McLean Select Basketball
Coach Tom Ball, Grade 8 Boys, B Team
Tom has coached successful McLean Select, travel, and developmental league teams for ten years, and returns this season to lead the 7th grade boys div. 2 program. Tom also was a McLean Little League baseball manager as well as a flag football coach and believes that well-rounded student-athletes perform at a consistently high level on the hardwood and enrich their teams' experience. Tom places primary emphasis on fostering each player’s positive attitude and effort as a foundation for developing solid basketball fundamentals ("perfect practice makes perfect") and teamwork.
A former college football quarterback and eights rower, Tom believes in instilling leadership and accountability, which in turn builds confidence to identify and tackle challenges under constantly changing conditions. He encourages all players to lead by example (knowing one's responsibility, supporting teammates, being prepared to step up when needed) and empowers them to recognize offensive/defensive situations, to communicate and make quick, decisive on-court decisions -- and to compete always through the final buzzer.