We won last night. I wrote about being curious about how they would try to attack us. The just played man on defense and mainly motion on offense. They have one really good shooter who they run a lot of flares for. He hit some shots, but they were never really in the game. We were up twenty at halftime. I was shocked they tried to play us man to man. They just didn't have the players for that strategy to work.
After the game the coaching staff stuck around to watch the other semifinal game. We play the winner of that game tonight. It is a blast to be a part of such a special staff. I have been an assistant coach for a varsity basketball team one other time. It was horrible. The guy lead each meeting with a new assistant with this quote, "I don't need you. I can do this by myself. You'll get to do as much as you earn." Not being one who thrives on the whole 'prove myself' mentality, it didn't work. This staff is completely different. We meet before every game to discuss the plans for the game. We enjoy everything from eating together to coaching together. It is a special group of guys who care about each other, the game, and most importantly, teaching young men to love to play the game to glorify God.
One quick note from last night's game. We were up 21 with about four minutes to go. We had put in subs when the lead was somewhere around 28. Our subs turned the ball over on four or five straight possessions, so we put our starters back in. We had no intention of even scoring. We spread the court and just held the ball from the other team. Their fans booed the move. I have always thought basketball is one of the toughest sports to ref or coach because the common fan thinks they know a lot more about the game than they actually do. I get so frustrated when fans talk about (or worse, boo about) when they don't understand what is going on. We put in the players who could hold the ball and win the game. This is a tournament and momentum has so much to do with tournament basketball. If we end the game (even with a win), but turn the ball over 15 times, we will come out struggling the next day. If we hold the ball for four minutes and not run up the score we increase our confidence and develop a rhythm going into the next game.
Good to get that off my chest.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Region Semi's
We play in the region tournament semifinal game tomorrow night. It is the game we lost last year. If we win, we are guaranteed a game next Monday night to go to the final 8 and play in Murfreesboro. If we win tomorrow and Wednesday, we host the game Monday night. We had a great practice today. We have already beaten the team we are playing tomorrow night by 12 and 30 earlier this year. In the first game we outscored them 26-9 in the first quarter. In the second game, we were up 27-7 after one. One of the most fun aspects of tournament basketball is the chess match goes on between the coaches. I'm excited to see how they come out and try to play us. I would stall for the first quarter and then try to establish my own rhythm for the game for three quarters. It'll be interesting.
If you're not busy and feel like driving to Spring Hill, come and cheer on the Lions. We play at 6.
If you're not busy and feel like driving to Spring Hill, come and cheer on the Lions. We play at 6.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Bigger Story?
Yes, Kobe led the Lakers to a six point win in Shaq's debut with the Suns. But here is my takeaway, the Suns played the Lakers to a two possession game in their first week with a seemingly revitalized Shaq.
I like the Shaq Suns. I like watching the Big Diesel run the court.
I like the Suns in a seven game series.
I'm also horribly biased and wouldn't admit it if I thought the Lakers were 1,000 times better that the Suns.
The truth is, at this point in my life I care more about hockey than NBA basketball. Let's just hope the Nashville Predators don't ever sign Kobe Bryant. He can't steal two teams from me.
I like the Shaq Suns. I like watching the Big Diesel run the court.
I like the Suns in a seven game series.
I'm also horribly biased and wouldn't admit it if I thought the Lakers were 1,000 times better that the Suns.
The truth is, at this point in my life I care more about hockey than NBA basketball. Let's just hope the Nashville Predators don't ever sign Kobe Bryant. He can't steal two teams from me.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Who Needs Sleep?
It's 3 in the morning. I went to bed around 11:30. I woke up around 2 and just can't sleep. Our basketball team won a triple overtime barn burner last night.
It was the perfect storm for an upset. We haven't lost since December. We haven't had a game closer than single digits in over a month and we had a 17 point lead in that game in the fourth quarter. We were playing our rival for the third time this year. District rivalries are always tough. And lastly, we didn't have school Monday or Tuesday. High school basketball players need routine. A four day weekend is not ideal for a district championship. All that to say, the team was ripe for an upset.
The goal of the other team was to limit possessions. Out of the forty-four minute game, they probably HELD the ball for over thirty-two minutes. The third quarter and the first overtime literally consisted of them holding the ball for one possession. I haven't really seen anything like it.
Our boys battled hard. It was only the second district championship in the school's basketball history. The first happened in 1998.
