The Rise of the Prep School: Part 2

During our previous post we discussed how the Prep Schools recently arose in Arizona

This type of talent drain in one state is not common.  In states like California, New York, and Ohio, the most talent laden teams are nonpublic, often private academies such as Arch Bishop Mitty, La Jolla Country Day, St. Johns, and Riverdale Baptist.  Since these schools have established campuses, curriculum, and teaching staffs, the top players in areas around them would flock to play at these prestigious and elite schools.  In Arizona open enrollment has allowed Public High Schools like East Valley schools Hamilton, Perry, Gilbert, and Chandler and schools like Valley Vista, Millennium, and Tolleson in the West Valley to be power houses.  In addition to this, Tucson schools such as Sabino and Sahuaro have been strong contenders.  With that said there are a few traditional private preparatory academies that have had major success in the past 15 years such as Seton Catholic, Xavier College Prep, and St Mary’s.  Now that most of the talent in Arizona had congregated in select programs due to open enrollment, it is the only obvious next step, that these players would gravitate to play together at National Prep Schools.  

There are around 275 traditional High Schools in Arizona that play in the AIA.  Most of the talent is spread between 25 schools across 3 divisions, (6A, 5A, 4A).  This means that in many games those 25 schools easily win and are not challenged, to the point of a staggering number of 30 to 70- point victories.  Often times these games are decided in the first 4 minutes of the game.  It is only logical that these elite athletes are bored with the lack of competition in games and would want to gravitate to play with other elite athletes. 

The Prep Schools offer a basketball centered daily life with workouts and practice with other elite basketball players.  Some Prep Schools will have students attend classes on their campuses and others plan to have students attend their traditional high school and then head over to their basketball facility for practice after their school day ends.  Eventually Prep Schools might even get their own housing for their players to live in while they attend the school.    Prep Schools also boast the ability to play 60 or so games over a longer 6 month season. This may be with multiple rosters. 

Questions: The big questions going forward are these: 

Will these girls be happy with what the decisions they have made?  Can they go from being the one with the ball in their hand on their High School teams, to supporting casts on their new Prep School teams? 

Will these Prep Schools be able to get meaningful games either locally or nationally?  If the Prep Schools are not a part of a State organization will other elite programs in the nation be allowed to play them?  If the directors of these Prep Schools aren’t able to secure 40-60 top elite games, the players might rethink their choice. 

Financially how much will these Prep Schools cost?  No doubt playing club can be expensive, with uniforms, travel, and club fees.  Will these Prep Schools cost the same for players or parents or more?  Will the benefit out weigh the cost? Or will there be some scholar shipping along the way? 

Finally, will these players qualify academically for the NCAA after Prep School?  For the most part Girls Basketball players have high GPA’s and test scores, but will all the travel have a negative affect on that?  Are the Prep Schools able to have good counseling services to help their players through the NCAA Clearing House, like their Traditional High Schools have in place?  Or will they not concern themselves with this side of the student- athlete. 

I would like to believe that for the most part the Prep Schools will figure out positive answers to the questions.  

There is no doubt the players will be able to compete at the next level, I just hope all the little things work themselves out and they are happy with their moves to the Prep Schools.  Its all about the kids.