA fan, for your support, input and seal of approval on what we stand for. Professionalism at its best!

From time to time, ECAA will have editorials that will have a major impact on how you look at the game of basketball in addition to our continuing interview series and our "Fab Five".

Here is our current editorial:

At this moment we are going to the sidelines to take a look at a matter that is very important in the development of our youth in the basketball venue. We are sure that every sport-minded parent wants the best for their child, and in doing so we are prone to seizing opportunities that are available in the development of our children's basketball skills in the process. One of the most appealing availabilities is the basketball camp that offers a platform of showcasing these talents at an early age. Although it might offer an opportunity for these youngsters to be in the company of other like talents so that they might be able to gauge their basketball progress, it sometimes can be a costly and unwarranted way of getting the end result.

For instance, at what cost can a child in the fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth grade gain from the experience of playing basketball on a competitive level that he cannot receive from being a part of a summer youth basketball program, AAU traveling team, personal instructors, or just diligently practicing all aspects of the basics in their own driveway, as opposed to spending hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars at these so-called showcase camps where the basic fundamentals of the game are not even emphasized. Groups of kids are placed on a court, divided into teams, and given a basketball where as upon doing this, the individuals who organize and profit from these "blacktop exploitations", can't wait to blow the whistle after the second half of the game so that they can calculate their profits and let the parents know that, if your finances are available, your child, with the "above average talent", should come back next year to be exploited yet again for another payday. It doesn't stop there, you can then ante up to have the right to attend the next step in the exploitation process to attend these regional showcase camps and the process continues. Right here we are going to blow the whistle and call a foul, "TWEET!"

Not to say that all camps are operated the same, by no means do we say that, because there are those who sincerely are dedicated to the proper development of our children within the many different AAU sports programs, but we do see very little, if any benefit will be gained by attending these so-called "showcase" camps. As a matter of fact, the only benefit we see is the profit that is being made by those who organize these types of events. Do not be naive into believing that your child, male or female, being ranked by these camps will benefit from that ranking. At the pre-high school level, this so-called individual ranking has no value later on at the high school level when the competition is very well noticed and the chance that your child can compete because he was ranked in one of these camps because he was, for example, six feet tall at 12 years old and played center, never grew another inch and now is trying out for his or her high school team as a guard, with just as much ball handling skills as the crooks who are using others as unsuspecting pawns to rank them in these camps.

The reason ECAA is so staunch about this abuse of parents and their children is because we, ourselves, were organizers of one of these showcase camps and after some true soul-searching, came to the conclusion that if we are going to be true to you, the fan, about what we report, we are going to have to be true to ECAA ourselves, and the truth to us was that this type of basketball venue for children is absolutely, and unequivocally wrong! We decided that we are not going to be a part of this type or any type of misuse of children on any level!

We at ECAA are passionate not only with the talent that we bring to you, but also want you to remember that there are other areas of development during these children's growth process. Let us not forget the moral, spiritual, the interpersonal tools that are needed in the society of which we live so that as individuals we can lead productive lifestyles regardless of the career paths we choose, whether it be basketball or law school. If left up to the individuals who run these camps, your child might as well take up basket weaving and become lawless!

This is the first part of a series of editorials that will focus on exposing the truth behind showcase camps. STAY TUNED!

 

Dated:  October 29, 2007

Here we are with a top of the backboard view of the Round Table Interview. We have another exclusive with three of New York's most influential basketball minds, Tiny Morton of Lincoln HS/Juice Allstars (AAU Program), Gary Charles of the New York Panthers, (GBOA), and Ron Naclerio of Cardozo HS (NY Hoopscoop Edition) and this is being hosted by the president of ECAA, Michael Moore.
(Click here for Parts 1 & 2)

The topics of discussion were once again straight and to the point. As only ECAA would have it, true to form, from the gut, and placing you right there so that you too can feel the joys, pains, passions and accomplishments of those coaches, who take very seriously their place on the hardwood. ECAA will not expand on the obvious, but takes you through the thinking process of what motivates and drives these individuals to excel and build on the platform of teaching and succeeding not only as coaches but also as role models. So kudos to the scholastic institutions that have responded to our interview series via email showing appreciation to the method of showing these individuals in a light other than when they are seen on the hardwood.

We were also applauded in response to our "Fab Five" selections for the class of 2008 and they, as well as ourselves, are eagerly awaiting our selections for the upcoming 2009, 2010, 2011 classes, respectively. This event is grand on the scale that we at ECAA are always enthused about showcasing these talents so that you have a court side seat into the process of exposing to the nation New York's best basketball talents for years to come.
Our congratulations go out to all of New York's class of 2008 basketball scholarship recipients. The representatives of ECAA have personally watched these exceptionally gifted athletes over the years, and wishes them good luck. These athletes not only get an opportunity to play for a nationally recognized school, but also the chance at receiving a well-respected scholastic opportunity.

In closing, we hope you really enjoyed, just as much as we have, the first two parts of our four-part interview series with Tiny Morton, Gary Charles and Ron Naclerio. So by all means, do not miss interviews three and four as the discussions get more in-depth and so real you might have a question or two you might want to ask.

Upcoming interviews will include Erving Walker of Christ the King HS, Samardo Samuels of St. Benedict's HS, Ed Davis of Benedictine, VA, Kendall Marshall of Bishop O'Connell, VA, Sterling Gibbs of Seton Hall Prep, and Clark Francis of HoopScoop, (Wow! This sounds like a starting five to me and we haven't even mentioned who round out the rest of the upcoming interview series.)

Dated:  October 15, 2007

Here is where you'll find the most in-depth, in your face, true to life basketball journalism this side of the three pointer with one on the clock! And in reference to ECAA (East Coast All American), it's always good.

From the first tip-off, ECAA is going to bring to you in the luxury of your own, desktop/laptop, the "Spotlight Interview Series" where we bring to you the top players, coaches, and high schools, with the raw and real of the game. Not from a viewpoint of an outsider but from those involved in the game personally. That's what gives ECAA the edge - by offering absolute quality and not insignificant quantity. Where we get so up-close and personal that you actually feel as if you could assist on pulling out that splinter from diving after that loose ball.

Word around the hardwood that responded to us via email, was that our first interview with Lance Stephenson was a resounding success and Part 2 of the interview will be just as informative. Click here for Part 2 of the interview.

And just when you thought ECAA had you covered with all that you needed to know, we are now going to present you with our "FAB FIVE" selection for the Class of 2008. Click here to view our Fab Five. This is where we personally introduce to you, alphabetically, the five most talented players who reside in the State of New York regardless of where they play their High School basketball. We arrived at this selection by using the formula,

(a) What they have achieved up until this point,
(b) Our projected viewpoint of how they will fare this High School
     Season and most importantly,
(c) Their potential to succeed on the next level.

Our decision was, is, and always will be a difficult one due to the overabundance of talent that is displayed on the hardwood in the metropolitan NYC area. But due to the fact that ECAA is always there with the assist before the shot, we know our decisions will be proven to be accurate based on extensive evaluation and our experience in being directly involved with some of the most prominent basketball players throughout the nation.

Stay tuned for next week's explosive round table interview with Tiny Morton, Gary Charles, and Ron Naclerio - three of the most influential basketball minds in the New York City Basketball.

ECAA also introduces our writer, Scoop Smoot, who can be reached at info@eastcoastallamerican.com.

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