They always say that you want to close out with some positive momentum. It gives you a happy memory to go out on, a positive feeling to build on, a symbol of what is on the horizon. The boys did just that with their final day of play at the AAU National Tournament.
There were some great moments during pool play, but we were unable to pull out any wins, with opposing teams feeling like they were going to walk away with easy wins before even warming up. The stage may have seemed like it was a bit too grand at first, but we slowly adjusted and when Saturday's elimination games rolled around, it was all out war.
In the first game versus Florence Sports Academy, the team played very well from tip to finish. We rebounded well (29 total by my count), limited our turnovers (9 by my count) while forcing the other team to give us the ball (8 steals). Everyone played well with great play from our point guard (arguably his best performance all season in terms of game management) and solid play from our big men, we controlled the game and dominated, causing the other team to break down and implode, arguing with one another and just filling themselves with negative energy. Can't really blame them, when you shoot 40% from behind the arc, 47% from the field and almost 70% from the free throw line, its frustrating. We rolled to our first Nationals win and made a pretty impressive statement to the opposition as well as to ourselves. We were ready to play.
The second game of the day was against the Tennessee Future Stars. This game proved to be a battle, with momentum swings galore. Again, we had great play from our point guard and it was nice to see other players break out of their slumps and produce in big moments to keep the game close.We shot lights out from the field this game too thanks to patience and great team ball movement (62% from the field, 64% from the arc, 62% from the line) but that wasn't enough. Though we made a strong push to force the game into overtime, and bring it within seconds of a second overtime period, we fell four points shy of the win.
Having driven half the team all week following our other losses, this last one was different. Once the pain of the tough loss had subsided, the understanding of how great they had just played set in and the ride wasn't the normal awkward silence. They laughed, smiled, and just enjoyed the feeling that they had set out to do great things back in March, and although it ended a little early, they had played hard, played together, and played well on one of the biggest stages in high school sports.
This was the kind of finish coaches dream of. Sure we didn't come away National Champions, but we also didn't fall apart and go out in a ball of blazing glory. All the little things Coach D had been preaching and focusing on all season, the faith to keep going and not give up on the team when we hit rough patches, all proved to be worth the time, the effort, the sweat, and the tears when we got to see our name on the big screen at Nationals and played some of the nations best to the wire. Almost every player and coach said right then and there, that we'd be back, ready to do work in the Fall - ready to build on what had just taken place to be stronger, faster, better.
September can't come fast enough...
No comments:
Post a Comment