Walsh, Young Named Co-Captains

At the team's Friday night (November 19) practice, sixth-graders Casey Walsh and Devin Young were named co-captains for the 2010-2011 Binghamton-6 Travel Basketball season. Coach Jensen made the announcement at the conclusion of practice.

"Casey and Devin have played for me before and they know what to expect, and how to go about things," said Coach Jensen. "Devin learned a lot last year as the only 5th-grader drafted for our strong 6th-grade team. And Casey's played for a number of basketball teams I've coached over the past 5 or 6 years.

"Each of them, through their play and through their demeanor, have exhibited great leadership abilities. Every coach can use a couple extra coaches on the floor, and Casey and Devin fit that role perfectly."

Is Knicks Rookie Landry Fields the Best Player Since Michael Jordan and Tim Duncan?

If you look at a metric developed by Southern Utah University economics professor Dave Berri that shows how a player's statistics correlate to winning, he certainly is.

Published in today's Wall Street Journal, the article discusses why a player like Fields, the NBA's 39th draft pick for the 2010-2011 season, is so valuable to his team.

Through Wednesday's games, Fields was on pace this season to have 16.6 "Wins Produced," according to the metric.

"That's easily the best rate among any rookie this year and only behind a handful of drafted rookies—such as Michael Jordan and Tim Duncan—dating back to 1977," says the Wall Street Journal article. "All the other first-year players drafted 39th overall combined to produce about four wins in their first season. Mr. Fields has already produced half that in his first 12 games."

It isn't just the glossy statistics that make a player valuable to his or her team, but instead, some less glamorous facts about a player's game, such as field-goal percentage, offensive-rebound rate and number of turnovers, all of which Fields excels at.

"He's averaging a middle-of-the-road 10.8 points per game, for instance," says the article, "but he's made 58.4 percent of his shots, 10th in the league among starters."

The article isn't long, but it makes great points to which young players should pay close attention.

CLICK HERE to read the full November 19, 2010, Wall Street Journal article.

And CLICK HERE to take a look at some Landry Fields video highlights from Standford.

Landry Field stats:
6-foot-7
216 pounds
22 years old

Binghamton Travel Basketball - History

2009-2010 Season
Binghamton White (5-6): 31 wins, 6 losses (two post-season tournament champiosnhips: Tioga County Boys & Girls Club A Division; YMCA Winter Blast)

Binghamton Blue (5-6): 16 wins, 9 losses (one post-season tournament championship: Tioga County Boys & Girls Club B Division)

Binghamton Red (3-4): 15 wins, 2 losses (one post-season tournament championship: Tioga County Boys & Girls Club 3-4)

2008-2009 Season
Binghamton Blue (5-6): 13 wins, 13 losses (2nd place, Tioga County Boys & Girls Club A Division)

Binghamton Red (4-5): 15 wins, 14 losses

Binghamton 3-4: 4-2 in one tournament (2nd place, Tioga County Boys & Girls Club 3-4)

2007-2008 Season
Binghamton Blue (4-5): 24 wins, 8 losses (one post-season championship: undefeated in JCC post-season 4th-grade tournament)

Note: In three seasons, Binghamton Travel basketball teams have a cumulative record of 118-54 (.686 winning percentage)

League Kickoff Tournament This Weekend

Here are the schedules for both of our teams for this weekend's Slim Sylvester Travel League Kickoff Tournament, to be held at the Johnson City K-8 schools.

All spectators attending will be asked to pay a $1 entry charge.

Binghamton Blue (5 - Van Putte)
11:30 a.m. on Court 3 vs. Susquehanna Valley
12:30 p.m. on Court 2 vs. Maine-Endwell
1 p.m. on Court 3 vs. Whitney Point

Binghamton White (6 - Jensen)
1:30 p.m. on Court 3 vs. Maine-Endwell Gold
2:30 p.m. on Court 3 vs. Homer
3 p.m. on Court 4 vs. Chenango Valley Red

Binghamton Results: Charles Turner Classic

Binghamton (4/5)

SV Girls Travel (5-6-7) 32
Binghamton (4/5) 20
Stats:
Tyshawn High: 7 pts, 8 rebs, 2 assts, 4 steals, 6 blocks (0-1 FT)
Colbie Young: 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal (1-1 FT)
Peter Hartrick: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks
Patrick Van Putte: 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
John Henry Hacker: 2 points, 1 rebound
Trey Avery: 2 points
Tanner Sinicki: 1 point, 3 rebounds (0-1 FT)
Sam Zahka-Stern: 1 point, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block (0-1 FT)
Jalil Butts: 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Lucas Davy: 1 rebound
Brandon Morris: 1 rebound

Binghamton (4/5) 28
Whitney Point (5) 13
Stats:
Tyshawn High: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block
Peter Hartrick: 4 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 block
Jalil Butts: 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal (1-1 FT)
Colbie Young: 3 points, 2 rebounds (0-1 FT)
Tanner Sinicki: 2 points, 1 rebound
Trey Avery: 1 point, 1 rebound, 1 steal (0-1 FT)
Patrick Van Putte: 3 assists, 4 steals
John Henry Hacker: 2 rebounds
Sam Zahka-Stern: 1 rebound
Brandon Morris: 1 rebound
Lucas Davy: 1 steal

Binghamton (4/5) 45
Whitney Point (6) 29
Stats:
Tyshawn High: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Jalil Butts: 11 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 2 steals (1-1 FT)
Patrick Van Putte: 8 points, 3 steals
Peter Hartrick: 6 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks
Trey Avery: 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 steals
Colbie Young: 2 points, 3 rebounds (0-2 FT)
John Henry Hacker: 2 points, 1 block
Tanner Sinicki: 2 rebounds
Sam Zahka-Stern: 1 rebound

Binghamton (5/6)

Maine-Endwell (6) 23
Binghamton (5/6) 20
Stats:
Devin Young: 10 pts, 5 rebs, 1 asst, 1 st, 1 blk (0-1 FT) (3-pter)
Brandon Sprouse: 6 points, 5 rebounds (0-1 FT)
Matt Collins-Pringle: 2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
Gabe Whiteman: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals (0-2 FT)
Alonzo Brunn: 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Ismar Turkovic: 3 rebounds, 1 steal
Eric Foster: 3 rebounds
Jordan McGahy: 2 rebounds
Casey Walsh: 1 rebound, 1 assist
Austin Becker-Harris: 1 rebound, 1 assist
Emily Keenan: 1 assist, 1 block

Binghamton (5/6) 33
Whitney Point (6) 15
Stats:
Casey Walsh: 9 pts, 5 rebs, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks (0-1 FT)
Devin Young: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal (0-2 FT)
Brandon Sprouse: 7 points, 9 rebounds (0-1 FT)
Eric Foster: 2 points, 4 rebounds
Jordan McGahy: 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Gabe Whiteman: 2 points, 1 steal
Emily Keenan: 2 points
Ismar Turkovic: 1 point, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block (0-1 FT)
Matt Collins-Pringle: 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Alonzo Brunn: 3 rebounds, 1 steal

Vestal (6, Moyer) 33
Binghamton (5/6) 22
Stats:
Casey Walsh: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals (3-4 FT)
Austin Becker-Harris: 4 points, 3 rebounds
Brandon Sprouse: 3 pts, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals (0-1 FT)
Jordan McGahy: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Ismar Turkovic: 2 points, 1 steal
Devin Young: 1 point, 6 rebounds, 2 steals (0-1 FT)
Matt Collins-Pringle: 2 rebounds
Eric Foster: 1 rebound, 1 assist
Alonzo Brunn: 1 rebound, 1 block
Gracie Jensen: 1 assist
Emily Keenan: 1 rebound
Gabe Whiteman: 1 rebound

Game Photos: Charles Turner Classic

(Click on images to view enlarged versions)

Thanks to all the Teams That Participated in the Charles Turner Classic November 7

Vestal (6, O'Hara)
(Click on photos to view an enlarged version)
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Vestal (6, Moyer)
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Susquehanna Valley (6)
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Maine-Endwell (6)
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Susquehanna Valley Girls Travel (5-6-7)
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Owego (5)

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Owego (6)

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Whitney Point (5)

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Whitney Point (6)

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Chenango Valley (6)

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Athens, Pa. (6)

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Athens, Pa. (5)

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Binghamton (5/6)

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Binghamton (4/5)

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Thanks to all the players, coaches and parents who participated in Sunday's (November 7) Coach Charles Turner Classic (aka Slim Sylvester Tune-up Tourney). And thanks to the YMCA and staff for hosting (and working) the event.

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More photos, and Binghamton team stats from the tournament, to come.

Two Events This Weekend Will Remember Coach Charles Turner, Benefit Kids

Charles and Liza Turner are pictured here in this photo, a few years ago, with their son Isiah and their daughter Caroline. Say hello to Liza, Isiah and Caroline this weekend, and if you have one, share a story of yours about Coach Charles. We all miss him dearly.


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6 - The inaugural Charles Turner Scholarship Bowling Extravaganza (also being called Bowling for Boo ... Charles' nickname) starts at 1 p.m. Saturday at Laurel Bowling Alley, Laurel Avenue, Binghamton.

The event is being held to raise funds for the Charles Turner Memorial Scholarship at Johnson City schools (Charles was employed by the JC schools). For more information about the JC scholarship fund in Charles' name, click this link.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7 - The Coach Charles Turner Classic basketball tournament will feature 14 teams of student/athletes from schools representing numerous districts across the region. Team will play 3 games each in the day-long (8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) tournament at the downtown Binghamton YMCA. The event is hosted by the Y and the Binghamton Travel Basketball program.

Teams that will play in Sunday's tournament: Binghamton 6, Binghamton 5, Whitney Point 6, Whitney Point 5, Athens (Pa.) 6, Athens (Pa.) 5, Susquehanna Valley 6, Susquehanna Valley 5, Maine-Endwell 6, Chenango Valley 6, Owego Apalachin 6, Owego Apalachin 5, and two Vestal 6 teams.

A portion of the proceeds from the tournament will go toward the Charles Turner Scholarship.

Clink here to go directly to the schedule of games for the day, listed team-by-team, as well as chronologically.

Did You Know Coach Charles?
Charles Turner was a lot of things to a lot of people, but one thing that seemed to bring those things - and those people - together was athletics.

Coach Charles, as he was known to many, passed away in April of 2009 at the age of 51 after a courageous fight with leukemia. He was the loving husband of Liza Turner and the proud dad of Isiah and Caroline, now 13 and 8 years old.

Coach Charles was born in Delhi, Louisiana, and was raised by his grandparents on their family’s farm. He attended Wood Junior College in Matheson, Mississippi and Mississippi State University. Of course, he played basketball at each stop.

His "salt of the earth" presence was rooted in Southern basics, and that translated to his life after college. Coach Charles always worked in professions that involved helping people. He worked in a group home for developmentally disabled adults in Delhi, and coached Special Olympics. After moving to Las Vegas where he lived for more than 20 years, Charles worked for the State of Nevada in the Department of Mental Health. Charles had a strong sense of fairness and treated everyone equally.

Charles’ sense of justice led him to be President of SEIU Local 1864 in Las Vegas and to later work for SEIU and AFSCME as an organizer. He worked for several years at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas as a skycap, which suited his friendly nature.

In 2004, Charles moved his family to Binghamton, Liza’s hometown, and here is where he found his true home and his calling. He worked as a teaching assistant in the Solution Station at Johnson City Intermediate School, and all the students at JC were "his kids." He always had a hug, a smile and a high-5 for everyone he met. Charles’ smile lit up a room and his laugh could be heard for a country mile.

Coach Charles was involved with Binghamton Travel basketball and YMCA basketball teams, and helped Little League, as well. He was enthusiastic and passed on his love of both sports through his encouragement, stories and example.

