Where Is Lexy Kresl?

With all the hype around Nike sponsored Saint Mary's, who was ranked as high as #7 in Powerade/ESPN Fab 50, Pinnacle's run at a state title in 5AII with arguably the most offensively talented team assembled this year, Chandler's talent and new transfer Simone Westbrook, the MLK match-ups - Mesa Mt. View v Highland, & Hamilton v Chandler, and Xavier's young talent and senior leadership, one might pose the question, "where is Lexy Kresl?".  Since Lexy signed her NLI to play for the Univesity of Colorado Buffs, one might think that last year's Arizona scoring leader fell off into relative obscurity.  Nothing could be further from the truth. She is currently averaging 25 ppg, 14 rpg, 7 apg, & 7 spg.  With the departure of Michelle Spray and Kayla Robinson no one knew what to expect from last years 4AI state champions.  Well, Kresl has led another group of young ladies to a 25-3 record, one loss coming to 5AII state hopeful, Horizon Huskies.  They split their series with region opponents Apollo and Prescott, and might still be considered a favorite to repeat. 

Kresl's stats are solid.  She gives you everything in every aspect of the game.  I've been fortunate to know Kresl since before she ever played a game of varsity high school basketball.  What I can tell you is that she is arguably, if the not, the hardest working female basketball player in the state of Arizona.  Where this work-ethic stems from is a strong desire and extreme dedication to goals she has long set for herself in her youth.  It's this vision that has moved her, kept her focused, making countless sacrifices and spending numerous hours in the gym.  She made up her mind to set out and accomplish the things she has on the basketball court.  When most young kids her age are hanging out to be seen in the hottest spots, sheltered in their homes with the latest gaming console, or internet socializing, Lexy is somewhere getting it done.  Besides the mandatory time she puts in with either her high school or club team, she runs on her own for extra conditioning.  She trains with her club coach Gregory Strickling on days off, or gets to a nearby sports club to put up additional shots.  She might not be the most orthodox of players but she has been handed unique situations that have forced her to conform to a certain skill set that allows her to be an impact for her teams.  She has conformed while learning on the go, on the floor, being made a leader early in her career.  When I think of Lexi and her ability, in my mind I relate it to being a chameleon of a player.  She has adapted her game and style to her goals, her team, and the most direct objective of any competitor, to win.  She never wavered or compromised her dreams to that of her skill level or ability but rather the other way around.  So with that in mind I set out to ask her a few questions to get her perspective on matters. 

• TRIFECTABASKETBALL:  "What sets you apart from the pack?"
• LK: "Well, I don't follow the pack, so I guess that's a good start. I don't care if someone trys to hold me back or thinks it odd how determined I am to succeed. I don't try to blend in and I believe that has helped me not only in basketball but in general."
• TRIFECTABASKETBALL:" What are your goals for the spring and summer to prepare yourself for a successful college career?"
• LK: "This spring and summer I plan to work harder than I ever have before. I know that is the biggest mistake many make after signing to a program, they think they already have it made. I want to be conditioned, both physically and mentally, before going to Colorado and I plan to work on scoring in multiple ways, more effectively, as my main job will be just that. I want to prepare myself so that when I arrive no one questions if I should be there, and I don't want to be surprised by the workload or effort I will have to endure."
• TRIFECTABASKETBALL:  "How do you see yourself as a leader not just on the basketball court but in the community and as a mentor for younger athletes?"
• LK: "I've never really taken to being a verbal leader but instead I lead more by example. Typically, if I set the tone I can get others to follow, and have really improved my ability to push my teammates in the past year. Also, if you perform well you gain respect. When you have that respect your teammates willingly comply. Although I don't have much time outside of basketball, I try to help. I am involved with my church, multiple clubs at school, and various organizations that benefit others. My goal in life is to inspire people, which I assume will derive from my leadership and basketball abilities. If anything I do influences younger athletes in a positive way, I consider that a success."
• TRIFECTABASKETBALL:  "What three things would you demand young players that want to follow in your footsteps of playing DI basketball?"
• LK:  

1. "determination to succeed, absolutely nothing can stop you"
2. "sacrifice,  you have to give up many "fun" opportunities to make it"
3. "desire to win (love for the game), if you don't enjoy it you'll never make it"

Schedule for the 4AI state playoffs

Lexy Kresl Blogspot

Vote Lexy Gatorade Player of the year

High School:  Shadow Mountain HS, Phoenix, AZ
Position:  shooting guard
Coach:  Gerrard Carmichael, 602-300-8506, carmicge1@aol.com

Player accomplishments:(you can put your own info also):  Freshman: 2nd team all region, hon mention all state, 13 ppg, sophomore:  1st team all region, hon mention all state, 16 ppg, Junior:  1st team all region, Metro player of year, 1st team all state, All Arizona, ESPN Rise all american, 4A1 state champs/MVP, 27.6ppg, Senior year: Wendy's Heisman Arizona winner, McDonald's All American nominee, as of 1/1/11 24ppg, 12 reb pg, 4A1 3pt champion.

