Basketball & Sports
Articles mainly about basketball, sports, games, athletes, NBC Camps on the court.
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Basketball Healers
Dad was a basketball healer. He knew how to bring repair and healing to teams who were divided or despairing. Not many people describe someone as a basketball healer.
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Hey Dad
When I was younger, I loved to yell, “Hey, Dad, what would you give me if I make this shot?” One of the biggest wagers we made was at Silver Lake.
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March Madness
Dad and I liked to play solitary card games while racing against each other. Our favorite was kings in the corner. These games are addictive—just one more game.
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Choosing Great Friends
Pictured above is Jim Harrick – John Wooden – Fred Crowell. Coach Jim Harrick is one of the finest friends any person could ever have in a lifetime.
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Let There Be Light
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. In basketball language, an excellent metaphor for shooting a basketball is an automobile, where the legs are the engine of the shot.
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Basketball Betrayal
Years ago, a wise college basketball coach evaluated a hopeful recruit with these words: “His body betrays him.” At the time, these were stunning yet insightful words. What in the world was he talking about?
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Tough Minds Soft Hearts
A tribute to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. How many coloreds are you going to play at a time in the game tomorrow night?
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OLOGY-Crowell’s Five
PHILOSOPHY-OLOGY PSYCH-OLOGY BASKETBALL-OLOGY LIFEBALL-OLOGY SPIRITUAL-OLOGY KEY STATEMENT: These five OLOGY’S are the five disciplines that have played a significant role in my life.
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Basketball, a Small Town Religion
Anacortes is a small fishing, lumber town in northwest Washington. This community has lived, breathed, and died basketball. It has been the town religion.
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Coach Ed Pepple
Ed Pepple (1932-2020) was a great high school basketball coach for 49 years in the state of Washington, 42 of those years at Mercer Island High School.
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NBC Camps Never Quits
For the first time in 49 years, NBC Camps worldwide have not been able to host even one single live day or residential camp.
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Recovery Rate
The best athlete in my lifetime of coaching was gentle and kind, yet super competitive, his name was Jonathon Stringier. Jonathon was our star center at the U of Alaska.
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Mathematical Analysis of the Human Condition
No one would expect a university physical education major to attempt to analyze the human condition mathematically! Well, here we go! At least the analysis will be crystal clear simple, and hopefully accurate.
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You Can’t
Have you ever been told you can’t do it? I hope you replied, “ Yes, I can! “ A Crowell Core Value: Never let anyone or anything stop you from doing what God has asked you to do…
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One Pair of Hands
Today my remarkable friend, Dr. Caviezel, sent me “One Pair of Hands” sung by Carroll Roberson. Incredible, inspiration, uplifting! Dr. Jim knows something about a pair of hands.
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Thy Kingdom Come
A basketball coaches analysis of the Lord’s Prayer. Based on the prayer instruction of Jesus, how is it possible to have His Kingdom come and His Will be done here on earth?
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NBC Camps Delivers Hope
A great high school coach told me many years ago, “If NBC had a finger painting class my 3 children would be there.
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God Sent a Man
Who was this man? What was His meaning and purpose in life? Two profound questions for the ages. The questions were relevant when John wrote them around 90 AD.
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Operate in Peace
Who God Says I am, is far more important than who you, or who I, say I am. In the early 1980’s I was invited to speak at Cordova schools.
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Truth Truism
Tell me, promotes learning – I know, stops learning. The other day at the Oncology clinic several of us were in a conversation.
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Timeouts Are Vital
TIMEOUTS ARE VITAL Athletics prove time outs are critically important. The mark of great coaches is having the skill to take the complex and make it simple.
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LIFEBALL – Wanna Play?
By far the most beneficial game ever invented in my opinion. Dr. James Naismith invented basketball to give children something to do during cold Massachusetts’s winters with the hope of developing Christian virtue and character.
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3 Skills of Excellence
Life Skills. Imagination. Imitation. If we don’t teach winning, we cheat our students because they don’t learn the skills necessary to win. The life of a deadly serious basketball coach is no different than the diehard Lieutenant.
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Living Life Backwards
The ability to see what is not seen is a valuable skill in coaching and teaching. It is discerning the invisible. In the athletic world, imagine there is a slender, tall, clumsy athlete.
