Friday 29 December 2023

SMS ATHLETICS … HEADING INTO THE NEW YEAR… WEEK OF JAN 1st to JAN 5th … HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I hope everyone’s holiday has been good so far. 

Reminder, Basketball Season in our schools runs from November to March. If players are in town, it is expected that they show-up to all Practices and Open Gyms. The two week Winter Break can become a big problem for a lot of programs. The best teams/programs practice and play over the break … Last week in Kamloops, SKam, Valleyview, and SaHali Gr. 8 Boys practice twice played games each other. This week the same teams are doing the same thing and they’ve invited VSS (from Vernon) to join them. If a team wants to get good they need to get in the gym over the break and if players can learn that common sacrifice and common commitment pay dividends over time, then success is possible. 

The KSS Sr. Boys’ Basketball Team from Kelowna (the best Sr. Boys’ Basketball Team in the Okanagan for the past two decades) just completed a 3 day tournament in Victoria against the tops teams in BC and some teams from Seattle. The best put some time into their games over the break. KSS is the one Sr. Boys’ Team in the BC Provincials every year representing the Okanagan. What do you say we get in the gym boys…and start the process in Gr. 8!

Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practices this Week…

Wednesday, January 3, 2024 … 9AM to 10:30AM (*Our Gr. 6 and 7’s who always attend Gr. 8 Practices are encouraged to attend)

Thursday, January 4, 2024 … 3PM to 4:30PM  (*Our Gr. 6 and 7’s who always attend Gr. 8 Practices are encouraged to attend)

Friday, January 5, 2024 … 9AM to 10:30AM  (*Our Gr. 6 and 7’s who always attend Gr. 8 Practices are encouraged to attend)

Gr. 8 Girls’ Basketball Practices…

Thursday, January 4, 2024… 10:30AM to 12Noon

Friday, January 5, 2024 … 10:30AM to 12Noon

                                               Shuswap Middle School 

Boys’ Basketball

CORE VALUES & STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE

“Culture leads when no one else is watching.” You do what is expected when the coach isn’t present. Our Core Values and Beliefs have been established to lead and guide us. One’s behaviours and actions represent who we are as a Team and an program, and shape our identity. “You can be you, but to be a part of Us, you have to Align with Us.” We all make mistakes and make poor choices from time to time. Own your behaviour and actions. Learn from your mistakes. When your behaviour and actions appear to be off the rails and not meeting our Standards, press pause and think. Use our Core Values and Beliefs, to help guide you in your daily decisions. 

The Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Program believes in Synergy… “The Sum of the Whole is Greater than its individual Parts.”

TO STAY ON THE TEAM

SHOW UP!

·         MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY

·         BE ENTHUSIASTIC

·         ON TIME – EVERY TIME!

TELL THE TRUTH

·         TO YOUR COACH, YOUR TEAMMATES & TO YOURSELF

ACT WITH INTEGRITY

·         THINK BEFORE YOU ACT

·         DO THE RIGHT THING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S DIFFICULT

·         TALK TO PEOPLE, NOT ABOUT THEM

 BE RESPONSIBLE

·         NO BLAMING! Admit your errors & do everything in your power to correct them – NO “YA BUTS” or “I KNOWS” or “HE …” or “THEY…”

·         Know how your actions affect others.

·         Treat others with dignity & respect – GOLDEN RULE!

·         Don’t Freak Out over ridiculous issues or live in a fragile state of emotion.

 BE SELF DISCIPLINED

·         Recover – sleep – nutrition – SCHOOL

·         Your body is your business

·         Follow workout plans (never miss)

·         Family – School – Team – Social … in that order.

 TO PLAY

 WORK HARD

·         Leads to preparedness …

·         Which builds confidence in yourself & your teammates

·         Builds a bond of common sacrifice

·         Continuous improvement

 BE SUPER FIT

·         The best are super fit – quick, strong, flexible, & powerful

 BE SKILLED

·         Continuous improvement

·         Pay attention to detail

·         “Game shots – game spots – game speed”

 KNOW YOUR STUFF

·         Do your job

·         Embrace your role

 TO COMPETE AS A MEMBER OF SMS GR. 8 BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM

 DEMONSTRATE COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

·         Be at your best when your best is needed


BE MENTALLY TOUGH

·         FOCUS! Pay attention – play smart – CONCENTRATE

·         POISE! Calm under pressure

·         Handle success & failure

·         Be coachable – accept and act upon corrective feedback

·         Don’t whine or complain


COMMUNICATE

·         On the court & off the court

 BE A GREAT TEAMMATE!

·         Put TEAM before self – eager to sacrifice – OVER THE TOP (as teammates and human-beings)

·         Enjoy the success of others (when we don’t play as much as we like, we are noble and support the team’s mission)

·         Loyalty

 “When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet, at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”

 

DESERVE VICTORY

Sunday 24 December 2023

TIS THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS…

 … AND MR. SMITH IS UP EARLY AND STIRRING … 

Routine is routine … even when on holidays. 

I hope everyone enjoys the Holidays and is able to spend time with family and friends. Enjoy the break everyone and the time away from the gym. 

