Opening night on Monday November 23rd will now be against Morrison instead of Dixon. It will still be a home game with sophomores playing at 6 PM and varsity to follow at 7:30 PM.
Friday night's game will be against Dixon at Sterling at 8 PM. These games were moved due to possible state championship games for both Stillman Valley and Morrison in football.
Again, times and locations next week have not changed-just opponents!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
One Week to Go!
With our first game coming up next Monday, I'm pleased with where we stand currently. We have a lot of little things to clean up on both ends of the floor, but who doesn't after just a week of practice? There seems to be a maturity level with this team right now that gives me a lot of confidence in them as a group. You really get the feeling that these guys want the criticism in order to improve. That is huge for a team over the course of a 4 month season-to understand the purpose of criticisms and welcome them.
That being said, we do need to develop a toughness that we lack right now. I think we have a group that works hard to a point, then gives in to being tired instead of pushing through it mentally and finding out what they are really capable of accomplishing. That will be a big focus for us this week, to build that mental and physical toughness to a much higher level.
Another concern for us is our rebounding on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. We need to anticipate shots and crash the offensive boards much better than we do now. On the defensive boards, we are just a little soft right now and need to develop toughness there as well.
I do love the unselfishness of this team to this point. We have, for the most part, made the extra pass and trusted the open man to knock down the open shot. That is a very good sign early in the season and should give everyone a ton of confidence. Everyone knows the adversity we face early. Throw in J.C. McNinch's injury and we face a little bit of an uphill battle early on. However, I love the fact that these guys still expect a lot of themselves. Some people will have the opportunity to step up, and that will make us stronger down the road!
We can't wait til Monday night! Help us fill up the gym! Pass the word along to friends and familiy. We need you there!!!
That being said, we do need to develop a toughness that we lack right now. I think we have a group that works hard to a point, then gives in to being tired instead of pushing through it mentally and finding out what they are really capable of accomplishing. That will be a big focus for us this week, to build that mental and physical toughness to a much higher level.
Another concern for us is our rebounding on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. We need to anticipate shots and crash the offensive boards much better than we do now. On the defensive boards, we are just a little soft right now and need to develop toughness there as well.
I do love the unselfishness of this team to this point. We have, for the most part, made the extra pass and trusted the open man to knock down the open shot. That is a very good sign early in the season and should give everyone a ton of confidence. Everyone knows the adversity we face early. Throw in J.C. McNinch's injury and we face a little bit of an uphill battle early on. However, I love the fact that these guys still expect a lot of themselves. Some people will have the opportunity to step up, and that will make us stronger down the road!
We can't wait til Monday night! Help us fill up the gym! Pass the word along to friends and familiy. We need you there!!!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Josh Pickens-Assistant Varsity Coach
I am very excited to work with Josh again. He is an outstanding leader and will be another great role model for our players. Josh was a starting guard for us both years that I coached at Rockford Jefferson H.S. In his Junior year, we won the school's first ever conference title. The following season, Josh helped lead us to a 4th place finish in the state in Class AA. We lost in the semi-finals to eventual state champion Glenbrook North. Jon Scheyer who currently plays at Duke was a member of that Glenbrook North team.
High School: Rockford Jefferson (Class of '05)
College: Rock Valley Community College (Associate of Arts Degree); Will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science form Ashford University this December.
Accomplishments as a Player: 4th place state finish in high school; two-years all-conference at Rock Valley; all-conference at Ashford U.
Employment: Will be employed in the admissions office at Ashford upon graduation
Coaching Experience: Has been a student assistant coach at Ashford this fall
What are your future goals in coaching? Would like to someday be a head coach in High School and at the College level
Other Sports: Ran track in high school
Certifications: ASEP (American Sport Education Program) and CPR
High School: Rockford Jefferson (Class of '05)
College: Rock Valley Community College (Associate of Arts Degree); Will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science form Ashford University this December.
Accomplishments as a Player: 4th place state finish in high school; two-years all-conference at Rock Valley; all-conference at Ashford U.
