Monday, November 17, 2014

Lake Travis Men's Basketball Looking forward to Another Successful Season


We are looking forward to another great year of Basketball.  Thanks to Sean Shapiro, Lake Travis View contributing writer for this feature story on our team.

Boys basketball: Cavaliers looking for a 4-peat


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

LTHS Basketball and Spurs Game

LTHS Basketball and Spurs Game

November 22nd, 2014

LTHS vs McNeil at 2:30 and SA Spurs vs Brooklyn Nets at 7:30pm

AT&T Center, San Antonio TX

Tickets are $29 each and allows you entry to both the HS game & the NBA game
Deadline to purchase is Friday, November 14th.  
Friends, family, extended family, LT fans, and/or Spurs fans are all welcome.

Purchase your tickets from Coach Baty at the High School  Make checks payable to “LT Boys Basketball”.  

For questions or more information, contact Coach Baty, LTHS Head Basketball Coach at 512-533-6139

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Lake Travis High School Jake Budde Named to Texas All State Basketball Team

Jake Budde Named to Texas All State Team

Congratulations to Jake Budde for being selected to the 2014-15 Texas Basketball Magazine's ALL STATE TEAM.  This honor is only awarded to the very best players in the State of Texas.

Lake Travis High School Four Year Varsity Basketball Player Headed to Harvard

Four Year Varsity Basketball Player Headed to Harvard

Congratulations LUKE HUTTON!!!  Even if it is to go play football.

Read about it here:
http://austin.twcnews.com/content/sports/scholar_athlete/297353/luke-hutton

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Lake Travis Men's Varsity Basketball Team Wins TABC Free Throw Award

Congratulations to the Lake Travis High School Men's Varsity Basketball Team

Winner of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Team Free Throw Award for Class 5A

Of 778 Free Throw attempts, the team made 553 for a 72% Free Throw Shooting Average


Of the 553 made Free Throws, three (3) players accounted for 324 of those points:

Jake Budde = 116 points (76% personal average)
Tate Searle = 106 points (83% personal average)
Clayton Schultz = 102 points (77% personal average)

Congratulations Lake Travis on the award and a great 2013-14  

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Jake Budde named to Texas All State Team

Congratulations to Jake Budde on being selected to the 2014-15 Texas Basketball Magazine's ALL STATE TEAM - an honor awarded to only the very best players in the State of Texas!



Monday, April 21, 2014

What Makes a Recruitable Athlete

Here is a great article that was written by a HS student/athlete from Westwood in Round Rock.  It pertains to being a Recruitable athlete.  That old saying, “Out of the mouths of babes” comes to my mind.  So many times our kids hear a lot of this from coaches and parents.  Sometimes it is better to hear it from one of their peers.  You should share this with them.

Clint Baty
Lake Travis High School
Head Boys Basketball / Asst Cross Country

What Makes a Recruitable Athlete?

Brendan Moore, Student-Athlete
Round Rock Westwood High School

On February  5, 2014, I will  sign the National  Letter  of  Intent.    Since giving my verbal commitment to the University of  Maryland last June, I've  been  asked questions  like, "What's  the  secret?"  or "How do I become a recruitable  Division I athlete?" and "What  should I expect in the process?"

While  talent  and  size played  a role in my recruitment, there  are other  tips I offer when I'm asked what makes a recruitable  athlete.

1. Be coachable
Sometimes it’s  hard, especially  with the   ego  of  a  typical  teenage   boy, to believe that you're not doing everything right. But on the field or court, practicing humility is as important as practicing your drills.
Spring practice in Texas is the  time for recruiting coaches to visit and watch prospective  recruits. In one practice, my position coach was "coaching me hard". And while my instinct  was to become defensive  and  do  things  my  own  way, I was raised to obey my coaches and if a coach says you  are  doing  something wrong  and asks you to do it differently, you  do exactly what  he says - no questions asked.
A week later, I received an offer from a school that watched that practice.    I asked him why he chose me and he said, "As  soon as I saw your  coach yelling  at you, and you responded  with a "Yes, sir " then  did  exactly  what  he told  you to, I knew I needed you.   I want guys on my team that will not question me, that will trust my judgment."
This was a recurring theme throughout my recruitment experience. The reality   is, coaches like to   coach. They want to see their players improve. And coaches want  to win.   They will try different techniques to make you better. As players, we need to trust in these intentions and become the clay that they can and want to mold.   Being coachable will help you   improve   and   help   you develop a positive working relationship with your coaches.