Some Important Dates to Write on Your Calendar…

***Wednesday, January 3, 2024 … Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice 9AM to 10:30AM

***Thursday, January 4, 2024 … Gr. 6-7-8 Boys’ Basketball Open Gym/Skills/Training/3on3 Games - 3PM to 4:30PM

***Friday, January 5, 2024 … Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice 9AM to 10:30AM 

Get the cobwebs off and Get Back in the Gym Practices / Open Gym Opportunities … If you are in town and have no important plans - I strongly suggest you make the above practices/open gym times. All the good teams/programs practice and play over the break - even at the grade 8 level. So, your coaches hope to see you in the gym on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of January… 

Information Regarding … Gr. 8 Boy’s Basketball, Gr. 8 Girl’s Basketball, and Gr. 6/7 Basketball will be posted next Sunday.

Enjoy the Holidays Everyone… Merry Christmas!!!

Sunday 17 December 2023

SMS ATHLETICS … DECEMBER 18th to DECEMBER 21st …

 *** Grade 8 Boy’s and Girl’s Basketball Games Tomorrow … Monday, December 18th…

Parents, please note… the Schedule to these games was sent home a few weeks ago… Your Athlete should have shown you the schedule… Cheers

Gr. 8 Girls Basketball Team Host 

@ SMS…

4:00    SMS vs SEA2

4:40    KAL vs KCS

5:20    SEA2 vs KAL

6:00    KCS vs SEA2

6:40    KAL vs SMS

7:20    SMS vs KCS

Gr. 8 Boys’ Teams Travel to Vernon … All 3 Teams … 

***Players were asked last week to make arrangements for rides. It is imperative that all players are at the games. SMS has made a commitment to our Zone League and we are obligated to fulfill our commitment. Players have made a commitment to our SMS Boys’ Basketball Teams and therefore are obligated to be at all games. Athletes, you should have already made arrangements to carpool and organize rides to and from the games tomorrow. If you haven’t made arrangements for a ride, please do so asap. Thank you. 

***We should leave right after school. If we leave by 2:30, we should arrive at the schools in time for warm-up. Again, all games are in Vernon… 

Team #3 (Black) @ Fulton (Coach Smith)            Team #1 (Blue) @ Seaton (Coach Neid)

4:00    SMS3 vs FUL                                                4:00        VCS vs REV

4:40    VSS vs LWM                                                4:40        SEA vs SMS1

5:20     LWM vs SMS3                                            5:20        REV vs SMS1

6:00    SMS3 vs VSS                                                6:00        REV vs SEA

6:40    FUL vs LWM                                                6:40        VCS vs SMS1

7:20    VSS vs FUL                                                  7:20        VCS vs SEA

Team #2 (Orange) @ Kalamalka (Coach Henderson)

4:00    SMS2 vs KAL                                        

4:40    KCS vs CBSS                                             

5:20    KCS vs SMS2                                       

6:00    SMS2 vs CBSS                                             

6:40    KCS vs KAL                                              

7:20    KAL vs CBSS 

***Please Note: After the above Mini Tournaments have been completed and the results submitted, a schedule will be created for two separate leagues in our Zone. The top six teams will play in one league and the bottom six will play in another league. Schedules will be sent home on Wednesday. League play will begin Thursday, January 11, 2024. All other Grade 8 League Games will take place on Mondays. League play will run every Monday until February 5th. Play-Offs begin Monday February 12th and will last until last week of February. The Champion of the top pool goes to the Gr. 8 Provincials, which takes place during the first week of March. 

Reminder… 5 Ways to Develop Mental Toughness and Resiliency …

1. Get up Early… when the alarm goes off, don’t hit the snooze … get out of bed…

2. Make Your Bed as a Habit… as soon as you get up make your bed - perfectly! 

3. Do Work… Attend AM Open Gym or if not, do push-ups, sit-ups, etc…

4. When the School Day is Over… Study First … If you have early Bball Practice, then study after practice… If you have late Bball Practice, then stay at school, attend Study Hall and Do Your Work… Read, Re-Read, Write, Re-Write, Review - That’s what homework is… 

5. Eat Something You Don’t Like Regularly… as a Habit… Mr. Smith doesn’t let tomatoes be tougher than him… He still doesn’t like tomatoes, but he eats them anyway… 

Why do all the things above … because they are usually the last things you want to do… Do the things that you don’t want to do, but are good for you, and make them a part of your Daily Habits… That’s how one Develops Mental Toughness. 

Monday, December 18, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Basketball … Gr. 6/7/8 … Shooting Practice/Clinic … 

*Gr. 8 Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Games After School … Please See Schedule Above 

@ Seaton … Boys Team1 (Blue) … Ian, Brodie, Ben, Jari, Spencer, Cameron, Jasper, Owen, Bill, Chris

@ Kalamalka … Boys Team2 (Orange) … Gabe, Mason, Felix, Kizito, Zeka, Noah, Nathan, Linden, Armaan, Parker, 

@ Fulton … Boys Team3 (Black) … Atreides, Ashton, Jack, Landon, Brandon, Brock, Elias, Daxton, Jackson, Mason

Tuesday, December 19, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Activity Time … Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Game … Team #1 (Blue) vs Team #3 (Black)

*Gr. 8 Girl’s Basketball Practice … 2:40 to 4:15

*Gr. 8 Boy’s Basketball Practice … 4:15 to 5:45 … Boys Not Leaving Campus to go home, must attend Study Hall … “When the School Day is Over … Study First!”… use the time to catch-up on Homework … Help each other out … Go over the offence … Oh ya, and Read! 

