KennyBlog

Like most of our spring weekends, the girls had basketball tournaments. The typical format, play a few games to determine seeding and then start a backet for champs. Nikala’s team lost in the quarter finals and Ellexi’s team lost in the semi-finals. They played pretty solid all weekend.

Ellexi’s coach (Wendy) asked if I would coach today’s (Sunday) games since she had another commitment. Of course I said yes. Wendy knew if the team won the quarter final game, that they’d face this really good (and big) team (Evolution), so she asked a few of her 7th graders to come help out. It was a 6th/7th grade bracket so this was legit.

As a bleacher coach, I’ve always insisted that if you were good enough to make the team, you’re good enough to play and contribute in every game. And while this league is very competitive, I also feel the girls should develop and grow as players and teammates. Going to practice helps the players know what to do and where to be, but being on the court truly gives them the understanding and skills of the game.

The first game went fairly well…they (our girls) won. Everybody got to play and I tried not to overuse the 7th graders. I felt it went the way I wanted.

Today I let the game competitiveness of the game get the better of me and I know I let some players down. The game was close, we were leading at the half. However, 2 girls who didn’t play in the first half. The second half starts with the other team scoring several quick baskets and applying a full court press. So suddenly we are down by several points. I thought to myself I’ll get a chance to play the 2 who hadn’t played between 10 and 5 minutes left. However, I don’t know when that time came and went because suddenly there was only 4 1/2 minutes to go. Crap! We’re now losing by 6. The 2 girls who hadn’t played are pretty small and the other team is BIG. I had gotten one of the girls in, but the other was still on the bench. I made a decision that broke my heart, go big! Unfortunately it was a losing effort.

Now I question myself? Did I sell out this player in order to try to get glory? Was getting to the next game THAT important?

Kristen and Hannah…I’m sorry! You are both very good players and deserved real playing time in that second game.

If I had a second chance, would I coach it differently? I think so. There were periods in both halves where these girls could have contributed to the team effort and their size would not have been a detriment. However, it is somewhat difficult to see these opportunities as they are whizzing by with clock running.

Would I coach again? Yes. But it sure is a lot easier from the bleachers.