Elite HS Girls Open Gym Invitational
The beginning of girls basketball pick up games Part of the developmental process in the game of basketball is the aspect of free play. Players should take time out of their week/day to just go out and just play basketball without…
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Continue ReadingThe beginning of girls basketball pick up games
Part of the developmental process in the game of basketball is the aspect of free play. Players should take time out of their week/day to just go out and just play basketball without being managed from coaches or parents. It is an opportunity for them to hone their craft and experiment without the pressure of failing. Mistakes is an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop. Mychal Martinez owner/founder of Mychal Martinez Basketball where he trains some of the top basketball players in Colorado organizes open runs which gives players that are competitive at the high school varsity level and/or college recruits to come to the gym and just play pick up basketball.
“What happened to the good old fashioned pick up games? where you just play and compete to stay on the court. This was probably my favorite part of playing growing up and where i really started to love basketball. ” said Mychal Martinez
The goal of these open gyms is to create a “just play” environment, and Martinez film some of the sessions only to make it more fun for the players and spread some awareness about the culture they are trying to build.
How it works?
A group text goes out to the players that are invited when open gym is scheduled and the players show up. Parents are not allowed to spectate and no coaching and/or solicitation of programs of any kind is permitted. Players that are there will never receive any flyers or will there be any marketing email list created from these sessions. This is purely to give back to the game in an effort to elevate our basketball culture here in Denver. Work with several other coaches, club, high schools and parents who share a similar vision to bring these groups of level girls together that want to get better so they can work on their game with no pressure from coaches or parents.
Check out some of the players invited:
Jada Moore- 5’10”, G, 2020, Regis Jesuit
Payton Sterk- 5’9″, G, 2022, Doherty
Seneca Hackley- 5’9″, G, 2020, St. Mary’s
Brooke Murrell- 6’0″, F, 2023, Thomas Jefferson
Tomia Johnson- 5’6″, G, 2020, Grandview
Olivia Waufle- 5’8, G, 2020, Horizon
Marya Hudgins- 6’0″, G, 2022, Grandview
Abby Wrede- 5’8″, G, 2021, Cherry Creek
Grace Talbot- 5’6″, G, 2022, Chatfield
Jessica Bollwahn- 5’10”, W, 2022, Columbine
Lilly Najmulski- 5’4″, G, 2022, Denver East
Charley Gordon- 5’4″, G, 2022, Cherry Creek
Rylie McMullen- 5’6″, G, 2022, Pine Creek
Elaina Martinez- G, 2021, Mullen
Dasiya Jones- W, 2021, Grandview
Mia Collins- 5’5″, G, 2021, Cherokee Trail
Shelby Foster- G, 2021, Grandview
Young rising stars:
Hannah Sommorin (Class of 2024)
Kaylie Whidden (Class of 2024)
To check out some footage of the open runs click the link below: