By Joe Coata, USJN National Evaluator, Blue Star Media Contributing Columnist
WESTMINSTER, Md. – It’s an early Sunday morning in the Winter’s Mill High School gymnasium watching another good U14 game at the USJN East Coast Clash when the Maryland Belles 2019 coach Joe McAleer walks in with a box of single-stem roses.
After the good nature exchange, I cracked, “wow, are these for me, Joe [McAleer], you shouldn’t have!”
McAleer proceeded to tell me that the roses for were for the team’s mothers. It turns out that all the Maryland Belles teams did this for their Moms Mothers.
First class!
But that is the Maryland Belles; they do everything with the thought process of keeping family together.
I profiled the Maryland Belles program last year after this event. The club principles set forth by General Manager Tom Gizzi are still present despite the club doubling in size. The players have mega resources, continue to get better, the teams are all so well coached and the club’s profile continues to soar… Oh yeah, and then there is that enthusiasm!
However, I want to go a more in depth with the 2019 Maryland Belles team.
I have watched the Maryland Belles 2019 team three times already this young season and have been impressed each time. McAleer’s team has won the USJN East Coast Qualifier and the Boo Williams Invitational while playing at the 2018 level. The group is talented, well coached and best of all fun to watch.
All the Belles program’s players bring an infectious passion to the game. They are vocal, supportive and respectful but this one goes a little bit further. Maybe it’s the age group (7th or 8th grade), or maybe it’s McAleer’s attention to detail.
Unquestionably, it’s both.
The players cheer loudly, take turns going up and down the bench receiving high fives after a teammate scores a basket. They all rise to great players when they come off the floor. McAleer says the team has a two-second rule, meaning when a player comes off the floor, the bench personnel have two seconds to commend some part of their game and to encourage substituted player. The Belles routinely play up an age group seeking the best teams in both their age group and the one above them.
The Maryland Belles are always competitive because they practice together and hard, says McAleer. All Maryland Belles coaches help all teams across the board, fostering a family-like atmosphere.
McAleer’s formula for success is rooted in his own family values. He is a father of two basketball-playing daughters.
Molly McAleer (2019, 5-8, G) plays on the wing, is a good shooter, knows the game and makes good decisions with the ball. Her footwork continues to get better.
In addition to his Belles’ duties, dad also serves as an assistant coach with the Central Maryland Attitude so he can help out his older daughter, Hannah McAleer (2016, 5-6, G). Hannah is a solid player with strong guard skills and a typical competitive attitude.
The deep, talented team features several projected top-level players. Here’s a look.
Aleah Nelson (2019, 5-4, PG): Quick up and down, never ending motor, confident and great court vision, sees the open man 2 moves before she opens up.
Makayla Daniels (2019, 5-6, PG): Solid ball handler, strong, good first step, understands the floor and can score a number of different ways.
Taylor Geiman (2019, 5-11, G): Big rangy wing player, quick first step, finishes hard and drains the three.
Kayla Cooper (2020, 5-10, F): Solid, quick and possesses great post moves for a 7th grader; finishes strong inside, wants the ball.
A.J. Davis (2019, 6-1, F): Big and strong, runs the floor and can handle the ball well for her size. AJ finishes around the basket and competes hard all of the time.
You can find the Maryland Belles teams anywhere good teams are playing this summer, catch them if you can. I believe you will have an enjoyable experience.
Joe Costa has been with Blue Star for 15 years serving as a National Evaluator and Director of the Rising Blue Star program. Coaching the Pittsburgh Rockers for over 10 years, he helped produce two national championships and more than 100 scholarship student-athletes. Additionally, Costa has coached both girls and boys on the high school and collegiate levels plus served as a floor coach for several Nike All-American Camps and Skills Academies. He can be reached at JCosta@bluestarbb.com or follow him on Twitter: @JoesephGCosta.