The last few years, the annual tune-up tournament has been held as a precursor for the competitive Slim Sylvester AAU/Rage season. This year it has been renamed to honor Coach Charles. The idea came from the YMCA’s youth director, Dan Smith, and was immediately adopted.

2010-2011 Binghamton Travel Rosters

Congratulations to the following players who will play for two Binghamton Travel Basketball teams this season.

Binghamton Blue (5/4)
Head coach: Patrick Van Putte
Assistant coach: Kathy Avery

8 - AVERY, Trey
23 - BUTTS, Jalil
10 - DAVY, Lucas
35 - FARRELLY, Noah
26 - HACKER, John Henry
24 - HARTRICK, Peter
1 - HIGH, Tyshawn
6 - MORRIS, Brandon
15 - SINICKI, Tanner
11 - VAN PUTTE, Patrick
25 - YOUNG, Colbie
7 - ZAHKA-STERN, Sam

Binghamton White (6/5)
Head coach: Stephen Jensen
Assistant coach: Tim Whiteman

9 - BECKER-HARRIS, Austin
6 - BRUNN, Alonzo
5 - COLLINS-PRINGLE, Matthew
77 - FOSTER, Eric
44 - JENSEN, Graciela
22 - KEENAN, Emily
54 - McGAHY, Jordan
36 - SPROUSE, Brandon
1 - TURKOVIC, Ismar
23 - YOUNG, Devin
35 - WALSH, Casey
15 - WHITEMAN, Gabriel

Team meeting: There will be a team meeting (not a practice) at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 28, at the Binghamton YMCA. It's important for a parent and all players to attend this meeting, as we will give an overview of the season. The players will also be fitted for uniforms. The meeting should last less than one hour.

First practice: 8 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday, October 30, at the Binghamton YMCA.

Fees associated with playing: The uniforms will cost approximately $30. Each player will need to have AAU insurance, which costs $14 and is good for one calendar year. Otherwise, the only fees may be associated with holiday or post-season tournaments the team may choose to participate in.

Charles Turner Classic Schedule

The schedule for the Charles Turner Classic is now available, and in two separate formats - one chronologically, the other by team. The event is scheduled for Sunday, November 7, at the downtown Binghamton YMCA.

(Court 1 is on the left; Court 2 is on the right.)

Schedule - By Start Times

Court 1 - 8-8:30 (SV-5 vs. Vestal-6 O’Hara)
Court 2 – 8-8:30 (OA-5 vs. WP-5)

Court 1 – 8:45-9:15 (SV-5 vs. Binghamton 5)
Court 2 – 8:45-9:15 (OA 5 vs. Athens 5)

Court 1 – 9:30- 10 (Vestal-6 O’Hara vs. Chenango Valley 6)
Court 2 – 9:30-10 (Athens 5 vs. WP-5)

Court 1 – 10:15-10:45 (OA-6 vs. Vestal-6 O’Hara)
Court 2 – 10:15-10:45 (SV-5 vs. OA-5)

Court 1 – 11-11:30 (Athens 5 vs. Chenango Valley 6)
Court 2 – 11-11:30 (WP-5 vs. Binghamton 5)

Court 1 – 11:45-12:15 (OA 6 vs. Chenango Valley 6)
Court 2 – 11:45-12:15 (Binghamton 5 vs. WP-6)

Court 1 – 12:30-1 (WP-6 vs. SV-6)
Court 2 – 12:30-1 (M-E-6 vs. Binghamton 6)

Court 1 – 1:15-1:45 (OA-6 vs. Vestal-6 Moyer)
Court 2 – 1:15-1:45 (M-E-6 vs. Athens 6)

Court 1 – 2-2:30 (WP-6 vs. Binghamton 6)
Court 2 – 2-2:30 (Athens 6 vs. SV-6)

Court 1 – 2:45-3:15 (Binghamton 6 vs. Vestal-6 Moyer)
Court 2 – 2:45-3:15 (SV-6 vs. M-E-6)