We were down 6 points with 1:07 to play in the first overtime. We had a four point play and forced two turnovers. They missed putback layups at the end of regulation and the first two overtimes. It could have easily gone the other way. They battled hard as well.
These are all ramblings of an extremely tired person. I thought writing might help me sleep. I think it's just making me more excited. I'm so proud of the players. It is an amazing privilege to watch young men learn about themselves and their capabilities. It is so much fun to watch them become what you know they already are - champions.
If it was on ESPN is would have been an instant classic. I'm not sure I'd be able to watch.
It was the perfect storm for an upset. We haven't lost since December. We haven't had a game closer than single digits in over a month and we had a 17 point lead in that game in the fourth quarter. We were playing our rival for the third time this year. District rivalries are always tough. And lastly, we didn't have school Monday or Tuesday. High school basketball players need routine. A four day weekend is not ideal for a district championship. All that to say, the team was ripe for an upset.
The goal of the other team was to limit possessions. Out of the forty-four minute game, they probably HELD the ball for over thirty-two minutes. The third quarter and the first overtime literally consisted of them holding the ball for one possession. I haven't really seen anything like it.
Our boys battled hard. It was only the second district championship in the school's basketball history. The first happened in 1998.
We were down 6 points with 1:07 to play in the first overtime. We had a four point play and forced two turnovers. They missed putback layups at the end of regulation and the first two overtimes. It could have easily gone the other way. They battled hard as well.
These are all ramblings of an extremely tired person. I thought writing might help me sleep. I think it's just making me more excited. I'm so proud of the players. It is an amazing privilege to watch young men learn about themselves and their capabilities. It is so much fun to watch them become what you know they already are - champions.
If it was on ESPN is would have been an instant classic. I'm not sure I'd be able to watch.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Charles Barkley - Theologian???
So if you are against abortion and think marriage is only for a man and a woman you are a fake Christian who doesn't understand what Christianity is all about?
Charles Barkley is allowed to make judgments. Those who disagree with his views are closed minded and judgmental. I am no philosopher, but I see a problem with his logic.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Athletes I Love - Shaquille O'Neal
I especially enjoy when athletes I love take out broadcasters/athletes I do not.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Tournament Time Scouting
Last night was the end of the regular season and now it is on to tournament time. We came out 11-0 in districts. I love tournament basketball and this year has the possibility for us to make a really special run.
The way tournaments work in Tennessee is the winners of each region tournament play the runner up from a neighboring region. Last night one of the other assistant coaches and I skipped our game to scout the probable runners-up in our neighboring region. It was a rural school and provided a rural experience.
Some scouting points not having to do with basketball.
The halftime raffle winners won a pie rack, teeth whitening, and a ham.
Next year will be a rebounding year for the dance team. About sixty of their seventy-five dancers were celebrated during senior night.
The two teenage boys sitting behind me REALLY enjoyed the dance team. Two quotes that I couldn't make up if I wanted to ... "If they were performing somewhere else, I'd pay to see it." "It don't get no better than that."
Either the crowd had never seen a scout before or I had something hanging from my nose because we were STARED at the entire night. One lady asked why we were there. When we told her we were scouting she informed us she had a 6'4'' son. We asked if he played. He didn't. Kind of anticlimactic.
Last and certainly not least was the line from a mother (possibly grandmother) who disagreed with the ref. She said, and I quote, "Stupid is a stupid does." I badly wanted to ask her if she had ever seen Forrest Gump. I'm not sure she had.
You gotta love small towns. It don't get no better than that.
The way tournaments work in Tennessee is the winners of each region tournament play the runner up from a neighboring region. Last night one of the other assistant coaches and I skipped our game to scout the probable runners-up in our neighboring region. It was a rural school and provided a rural experience.
Some scouting points not having to do with basketball.
The halftime raffle winners won a pie rack, teeth whitening, and a ham.
Next year will be a rebounding year for the dance team. About sixty of their seventy-five dancers were celebrated during senior night.
The two teenage boys sitting behind me REALLY enjoyed the dance team. Two quotes that I couldn't make up if I wanted to ... "If they were performing somewhere else, I'd pay to see it." "It don't get no better than that."
Either the crowd had never seen a scout before or I had something hanging from my nose because we were STARED at the entire night. One lady asked why we were there. When we told her we were scouting she informed us she had a 6'4'' son. We asked if he played. He didn't. Kind of anticlimactic.
