FRESH OFF A LOSS

It’s good to reflect while the events are fresh  don’t you think? Tonight was the last league game of my first complete season as a boys basketball head coach. We lost in overtime by 6 to Ontario Christian High School. I coach Western Christian’s Fighting Lancers. The ball was in the air with roughly 10 seconds on the clock as we defended and the ball clanged off the rim. We failed to rebound the ball after controlling the boards all night. We were up by 2 points by the way as all this was transpiring. Nevertheless they, Ontario Christian, managed to rebound the ball a second time, tipping it to themselves and getting the ball in the air with 1 second remaining. .8, .5, .2 and that shot rolled around and in. To overtime we went where we ending up losing by six.

But I told my guys that if we were at war, there would be no officials. At least that’s what I should of said. Actually that quip didn’t materialize until the van ride and by then most of the guys had gone home with their parents. But I told a few of the guys and assistant coaches that when God wants you to learn something, it likely has to do with what the real reason for our existence is. So, fresh of a loss to a league rival who led us to two overtime losses this season, I feel fresh and a little clean. Dig this: I have seen character displayed all year. From resolve to resilience, we’ve not faltered. We’re a perfect 12 up and 12 down. We’re the best .500 team you’ve ever seen. And here we are ready for the playoffs feeling like a 1 seed. Coaches and parents from opposing schools comment on the poise, on the sets we run and on the attention to detail they detect. Whatever…All I know, and this is the point, is that you pick up equipment through adversity that is needed far longer than the 32 minutes of a high school game. I hate losing, especially in overtime and by 2 points but my young men are the most courageous guys I’ve ever been around collectively. There is absolutely no quit in them and no excuse making when the referees blow calls. I’m calling a spade a spade. But There is no wavering and very little deviation from the game plan. This is the stuff of man formation, character development and spiritual truth courtesy of Christ centered athletics. Fresh off a loss I feel laundered homey. Playoffs start on Wednesday for C.I.F. I wonder what our journey will afford us there.