2018 parent here looking for advice on individual showcases to attend as a freshman.
FALL: I've been told the Phhily Freshman showcase is the best any experience? What about Jake Reed Fall? Also is one showcase enough for the fall or should I throw money at multiple people?
SUMMER: How many individual showcases should we attend next summer?
I assume answers will vary based on expectations. -Top Tier D1 -Mid Tier D1 -Lower Tier D1 -Top Tier D II/III -Lower Tier D II/III
Also, what is the right time to sit down and write your 1st letter to the schools of interest?
Any feedback and help is appreciated - THANKS!!
My son is a 2017 and we just finished up this summer and it is definitely a gauntlet. There are several big time showcases and several second tier showcases you should consider doing. Be realistic about where your son is at or you will wind up wasting a ton of money. If you believe your son is ready to get looked at, start sending out emails to the coaches of the schools your son is interested in.
The list of showcases (IMHO)
Fall:
Philly Showcase. Hard to get in, but well worth it.
Jake Reed Fall showcase. Again, hard to get in.
Winter:
3d Blue Chip. A play in camp for Jake Reed summer.
Spring/Summer:
Adrenaline Black Card. Among the best. First class all the way. Loaded with D1 coaches.
Maverick Showtime. Probably the premier showcase out there right now.
Blue Chip 225: Lot of upper D3, some top D1. Nicely run camp up at Bryant.
Based on what club team you play for you might be attending some showcase tournaments as well.
Top Tourneys (IMHO)
Crabfeast. Top competition. D1 Coaches everywhere.
Adrenaline Platinum. Great event, D1 coaches everywhere.
fl$ in 3d. Great tourney. Poorly run this year from a parking standpoint but a lot of coaches and top competition.
Im sure Im missing some but this is my list. Word of advice, dont do too much, you will burn him out. Do one or two showcases and whatever tourneys your club team is doing. You have plenty of time, hes only a 2018. Everyone is panicking but the reality is that most kids get recruited going into their junior or senior years.
Good luck and enjoy the journey, you only do it once.
Good advice given up there and the order of significance is spot on also. Just went through it as well and agree about the parking debacle!!
Jake reed going into 9th grade wasn't as attended by D1 coaches as it was for rising sophs this summer.
Philly showcase is the true early indicator. Get into the fab40 all star game and your coach's phone will be ringing off of the hook.
The part about writing letters to coaches is a gray area. Some coaches may read them and most are ambivalent about them. The scouts are out there. They have particular needs and rolls to fill that all end up with great players but their MO of obtaining them and contacting varies greatly.
I was actually told by one very high level D1 coach that he deletes all emails requesting that he come to such and such tournaments to watch s and so player. These guys are and have been analyzing your kid's team already if it's an elite team and are culling out the kids they have an interest in.
Now that the "horror" of recruiting 9th graders has been somewhat desensitized; I imagine that this next group of 9th graders will be even more aggressively pursued.
Beg borrow and or steal and get into the showcases mentioned. Not only your club coach can make recommendations for these (HS, private coaches and friends who know directors....). It can become a "who you know " situation so get on it ASAP.
Bottom line is: if the kid has talent; they will find him sooner or later. There are a lot of spots to fill so don't get overwhelmed. Enjoy watching the games and keep it fun for your kid. They generate their own amount of tension through the process so try not to add to it. Just keep him in the game mentally and enjoy the experience together.
