Winter Break thoughts

Well, the break is almost over, and it’s been long enough since I’ve shared my thoughts last. So, in preparation for Saturdays upcoming game and in light of the impending excitement of what good things 2010 may have for our Warriors, I’d like to expound a little on the last couple games of 2009.

First, was the Avon game. Wow. Any doubts anyone had, including any critiquing I had done about anything, went right out the window this game.

The first half started out as all of us had expected. It was intense and close. The lead changed hands a few times and it looked as if it was going to be a bloody duel to the end. Then the second half something magical happened.

The boys, who have worked so hard and relentlessly for six months or more, finally clicked and began firing on all cylinders. The unselfishness was glaring. The confidence and fearlessness went hand in hand. Travis dominated inside the paint. Tyler couldn’t miss. Jordan showed no mercy or fear. Michael was quick and seemed to be everywhere. Kyle was stoic and defensively unbending. Luke…oh Luke. Luke looked like he had always been here and assured us that he was going nowhere. And everyone else, was with the program and just fell right into place. It was the kind of effort you might expect in February and hope for in March, but not one typically expected in the second game of the season.

I don’t think Avon really knew what hit them. The players looked out of sync and confused. That is to be expected with any player in this situation. It was coming at them from all angles. That’s what coaches are for. Take a timeout. Reassure your players. Get them to quit trying to save everything like a hero. Avon’s talent speaks for itself. They are all kids that want the ball when the chips are down. They needed someone to pull them together and get them to buy into a team plan to stop the bleeding. For whatever reason, I don’t think that happened. And that particular night, I’m not sure it would have mattered. The Warriors put up 30 points in the 3rd quarter alone en route to a dominating win.

It was a very promising win. However, we may see Avon again and it always has the potential of being nasty.

The next four games, Southmont, Cascade, Lebanon and Plainfield were displays of more of the same. Complete domination from start to finish. Each player doing what they do well and then some. The score never in question, never any threat of losing control and most importantly, the boys never, ever let up and you could tell they were still having fun! Oh, so fun to watch!!!

Now, we come off break, have one game (Mooresville) and then onto the Hendricks County tournament.

I will check back in from time to time as the year progresses. For right now, I just have to say that as good as things are, I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season brings. Typically teams get better and better. I can only imagine what that will mean. In the meantime, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we will be watching our boys cutting down nets in less than two weeks.