2. Be realistic
I started   playing youth   football   in the second grade and remember getting really excited about putting  on pads and getting on the field.  In the first meeting, the league’s organizer told  all  parents and kids that less than 2% of everyone in the league would play in college.   I knew I wanted  to be in that  2%, but the point they  were  trying  to  make  was that  the players and parents should have realistic expectations.   Youth football should  be fun, give kids an opportunity to learn, get some exercise, and understand  what it's like to be part  of a team.   Not everyone will play after high school, but that 's ok. There are other benefits to participation.
At    the    onset    of    my    recruiting experience, I was invited to several junior days and unofficial  visits.  What became apparent at the time was, standing at 6'3 and weighing  245 pounds, I was a small left tackle.  I became all too familiar  with the  full  body  once-over, greetings  that involved   feeling  up  my  shoulders   and comments about my backside.  I've joked with  people  saying. that  I know  how  a pretty  girl feels.  But compared  to other left  tackles, I wa sn't  passing what  they refer to in recruiting as "the eyeball test." The   reality   is,   Division   I  football programs   are   looking   for   6'7   or   6'8 tackles.  And while I'm a firm  believer  in controlling my own  destiny, I can't  will myself to grow 4 inches in a few months. So instead  of getting  my hopes up with schools  that   were   looking   specifically looking for tackles, I focused on the schools that could use a fast guard or center and emergency tackle.
This isn't  to say there aren't outliers, but if your dream is to play in college, be realistic about  how attractive you  can be to a college program based on your talent and physical attributes.

3.  let  there be no question
Coming from a family of athletes and coaches,  I  knew  better   than  to  come home a nd compla in about external forces holding me back.  In our household it's called a victim  mentality.    My  mom  has always  made  it  clear  that   she  would never walk into the coaches office to negotiate my playing time.  It was my job to show the coaches and my teammates what I had to offer and to let there be no question that I was the best player for the job.
In   the    first    few    weeks   of    my sophomore  year on the  varsity  squad, I was second on the  depth  chart  and my playing time was limited to the point after kick.   I wanted  so badly  to be a starter, but  knew  I had  to  earn  it.    Instead  of complaining to anyone who would  listen about my playing time, I had to let there be no  question  that  I belonged  on the field.  So I practiced  harder, got stronger, got  faster,  hustled   in  every  drill,  and listened carefully  to  my coaches on the field and in the film  room.   A few weeks later, I had earned a starting position.
My head coach, Anthony  Wood tells all of his players at the beginning of the season,  "I'm  going  to  put  the  best  11 guys on the  field - not  the  best 10 guys and you."  And he really  means it.   It is a  player 's  responsibility  to  show  their coaches and  teammates   that  they  are the best player for a position.   No one is entitled to have a starting  position.   You need to earn it- day in and day out.  Don't  ask your coaches for more playing time or rationalize your lack of playing by telling yourself that the coach plays favorites.    Do  something  about it.   Show him  by finishing every block, completing  every pass, running  every route, doing everything  in  your  power to prove that you are, in fact, the best player in your position.
Let there be no question.

4. Be invaluable
It's  easy to  get pigeon-holed  into  a position  at a very young age.  We call youth  football  "Daddy-ball"  because dads volunteer to coach their kids teams. I have the utmost  respect for dads that will give their  time  to  ensure that  kids like me can play at a young age. But let's face it, kids of  coaches often  play skill positions  like  quarterback  or  receiver. I've always wanted to  be that  kid who throws or catches a pass in the end zone with the crowd cheering me on, but I was a pretty big kid and the obvious position for me was on the line.   So I played on the line and decided that if that's where they were going to put me, I'll be the best lineman they'd ever seen.
After my pop warner coach (and now close family  friend)  saw  my  potential and work ethic, he started to  move me around  to  see where  I  might  also be able to play.  They rotated me from the line  to  linebacker, running  back, tight end and defensive end.   I think  I even played mrner one  spring. Instead of fighting  with  the  coaches about  where I would play, I embraced the fact that I had much to  learn and if I could learn every position on the field, I'd be a well­ rounded player. I'd be the utility knife for the team - an instrument  that could be used in any situation, in any capacity. J'd be invaluable.
Becoming invaluable isn't being arrogant.  And it's not being the best player on the team.  It's about being prepared and willing to do or be anything your team needs you to  be.   Even as I prepare for next year, I've never played center in a game situation, but that doesn't stop me from snapping daily- just to be prepared in case I need to step in as a center at the University of Maryland.
Look to every opportunity as a means to make yourself invaluable.   It  will not only help you become a well-rounded player, it may increase your odds of playing based on your team's needs.

5.  Become  familiar   with   the recruiting process
At the beginning of the recruitment process, I did some research on what to expect.  A great resource we found was a calendar  that  11sted  all of  the  dates and  NCAA rules  for  recruiting  activity. Becoming familiar with the rules and dates relieved some stress for me because it helped  me understand what coaches could and could not do.
For example, coaches aren't allowed to   do   anything   but   informally   greet you in a some visits.  They also have a limited  number  of times  they  can visit your schooL And I learned on my way to an unofficial recruiting visit that even if you are just asking for directions to the campus, coaches can't text  or call you back.
Knowing there are rules in place eased my mind because sometimes you wonder why no one is calling or coming to practices. And then there's the period
I like to refer to as the full court press - where you need to carve out a few hours each night  because they all want to build relationships with you in a short amount of time. They will friend you on facebook, send email and call you in an effort  to build rapport and learn more about you.
It's important  to realize that they are evaluating you, but  you should also be evaluating them.  Keep in mind that you will be spending the next 4-5 years at a school and in a football  program.   Ask questions that  will help you make your decision if they offer. And when you are communicating  with  coaches, put  your best foot forward, but be honest.
Finally, if a school decides not to give you an offer or not to pursue you -even if  you've  been speaking with  them  for months, don't  take it personally.   I did. One of the first schools to show interest decided not to make an offer.  At first, I took  it  very  personally  and  wondered what it was that they didn't like. It wasn't a school that we would have considered for  academics, but  we  started  to  buy into   the  program.     But  after  several months there was no offer, and soon all communications ceased.
It wasn't easy to accept that a team that  spent so long getting to know me, didn't want me.   But in retrospect, it helped me understand the process better. I wasn't a good fit for their program.  And I had to  find the best program for me, which is why I chose the  University of Maryland.
And just as an additional note about understanding  the  process, don't  burn bridges. Whether they give you an offer or not, be thankful that they spent the time  to  get to  know  you because you never know where you will meet them in the future.

6. Be wary of recruiting services
In my junior year, we received several solicitations from recruiting services promising to provide visibility and exposure to college coaches. Before your parents make that investment, be sure to first explore your options closer to home.
I was very  fortunate  in  that  Coach Wood was very involved wlth my recruitment, was there to answer any questions I had and provided  me with valuable advice throughout  the process. While we didn't enlist the help of the recruiting services, I can't imagine that
a service would understand an athlete more than his coach or designated recruiting coordinator.
Your head coach can also help  you to be realistic about where they see you (or don't  see you) at the next level.   If you are serious about making yourself attractive  to  college recruiters, instead of trying to navigate the waters around your  coach at  the  end  of  your  senior season and complaining that he doesn't want to  help you, schedule some time to have a conversation with him early in your junior year. Discuss what it takes to be a recruitable athlete and humbly  ask your coach where he sees you today and what it  would  take to  play at the  next level.  Listen, take notes, and above all, be prepared to listen to their advice and
put in the work over the next two years.
Your coach can be your biggest advocate in the recruiting process. When a college coach comes to campus, it's not uncommon  for  them  to  ask your  head coach who they should be watching. Because high school coaches also want to put their best foot forward, and because they are also building  or nurturing their own relationships with college recruiting coaches, be one of the players that  your coach wants to promote.
I'd  imagine  it's  easy to  promote  a  player that  has good work  ethic, grades and talent.   In contrast, it would  be hard for coaches to promote a player  who is a grade risk, is a problem  off the field or has a bad attitude.

7. Keep it clean in social media
I don't  have  a twitter account, but do have a facebook account which I (somewhat)  willingly  allow my mom to monitor.    Why give  up  my  privacy  and allow her that visibility  into my life? Because I want to ensure that  anything I say online (or in person for that matter)  is something that would not embarrass my family or coaches.
On a couple of occasions, I've deleted questionable posts and offered apologies because of  something I've posted.  They weren't bad posts,but could be perceived as inappropriate.
The  truth  is,  we   live   in  a  digital age  where  online  rants, cyber  bullying and general disrespectful behavior is becoming  the norm. What I don't think kids fully  realize is that  they  are leaving a permanent digital footprint with  every tweet, post and comment.
Several of the recruiting coaches have told me that they monitor social media to get a sense of the player. One coach even called me and started to talk about heavy metal bands.  I had no idea what he was talking about when he said he was having a  great  "Metallica Monday" and  I was so confused.   But it  soon became clear that he had friended  the wrong Brendan Moore. He even admitted that before he called, he wasn't  quite sure that  I would be a fit for his program  based on the facebook page.
Prospective recruits, it's not just the NSA that  is  monitoring online  activity. If you engage in social media, you are giving  college  football coaches, the media, future  employers and the parents of the next girl you date a first impression of you.  Be real and true to yourself, and put your best foot forward.  Keep it clean. And keep it classy.

