Post Game Show

Sorry it has taken so long for a post about the games, things have been semi busy, but such is life. First off, let me get the best part out of the way. The team got third and the guys were so happy and proud of themselves. The sense of accomplishment that they were showing when they got those ribbons made it all worth it. I was pretty nervous about how everything would go down, but it ended well. A few things happened that were less than optimal, but we qualified for the state games and that was the goal.

We got the gym at 10 and went back to change. The guys were so pumped because they were able to wear some actual Stillwater School basketball uniforms and they looked great in them. They really felt pride in the fact that they were the only team there with uniforms that showed what school they represented. Just them getting to wear those would have made the whole trip worth it the way they strutted around. We barely made it to the courts to put up our stuff when we got called onto the floor to play a team from Southern Oklahoma City. We were caught off guard because we thought we had more time to get ready and warm up, but apparently they had already played two games and it was our turn. The OKC team was really not supposed to be in our braket because they were older and higher skill level, but since they were the only team there for that braket, they ended up with us. The guys played hard, but we were outmatched and got beat pretty badly for the first game. I was under the impression that the games were 30 minutes or first to 15, but apparently they changed the rules and it was a 10 minute game. I was rotating players so they could all play and before I knew it, the game was over and we were beat soundly.

Some of the guys were really upset after that game because we are a better team than that and we did not have time to warm up and get ready. We got sit out a game before our next one, so I got with Amanda and worked out who we would play the next game because we had to win it to keep playing. We did the pep talk and what not to get em ready and when the game started they were ready. We beat that team soundly and moved on to play the exact same OKC team that beat us the first time. The second time around we played a lot better and only lost 7 to 4. The guys played hard and gave all they had, which is all that I could ask for. After the game was over, though they lost again, they felt much better about themselves and some even wanted to play that same team one more time so they could beat them this time! It was great to see them rise up and just want to keep going because they improved and showed themselves that they could play better and better.

After we got back to the high school and everyone was getting off the bus, all the guys told me things like "See ya coach" and "Thanks coach" which really touched me. Just the fact that everyone of them called me coach and they were so happy and enthusiastic as they got off the bus and were ready to practice some more for state was awesome. It really left me humbled and proud of them. I am really looking forward to the next practice so that we can work and get ready to really play well at state.

One of the best parts about the whole day was something that caught me totally off guard. Right after the first game was over and we were preparing our lineup and pep talking the boys, I turned and saw my dad standing there. I was speechless. I know that Amanda had invited both him and mom to come up, but last I had heard, both of them were busy, and it was such a long drive for a couple of games. Amanda had kept it a total suprise that he was coming up, which amazes me because she is usually terrible at keeping secrets. It meant so much to me that he was there for my "first" coaching gig. I grew up watching him coach so many teams that to have the roles reversed and he be watching me was very fullfilling. I was so happy to have him there. Mom, I wish you had been there to see it also. I hope you can make it for the state games, I really look forward to you seeing the team in action.

Overall, it was a rewarding experience and it proved to me that this is what I really want to do. I want to be a coach because of experiences like this one.

Yup another long post, if I keep this up it will be a habit.

Trevor