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An important concept for basketball players to understand is that it is much quicker to advance the ball up the court with the pass than with the dribble. As long as the player is open and able to handle the ball well once he gets it, it is always smart to advance the ball with the pass, since it is easier to score against a defense that is not set. If the player that receives the ball does not have an advantage or an easy shot, he can always pull the ball out and give his teammates time to get into the offense.


It has been encouraging to see the Eagles play as unselfishly as they have. During this possession, Nathaniel Crown (#24 white) secures the defensive rebound, and he is able to start the fast break by dribbling straight up the middle of the court. He quickly sees Austin Crown (#2 white) ahead of him and advances the ball to him with a nice chest pass. This pass and the fact that Matt Miller (#14 blue) runs the court aggressively on the opposite side from Austin Crown, allows the Eagle to have a "2 on 1" fast break opportunity. Austin Crown properly takes the ball all the way to the basket for the layup because the defender fails to step in front of his path. Had the defender placed his body in Crown's way, the proper play would have been to pass the ball to Miller. But he didn't and Miller was there for the possible offensive rebound, which in the end was not needed, as Crown converted the layup.