Wednesday, December 20, 2023…

*AM Open Gym… Basketball … Full Court Transition Concepts - Skills - Drills

*Lunch Hour Activity Time… Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Game … Team #1 (Blue) vs Team #2 (Orange)

Thursday, December 14, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Hour Activity Time… Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Game … Team #2 (Orange vs Team #3 (Black) 

*NO Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice … No Practice 

*Gr. 8 Girls’ Basketball Practice … ???? See Coach Mueller 

***Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practices (Gr. 6 and 7 Boys who have been attending Gr. 8 Basketball Practices are encouraged to attend these practices) over the Break… Reminder … We begin our League Games the first week back from Winter Break… Wednesday, January 3, 2024, 9:00 AM to 10:30 … Thursday, January 4, 2024, 3:00 to 4:30 … Friday, January 5, 2024, 9:00AM to 10:30AM

***Please check the Blog over the Break

***Mr. Smith will be offering Basketball Skill Workouts for Gr, 6/7 Boys in the Mornings after the Break. The Plan for grade 6/7 boys basketball is two skills sessions per week in the mornings and Wednesday after school Games from 2:45 to 4:30 … Please stay tune… 

***Check back for information about Gr. 6/7 Girls’ Basketball … 




Sunday 3 December 2023

SMS ATHLETICS … DECEMBER 11th to DECEMBER 15th

***Parents… Please, out of respect for the amount of Volunteer Time, energy, and commitment that it takes to run our Athletic Program, this Blog, and the number of teams I coach, and our staff coach… Please… if you have any concerns about our program, what we offer, Fees, etc… Please contact me (Aaron Smith) at hsmith@sd83.bc.ca directly. I would be more than happy to listen to your concerns and have a conversation. AM Open Gym and all the Coaching that our staff does is strictly volunteer. We don’t get paid for what we do, nor is any of our volunteer time part of our job descriptions … We do what we do because we value School Sports and what it can offer/provide to our students, our school culture, and the community. We are not looking for praise or accolades, those come from our participants daily; however, we do ask that one respects the process of communication and that is… if you have concerns, please contact our Coaches directly or me (SMS AD - Aaron Smith). Thanks for your continued support. We love what we do. We value the opportunities we provide for our student/athletes and the time we get to coach them. What we do matters. 

Thanks to all the parents and players for a great weekend at the Kamloops Gr. 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Tournament. 

Below are some videos for our Gr. 8 Boys Basketball team to watch… Flex Offence … Continuity action … simple, yet so many options as we build from the base … 

https://youtu.be/lLsj3_ddGck?si=wohjxuK9q8Igdfzi … Click to view Flex Offence… 

https://youtu.be/ZvllR21DvwM?si=3nrvuLmBMeGIirqT … Gr. 8 Boys … This is another good teaching video for the Flex Offence… 

https://youtu.be/PFm6HUfUY68?si=k7liEUq6HcUcvfMi … Good look at the Flex O in Action at the College level

https://youtu.be/FBj8lJPW9io?si=_DZOivAbccXp0Jjs … Some more good Flex Action… Auburn Men’s Basketball… Dribble at with an inside cut - able to hit the back cut off the back screen on the wing … plus… dribble at with a back cut and a Backdoor cut… simple action that produces lots of results!

*** Even though our School Volleyball Season is over, Shuswap Middle School Athletics offers an In-House Volleyball Club Program for our Gr. 6-7-8 Girls and Boys … Our Shuswap Middle School Volleyball Club offers training, practice, and game sessions two mornings per week and two lunch hours per week. For years now, our athletes at SMS have taken advantage of AM Open Gym Opportunities and those who have “Showed Up” have improved their skills and done well. Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 Hour Rule comes into play here… If one wants to get better at anything and perform at a high level, then one needs to put the hours into their craft. As we teach in our Basketball and Volleyball Programs at SMS… “If you want to create Magic, they you need to put in the time to do the work in order to develop the skills, that produces the Magic/results. Oh … By-the-way… Our Volleyball Club Program that we offer is “Free” … It’s a good deal! 

Volleyball Club Days and Times: Tuesday and Thursday Mornings (AM Open Gym) 7AM to 8:10AM … and Tuesday and Thursday Lunch Hours (Activity Time) 3on3 Volleyball. 