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Hopefest
Spokane Hoopfest is the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world. Nearly 6000 four-player teams of all ages and sexes battle on the streets of the River City at the end of June.
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Your Best Investment
This past Thursday the NBA gave us five continuous hours of drafting 60 fine college basketball players for a possible future with its professional teams.
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Shut up Mode
Key Statement: It’s so simple, yet so hard to do; open ears and mouth shut! Three keys: Slow to speak Quick to listen Slow to anger Telling people to shut up is not acceptable in the Crowell household.…
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Let’s Go Places, Part 1
Be it Spain, Italy, Arizona, England, Seattle, Greece, New York or wherever, Mrs. C is ready to go places! However, Coach C is not so enthused about going places unless it is in his Toyota Rav 4.
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The Defeat to Victory Factor
Former NBC Camps student-athlete Jay Huff on April 8th helped the Virginia Cavaliers win the collegiate men’s basketball national championships in Minneapolis. This past season he was ranked as the #15 power forward in the nation.
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Why We Coach
Do we coach for the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat? Or do we coach for the agony of defeat with seldom a thrill of victory? In my view, competitive sports is like real war.
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The Mike Nilson Gonzaga Basketball Story
NEARLY 80,000 VIEWS! On the eve of the Gonzaga Bulldogs NCAA First Round tip-off, I’m reminded that this truly is the greatest sports event in the world. It is called March Madness for a reason.
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The Fred Crowell Story
All things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28) is a true reality for these 77 years of my life!
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Kiss the Edge
Recently, my yoga instructor had her class members in semi-pain as they held a position.
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NBC Basketball Camps Coming to Stebbins, Alaska
FEATURING COACH JOYCE WALKER30+ YEARS BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE, 3-TIME KODIAK ALL-AMERICAN, HALL OF FAME HONORS IN THE FOLLOWING: NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL, WASHINGTON BASKETBALL, LSU, AND SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPORTS.
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Thank You African Americans
Fifty-four years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr., paid the ultimate sacrifice for all humanity. Yesterday we celebrated his life.
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Not Ashamed
Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. In recent years race relations have become a daily news event. Some believe the USA is at an all-time low in race relations. For some, this is a true statement.
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Prime over 50
by: Darin Burt / in Prime Living , Spokane CDA Living Fred Crowell, 76 Every winning coach has a game plan and a playbook.
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GIVING TUESDAY – A Personal Invitation from Fred Crowell
After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s time to give back! Giving Tuesday is today! It is the charitable counterpart. For us, it is the opportunity to share the gift of influencing youth positively at athletic camps.
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Seen or Unseen
What you do not see is most often more important than what you see . St. Paul even said to seek the unseen – often the eternal – because the seen is often temporary.
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Don’t Hurry – Be Quick
On the basketball court quickness is one of the most important athletic skills. Your quickness in athletics often determines what level of play you can achieve.
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The Crowell Basketball System
THE CROWELL BASKETBALL SYSTEM This logical, organized system of basketball is based on over 50 years of basketball experience. Coach Crowell has learned through competitive coaching experience from the best coaches in the history of basketball.
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Cup of Joy Overflowing, Part IV
As a basketball coach, how can you lose 75-72 to a top U.S. collegiate team in the last 15 seconds of a game and still be happy?
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Tcob-take Care of the Ball
“Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 In my view, basketball is not the only game, but the best game.
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Leading Men for 50 Years
Jeff Erickson has been my friend, mentor, and hero from the first day I met him at NBC Alaska Camps. Jeff loves people; especially the youth of Alaska.
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Shout Outs
Everyone delights in and appreciates an encouraging thank you shout out. Alaska Airlines deserves a Fred Crowell – NBC Camps shoutout .
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Tonight’s big win at OCU.
Had an amazing motivation message prior to the game from my close friend Coach Fred Crowell. Fred has a unique gift of helping young men see their destiny!
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Good Brag Bad Brag
So vividly the memory of a bad brag rests in my memory bank. It was my 9th-grade year; basketball was the brag.
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Mission Possible
Knowing how you want to live is the first step in living the way you want to live. – FJC At one time the television series, Mission Impossible, was one of the most popular programs in America.
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I.c.e.