What about this individual warrants......(this is solely your opinion or gives you a chance to add any additional information that you think should be known)

Community involvement: National Honor Society(3 yrs), Society of Women Scholars(4 yrs), Club impact (3 years), Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research(7 yrs), Principles Advisory Committee(1 yr), Key Club(3 years), Volunteer at church with youth groups/vacation bible school and arts camp(4 yrs), Pep Assembly MC/coordinator(Sr. year), Youth basketball camp volunteer(4 yrs)

THE SHILPA FACTOR

pictured L-R: Shilpa Tummala, Kenna McDavis

In a highly anticipated rematch between #1 (5AII) Pinnacle and #1 (5AI) St.Marys  much was at stake.  For Pinnacle it would be their right to a claim to fame, solidify themselves as not just a top notch AZ program but a chance at national recognition, recognition for their players and bragging rights.  For St. Mary's it was about pride, tradition, a standard and not slipping another spot in ESPN/Powerade FAB 50.  St.Mary's entered the season ranked as high as #7 nationally but has dropped down to #17 after their recent loss to Pinnacle.  In that first match-up Shilpa un-characteristically fouled out in the first half of play, only putting up three points for the entire game.  Being forced to sit most of the first half and eventually fouling out nullified her ability to be the impact player she is for her team and the factor her opponents have to reckon with throughout the course of the show.  That allowed Pinnacle to stifle St. Mary's offensive prowess with their popular box/diamond and one on sharp shooter Courtney Ekmark. The final score was St. Mary's 58, Pinnacle 68.

Since that first showdown, the rematch has been the talk of AZ's womens' hoops community.  St. Mary's used the forum for breast cancer awareness, calling for a "Pink Out", sported their pink warm-ups and high-glossy pink Nike 2010 Hyper Dunks.  OK, enough with the fashion status, on to the game.  Again like in the first game ShilpaTummala started the game on the bench.  This allowed Pinnacle an effective leverage on SM's. By imploring their diamond/1 and box/1 defensive set, Pinnacle was able to cut down the opportunities of Courtney Ekmark, SM's biggest scoring threat on the floor at the time.  SM's showed patience with the offense but still bewildered on how to score they took many shots that were off the mark.  Just what Pinnacle wanted to get into their transition offense.  Pinnacle quickly went up 8-2, mostly on break away lay-ups.  SM's looked a step slow, matched up in transition poorly and were getting out hustled, out rebounded.  Then entered ShilpaTummala into the game.  Within a minute she made her presence felt with consecutive 3's that tied the game.  Kenna McDavis came down on the other end and connected from long range herself, keeping Pinnacle in the game.  Then Shilpa hit her third straight 3 and quickly the fans caught fire and momentum starting swinging in SM's favor.  SM's found their offense which was allowing their press defense to become affective. When Ekmark started connecting from outside, SM's went on a scoring binge to close out the quarter 20-12.  During the 3rd quarter, SM's started to pick apart the Pinnacle defense with their passing game.  I have yet to see a high school team as patient and score off the pass as well as SM's.  SM's was finding back door cuts off pass feeds by Osahor and the Williams sisters.  SM's suffocating jump defense allowed Pinnacle to score only 7 points in the 2nd.  Numerous Pinnacle turnovers and SM's efficiency gave SM's the upper hand in terms of possession and they converted for 20 points of their own in the 2nd.  SM's took a dominant 40-19 lead into intermission.  

SM's continued their torrid pace into the the 3rd.  Walton's presence inside was keeping drivers at bay and limited Pinnacles second chances.  Pinnacle's only highlight in the half was Weise's relentless attack of the basket that got her to the charity stripe a few times and to the basket on an un-characteristic SM's lack of help defense.  Kenna McDavis was an efficient 2-3 from 3 and showed ability to pull up off the dribble but Pinnacle's in-ability to take care of the ball at times hand-cuffed their offensive weapons.

