Houston Public Schools ISD 294

1. We will honor the school, community, and the law in all that we do.

2. We desire that our players will leave this program as strong leaders.

3. We will stress the importance of academics and know that students are here first and foremost to become great students.

4. We will run a disciplined program where dedicated players compete with great attitude and relentless effort, sacrificing personal gain for the team’s achievement.

5. We will work hard and work with an organized purpose in practice, creating physical and mental toughness to prepare for competition.

6. Coaches will be quality role models that coach with focus, enthusiasm and love for their players.

7. We will always voice solutions not complaints.

OFFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY:

• Be a multiple offense which creates advantages and slows the defense

• Balanced attack that features an inside and outside game

• Execute; do what we do well

• Take care of the ball and eliminate the bad play

• Accountability: To each other for our team’s performance, not just the victory itself

DEFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY:

• Pressure the ball, contest shots, and rebound

• Force the offense to turn it over, take bad shots

• Create turnovers

• Assignment Defense

• Relentless effort to loose balls

• Accountability: To each other for our team’s performance, not just the victory itself

LOYALTY
You are expected to be loyal to your team and to your coaches at all times. Understand the importance of being a part of the Hurricane family. Keep the Houston Girls Basketball Team matters in the Hurricane Girls Basketball Family.

CHARACTER
The true reflection of a woman comes when she is behind closed doors and out of the public’s eye. Take pride in being a morally strong person. Be a leader by positive example. A woman’s reputation is important, but his character is her true worth.

RESPECT
Trust that all decisions made by the coaching staff are in the best interest of the team. One of the goals of the coaching staff is to make this team the best it can possibly be. No coach will compromise the success of the team for an individual.

DISCIPLINE AND PERFECT EFFORT
Regardless of your athletic ability, you can always give the team 100% effort every day. Effort is the one constant on which our basketball program is based. Effort is one area where your coaches will give you no slack. Perfect Effort is a demand that will not be compromised by your team or your coaches.

Sacrifice And Unselfishness
Our team will always come before the individual. Each member of our team will have a role.

Understand how your role on the team is just as important as everyone else's. Do not allow yourself to be selfish; put your team first. From the 9th grade scout team player to the two-time All-American, the rules are the same. The team comes first.

PLAYING TIME
Playing basketball is a privilege, not a right. Everything in the Houston Girls Basketball Program is earned, not rewarded by age, grade or anything else. Playing time is awarded in the same manner. The best players will play.

Athletes receive playing time because:

1. They exhibit high character on the field, in the classroom and in the community

2. They get the job done better than someone else

3. They add the most value to the team

4. They understand their role on the team

5. Their number one goal is to make the team better

6. They do the things that are required plus more

7. They make plays in games and practice

CLASSROOM
Conduct yourself as a gentlewoman and show respect to your teachers. Do not allow a poor attitude, misbehavior or poor attendance to get you into trouble. You are responsible for your behavior and academic performance, not your coach or teacher.

ON THE COURT
Houston will not tolerate behavior on the court that:

1. Draws attention to yourself and not the team

2. Embarrasses our team, school or community

We will celebrate great plays with each other, as a team. There will be no taunting, fighting, unsportsmanlike gestures or profanity of any kind.

To exemplify the Hurricane Way players will be expected to:

•  Be relentless in our efforts

•  Celebrate with your teammates

•  Hand the ball to officials

•  Give sincere congratulations to the opposition after the game

•  Thank the Hurricane crowd for their support

ELIGIBILITY
Our team members will apply by all MSHSL and Houston High School eligibility rules and regulations. It is your responsibility to fulfill all of your academic and attendance obligations.

PRACTICE

1. Player expectation for practice is to have a great attitude and effort. Be ready to go!

2. Always be early.

3. All players should be at every practice.

4. If you must miss; call the Head Coach before practice. This communication should come from players, not from parents. Texting or email is acceptable.

