April 25, 2010

Team 94 not missing a beat

Kevin McCarthy
 

Since its inception in 2006, Phil Handy and Ruben Noles (the Elsie Allen High boys varsity coach) have reloaded Team 94 every spring and summer. What stays consistent however, is the degree of success earned by each squad. The initial team, comprised of all Marin County Athletic League basketballers, built a 27-6 record, including a pair of championships. 25-9 was the record of the second edition of Team 94. The 2008 squad finished 21-10 with five players earning D-1 scholarships and 2009’s talents ended up at 24-11.

With four incarnations under their belt, Handy and Noles can claim 24 scholarshipped and recruited walk-on players at such schools as Stanford, Santa Clara, St. Mary’s, San Jose State, UC Davis, Pacific, USF, Santa Barbara, Cal Poly, Cal State Northridge, Sacramento State, Utah Valley State, Hartford, Lafayette, Eastern Kentucky, Toledo, Denver, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State East Bay, Academy of Art University and Dominican University

2010 has seen a 4-0 Team 94 start, with victories over the LA Rockfish, IEBP All-Stars, San Diego Magic and Lakeshow 17s.

photo of MacKenzie Moore
MacKenzie leads Team 94

Here’s Handy on his program: "We develop players in all areas of the fundamentals of the game, we really try and teach them how to play for the next level. It’s a challenge to take 12 to 15 players from different programs who are usually the best players on their teams and make them play well together. I tell players all the time that coaches are not concerned with how much you score but how you score and if you have the ability to help your team win games. Some of our overall concerns are to teach young men basic life principles: responsibility, honor, loyalty and humility. We really promote respect, work ethic, sportsmanship, leadership, social skills, teamwork, professionalism, confidence and self belief."

Continuing on, Handy said, "Through skill development, practice and play, we have tried to create an unparalleled atmosphere of competitive basketball mixed with every day life lessons to help prepare them for life in the future, on and off the court. The biggest thing in the off season is to get better with your game. I learned a long time ago players are made in the spring and summer, teams are made in the fall."

As for Handy’s bonafides, he played professionally here and abroad and currently teaches fundamentals and skill development to players across the spectrum, stretching from the high school level to top NBA draft prospects, a la Blake Griffin.

Here’s the Team 94 roster, with particulars and Handy’s descriptions:

Here’s the Team 94 spring and summer tournament schedule: