DOING YOUR BEST

"I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end."

- Abraham Lincoln

LOSING AS MOTIVATION

"In my opinion, thinking about losing is one of the best motivators there is. I mean, don’t just toss out the idea, but really think about it. Turn it over and over in your mind. How will it feel to walk off the court having lost? What glee will the other team’s fans be showing off in the stands? What taunting will we have to swallow? What embarrassment? How will it feel going to class tomorrow, walking around campus, passing friends and strangers, all of whom saw the game and the failure? How will it feel knowing you let your family down, and your friends, and your coach and teammates? And yourself? That kind of negative thinking can be incredibly energizing."

From "Think Like a Champion"

By Dick Devenzio

(Thanks Coach Starkey)

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Believe while others are doubting.

Plan while others are playing.

Study while others are sleeping.

Decide while others are delaying.

Prepare while others are daydreaming.

Begin while others are procrastinating.

Work while others are wishing.

Save while others are wasting.

Listen while others are talking.

Smile while others are frowning.

Commend while other are criticizing.

Persist while others are quitting.

- William Arthur Ward, poet

(Thanks Coach Starkey)

WORDS OF WISDOM

There is a very fine line that often determines the difference between a successful season and a disappointing season. That fine line is the ability to recognize what to overlook and what to make a big deal about.

That fine line makes all the difference in the world.

4:13

ARE WE SATISFIED WITH BEING AVERAGE?

Last night’s game was unfortunately, a prime example of the ongoing inconsistent play that has plagued us throughout the first half of our season. As I mentioned in the locker room last night, I see flashes of brilliant play… followed by flashes of very mediocre play.

This team appears to be sleep-walking into games and in-turn, struggling to find it’s “sense of purpose” this season. If our goal is to to be a very average team, then we have achieved that goal.

However, if our goal is to win another conference title and qualify to compete at Nationals, then discipline on & off the court, sustained focus and consistent play are an absolute necessity that must start now!

Stats show that in just two weeks we've managed to turn around some major areas of our game. We are producing more PPG than the 08 and 09 teams, fewer PtsAllwd than the 09 team, more APG and SPG than the 09 team, fewer TO's than the 08 and 09 teams, the same FG% as the 08 and 09 teams... yet we don't come into the game with the mindset to dominate our opponents. We seem to be content with making silly mistakes and just trading basket for basket with them and trying to pull it out in the second half.

Key Stats in the First-Half of last night’s game:

TO’s: 16

FG: 9 of 33 (27.2%) four of which were air balls.

Off Rebs: 12

Def Rebs: 6

Fouls: 11

 We were completely out-hustled in the first quarter.

 10 games into a 24 game season and we continue to struggle with recognizing how the refs are calling the game and make the necessary adjustments on the court to play within that style of play.

 10 games into a 24 game season and we have trouble executing the simplest of plays against a set zone defense.

 We continue to want to “free ball” out on the court rather than recognize the defensive alignments being shown to us and execute a specific offense or play designed to attack that defense and make it vulnerable.

 We continue to make silly mental mistakes on the court due to a lack of focus (traveling, double-dribble, bad passes, rushed & off-balance shots, etc).

 We continue to have issues with players that want to do things their own way rather than placing the good of the team before their own desires.

Where are the players on this team that understand the “killer-instinct” mindset it takes to dominate on a nightly basis, regardless of the competition? Where are the players that used to jump (with confidence) at the opportunity to slay a giant?

Time is quickly running out on our opportunity to be a special team this season. Six of our next seven games will be tough (Arnold, Grace, Providence, Northside, @Rutherford and @Freeport) and we cannot keep making excuses about our poor and inconsistent play.

Are we going to be an average team… or a great team? It is not a question of whether or not we are capable, we are. But instead, it is a question of whether or not we want it enough and are willing to do what is necessary to make it happen.

4:13

MENTAL APPROACH TO THE GAME

Practice as if you were the worst... perform as if you are the best.

No one controls your performance but you.

4:13

WHEN A WIN IS NOT A GOOD WIN

Tonight's game against Bozeman was a blowout of epic proportion... but it didn't feel very good to win one like this.

We started two 7th graders and an 8th grader against their three seniors, a junior and a freshman and it didn't take long to see which team had game. At the end of the 1st quarter the score was 24-0.

After going into a zone, making 5 passes before we took a shot and even allowing them to shoot uncontested, they only managed 3 points for the game. I asked the newspaper reporter at the game to please not put the score in, but Bozeman's coach wanted to recognize her players that scored....what??? There is no glory in beating a team like this.

ONE PERSON CANNOT CHANGE ANOTHER

One person cannot change another person.

When I started as a young leader, I thought that a leader could change the people; and boy, did I work at it. I said, “All right, I’m going to give them thoughts, ideas, and principles; and I’m going to change people.”

After several years, I awakened to the thought that the only person who can change himself or herself... is himself or herself.