Court 2 – 3:30-4 (Athens 6 vs. Vestal-6 Moyer)


Schedule - By Teams

Athens-5
Game 1 – 8:45 a.m. vs. Owego Apalachin-5 on Court 2
Game 2 – 9:30 a.m. vs. Whitney Point-5 on Court 2
Game 3 – 11 a.m. vs. Chenango Valley-6 on Court 1

Athens-6
Game 1 – 1:15 p.m. vs. Maine-Endwell-6 on Court 2
Game 2 – 2:45 p.m. vs. Susquehanna Valley-6 on Court 2
Game 3 – 3:30 p.m. vs. Vestal-6 Moyer on Court 2

Binghamton-5
Game 1 – 8:45 a.m. vs. Susquehanna Valley-5 on Court 1
Game 2 – 11 a.m. vs. Whitney Point-5 on Court 2
Game 3 – 11:45 a.m. vs. Whitney Point-6 on Court 2

Binghamton-6
Game 1 – 12:30 p.m. vs. Maine-Endwell-6 on Court 2
Game 2 – 2 p.m. vs. Whitney Point-6 on Court 1
Game 3 – 2:45 p.m. vs. Vestal-6 Moyer on Court 1

Chenango Valley-6
Game 1 – 9:30 a.m. vs. Vestal-6 O’Hara on Court 1
Game 2 – 11 a.m. vs. Athens-5 on Court 1
Game 3 – 11:45 a.m. vs. Owego Apalachin-6 on Court 1

Maine-Endwell-6
Game 1 – 12:30 p.m. vs. Binghamton-6 on Court 2
Game 2 – 1:15 p.m. vs. Athens-6 on Court 2
Game 3 – 2:45 p.m. vs. Susquehanna Valley-6 on Court 2

Owego Apalachin-5
Game 1 – 8 a.m. vs. Whitney Point-5 on Court 2
Game 2 – 8:45 a.m. vs. Athens-5 on Court 2
Game 3 – 10:15 a.m. vs. Susquehanna Valley-5 on Court 2

Owego Apalachin-6
Game 1 – 10:45 a.m. vs. Vestal-6 O’Hara on Court 1
Game 2 – 11:45 a.m. vs. Chenango Valley-6 on Court 1
Game 3 – 1:15 a.m. vs. Vestal-6 Moyer on Court 1

Susquehanna Valley-5
Game 1 – 8 a.m. vs. Vestal-6 O’Hara on Court 1
Game 2 – 8:45 a.m. vs. Binghamton-5 on Court 1
Game 3 – 10:15 a.m. vs. Owego Apalachin-5 on Court 2

Susquehanna Valley-6
Game 1 – 12:30 p.m. vs. Whitney Point-6 on Court 1
Game 2 – 2 p.m. vs. Athens-6 on Court 2
Game 3 – 2:45 p.m. vs. Maine-Endwell-6 on Court 2

Vestal-6 Moyer
Game 1 – 1:15 p.m. vs. Owego Apalachin-6 on Court 1
Game 2 – 2:45 p.m. vs. Binghamton-6 on Court 1
Game 3 – 3:30 p.m. vs. Athens-6 on Court 2

Vestal-6 O’Hara
Game 1 – 8 a.m. vs. Susquehanna Valley-5 on Court 1
Game 2 – 9:30 a.m. vs. Chenango Valley-6 on Court 1
Game 3 – 10:15 a.m. vs. Owego Apalachin-6 on Court 1

Whitney Point-5
Game 1 – 8 a.m. vs. Owego Apalachin-5 on Court 2
Game 2 – 9:30 a.m. vs. Athens-5 on Court 2
Game 3 – 11 a.m. vs. Binghamton-5 on Court 2

Whitney Point-6
Game 1 – 11:45 a.m. vs. Binghamton-5 on Court 2
Game 2 – 12:30 p.m. vs. Susquehanna Valley-6 on Court 1
Game 3 - 2 p.m. vs. Binghamton-6 on Court 1