Connecticut Attack | gbna-league

The Connecticut Attack program headed by Ulysses Garcia, Heather Glezen, Kim Seymour & Peter Finken has quickly become one of the leading grassroots programs in the country on the east coast. A core of veteran coaches with years of experience coaching at a high level, united under a common vision during the summer of 2011, and together debuted as the Connecticut ATTACK during the spring of 2012. And since its inception, the Attack program supports between 9 - 12 teams. Nine Attack teams will take the floor to compete during the 2015 AAU season:

· 10 ATTACK 5th Grade – Nunez

· 11 ATTACK 6th Grade – Grossman

· 11 ATTACK 6th Grade – Ujoh

· 12 ATTACK 7th Grade – Carucci

· 12 ATTACK 7th Grade – Fresher

· 13 ATTACK 8th Grade – Glezen

· 14 ATTACK 9th Grade – Garcia

· 15 ATTACK 10th Grade – Seymour

· 16 ATTACK 11th Grade – Bepko

The directors of the club stand behind two firm philosophies:

- To inform and inspire young athletes with a passion for the game of basketball, and empower them to become their very best – on the court, in the classroom and in life.

- To attract and support the very best coaches – men and women of character and integrity that will lead young athletes in a manner that will grow discipline, confidence and success on the court, in the classroom and in life.

Based out of South Windsor, Connecticut, the ATTACK operates out of several gyms located in the greater Hartford area. Players hail from over 30 towns throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Heading into the 2015 AAU season, the program has several top-notch players that are at the forefront of their club. The 2016 class is highlighted by Melanie Binkhorst ‘5’6" guard that’s quick, fast, athletic and strong with an explosive first step and great ups that allow her to be a strong rebounding guard. She possess very good core strength and tremendous balance, which combine to help make her an offensive threat and tenacious defender. Isa Peczuh is a 5’6 deadly shooter with great range. She’s cagey with the ball, highly competitive and a great teammate. She’s been working on ball handling skills this off-season to improve her ability to score off the dribble. She’s also a top academic performer.

Megan Meehan heads the 2017 class of top performers. A 5’6 smooth floor leader and playmaker who possess tremendous court vision. Being an excellent passer and great ball handler is why she’s considered one of the top kids in that class. Being a consummate floor general, she finds the open player at the right time, scoring anywhere on the court as well as creating her own shot. Gyanna Russell, 5’9 guard is a strong, fierce competitor that’s versatile and aggressive going to the basket who also finishes will at the rim. Her size allows her to be a beast on the boards, which means she plays bigger than she is. She’s worked hard this off-season to improve her jumper and ball-handling. Continuing on in that class is 5’4 guard, Zhizhou Miller. Her great speed with and without the ball allows her to attack the basket with reckless abandon. Not to mention, she’s a tenacious on the ball defender. The last top kid in the 2017 class is Maddie Seymour who’s another big 5’9 guard. She’s strong, fast and athletic and a very nice long range shooter. She can defend and rebound along with being a very good passer. She plays hard which means she gives 100% effort all the time.

The future of the program starts with the 2018 class. Hartlee Meier, 5’9 guard/forward, is skilled, cagey and long. She’s a sharp shooter with a sweet stroke, quick release and she possess efficient footwork. Being a good ball handler, she sees the floor well in transition, plus she’s an excellent passer. Her huge personality allows her to be a great teammate. If she continues to work hard, her best days are ahead of her. McKenna Finken is a strong, 5’10 guard/forward that’s physical and a versatile player. Her blue collar approach allows her to play bigger than she is, attacking gaps off the dribble because she’s a better than average ball handler. McKenna has a high basketball IQ and a good mid-range game.

The 2019 class has several top prospects heading into the 2015 AAU season. Emma Glezen is a long, lanky 5’11 guard/forward, that has an athletic body with guard-like skills. She’s a very good dribbler and passer. Her high basketball I allows her to play four positions and she hasn’t stopped growing. She’s their defensive stopper and she loves to play defense. She’s another great teammate that’s working hard to improve her range. Madison Stevens is a 5’7 guard who’s an excellent jump shooter. She can pull-up well behind the 3 point line. She attacks the basket with tremendous body control because she’s a great ball-handler and she absorbs contact to finish. Being a scorer, she’s a threat anywhere on the court, yet she’s still a good defender and an even better teammate. Madison is a very hard worker that’s committed to getting better. 5’6 guard, Mia Kelly, is very fast and athletic. Being a fierce competitor allows her to be a great teammate. Another great ball-handler with amazing ability to drive low to the ground and change directions. Her quick first step makes her a good penetrator and finisher as well as a very good on the ball defender. She’s working hard on shooting and the overall game. The last top ranked player in that class is 5’9 guard/forward Makaela Johnson. She’s long, lanky and cagey plus an excellent passer who finds the open man. Her deceptive first step and uncanny ability to penetrate the lane gives her the opportunity to shoot the floater with either hand. Another great teammate with great hops allows her to be a strong rebounder and shot blocker.

Going foward, the ATTACK embraces a culture of trust where truth is valued over harmony, 110% effort is the expectation, and teammates compete to bring out the best in each other and their opponents. Our goal is the physical and mental development of our athletes. We equip them with a strong foundation of fundamentals and high level skill development, and cultivate a mentality to become students of the game, growing their Basketball IQ. Additionally, our leadership development and community service components are essential in the growth of critical life skills and social responsibility.

The ATTACK is cultivating a strong pipeline of players for the future. With year around clinics, personal training, and program opportunities, the ATTACK supports 5 AAU teams that will compete at the 5th, 6th and 7th grades levels for the 2015 season. With an emphasis on attracting and developing talent, we are systematically building players with high level skill and a strong basketball IQ. Future standouts are in training for each grade level through the Class of 2024.

Program director Ulysses Garcia says, “We take tremendous pride in defining what it means to be an ATTACK athlete. As leaders of aspiring players, it is our responsibility to establish a championship culture and crystalize expectations that become the roadmap to success. It starts with a commitment to live outside your comfort zone, and continues with developing an appetite for improvement, valuing accountability and embracing a purpose greater than oneself. When our players own the details and remain process-driven, outcomes of success take care of themselves.”

The ATTACK Class of 2015 embodied the qualities necessary to compete at the highest levels. Often outmatched by size and athleticism, their high level skill, incredible teamwork, tenacious defense and ferocious attitude helped them compete with some of the highest performing teams in the country. Signature victories from the 2014 season included Bay State Magic Elite, an overtime thriller against Boo Williams Champion, Team Miller at the Black Diamond Championships; a hard-fought battle over Triple Threat Elite at the Blue Chip USA Invitational, and noteworthy wins at USJN Nike Championships over Texas Express and Indiana’s The Family.