Reminder… 5 Ways to Develop Mental Toughness and Resiliency …

1. Get up Early… when the alarm goes off, don’t hit the snooze … get out of bed…

2. Make Your Bed as a Habit… as soon as you get up make your bed - perfectly! 

3. Do Work… Attend AM Open Gym or if not, do push-ups, sit-ups, etc…

4. When the School Day is Over… Study First … If you have early Bball Practice, then study after practice… If you have late Bball Practice, then stay at school, attend Study Hall and Do Your Work… Read, Re-Read, Write, Re-Write, Review - That’s what homework is… 

5. Eat Something You Don’t Like Regularly… as a Habit… Mr. Smith doesn’t let tomatoes be tougher than him… He still doesn’t like tomatoes, but he eats them anyway… 

Why do all the things above … because they are usually the last things you want to do… Do the things that you don’t want to do, but are good for you, and make them a part of your Daily Habits… That’s how one Develops Mental Toughness. 

Monday, December 11, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Basketball … Gr. 6/7/8 … Shooting Practice/Clinic … 

*Gr. 8 Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Games … 

@SMS … Boys Team1 4PM - 6:40 - 7:20 … Team2 4:40 - 6:00 - 7:20 … Game Times

@KALAMALKA … Boys Team3 4:00 - 5:20 - 6:00 … Game Times

@SEATON … Girls Team 4:00 - 5:20 - 6:00 … Game Times

Boys Team1 (Blue) … Ian, Brodie, Ben, Jari, Spencer, Cameron, Jasper, Owen, Bill, Chris

Boys Team2 (Orange) … Gabe, Mason, Felix, Kizito, Zeka, Noah, Nathan, Linden, Armaan, Parker, 

Boys Team3 (Black) … Atreides, Ashton, Jack, Landon, Brandon, Brock, Elias, Daxton, Jackson, Mason

***Black Team … Please make sure you have a ride to Kalamalka for tomorrow … if we leave after school, we should have time to get to Kal… Warm-up starts at 3:40 … Tip-Off at 4:00 … 

Tuesday, December 12, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Activity Time … 3on3 Volleyball 

*Gr. 8 Girl’s Basketball Practice … 2:40 to 4:15

*Gr. 8 Boy’s Basketball Practice … 4:15 to 5:45 … Boys Not Leaving Campus to go home, must attend Study Hall … “When the School Day is Over … Study First!”… use the time to catch-up on Homework and study Flex Offence… Oh ya, and Read! 

Wednesday, December 13, 2023…

*AM Open Gym… Basketball … Full Court Transition Concepts - Skills - Drills

*Lunch Hour Activity Time… 3on3 Basketball …

Thursday, December 14, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Hour … Teachers vs Gr. 8 Volleyball Teams… Rematch!!! 

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice … 2:40 to 4:15

*Gr. 8 Girls’ Basketball Practice … 4:15 to 5:45 

Friday, December 15, 2023…

*AM Open Gym… Basketball … 7AM to 8:10AM … Full Court Transition Work … Even if you are playing in the tournament - AM Open Gym is a great place to start your day … Just saying… 

*Lunch Hour … Teachers vs Gr. 8 Volleyball Teams … Another Rematch… 

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Tournament in Vernon at Kalamalka  … 15 players will be invited to this tournament … The 10 Players who were invited to Kamloops will be invited again, along with an additional five players. SMS plays on Friday, Dec 15th at 3:00 PM (SMS vs VCS) and at 6:00 PM (SMS vs Kalamalka) … Two games … one day … cost per player is $20. Players must organize their own rides to and from the tournament. Players must be able to play in both games. We will need to leave SMS by 1:15PM on Friday. Should be a fun tournament and a great opportunity to get more experience on the court. 








Sunday 26 November 2023

SMS ATHLETICS … NOVEMBER 27th to DECEMBER 1st…

***Just Added … Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Schedule for the Weekend… Sorry … It’s been an extremely busy night… I am looking forward to the weekend!


Shuswap Middle School Athletics

Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Tournament

 

Friday, December 1, 2023

 

3:30                      SMS1 vs SMS2

 

Saturday, December 2, 2023

 

9:00AM      Kalamalka vs SaHali

10:30AM     SMS 2 vs Valleyview 1

12:00 Noon  Kalamalka vs Valleyview 2

1:30PM      SaHali vs SMS 1

3:00PM      Valleyview 1 vs SMS 1

4:30PM      SMS 2 vs Valleyview 2

***Just Added… CODE = 6TQTFUJGQP  …. I hope this works for everyone … This is the CODE Required for the Driving Forms to be handed in… Cheers 

***Even though our School Volleyball Season is over, Shuswap Middle School Athletics offers an In-House Volleyball Club Program for our Gr. 6-7-8 Girls and Boys … Our Shuswap Middle School Volleyball Club offers training, practice, and game sessions two mornings per week and two lunch hours per week. For years now, our athletes at SMS have taken advantage of AM Open Gym Opportunities and those who have “Showed Up” have improved their skills and done well. Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 Hour Rule comes into play here… If one wants to get better at anything and perform at a high level, then one needs to put the hours into their craft. As we teach in our Basketball and Volleyball Programs at SMS… “If you want to create Magic, they you need to put in the time to do the work in order to develop the skills, that produces the Magic/results. Oh … By-the-way… Our Volleyball Club Program that we offer is “Free” … It’s a good deal!

Volleyball Club Days and Times: Tuesday and Thursday Mornings (AM Open Gym) 7AM to 8:10AM … and Tuesday and Thursday Lunch Hours (Activity Time) 3on3 Volleyball. 