I – Imagination C – Conscience E – Exercises Catchphrases and acronyms are effective tools in teaching young athletes the principles to success in basketball and Lifeball .
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T E a M S + R P E = W I N S
The NBC Thunder 9th Grade Spokane Champions were a great team because they were dedicated to being great teammates. Too often it is assumed winning is based on talent.
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Every Day Heroes
“Superstar heroes don’t love you enough to be with you in tough times.” Today I lift up one of my most loved everyday heroes.
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Game Changer
PREPARE TO MAKE YOUR PEOPLE BETTER PEOPLE BETTER PLAYERS The job of a COACH/CEO/LEADER is to train players how to WIN. Winning begins in the mind and heart, not on the basketball court.
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Ready? – Ready Freddy!
For years, NBC campers have been asked if they are ready. The expected response is a loud, “READY FREDDY!” I have no idea who came up with this slogan but campers seem to love it.
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Men of Valor
The two essential qualities of mentor leadership are proven track record and worthy of being imitated. For rapid recall of these two dynamic, life-changing principles I call them PTR & WOBI.
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Brand Spanking New
Never used before, smells new, clean as a whistle, fresh, one of a kind, made just for you… no wonder people like brand spanking new .
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Meet Lazaros
There was Aristotle, Socrates, and then there is Lazaros; all famous in their own right in the nation of Greece.
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Lessons Learned from Italy
For 13 days 37 basketball players and adults toured fantastic Italy. These are a few of the lessons we learned and hopefully live out the rest of our lives. CONTENTMENT IS AN ATTITUDE!
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The Walker Legacy
NBC Camps – 3 Generation Family Key statement: The legacy we leave will impact our children and their children’s children. The way we choose to live our lives will impact the next three generations.
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Dream Come True
Key statement: The martyred missionary, Jim Elliot, has often been quoted with this amazing statement. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” True story: Fairbanks Alaska 1966.
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Fantastic News – Crowell Basketball
KEY STATEMENT: As Deuteronomy suggests, write it on your forehead, place a string around your forehead, so you never forget what God has given you in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Remember this!
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95 to 5 or 5 to 95?
Key Statement: On average the human mind is engaged 95% of the time in the subconscious mind and only 5% in the conscious mind.
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The Wonder of Youth
One day I was a player; next a coach; then a father and now Papa to hundreds of young players who love basketball and LIFEBALL!
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Who Wins Tonight?
Gonzaga wins. Best balance of pace and poise. They can run with Carolina if they need to, but also can slow the game down and grind it out in the half-court.
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Oregon V North Carolina Match Up
Coach Crowell’s facts, opinions, and predictions. Emotional my heart goes PAC 12. The DUCKS are fun to watch. What will Nike’s Phil Knight dress them in? The neon yellow shoes, tank and shorts didn’t scare Michigan.
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Coach Crowell on April to November Basketball
Key Statement: School ball season is ALL about the team. The player sacrifices for the team. Off-season is all about the player; not the team. In-season selfishness is team poison.
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2017 Will Be Remembered as a Great Final Four Year
Now it comes down to… Gonzaga vs. South Carolina North Carolina vs. Oregon Who will win the NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP? Let’s have fun doing some diagnosis.
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True Grit
“People can see the size of your body but no one can see the size of your heart.” March madness is the time for basketball.
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The Crowell Basketball – Lifeball
“Shooting a bad basketball is like chewing food with a broken tooth. In LIFEBALL fixing a problem with the wrong tool creates more problems.” How can I more effectively teach basketball’s most important and most difficult skill has…
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Basketball – Madness
“The game I love can be so cruel” -F. Crowell Basketball became the love of my life in fourth grade. Anacortes, Washington, a small town on Fidalgo Island was a hotbed for good basketball.
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Harley Sundown’s Alaska
Scammon Bay nestled on a hillside on the shores of the Bering Sea, is Coach Harley Sundown’s Disneyland. The saying, “Where you are, be all there,” fits Harley to a T.
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Fire in the Belly
Never quit. Never, never quit! A sellout crowd came to Indy to watch Kobe Bryant play his last game against the Pacers in the city famous for the Indy 500. Kobe was having a terrible night.
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The Dumbing Down of America
“You either rise up and cross the bar, or you lower the bar to cross it.” Essentially, there are two ways in life to have success: 1. You get better, you compete and you excel. 2.
