Every team has its ups and downs, but what determines how great you will be is how well you come back together.
Our team needed to bounce back and regroup after a few disappointing performances recently. We were happy to have had the opportunity to walk away learning from a victory, rather than reflecting on a defeat.
The last few games did not meet our standards–we didn’t come to play Naperville Central basketball. As a team we needed to refocus on our goals, and the best way to do that was a team meeting to address our lack of effort.
The first step in solving a problem is recognizing you have one. By calling the meeting we were admitting that our intensity has declined. Being true competitors, we refuse to accept mediocrity.
It’s easy to be mentally focused and ready to play a top-five competitor; it’s much more difficult to recognize the opponent is the game of basketball itself.
It doesn’t matter who you are playing if you execute, play good defense, rebound and take care of the ball. We accomplished much in a few minutes, regaining our confidence, composure and inspiration.
We all added to the discussion what we felt was necessary for our team to move forward. It’s important for everyone’s voice on a team to be heard. The meeting served as a catalyst for our next practice. Each and every Redhawk took the floor with a purpose. We became confident and assured that effort would not ever again be the root of our problem.
As we stepped on the floor Thursday night to play for the title of the Waubonsie sectional, there was a look of determination in all of our eyes. We were center stage, ready to compete, playing Naperville Central basketball. And in doing that, we would accept the end result.
I was proud of the way our team rose to the occasion, defeating Neuqua Valley 68-41. Was Neuqua the best our team has played? Yes. But we are capable of so much more.
Peace, love, jump shot,
CP#32