Last and certainly not least was the line from a mother (possibly grandmother) who disagreed with the ref. She said, and I quote, "Stupid is a stupid does." I badly wanted to ask her if she had ever seen Forrest Gump. I'm not sure she had.
You gotta love small towns. It don't get no better than that.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Cutting Off My Nose to Spite My Face
I don't really know what that phrase means, but I think it might describe the emotions I feel when I think about Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers.
I fell in love basketball for one reason - the Los Angeles Lakers. I grew up in Southern California during the run of Magic and Kareem. I cut my basketball teeth on James Worthy's baseline cuts, Michael Cooper's defense, and Byron Scott's sweet jump-shot. I had more purple in my wardrobe than Barney. My hair still stinks from the corduroy 1987 Lakers' championship hat I wore to school everyday.
Even when I lost interest in the pro game I still followed the Lakers. It all changed when Jerry Buss picked Kobe over Shaq. Since Shaq left and the organization put their hopes in Kobe, I haven't been able to root for them. I have actually cheered against them. I would rather the Clippers to be the team in LA. I was thrilled when Shaq was the first to win a championship after the divorce.
I will not root for Kobe Bryant. I cannot root for Kobe Bryant.
Think about how tragic this is. I have two sons. I have a team I grew up on and learned the game with. This team has a player with the same last name as the boys and me. We could have matching jerseys with our last name on my favorite team. But I can't. I just can't. I can't let anyone think I like Kobe. I cannot put the most selfish player I have ever seen on my sons' backs.
Not even UCLA's former point guard Jordan Farmar was enough to bring me back.
I root against the Lakers. I cheer hard for them to lose. But here is where the nose/face thing comes into play. If the Lakers lose and lose a lot, eventually they will have to trade Kobe to rebuild the team. Eventually they will get tired of it. Eventually they will turn the page. I root for them to lose so that someday I can root for them to win.
Until then (or until he retires) I will be a nomad. I will not have a home. This afternoon I became a Suns fan. I already love that Mike D'Antoni uses a seven second shot clock during practice. I already love Steve Nash. So, the addition of Shaq and the hope that the Kobe led Lakers will be embarrassed by a Shaq led team (or a Shaq contributing team) is the best option I have.
P.S. Dr. Buss, if you're reading, I give you my word the day you let Kobe go I will begin investing in Lakers clothing again. My wardrobe in the 80's financed the move to Staples.
I fell in love basketball for one reason - the Los Angeles Lakers. I grew up in Southern California during the run of Magic and Kareem. I cut my basketball teeth on James Worthy's baseline cuts, Michael Cooper's defense, and Byron Scott's sweet jump-shot. I had more purple in my wardrobe than Barney. My hair still stinks from the corduroy 1987 Lakers' championship hat I wore to school everyday.
Even when I lost interest in the pro game I still followed the Lakers. It all changed when Jerry Buss picked Kobe over Shaq. Since Shaq left and the organization put their hopes in Kobe, I haven't been able to root for them. I have actually cheered against them. I would rather the Clippers to be the team in LA. I was thrilled when Shaq was the first to win a championship after the divorce.
I will not root for Kobe Bryant. I cannot root for Kobe Bryant.
Think about how tragic this is. I have two sons. I have a team I grew up on and learned the game with. This team has a player with the same last name as the boys and me. We could have matching jerseys with our last name on my favorite team. But I can't. I just can't. I can't let anyone think I like Kobe. I cannot put the most selfish player I have ever seen on my sons' backs.
Not even UCLA's former point guard Jordan Farmar was enough to bring me back.
I root against the Lakers. I cheer hard for them to lose. But here is where the nose/face thing comes into play. If the Lakers lose and lose a lot, eventually they will have to trade Kobe to rebuild the team. Eventually they will get tired of it. Eventually they will turn the page. I root for them to lose so that someday I can root for them to win.
Until then (or until he retires) I will be a nomad. I will not have a home. This afternoon I became a Suns fan. I already love that Mike D'Antoni uses a seven second shot clock during practice. I already love Steve Nash. So, the addition of Shaq and the hope that the Kobe led Lakers will be embarrassed by a Shaq led team (or a Shaq contributing team) is the best option I have.
P.S. Dr. Buss, if you're reading, I give you my word the day you let Kobe go I will begin investing in Lakers clothing again. My wardrobe in the 80's financed the move to Staples.
Monday, February 4, 2008
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