You can change yourself, but I cannot change you. You see, I am responsible to you but I am not responsible for you; and there is a world of difference between those two. I am responsible for teaching you good leadership. I am responsible for sharing things that can help add value to your life, but you are the only one who can take responsibility to change yourself.

- John Maxwell

(thanks coach Starkey)

TALENT DOESN'T MEAN SUCCESS

Being talented does not translate into success. Diligent use of our talents is what creates success.

4:13

IT'S NOT ABOUT TALENT...

“It’s not about talent... it’s about toughness of mind... ability to execute... attention to detail and about a collective attitude.”

- Phil Jackson

LITTLE THINGS MATTER

Regardless of how well we play... it's the little things in a close game that make the difference between winning and losing.

We won't beat very many good teams by continually making poor decisions at critical times within the game. We had 26 turnovers tonight (6 travels, 3 double-dribbles) and we missed 33 attempts from inside the arc.

With 2:30 left in the game and tied at 47 (when it counts the most) we began to make mental mistakes trying to inbound the ball. In just a 20 second span, we turned the ball over on back-to-back inbounds which led to a 4-0 run by Pike. We never recovered from that and our mistakes (little things) allowed Pike to go on an 11-3 run and ended any hopes of a win.

Every possession matters.

Every play matters.

Every pass matters.

Every shot matters.

Every rebound matters.

TWO THINGS ABOUT OFFENSE

“If you had two things, and only two things, you could have a decent offense. They are good shot selection and spacing. These are the two hardest things to teach in offense.”

- Kevin O’Neil

NEWS HERALD'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to Olivia for being selected the News Herald's Player of the Week. Olivia recorded 31 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals in two games this week.

4:13

CCS ALL-TIME CAREER STATS

Looking over the stats after our first seven games, I wanted to give you an update on where a few of you are on the All-Time Career List at school.

Points:

Hannah D - #10 (23 away from being #9), Rachel - #11 (19 away from being #10)

Rebounds:

Rachel - #5 (7 rebs away from being #4)

Assists:

Olivia - #8 (4 away from being #7), Hannah D - #10 (53 away from being #8)

Steals:

Hannah D - #8 (25 away from being #7), Olivia - #9 (23 away from #8), Rachel - #10 (15 away from #9)

4:13

CENTRAL UPDATE

I've been waiting to see how the team we love to hate (Central) looks this season and I finally have some idea. Camilla hit a FT with o.o on the clock last night to beat Pensacola Christian by 1-point.

So how good is Pensacola? Freeport beat them 51-33. Yes... the same Freeport that we just dropped 71 points on.

Can't wait until February...

4:13

CHARACTER

“Character is not a gift. It is a conquest and its kingdom lives upstream. You never get there by drifting... you gotta paddle.”

- Dale Turner

BE A FIERCE COMPETITOR

We typically open each season on the road and this season was no different with our first six games played in enemy territory.

I love playing road games. I love the atmosphere. I love going into somebody else’s gym and and impose our will upon them in front of their home crowd. Early season road games are also one of the best ways to feed a teams confidence.

It's all about having a "Warrior" mentality... confidence and an attitude that we can beat your butt anytime, anywhere, anyplace, anyhow... and it starts with every single girl on the team having that mindset... not just when we step into the gym, but starting that morning, before we ever even leave for the game.

Whether you're a starter or come off the bench, don't just "show up and play"... be a fierce competitor! Be eager about having your chance to go out onto the court and impose your will on your opponent.

If we want to continue to be viewed as a highly successful program, then we must have the mindset of a fierce competitor not only during the game, but from the moment you wake up on game day. It starts when you are packing your bag...

4:13

(thanks coach Starkey/Jeff Jansen & Roy Williams)

HANDLING ADVERSITY

Peyton Manning had a good quote recently about the Colts mindset after being down 17-0. The Colts came back to win by 8.

Said Manning: "We don't get overexcited when things aren't going the way we want them to. We don't panic, we don't yell, we don't throw helmets. We just try to put the bad plays behind us and move on to the next one. There was a lot of that today."

(thanks Coach Cooley)

ARE YOU A CATALYST?

As a player are you a "catalyst?" Webster's defines catalyst as: "something that causes an important event to happen."

In sports, a catalyst is someone who effects the game in a positive manner. They can be a starter or a substitute. Hilliary has been our catalyst over the past few games – stats may not show it, But her defense and her relentless effort has affected the outcome of our games.

Characteristics of a Catalyst:

1. Intuitive: A catalyst senses an opportunity.

2. Communicative.

3. Passionate

4. Talented: Talent knows what it takes to win. You can’t take the team to the next level when you haven’t mastered the skills it takes to succeed on a personal level.

5. Creative: Catalysts think things that others do not think. “Creativity involves taking what you have, where you are, and getting the most out of it.” - Carl Mays

6. Initiating: While all creative people have more than enough ideas, not all of them are good at implementing those creative thoughts.