By the first minute of the 4thQ SM's had gained a 29 point advantage 66-37 and Pinnacle's reserves were entering the game to finish it off.  SM's would eventually coast to a 69-49 victory.  The turning point can be isolated way back in the first quarter when Shilpa entered the game and knocked down 3 consecutive 3's in just three minutes of her being on the floor.  She finished the first half with 16 points and 25 points for the game, always a hard item for opponents to account for when she is doing it like she so often does.  The difference in the game, the X factor, equals the "THE SHILPA FACTOR".  Many girls stepped up and showed their worth and on any given night a dozen or so of the players that played this night can have big games but the night belonged to St. Mary's and the MVP was Shilpa Tummala.

A CHANCE TO REPEAT

While much focus has been on the big 5AI schools, their match-ups and players, Shadow Mountain has been inching closer to a state title repeat in 4AI.  Shadow Mountain is a top the leader board with an impressive 24-3 record and chance to get to 25 wins this week against Independence.  They managed this being without key players at times.  They won the Lady Titan Winter Hoops Classic going 5-0 and took second in the Scottsdale Holiday Invitational, only losing to a vastly improved  5AII Horizon team.  Shadow's other two losses came against region opponents Prescott and Apollo, with whom Shadow split both series 1/1.  Even though Shadow lost some key seniors last year, they are led by experience veteran, last year's Arizona leading scorer and Colorado signee  Lexi Kresl, who averaged 27.6 ppg. last year.  Shadow has seen much needed improvement and play from Cydnee Ceballos, D'Metria Coleman, and transfer Jasmine Taliman. The road to repeat will not be easy, especially if rival Apollo has anything to say or do about it.  Last year's runner up is a tough beat and one of AZ's most notable rivalries are between the two schools.  Apollo, after taking second place last year, feels this is their year, and they will fight tooth and nail to erase the bad taste of losing in the 4AI state championship last year out of their mouth.  Apollo is led by ASU signee Promis Amukamara, an extremely athletic guard, who is going to bring everything she can to help her team win.  Look for this match-up, which will only continue as the two move on to play in college, for wouldn't you know it, separate schools in what will be the newly formed PAC10.

In The Family

 Marvin Bracy takes the handoff from Joeal Hotchkins on the anchor of the United States' heat winning 4 x 100m relay that ran the fastest qualifying time of 39.69 

Former Chaparral high school (NV) track star Joeal Hotchkins, who also ran for the Vegas Lightning track club, signed a NLI today to run track for the Oregon Ducks. Hotchkins, who is a sophomore this year at Central Arizona Community College, last year ran a 10.15 in the 100M and a 21.1 in the 200M.  Hotchkins' 100M time would have won him the PAC10 title & 4th place in NCAA last year.  As just a sophomore in high school Joeal won the the state title in the 200, and as a senior lead the the Southern Nevada Honor Roll on nevadatrack.org in three events: 100M, 200M, and long jump. 

Joeal Hotchkins isn't the only speedster in the family, cousin Jasmine Adina Hotchkins is getting it done on the basketball court at Xavier College Prep in AZ, and for GSB (Gregory Strickling Basketball).  Jasmine can be found locking down her opponent on the defensive end with her quick lateral foot speed, filling the lanes or pushing the ball at neck breaking speed in transition.  Xavier's athletic director, Sr. Lynn Winsor, said that she has never seen a girl get to the ball and dribble up the court as fast as Hotchkins.  Hotchkins could be a perfect fit for the Guru of Go, Coach Paul Westhead, and his Oregon Ducks.  That would give the Ducks two Hotchkins speedsters.  Like cousin Joeal, Jasmine also wants a chance to compete at the DI level. 

Coach Hurley Wins 1000th Game, Is The Games Greatest Ambassador At The Grassroots Level

Nice article by Steve Politi for CNN.com on Coach Bob Hurley:

Bob Hurley Sr. is about to hit a milestone few basketball coaches on any level have reached: 1,000 victories.

He has won them the hard way at St. Anthony High in Jersey City, New Jersey, sweeping the hardwood floor before home games and riding yellow buses to cramped gymnasiums up and down the East Coast.

The victories helped make him just the third boys high school coach to earn enshrinement in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. They earned him the respect of some of the highest-profile coaches in the sport, including Mike Krzyzewski at Duke.