Employment: Will be employed in the admissions office at Ashford upon graduation
Coaching Experience: Has been a student assistant coach at Ashford this fall
What are your future goals in coaching? Would like to someday be a head coach in High School and at the College level
Other Sports: Ran track in high school
Certifications: ASEP (American Sport Education Program) and CPR
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Coach Danny Rodriguez: Assistant Sophomore Coach
I'm very excited to have Danny on staff with us this season. Anytime you can get former players on staff I think it's great for the program. They possess that ROCKET PRIDE and have that passion for seeing the tradition continue! Danny played basketball, football and baseball at Rock Falls. He is a huge sports buff. Danny is CPR certified and a licensed IHSA official.
High School: Rock Falls (Class of 2004)
College: Graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Financial Accounting and General Finance
Playing Experience: 4-year player at RFHS; 3-year member of the varsity team
Accomplishments as a Player: Member of two Sweet 16 teams (2001-02, 2003-04); All Conference and All Area team; participant in the Gazette-Telegraph All-Star Game
Why did you want to coach at RFHS? Growing up in Rock Falls, I watched the various teams and there success of which inspired me to not only become a member of the tradition but also to inspire future athletes.
What are your future goals in coaching? The goals are to team my athletes' integrity and determination as well as the value of hard work of which they can use throughout their lifetime. Also, I strive to be a successful coach now and for years to come.
High School: Rock Falls (Class of 2004)
College: Graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Financial Accounting and General Finance
Playing Experience: 4-year player at RFHS; 3-year member of the varsity team
Accomplishments as a Player: Member of two Sweet 16 teams (2001-02, 2003-04); All Conference and All Area team; participant in the Gazette-Telegraph All-Star Game
Why did you want to coach at RFHS? Growing up in Rock Falls, I watched the various teams and there success of which inspired me to not only become a member of the tradition but also to inspire future athletes.
What are your future goals in coaching? The goals are to team my athletes' integrity and determination as well as the value of hard work of which they can use throughout their lifetime. Also, I strive to be a successful coach now and for years to come.
Coach Matt Naftzger: Head Freshman Coach
High School: Morrison (Class of 2003)
College: Ashford University-Bachelor of Social Science Degree
Playing Experience: Played High School Baseball and Basketball at Morrison; Played Baseball at Ashford University
Coaching Experience: 3rd year (2nd at Rock Falls)
Why did you want to coach at RFHS? I wanted to be a part of the winning tradition that RFHS has.
What are your future goals in coaching? In the future, my goal is to be a varsity basketball or baseball coach
Coach Naftzger is in his 2nd year teaching Social Studies at RFHS. He is also an assistant baseball coach. He is ASEP (American Sport Education Program) and CPR certified and is a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. His duties include planning and running all freshman practices. He also does the majority of scouting future varsity opponents. Coach Naftzger has put in countless hours working our Little Rockets and Runnin' Rockets Basketball Camps, assisting with fundraisers, supervising the weight room and open gyms and coaching our freshman basketball team in the summer time. He has been an invaluable asset to our program since joining the staff last season.
College: Ashford University-Bachelor of Social Science Degree
Playing Experience: Played High School Baseball and Basketball at Morrison; Played Baseball at Ashford University
Coaching Experience: 3rd year (2nd at Rock Falls)
Why did you want to coach at RFHS? I wanted to be a part of the winning tradition that RFHS has.
What are your future goals in coaching? In the future, my goal is to be a varsity basketball or baseball coach
Coach Naftzger is in his 2nd year teaching Social Studies at RFHS. He is also an assistant baseball coach. He is ASEP (American Sport Education Program) and CPR certified and is a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. His duties include planning and running all freshman practices. He also does the majority of scouting future varsity opponents. Coach Naftzger has put in countless hours working our Little Rockets and Runnin' Rockets Basketball Camps, assisting with fundraisers, supervising the weight room and open gyms and coaching our freshman basketball team in the summer time. He has been an invaluable asset to our program since joining the staff last season.
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