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History & Background 2006 The Maryland Flames began as an all Girls AAU Basketball program in September of 1998 with only two teams. In 2004 we added a Boys division and now boast over 40 girl’s teams and 15 boy’s teams. In 2005 we joined the YBOA to provide another experience for all our teams. We support players and teams ranging in ages from 8 to 17 years old. The organization is based in Montgomery County and is a member of the Potomac Valley Amateur Athletic Union Association (PVAAU) and the Youth Basketball of America (YBOA) in the geographic areas of Montgomery and Prince George Counties, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. The Maryland Flames organization is committed to the higher-level skill development for the serious basketball athlete. In addition to participating in AAU and YBOA sponsored events the Maryland Flames host basketball tournaments, leagues and clinics throughout the year. The idea is to share information and knowledge with players and coaches who are interested in improving their skills and techniques. Mike Baker and Bill McDermott the co-founders of the Maryland Flames, are very interested in providing a well-rounded and balanced program, which serves the community. As a means to better serve the parents, players and coaches, the organization established its own web site to communicate information. The Maryland Flames web site, www.marylandflames.com contains information regarding upcoming activities and events as well as practice schedules for the different teams. This past summer the Maryland Flames sent five girls teams to the AAU D-I National Tournaments and all of them did very well. We also sent three teams to the D-II AAU National Tournament including our 9-year-old team that qualified playing at the 10 year old age group. Our teams competed against strong competition from all across the USA. These National Tournaments provide an excellent opportunity for the athletes, coaches and the organization to evaluate how they stack up in relationship to the rest of the teams and players throughout the United States. Two of our D-I teams finished in the top 10 in the AAU Nationals. Our 11-U finished 7th in Missouri and our 13-U finished 3rd in Kansas. Check out our link at: www.mdflames.com/mainpages/cudos06.htm for details on all our 2006 tournament successes. At these summer tournaments the competition and experience is terrific and provides our players with a sense of accomplishment and pride in their efforts. The National Tournaments are held in July and are the culmination of the previous 10 months practice and training. Everyone likes to win, and it would be great to win every game, but just to have the opportunity to compete and experience National level competition at these tournaments is something none of our teams will soon forget. Being away for a week of competition forms a special relationship and a bond among the team and its members as well as friendships made with other players from the different teams across the USA. These positive experiences have resulted in a number of inquiries concerning the Maryland Flames Basketball program, its growth and the opportunities it presents for coaches, players and parents who are interested in their children participating at a higher level of year-round basketball. The lessons learned from competing and playing team sports are lasting and the friendships that are made are for life. Most of the Flames players are either preparing for High School competition or are current High School Varsity players angling for a College career while continuing their development during the off season. Many of our D-1 level Maryland Flames basketball athletes have the opportunity to make their High School Varsity teams as freshmen, most no later than their sophomore year. Many of our D-II squad players are playing for their high schools as well. Today's basketball players participate all year in organized leagues and tournaments to improve their skills. In an era of sports specialization, most athletes are selecting a primary sport to participate in throughout the year. The days of a single sport season are quickly fading. Like their professional counterparts, to be the best, and to be able to compete in a very competitive sport, year round conditioning, skills development, competition and dedication has become required. The Maryland Flames are in tune with this trend and offer a comprehensive year round program. We start with children eight years old with skill development and create select teams to compete against other regional organizations and then proceed to travel and National competition. The organization is not directly affiliated with any individual High Schools, however the Flames utilize a number of Varsity, Junior Varsity and College coaches throughout the Potomac Valley area to assist us in skill clinics and one on one tutoring opportunities. In some cases High School and College level coaches are currently coaching some of our teams. The success of the Maryland Flames program can be directly traced to the cooperation of the all-volunteer coaching staff, the parents who support the efforts of the program and the players who provided the excitement and fun that we all share in basketball. The Maryland Flames are looking forward to the new 2007 season and this years AAU and YBOA schedule of events. The first 9 years has provided a strong foundation for the growth and continued development of our future teams as evidenced by our standing Nationally. We invite you to join us for some serious amateur basketball.
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