FEATURE ARTICLE

The Preseason Selection Process

By Aaron Brown

There were a lot of tough decisions and predictions to make as we head into the 2011 season. Determining the Top 25 rankings and making All-Illpolo Team selections is an especially difficult process, especially when you consider that the last official high school game was played in May 2010, close to ten months ago.

The All-Illpolo Teams were extremely difficult to predict this year, so much so that a second list of 'Players to Watch' had to be created. And even with that, it still feels like there are additional deserving players who will make a case for recognition as we begin the first official competitions on Monday, March 7.

To give some insight on the decisions, here are some important things to consider:

1) The All-Illpolo Teams are strongly based on the individual impact a player makes on a relatively successful team. The lists are not an evaluation of a player's individual talents and is much different than something a college recruiter or a national team coach would compile.

2) The majority of the decisions are based on performances during the 2010 season.

3) While every effort is made to consider summer team performances and the impact freshmen players will make on their respective teams, this information can be difficult to determine and may not be reflected in the preseason lists.

4) A great deal of the list is based on exposure, especially during the previous season. I am well aware that there are probably a handful of players whose performances have been overlooked to this point and who will wonder why they have not been mentioned here. Every effort will be made over the course of the season to recognize as many players as possible.

5) In some instances, information may have gotten crossed up and a returning player may have been mistaken as having graduated and does not appear on the teams. I reserve the right to make additional changes to the lists if this is the case. If you believe this is true, please send an e-mail to illpolo2011@gmail.com.

6) In other instances, a graduated player may appear on the list but appears on the teams because of some form of incorrect information. The same may be true about a player that has moved, transferred, or is not playing for a specific reason. If this is the case, please e-mail corrections to illpolo2011@gmail.com as soon as possible.

7) As always, the opinions of this site are simply opinions. They are meant to be a starting point to the upcoming season. I fully expect a wave of e-mails regarding the lists and the rankings, but the general answer I will always give is that they are MY opinions, which I base solely on the information I have at my disposal.

Best of luck in 2011,

Aaron Brown

illpolo.com