Reminder… 5 Ways to Develop Mental Toughness and Resiliency …

1. Get up Early… when the alarm goes off, don’t hit the snooze … get out of bed…

2. Make Your Bed as a Habit… as soon as you get up make your bed - perfectly! 

3. Do Work… Attend AM Open Gym or if not, do push-ups, sit-ups, etc…

4. When the School Day is Over… Study First … If you have early Bball Practice, then study after practice… If you have late Bball Practice, then stay at school, attend Study Hall and Do Your Work… Read, Re-Read, Write, Re-Write, Review - That’s what homework is… 

5. Eat Something You Don’t Like Regularly… as a Habit… Mr. Smith doesn’t let tomatoes be tougher than him… He still doesn’t like tomatoes, but he eats them anyway… 

Why do all the things above … because they are usually the last things you want to do… Do the things that you don’t want to do, but are good for you, and make them a part of your Daily Habits… That’s how one Develops Mental Toughness. 

Monday, November 27, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Basketball … Gr. 6/7/8 … Shooting Practice/Clinic … 

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice 4:00 to 5:45 … ***Parent Meeting at 6:00PM 

Tuesday, November 28, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Activity Time … 3on3 Volleyball 

*Gr. 8 Girl’s Basketball Practice … 2:40 to 4:15

*Gr. 8 Boy’s Basketball Practice … 4:15 to 5:45

Wednesday, November 29, 2023…

*AM Open Gym… Basketball … Shooting Clinic

*Lunch Hour Activity Time… 3on3 Basketball …

*NEW … After School … Basketball Open Gym… 2:40 to 3:30 

Thursday, November 30, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Hour … Teachers vs Gr. 8 Volleyball Teams… 

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice … 2:40 to 4:15

*Gr. 8 Girls’ Basketball Practice … 4:15 to 5:45 

Friday, December 1, 2023…

*AM Open Gym… Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Hour … Teachers vs Gr. 8 Volleyball Teams …

*After School… Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Game … SMS1 vs SMS2 … 3:30 to 4:45ish… … 

*SMS Gr. 8 Boys Basketball Program is hosting a six team mini tournament this weekend - Saturday, Dec. 2nd… Games begin at 9AM and the last Game Tips-Off at 4:30 … Spectators Welcome… … Score Keeper Training during lunch hours this week… See Mr. Smith… 







Sunday 19 November 2023

SMS ATHLETICS … NOVEMBER 20th to NOVEMBER 24th - Updated Thursday, November 23rd …

***NEW UPDATE … Thursday Night at 6:51 PM…  Gr. 8 Volleyball Year End Wrap-up In Kamloops This Saturday…                                              

- Games will be played at Valleyview Secondary School in Kamloops. The school is located at the East end of the city as you enter Kamloops… 1950 Valleyview Drive V2C 4C2                                                     - Can begin arriving at 9:45 … Organize at 10:00… Games begin at 10:30… Games end at 1:30ish                                            - After the Games are completed… ending around 1:45, We will order pizza (players will have to chip in $5.00 each for pizza) …                                                                                                                                                                             - Games will be organized as a “Hat Tournament” … players from all schools - boys and girls - will be mixed together in teams to play games… Great idea and lots of fun!                                                                                                            - After Pizza parents/players can make their way over to the TCC on the TRU Campus to watch the TRU Women’s  and Men’s Volleyball Teams compete against the University of Manitoba… The Women’s game starts at 3:00 PM and the Men’s Game is slated to begin at 4:45 … It would be a good idea for our players to arrive early to watch the Women warm-up, so that our young athletes see how the university players prepare for their matches…                                                                                                                                                                    - When arriving at the TCC, parents/players/families are to enter the area labeled “Guest List” … the entrance into the TCC Gym will be divided for Tickets … Once at the Ticket Table on the Guest List side just say that “we are from Shuswap Middle School” and everyone in the family you are travelling with will get a stamp and free entrance to the games… TRU does an excellent job in promoting their sports in the community and with Youth and High School Sports…                                                                                 - If you arrive early and your athlete hasn’t been to the TRU Campus, it might be a good idea to walk around the TRU Campus before the games begin… TRU has a nice Campus and great facilities … the new Athlete’s High Performance Training Facility in the Old TRU Gym, located across from the TCC, is state-of-the-art and one that is comparable to NCAA Div 1 training facilities… “Dreams begin at a young age… … …. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Aaron Smith or Mr. Andy Henderson… Cheers

Congratulations to our Gr. 8 Boys’ Volleyball Team for Winning the Grade 8 Boys’ North Okanagan Zone Championships last Tuesday. SMS hosted the eight team Zone League Finals and came out on top with two easy wins against Kalamalka and VSS. Way to Go Boys!!! With the Shuswap victory in the Finals, it is the first time an Gr. 8 Boys’ Team has won the Gr. 8 Boys’ Zone Finals. Quite the accomplishment annd well done! 

We are heading into an Extremely Busy Week for SMS Athletics!!!

As Volleyball is ending, Basketball is beginning and the transition between sports is going to be quick and busy for those who do both sports at SMS!