5. If you are injured and cannot practice, you still need to be at practice with your position coach to learn.

FACILITY/EQUIPMENT
Treat our facility and equipment like it is your very own. Take pride in our facility and take care of it. All equipment is numbered and will be checked out to you at the beginning of the season. Equipment should be returned within one week of the last game. You are responsible for all equipment checked out to you and will be charged for lost, stolen or unaccounted for equipment at the rate listed below.

Gear checked out to players: Replacement Cost:

• Game Shorts $70 (Varsity), $45 (7-8)

• Practice Jersey $25

• Game Jersey $50

PERSONAL CONDUCT AND APPEARANCE

Drugs and Alcohol
It is impossible to be at your mental and physical best if you use drugs or alcohol. Both reduce your chances to become as physically fit as you need to be. To be the best basketball player you can be, you need the mental advantage of knowing you are doing everything possible to enhance your team’s chances of being successful. Don't use drugs or alcohol.

Profanity
The Hurricane Girls Basketball program is a class team which seeks to exemplify excellence. The Hurricane Girls Basketball program will strive not to use profanity or poor language.

School Policies
All policies as outlined by the Houston Student Handbook apply to our program. We are leaders of the community as well as the student body. We will adhere to these policies and set the standard on this campus.

Team Appearance
Player appearance should strive to represent a disciplined team. Players should look appropriate in their presentation. We want attention to be focused on the team, not individuals trying to make a statement.

LETTER REQUIREMENTS- To earn a varsity letter in Girls Basketball at Houston High a player must me the following criteria.

1. You must attend all practices and games. If you cannot be at a practice/game, you must clear your absence with the head coach. If you are injured, you are still required to attend all practices and games if you are physically able. Again, you must clear your absence with the head coach.

2. To earn a varsity letter in Girls Basketball, a player must participate in at least one play in 36 different halves during the season. Seniors who have been part of our Girls Basketball program for the last three years who fall short on 36 halves may letter with the “good standing” with your coaches and teammates.

3. Coaching staff will make final decisions for players regarding lettering if they are near the 36 halves requirement. This will be based on quality playing time and impact the player had on the game(s).

PARTNERSHIP GUIDELINES

1. We coach our players like they are our daughters.

2. Basketball is a loud, tough, disciplined and emotional game--we coach the same way.

3. We expect your child's undivided attention when we are teaching.

4. The team always comes first. We have no stars.

5. We may require your child to be more disciplined than they are accustomed to.

6. Playing time is an awarded privilege, not a right.

7. Parent's influence or position makes no difference in any decision within the basketball program.

8. A player’s position will be determined by what is best for the team.

9. Publicity is used to promote our team, school and community.

10. If there are any problems that arise, we want to have proper communication channels within the Basketball Program. The following flowchart should be the standard for resolution of issues:

    • Player to Position Coach

    • Player to Head Coach

    • Parent and Player to Head Coach (Position Coach)

    Of course, parents are always welcome and encouraged to talk to their Coach about non-basketball items: grades, boyfriend, background, etc.

11. Schedule meetings with the coaching staff in advance, in accordance with the chain of command represented above.

    1. Remember our philosophy when evaluating a situation: The team comes first.

    2. The door is always open and so is our mind.

    3. We attempt to keep short accounts with your daughters when mistakes are made. We ask the same of you. Please be open-minded as we work together to resolve situations which may arise.

    4. Meetings should take place a minimum of 24 hours after an incident occurs.

    5. Please keep issues to your daughter, not to other player or parents.

12. Place responsibility on your daughter whenever possible, help them grow and be a self-advocate. Before we know it, these young women will be out on their own, let’s partner together to prepare them.

DEFINITION OF SUCCESS

World’s View of Success:

• Scoreboard determines successful people

• Accumulation of worldly possessions

• Attainment of fame or power

Hurricane Basketball Definition of Success:

• Unselfishly giving and developing your best everyday

• It is measured in comparison to our best selves, not in relation to others

• Growth on and off the court

• “Success is Peace of Mind which is a direct result of knowing you did your very best to become the best you’re capable of becoming.” John Wooden