8. Keep up with school
The value of an education is important to me and I am very excited about going to the University of Maryland. But I can't with   clear  conscience  say that   I have always been dedicated to my studies.
Let's  face  it,  as an  athlete  I had  a
6:45am  start for morning practice, then school, film  at lunch,  then  another workout.  After  dinner  and at 8pm, I'm beat  and the  last thing  I want  to  do is homework or  study.   I really  just  want to play video games, socialize with  my friends and sleep.
As a student-athlete, I found  it  hard to prioritize my time.  I saw the other kids around me with free time and I had none. I fell into the trap of making my own free time.   I missed assignments, didn't  come prepared  for tests, and disappointed my teachers.  That led to arguing with my parents   and   getting   grade-monitored by my coaches.  The problem  was, I was falling behind and didn't know how to recover.  And  then  I  realized  that   free  time comes at a cost.   I wasn't an ordinary student.   I'm a student-athlete and time management  is critical.  My uncle always
told   me,  "Put  first  things   first."   Now, instead of delaying the inevitable, I get my work done first because you never know what's going to pop up later.  And I try to keep up with  homework as it's  assigned instead  of procrastinating and leaving it to chance that I won't  be busy before it's due.  This is a work-in-progress.
Although    not    stellar,   my   grades and  SAT scores  contributed to  my recruitment.   Teams that  may have considered   me  a little   too  small  for  a tackle took  a closer look because of my grades.    I've  received  early  admission to  the  Smith  School of  Business at the University  of Maryland and am on track to graduate from Westwood High School, one of the top-ranked high schools in the state of Texas, with a 3.6 GPA and almost a semesters worth  of college credit through  AP classes and exams.
Learn to  keep up  with  school  early. You don't want  to play catch up in your junior  and senior years.  By then, it may be too late.

9. Know before you commit
The  final  weeks  before  signing  day seems  like  a  frenzy. College  football staffs are keeping close to their  recruits to  ensure  they  don't  get  "flipped"  by lurking  teams.   Recruits who committed early in the process are wanting  to take official  visits  to  other  schools.   I won't judge or blame them, but I will say that it is not the advice I received.
My  experience   won't   be  the  same for everyone, but I will say when I made my commitment to the University of Maryland, I was certain  it was a mutual fit.   With  an eye for talent,  Coach Brian Stewart, defensive coordinator for Maryland and my recruiting coach, scouted me early last year.  We took our time  getting  to  know  one  another  and what I loved about Coach Stu was that he kept it  real.   With  other  coaches, it  felt like grown men sucking up to teenagers. Now, nearly a year later, he's like a part of our family.
In my first unofficial visit to Maryland, the director  of football  recruiting Ryan Steinberg   coordinated    an   informative visit for us.  We toured  the campus, met with professors in the business school, spoke with people in the honors program, met the rest of the coaching staff, spoke with  a few new recruits  and spent some time with tutors and the director of the academic center. I also got to shake head coach  Randy  Edsall's  hand  and  spent some time getting to know him.
By the  end of the  visit, I wanted  to verbally  commit.   But  we  came  home and took a few days to consider the other schools  I visited   and  knew,  without a doubt, that I wanted to spend my next 5 years at Maryland.
Even through  coaching  changes, my decision has not wavered.    Coaching changes, like  bosses, are  a way  of  life. But by understanding all of the  reasons you  commit   to  a school  and  program, it  will  help  muffle  the  inevitable surrounding  noise   after   you've   made your commitment. 

10. Be a man of character
Less than a year ago, I didn’t know if I had the talent  to play Division I football. After receiving some attention from   a few  college  coaches  and  speaking  with my high school coach, the prospect  of a scholarship offer was looking positive.
I'll be  the  first  to  admit,  when  the offers started coming in I let the attention get to my head.    In doing so, my grades started   to  fall,   the   relationships  with my family and coaches became slightly strained, and I generally  did not  feel like the "Brendan" that everyone  supported. I wasn't  displaying  the  character  that people expected from me.
I'm fortunate to  have a support network of family  and coaches that  are able  to   help  me  course-correct when they see me going down the wrong path. They teach and inspire me to be a better person.     Regardless  of  where   football takes me, like my mom, Coach Wood, Coach Stu and Coach Edsall,I aspire to be a person of great character.

American evangelist Dwight  L. Moody wrote,  "Character is who  we are in the dark."
At the  end of the  day, we are all responsible  for  our  character  - in good times  and  in  bad.  In  a  few  months, I will  start  the  next phase of my life  as a University of Maryland student-athlete and I will  be solely  accountable  for  my actions.   I know there will be challenges, but I also know  what it is to be a man of character and I know what is expected of me.