***Tomorrow… Monday, November 20th… our Gr. 8 Girls Volleyball Team is competing in the North Okanagan Zone Volleyball Championships at Vernon Secondary. Game times are at 5:00 PM for the Semi-Finals and 6:10 PM for the Finals and 3rd/4th Place Game. Players, please be at VSS by 4:15. 

***Both Grade 8 Boys’ and Grade 8 Girls’ Basketball continue and begin this week. Please check the Practice Days and Times below… 

***Reminder to all athletes… If one wants to get better, one needs to put in extra time to practice, work on and build skills, and improve their physical literacy. Those athletes who show-up to Early AM Open Gym Times, get better and give themselves the opportunity to improve and get ahead of those who don’t. Reminder, Coaches like athletes who do extra. If AM is a possibility, then I suggest one makes attending happen. If AM doesn’t fit your family’s schedule, then I suggest you take advantage of all other opportunities to get in the gym (at Lunch/After School) to work on your craft. 

***Grade 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Year End Wrap-Up … Co-ed Tournament at Valleyview in Kamloops + Women’s and Men’s TRU Volleyball Games… More Info to be sent Home… 

***Please Note: For Basketball Players staying after school waiting for practices to start at 4:15, those athletes must work quietly in the cafeteria/eating area on school work … Homework = The 5 R’s, which = Read, Re-read, Write, Re-write, Review… Again, this must be completed Quietly… 

***For those who have been taught… 5 Things to Develop One’s Mental Toughness … = 1. Get up Early and Get Out of Bed - Don’t Hit the Snooze … 2. Make Your Be…Start the day with a Win and Make your bed perfectly…  3. Do Work - If you are not attending AM Open Gym, then get down beside your bed and complete 3 sets of push-ups…Workout… 4. When the School Day is Done, Study First… If you have time before practice starts, do your homework - if practice is right after school, then do you “Homework” when you get home… 5. Eat Something You Don’t Like - Regularly … If you want to develop Mental Toughness and develop Resiliency, then Do the Things You Don’t Like to Do and Make them your Daily Habits… 

Monday, November 20th…

*AM OPEN GYM … Basketball for Gr. 6/7/8 … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 8 Girls’ Volleyball Players, please Mr. Smith in the Gym at the beginning of Lunch.

*Pepper in the Gym at Lunch for Gr. 6-7-8 Volleyball Players…

*After School… Gr. 8 Girls are Competing in the North Zone Volleyball Championships at VSS … Game time is at 5:00 … Please be at VSS by 4:15 … GOOD LUCK and Ace the Competition… 

Tuesday, November 21st…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Hour 3on3 Volleyball … 

*Gr. 8 Girls’ Basketball Practice After School … 2:40 to 4:15

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice from 3:50 to 5:45 … All Gr. 8 Boys, we will meet in Mr. Henderson’s Room from 3:50 to 4:15 … We will practice in the Gym from 4:15 to 5:45 … Forms/Information will be sent home with players after practice… 

Wednesday, November 22nd…

*AM Open Gym … Basketball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*3on3 or 4on4 Basketball in the Gym at Lunch Time 

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice After School … 2:40 to 4:15 (Extra Practice to Get Ready for the Season)

Thursday, November 23rd…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*3on3 Volleyball at Lunch during Activity Time

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice After School … 2:40 to 4:15

*Gr. 8 Girls’ Basketball Practice After School … 4:15 to 5:45 

Friday, November 24th…

*PRO-D … No School…


Sunday 12 November 2023

SMS ATHLETICS … NOVEMBER 13th to NOVEMBER 17th

 Monday, November 13, 2023…

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice … 7AM to 8:10AM… For those Gr. 8 Boys who can make the early morning practice and for those younger players who have been invited…

*Gr. 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice … 2:40 to 4:00

Tuesday, November 14, 2023…

*AM Open Gym Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*3on3 Volleyball at Lunch Time During Activity Time…

*Gr. 8 Boys Volleyball Team Hosts the Zone Finals at SMS … Our SMS Boys are scheduled to play in the Semi-Final at 6:00PM and they will either play in the Final or 3rd/4th Place game at 7:10 … All Spectators are welcome and encouraged to come and cheer for our Boys!!! 

… Gr. 8 Girls Volleyball Team Players and any Gr. 7’s interested are expected to sign-up for Score Keeping and doing Lining for the games… Games begin at 3:30 and the last game (The Finals) begin at 7:10 … It’s a late night, but it’s the first time a Gr. 8 Boys’ Volleyball Team has hosted in Salmon Arm… So… Tuesday is a Special Day… 

Wednesday, November 15, 2023…

*Basketball AM Open Gym for Boys … 7AM to 8:10AM… All Boys in Grades 6 - 7 - 8 are Welcome to attend… 

*3on3 or 4on4 Basketball at Lunch Time … All Grades Welcome… First 48 in the gym are invited to play… 

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice … After School from 2:40 to 4:15 … ***Please Note: Regular Practice Days will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Mondays being Game and/or Practice Days… 

Thursday, November 16, 2023…

*NO AM Open Gym … NO OPEN GYM … Sorry… 

*3on3 Volleyball During Lunch Activity Time…

*Gr. 8 Girls Volleyball Practice After School … 2:40 to 4:00 … Last Practice before Monday’s Zone Finals in Vernon…

Friday, November 17, 2023…

*AM Open Gym… Basketball … All Grades …Boys Only at this time… 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 8 Girls’ Volleyball Team vs Gr. 8 Boys’ Volleyball Team … Game Prep for Monday’s Zones … 12 Girls Travelling to Vernon vs the Boys … Game will start before Activity Time… Wear your uniforms please … Spectators Welcome… 

Sunday 5 November 2023

SMS ATHLETICS … NOV 6th to NOV 9th

 ***Monday, October 30th …

*AM Gr. 8 Boy’s Basketball Practice … Gr. 7 Boys are encouraged to attend … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 8 Boys Volleyball at VCS for League Games…  5:00 - 6:00 - 7:00

Gr. 8 Girls Volleyball @ AL Fortune … League Play-offs … Game time is at 5:00 (Semi-Final) … If the team wins, they play at 6:00 … All players should be at the gym by 4:15 … 

Tuesdays, October 31st… 

*AM Open Gym… Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM … 

*Lunch Hour Volleyball Gr. 6-7-8 3 on 3 games … Reminder … Make your 3v3 teams and get your list to Mr. Smith… 

*Gr. 8 Girls and Boys Volleyball Practice After School… 2:40 to 4:15

Wednesday, November 1st…

*AM Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball Practice … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Hour Volleyball Games…

*After School… Gr. 6/7 Girls and Boys Volleyball … Gr. 8 Mentors needed (at Least 6… the more the better) … Triple Ball Games … 

Thursday, November 2nd…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Hour … Gr. 6-7-8 3on3 Volleyball 

*Gr. 8 Girls and Boys Volleyball Practice After School… 2:40 to 4:15

Friday, November 3rd…

No School… 

Sunday 29 October 2023

SMS ATHLETICS - OCTOBER 30 TO NOVEMBER 3, 2023

 ***CONGRATULATIONS … To both our SMS Gr. 8 Girls and Gr. 8 Boys Volleyball Teams … Both teams competed in the Vernon Monster Smash Volleyball Tournament on the Weekend and did extremely well. Our Girls placed 2nd in the tournament losing to South Kamloops in the Final and our Boys placed 4th losing the bronze medal match in three close games to Valleyview, from Kamloops. The teams played great competition in all six of their matches and again, they did extremely well. Way to go SMS!!!

***Monday, October 30th …

*AM Open Gym … Basketball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 8 Boys Volleyball Host League Play at SMS… Game times are at 5:00 - 6:00 - 7:00

Gr. 8 Girls Volleyball @ Eagle River in Sicamous … Game times are at 4:15 … 5:45 … 6:30 … All players who were at the Monster Smash Tournament on the Weekend are playing in the Games at Eagle River… 

Tuesdays, October 31st… 

*AM Open Gym… Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM … Since we are not practicing after school … I suggest all Volleyball players do their best to show up in the morning

*Lunch Hour Volleyball Gr. 6-7-8 3 on 3 games … 

*After School … NO PRACTICES … Halloween … Yikes … 

Wednesday, November 1st…

*AM Open Gym … Basketball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Hour Volleyball Games… Gr. 7’s vs Gr. 8 Girls … & … Gr. 8 Girls vs Gr. 8 Boys … Two Games 

*After School… Gr. 6/7 Girls and Boys Volleyball … Gr. 8 Mentors needed (at Least 6… the more the better)

Thursday, November 2nd…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Hour … Gr. 6-7-8 3on3 Volleyball 

*Gr. 8 Girls and Boys Volleyball Practice After School… 2:40 to 4:15

Friday, November 3rd…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball Games … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Hour Volleyball Games… Gr. 7’s vs Gr 8 Girls … & … Gr. 8 Girls vs Gr. 8 Boys





Friday 27 October 2023

GR 8 GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL - VERNON MONSTER SMASH TOURNAMENT INFO…

 First of all, thank you to all the parents who drove and came out to support our team today! We appreciate you being at the games and taking to the time to support the team. 

GREAT DAY Girls!!! Our first two matches were good; however, I think our last match against Valleyview was the most beneficial match we played today. You can learn a few things when you win, but the greatest learning occurs when you lose. We will have an opportunity to play Valleyview in the future and I know if we take advantage of the opportunity, we will play better. Our last match tonight was a fantastic learning experience and what our two games against Valleyview teaches us is some things we need to work on… the match is by no means an indication of who we are. I am really proud of our progress so far and our ceiling, as a team, is very high. Believe in yourselves, have fun, and enjoy the process. The Journey of sport is the best part of participating and competing. 

We ended in 2nd place in Pool D and we play at 10:00AM, at Vernon Secondary School… Court #1 against Fulton from Vernon. If we win, we play at 1:45 and if we lose, we play at 12:30. Our Third Game tomorrow will either be at 4:15 or at 3:00. We are in the Tier 1 Play-off Pool… where we belong … so congratulations… Enjoy the day tomorrow and embrace the opportunity to get better, compete, grow as an athlete, come together as a team, and take advantage of the experience. 