7. Responsible: “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” - Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A

8. Generous: Catalysts give things that others don’t give. A true mark of people’s taking responsibility is their willingness to give of themselves to carry something through. They are prepared to use their resources to better the team, whether that means giving time or sacrificing personal gain.

9. Influential: Inspires others around her.

From "The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork" by John C. Maxwell

(thanks coach Starkey)

Pike on Friday

Here is a good example of what we can expect from Pike (white in video) on Friday. They focus on trapping the ball, therefore, we want to make them pay for gambling on the trap.

We don't dribble out of the trap, but instead pass out of it and get the ball up the court quickly. Every single time the ball comes out of a trap (with a pass)... WE HAVE NUMBERS! Take advantage of that and attack the basket.

4:13

The Clone Wars - Pt. I

Tonight's game was a testament to the rewards of perseverance... and solid defense.

This was a highly anticipated game against a team that has clearly made significant progress in rebuilding. Tied at 13 at the end of one and a only 5-point differential at the half, our defensive effort to open the third quarter is what opened up our offense. We scored 25 points to their 9 points in the third quarter.

Our FG% increased from 35.3% in the first half to 53.3% in the second. Our assists increased from 5 in the first half to 11 in the second half. Our steals increased from 9 in the first half to 16 in the second half.

Final CCS 71 Freeport 57

5 ENEMIES OF PERSEVERANCE

Although a rather lengthy post, I think it is important…

Successful people, successful teams are persevering. You cannot avoid defeat or failure. However your chosen response will make a difference in whether you succeed or fall short of reaching your potential. In his book "Talent Is Never Enough," John Maxwell talks about perseverance:

French scientist Louis Pasteur said, "Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lives solely in my tenacity." Perseverance begins with the right attitude -- an attitude of tenacity. But the desire to persevere alone isn't enough to keep most people going when they are tired or discouraged. Perseverance is a trait that can be cultivated. And the initial step to developing it is to eliminate its five greatest enemies:

1. A Lifestyle of Giving Up

If you desire to be successful and to maximize your talent, you need to be consistent and persistent. Talent without perseverance never comes to full fruition. Opportunities without persistence will be lost. There is a direct correlation between perseverance and potential. If you have a habit of giving up, you need to overcome it to be successful.

2. A Wrong Belief That Life Should Be Easy

John C. Norcross, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Scranton, has studied people and their goals, and he has found a characteristic that distinguishes those who reach their goals from those who don't: expectations. Both types of people experience the same amount of failure during the first month they strive for their goals. But members of the successful group don't expect to succeed right away, and they view their failures as a reason to recommit and a reminder to refocus on their goals with more determination. Norcross says, "Those who are unsuccessful say a relapse is evidence that they can't do it."

3. A Wrong Belief That Success Is a Destination

The NBA's Pat Riley has won many championships as a basketball coach. In his book The Winner Within, he writes, "Complacency is the last hurdle any winner, any team must overcome before attaining potential greatness. Complacency is the success disease: it takes root when you're feeling good about who you are and what you've achieved."

4. A Lack of Resiliency

Harvard professor of psychiatry George E. Vailant, in his book Aging Well, identifies resiliency as a significant characteristics of people who navigate the many transitions of life from birth to old age. He writes, "Resilience reflects individuals who metaphorically resemble a twig with a fresh, green living core. When twisted out of shape, such a twig bends, but it does not break; instead it springs back and continues growing." As NBA great Jerry West says, "You can't get much done in life if you only work on the days you feel good."

5. A Lack of Vision

Everything that is created is actually created twice. First it is created mentally; then it is created physically. Where does that mental creation come from? The answer is vision. People who display perseverance keeps a larger vision in mind as they toil away at their craft or profession. They see in their mind's eye what they want to create or to do, and they keep working toward it as they labor.

(thanks coach Starkey)

WHEN YOUR "A" GAME ISN'T ENOUGH

Have you ever heard people say, ‘they brought their A game?’ Or maybe a coach will say, ‘you need to bring your A game?’ Better yet, someone in the losing locker-room explaining to a reporter, ‘we just didn’t bring our A game.’

To me, that’s all wrong. You need to bring something stronger. Something much better. Something that gives you a better chance of winning. How about your A+ game!

Yes I know, it sounds funny, but in big games, your A game will not cut it. Playing against weaker teams, your A game will help you win, but against good teams, you’re A game will only help keep you close. In order to win the really big games, you need to bring your A+ game.

We are no longer the hunter… we have become the hunted.

Every possession matters. Every shot, every pass and every rebound…matters! Each time you step onto the court, we must play with energy, defend and take care of the ball.

Your A game isn’t going to be enough… step up and bring your A+ game!

4:13

(thanks coach Finamore)

ALWAYS BE "IN THE NOW"

In any difficult situation you find yourself in, don’t spend time complaining about the problem – instead, ask yourself “what can I do NOW to help our team.”

When you spend time complaining about a problem, you rob your team of time that could've been used to solve the problem.

4:13

WHERE STRENGTH IS BORN

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is where strength is born.”

- Arnold Schwarzenegger