Team Update: Half Way Through
There’s a great story about former Canadian Amateur boxer Willie Dewit. In his first sparring match he knocked out his opponent in 26 seconds and his coach said with a smile, “I still don’t know if he can box!” Half way through our season, the girls are 1-6 but their ceiling is still very much to be determined.
The Ugly a.k.a The Broncos Super Bowl
We have had two God Awful games; real stinkers where the gym feels like it was deflated of all energy. They are never fun. Eventually, you want to forget they ever happened or at least make sure you can prevent them from happening again. In a moment of inspiration I called a time out and started singing, "Let it Go!". Not a pretty moment. They reminded me of the Super Bowl; I’m not sure Denver could have won, but the breaks gave them a game in which they couldn't even compete.
The Bad
We have had two games which were not ugly but we cannot call them good either. Both were double digit losses but each had their positives. Our first game was a sloppy loss to the second place team where potential and energy existed. The other was a loss to the third place team where our girls refused to quit in the second half. I love seeing scrappy play. When a player knows they do not have their best stuff but brings the energy despite it all.
The Good
We have had two tough losses to very good teams and one win. The two losses were on the road and we should not have been in either game. The kids demonstrated heart beyond belief; Rudy type heart. Both games were lost in the final minutes and each was a glimpse into the potential we really have. Of course, analysis cannot be based on results alone.
Commitment wise, we have an interesting mix. I have several players who simply do not miss anything. They know we have practice twice a week and they are always there. Others have yet to grasp the importance of practice and miss too many. I am not at the point in the program where such players can just be cut because we still need numbers. Games are the same thing. We have had three games with seven players or less. You cannot become successful when your attendance drops below 60%. Even in the games where we have everyone, the players are confused how to play with each other. It is also useless to lecture the kids at practice about the importance of coming to practice. Sometimes the players have valid reasons, other times their reasons are just excuses. After this week, I hope we have turned the corner on this problem. I’m just not sure which direction we are now going.
Defensively, we are becoming solid. We are starting to play full court and at times it looks effective. Players are starting to anticipate passes and they are moving when the ball leaves their opponents’ hands. We are creating turnovers and they have developed a taste for stealing the ball. In the half court, we continue to play aggressively. Unfortunately, we do not always sprint back in transition. This is a factor of two key issues. First, we need to continue to improve our fitness levels. Secondly, we need to develop better substitution patterns so players do not feel like they have to conserve their energy.
Offensively, we are weak, but that is on me. I need to put concepts in place that work as a strategy but does not cause overthinking. They need to react to the defense and not just go where they are told. They also change their shooting styles. Several of my players shoot well without defense but change that style as soon as someone gets close; all correctable errors. As our skills and stamina evolve, players will move and use their effective shooting styles more.
There is no questioning their heart. You can see it everywhere. Sometimes they are fighting tooth and nail, other times they are wanting to do better and don’t know how, and sometimes they just don’t quit. We have had games where I can honestly say they have worked as hard as any team I have ever coached. That’s the infection I want them all to catch.
So Thanksgiving is our halftime. Traditionally, I like to think my teams perform better in the second half. I want us to keep improving, learn commitment and continue working together. I am thankful for their brave efforts to date. It takes courage to try something new and believe in something that has never existed before. Some of the girls who told me a basketball team could not exist at my school are now my greatest leaders. I still don’t know how this season will finish, but maybe I will just continue to enjoy the ride.