I can’t wait to get at again tomorrow. Coach Deschamps and I are very proud of you girls and what we have accomplished so far… Again… your ceiling is so high and we are only tapping into our potential at this point. Our Games tomorrow are going to be fun! 

Drive safe and look forward to seeing everyone in the morning. Just think… you get to spend some more quality time with Coach Smith and Coach Deschamps this weekend… Doesn’t get much better than that! Have a great night! 

Sunday 22 October 2023

SMS ATHLETICS - OCTOBER 23rd to OCTOBER 27th

 Monday, October 23, 2023…

*NO OPEN GYM … Mr. Smith is not feeling well… 

*Gr. 8 Girls’ Volleyball … League Games @ Home … 4:00 … 5:00 … 6:00

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Volleyball … League Games 

Tuesday, October 24, 2023…

*NO OPEN GYM…

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice at Lunch, during Activity Time

*Gr. 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice after school … 2:40 to 4:15

Wednesday, October 25, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Basketball… 7AM to 8:10AM

*Volleyball Game at lunch … Gr. 7 Girls/Boys vs Gr. 8 Girls … and Gr. 8 Girls vs Boys… Two Courts

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice after school … 2:40 to 4:00

Thursday, October 26, 2023…

*NO AM Open Gym … NO Volleyball… 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice, during Activity Time at Lunch

*NO Gr. 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice after school … NO PRACTICE … Sorry the gym is in use

Friday, October 27, 2023

*AM Open Gym … Basketball… 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 8 Boys and Girls Volleyball Leave for the Vernon Monster Smash Volleyball Tournament at 1:30PM










Sunday 15 October 2023

SMS ATHLETICS - OCTOBER 16TH TO 20TH

 Monday, October 16, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Basketball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 8 Girls’ Volleyball … League Games @ Revelstoke … Leave 1:45PM

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Volleyball … League Games @ Home … 

Tuesday, October 17, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice at Lunch, during Activity Time

*Gr. 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice after school … 2:40 to 4:15

Wednesday, October 18, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Basketball… 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 8 Boys’ Volleyball Showcase Game at lunch 

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice after school … 2:40 to 4:00

Thursday, October 19, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball… 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice, during Activity Time at Lunch

*Gr. 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice after school … 2:40 to 4:00

Friday, October 20, 2023

*AM Open Gym … Basketball… 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 8 Volleyball Games at Lunch vs Staff… 









Monday 9 October 2023

SMS ATHLETICS - OCTOBER 10TH - 13TH …

 Tuesday, October 10, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice … Lunch Hour During Activity Time … Smash Ball

*NO Gr. 8 Volleyball Practice after school due to Staff Meeting … Coaches Strongly suggest that Gr. 8’s attend AM Open Gym Session

Wednesday, October 11, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Basketball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball games at Lunch … Everyone is playing so come prepared… 

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice After School… 2:40 to 4:00 … Gr. 8 Mentors Needed Please…. 

Thursday, October 12, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice … During Lunch Hour Activity Time… Smash Ball

*Gr. 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice After School … 2:40 to 4:15

Friday, October 6, 2023…

***YES … There is Open Gym … Mr. Henderson is doing Volleyball Open Gym from 7AM to 8:10AM …  Thank you Mr. Henderson!!!







Monday 2 October 2023

SMS ATHLETICS 2023 - OCTOBER 3rd to OCTOBER 6th

 

I was at TRU on the weekend to watch my son and the Men’s Basketball Team play Douglas College, and at the same time the Women’s Volleyball Team was hosting a big eight team tournament. Above and below are pictures of TRU playing the University of Fraser Valley. The games were exciting, free to get into and watch, and TRU lost this match three games to two. Whether it’s TRU or UBCO, these are great venues to take young people to to watch great volleyball or basketball games. Tour the campus, watch some games, and see yourself one day attending university. It’s where dreams can start and build from. 
All teams were wearing their Orange Shirts in warm-up and around the facility.                                                                                                                       


Tuesday, October 3, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice … Lunch Hour During Activity Time … Smash Ball

*Gr. 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice … After School … 2:40 to 4:15

Wednesday, October 4, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Basketball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Lunch Hour Open Gym … Smash Ball … During Activity Time

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice After School… 2:40 to 4:00 

Thursday, October 5, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Volleyball … 7AM to 8:10AM

*Gr. 6/7 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice … During Lunch Hour Activity Time… Smash Ball

*Gr. 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Practice After School … 2:40 to 4:15

Friday, October 6, 2023…

*AM Open Gym … Due to the Popularity and the number of athletes attending … I am alternating Friday Open Gym Times between Volleyball and Basketball … This Week, I will hold Basketball Open Gym Games … Volleyball will be next week… Again… Basketball Open Gym Today from 7AM to 8:10AM … 

*Open Gym at Lunch Time … Smash Ball during activity time…

*Gr. 8 Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball Games After School … 2:40 to 4:30…