But his true legacy is much deeper than the lights on the scoreboard. Hurley said he would trade in those wins -- every last one of them -- for a chance to help more inner-city kids.

"You know what? I would give them up for one more chance with some of the kids I didn't reach over the years," Hurley said. "If I could have a second chance with some of those, it would be worth all the adulation."

Hurley doesn't coach for the attention. If he wanted that, he long ago would have left St. Anthony, a tiny Catholic school a few blocks from the Holland Tunnel, for the arenas and riches of the college game.

He chose to stay in Jersey City, becoming one of the coaching legends in the high school game. Hurley, whose current team is ranked second in the country in an ESPN poll, will likely win his 1,000th game late next week. No one is sure exactly how many losses that includes -- 109 or 110 is the best guess -- but they rarely happen more than once or twice a season.

Still, even with 25 state parochial titles, the victories are a small part of what he has accomplished. Hurley, 63, has been a father figure for hundreds of inner-city teenagers over the past four decades. He has placed nearly all of them in four-year colleges, most on scholarships.

Some are doctors and businessmen now. Others are lawyers and police captains. One owns a popular restaurant in Jersey City and once held a seat on the city's board of education.

Terry Dehere, who went on to play at Seton Hall and in the NBA, could have moved on from his roots. Instead, he moved back to Jersey City, twice renovating his boyhood playground, restoring an abandoned building for low-income housing and hands out 500 turkeys annually each Thanksgiving.

"(Hurley) had a direct effect on a lot of young men's lives growing up in Jersey City," Dehere said. "To have a coach who was dedicated and a taskmaster helped a lot of kids -- and I'm a living testament to it."

Dehere played for Hurley in the late '80s. Two decades later, Mike Rosario was the star of the team, a hot-tempered kid who used basketball as a refuge from the life in a housing project.

"He started disciplining me like I was one of his sons," Rosario said. "It was to the point where I was like, 'Wow, I had never been pushed like this in my life.' I learned how to be a man and not a boy." Rosario now plays college ball at the University of Florida.

Coaching at a place like St. Anthony isn't always a glamorous life, but Hurley has always recognized its importance in the city where he grew up. The school, with just 250 students, boasts a 100% college acceptance rate over the past 18 years, according to its Web site.

Hurley has helped keep the doors open through his fundraising efforts, never making more than a $6,500 stipend for coaching. He worked as a probation officer and then a parks department official before retiring from his day jobs to focus on his team and his grandchildren.

His first victory came on December 8, 1972. It was an impressive debut, a 64-43 win over a team whose coach was ejected in frustration, but there were few signs of a dynasty in the making.

"I remember that like it was yesterday," Hurley said. "You think, 'Wow. It would be nice to do that again.' "

St. Anthony kept winning and winning, and producing college-ready players along the way. That attracted attention from the next level. Finally, in the spring of 1985, he received a phone call from then Xavier coach Pete Gillen with a simple message.

"It's time."

He accepted an offer to become Gillen's top assistant. But then he arrived home to find his three children waiting. Bobby, his oldest son, had written a list of reasons why he had to stay at St. Anthony that left the old man in tears.

"Who's going to be my coach? You're going to be on the road all the time. Are you ever going to see me play?"

So Hurley stayed put. His team with his son at point guard is regarded as one of the best in state history, and when he graduated from St. Anthony, Bobby Hurley helped turn another coach into a legend, too.

Krzyzewski has won four national championships at Duke, including two when Bobby Hurley was his point guard. He was the presenter on August 13 when Hurley Sr. was inducted into the Hall of Fame, standing proudly over his shoulder as the high school lifer joined the most exclusive club.

"Bob has a passion to help young men get the opportunities they would never have gotten unless he and basketball entered their lives," Krzyzewski said. "He should be in the Hall of Fame not for the number of wins, but for the number of lives he's changed."

His induction was not just a victory for Hurley. It was a validation for thousands of high school coaches across the country.

Few will ever get the same recognition. Hurley has been the subject of a best-selling book, "The Miracle of St. Anthony," and an award-winning documentary, "The Street Stops Here."

But in a way, when he stood with NBA stars such as Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone at the induction ceremony, he stood for all the coaches who work at the grassroots level of the sport.

The men and women who not only shape the lives of young people, but sweep the floors before games.

"What we see is the finished product," Malone said before the induction ceremony. "But somewhere along the line, somebody looked at every one of us and said, 'I think I'll give that young man a chance.' Our high school coaches don't get nearly enough credit."
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