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When Dreams Become Goals
A dream is only a dream until you write out the dream in crystal clear terms; then it becomes a goal.
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So Easy
So easy has become the favorite expression after a shot is made among our amazing 15 year old Chinese boys Basketball team in Jiaozuo, China. An elegant question: When does so hard become so easy ?
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I Can Hardly Imagine
Anacortes basketball boy becomes basketball old man in China. Today is my first day in Beijing. My partner Mr. Lao Yang tells me we meet some “Big People” this morning.
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Failure-pain-imagination
3 Vital Components for Future Success Recently at NBC Camps , nearly 200 students came to Whitworth University to get better at basketball – one of the world’s great games, and life – the world’s greatest game.
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Love Kids Love Kids
“Come to me as a little child.” – Jesus My days are filled with wonder and joy, because I’m living in the world of kids. Kids who want to become men and women.
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Crowell Basketball Coaching System
BASKETBALL COACHES AND COLLEGE STUDENTS – GREAT NEWS! Eastern Oregon University is offering B.S. and M.Ed. college credit for the CROWELL BASKETBALL COACHING SYSTEM .
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Crowell Basketball System
CROWELL BASKETBALL SYSTEM IF EXPECTATIONS DO NOT EXCEED OUTCOME, UNHAPPINESS IS THE RESULT. This is the reason a high majority of high school basketball players rate their experience as unhappy. Crowell has a solution!
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The Agony of Defeat
“The thrill of victory is worth the risk of the agony of defeat.” – Mike Tauriainen, civil engineer, former Crowell player at UAF. Spokanites are grieving Gonzaga’s heart breaking give away loss to Syracuse.
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Words You Don’t Want to Hear; You’re Fired!
March Madness is not only about the NCAA Basketball Tournament. It is also about the madness in firing of coaches!
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Crowell University Guard-center Camps
The NBA now either calls you a SF/PF or PF/C or Guard POINT GUARD and BIG MEN CAMPS are obsolete! They will become a thing of the past in a few years!
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Finishing Mode Is a Decision
30 days ago, football experts had written off the Seattle Seahawks. Today the Hawks are one of the most feared football teams!
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THEORY OF 21 – Bryan Luci
These past 30 hours have been lived in the fashion of a Crowell Core Value. I called it EEA (Exceed Expectations Always).
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Life Ball
Hello All, Each day I dedicate myself to my meaning and purpose for living. Love God Love Life Love People July 20 to 23 at Skagit Valley College I have the profound privilege to coach/teach/inspire, encourage as many…
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Meet Wallace Ungwiluk, the Stephen Curry of the Bering Sea
Wallace attended NBC Camps all star and College Prep Camp (Crowell Intensity Camp) which NBC’s premier basketball experience featuring excellent players from all over the world.
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Crowell Point to Post Basketball Camp 2015 – Skagit Valley
BREAKING NEWS! Skagit Valley College hosts CROWELL POINT TO POST BASKETBALL CAMP YOU ARE INVITED! July 20-24, 2015 “The Crowell Guarantee” – 100% Coach Crowell leadership involvement with exceptionally qualified assistant coaches.
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The Crowell Pure Basketball System
“Games don’t make you better, they reveal your skill. Fun D’ mentals make you better.” –Fred Crowell ARE YOU A COACH WHO IS LOOKING TO GET BETTER OR ARE YOU SATISFIED?
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Crowell Point to Post Basketball Camp
BREAKING NEWS! Southwestern Assemblies of God University hosts CROWELL POINT TO POST BASKETBALL CAMP YOU ARE INVITED!
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Crowell Point & Post Basketball System
“The best in fundamentals and game preparation” Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Crowell Point & Post System from Coach Fred Crowell Q. Why is it best to combine point and post players? A.
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Food for Thought
Basketball has two seasons: school ball; off season ball. In each season there are two options. The focus is either on building a great team, or working on individual skills to improve.
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Boys Basketball Camps
For more information about our upcoming boys basketball camps please fill out the contact form below.
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Letter from the President
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT When I took a leap of faith to begin NBC Camps in 1971, a lot of people thought I was crazy. That was a long time ago and a lot has changed.
