The Tim Burns and Tracy Elliott era was the most successful in Norfolk Knights history
Date: September 09, 2008 at 00:26
The Norfolk Knights have been around since 1993 in AAU, YBOA and USSSA. They have finished as high as 7th nationally in AAU, 4th nationally in YBOA and of course their recent USSSA success which includes a National Championship followed by a Runner-up finish that has them ranked #2 nationally.
Several players have gone on to college after playing for the Knights and played at all levels of college basketball. The roster has included All Tidewater performers and All District performers, future pros (overseas), and more than their lucky share of great people.
But no other four year stretch has been better for the Norfolk Knights thanks to Tim Burns and Tracy Elliott. Never again will the Knights combine two players of their talent and leadership, basketball knowledge and courage. In fact, there are few players that can match them on the basketball court at their terms. Sometimes high school coaches have systems and players have to fit those systems, it doesn't always bring out the best in a player. It certainly has not done justice to Burns and Elliott who have outbattled ranked players on a number of occassions throught their four years with the Knights. Put anyone on the court against Burns and Elliott in a wide open style, I'll take Burns and Elliott everytime without hesitation.
Where else can you find two players with these contributions to a team:
2006: Led the Knights to a #1 national ranking before finishing 3rd at the national championships in Indiana. They made All Tournament team despite a loss to an Indy Speice team that featured Wake Forest guard Mark Teague.
2007: Led the Knights to the Silver Division USSSA National Championship and were selected Co-MVP's for their efforts. Of course more All Tournament accolades in voting from opposing coaches.
In this event, both averaged double figure points and rebounds for the Knights, and they had to!
2008: Led the Knights to the Gold Division National Championship game coming up short against an Illinois team that featured a pair of Top 150 players in the class of 2009. The Knights finish the 2008 season with their highest ranking ever, #2 nationally!
During their tenure, the Knights have a national championship tournament record of 17-4! In any league, that is incredible!
2006: Led Knights to the Virginia USSSA State Championship. Unfortunately for both Burns and Elliott, their value to the college coaches who have been impressed with their talents is diminished because they play the post for the Knights and at 6'3 each, hardly look like typical Division I post players. Even though they have successfully battled other Division I post players while giving away as many as 8" to their counterparts, coaches want to see their guard skills. Now, don't be mistaken, they can play guard as well as the next player, but because they are team players first and play the post because that is what the team needs from them, they sacrifice greatly for the teams success. They don't fuss about this sacrifice! They are leaders on the court, coaches in fact. As their coach, I will tell you they do more coaching than I do and the success of our program during their tenure is directly linked to their playing and coaching.
They possess an unusually high basketball IQ, they lead teammates on the court, they can shoot, dribble, rebound, block shots, defend, motivate, and coach. Without them, our success would not have happened. Not to diminish the efforts of our other players, each of whom are absolutley spectacular players and teammates, but Burns and Elliott are the straws that stir the drink.
Never again will we be so blessed to have such players who package all of the talent and intangibles of these two gentlemen, but for all who have been fortunate enough to play with them, man were they lucky. For someone who had the opportunity to coach them and share the bench with them, what a gift from God! I can't believe I was that fortunate.
Some say a team takes on the identity of it's coach, for this team nothing can be further from the truth. I only wish I had half the determination, leadership and willingness to sacrifice for others that these guys have. In the case of this team and the three teams before still led by Tim Burns and Tracy Elliott and still national powers, they have taken on the identity of their leaders; Tim Burns and Tracy Elliott.
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