PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Dig Deep
Recently our point guard went down with an ACL injury. A complete tear. As her coach, it’s a bummer of course, but she will be dealing with it every day for the next six to nine months. That SUCKS…and that’s putting it mildly.
I think of our point guard every day, throughout the day, because I know what it’s like to deal with injuries. On the court I’ve dealt with sprained ankles, broken fingers and other sports injuries. And I’ve returned from a bad femur break and arm & shoulder injury after a car accident (more about my recovery in this Eastern Magazine article Peace, Love, Basketball by Kandi Carper), so I know that surgery and physical rehabilitation are difficult, but it’s the mental recovery that’s the toughest.
Athletes want to play. Our point guard wants to play. She wants to feel and be a part of her team. And though she is still very important, I know it doesn’t feel the same when you’re not on the court. And when the season is over, she will miss the team camaraderie when she will need it most.
Fortunately this year our team is very connected, and I know they will reach out to their downed teammate after our final game, but it will not be the same. So that is when that injured player; our point guard, your friend, your husband, maybe you, need to dig deep and do what must be done to get better. Because life must go on and it’s a hell of a lot more fun when you’re healthy. And when you’re healthy it’s a lot easier to be happy.
Be strong and always believe in you!
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Selfless
We had our first playoff game last night. Our starting point guard is out for the season with a torn ACL, our 6’6″ starting post player was home with the flu and we had six varsity players in total. Our team had to play together to have a chance.
Before the game I encouraged them to play selfless, like our point guard is known to do. (She is ranked 2nd in the state of Washington for assists per game, she plays tough defense and she puts down shots when we need them). She has never received much credit in ink, but she plays the game with “TEAM” in mind.
Without her, our girls would have to draw from that same mindset to win, and they did. They were SELFLESS. They didn’t try to do too much (which often happens when new players take the court and are worried about their game), they worked together and played tenacious defense, took the opportunities that were given to them on offense (and created a few) and took care of the basketball.
When you play for the team, not just for yourself, great things can happen on the court and in life.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Together We Are Strong
When writing my blogs I normally keep other peoples names out of it. The kids I coach. My friends and family. I figure it’s not my place to put their names down in print. Well, today I have to mention them all (still without naming them) because it’s because of them all, that we have experienced such an amazing year, and we haven’t even started playoffs. (Okay, and I had to add photos by Paul Moseley-West Seattle Herald)
Our motto this season is “Together We Are Strong” and I have never seen a group of girls that are more connected. Yes, we have gone undefeated in league, but more importantly the girls have learned what “Team” really means. This last friday we had our senior night and we started 5 seniors. (3 Varsity players, 1 JV player and 1 JVC player.) The girls worked to together unselfishly to get every senior a chance to score. It was a beautiful thing. Far beyond the business of wins and losses.
As coaches, we focus on the importance of team in our program, but having the kids believe in the concept also comes from having a supportive parent group and community. So thank you coaches and parents for all your support, and players, thank your for all your hard work and being such a great example of what it truly means to be a team.
Read more about the amazing night (and see more great photos)…Wildcat girls seal undefeated record-Celebrate Seniors
Writing Prompt: Write about a time when you were part of a team.
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Leave It All On The Court
We had a tight game last night. We led by just two points when we went into the locker room at halftime. We made adjustments to our offense, changed our defense and reminded the girls to “leave it all on the court.” The girls came out of the locker room on fire.
We kept the momentum for quite some time and when that momentum began to shift, we called a timeout and made more adjustments. It didn’t work. Our opponents kept pushing, as I knew they would, and though our team struggled to find a rhythm in the fourth quarter, we never gave up. We battled to the end and came out on top.
I often remind the girls to leave it all on the court. No regrets. Meaning if they’ve given everything they have; played their hardest, supported their teammates, stayed positive and strong in whatever role they played in that game, then win or lose, they can hold their heads high.
When you’re playing ball, or living life, remember to leave it all on the court!
Meet Sonya
Meet Sonya
Sonya Elliott’s memoir, Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, is her story of finding hope in the wake of tragedy after she and her fiancé were hit by a train. She blogs about writing, basketball, and life and is currently working on a Young Adult Novel and a Non-Fiction Coaching book. Stories of her career as a fashion model are woven through her memoir, as both the Soloflex and Easy Spirit Shoes commercials were filmed during that time period, and this unique and intriguing business continues to be a part of her life.
Sonya played basketball at Eastern Washington University and was a starter for the Big Sky Champion team that went to the 1987 NCAA tournament. She coached for almost 25 years and was voted Seattle Times Coach of the Year, Seattle Officials Women’s Basketball Association Coach of the Year, and twice voted Metro League Coach of the Year. She loves the game of basketball and is thankful, not only for her husband and kids but for her ability to continue to get back on the court.
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PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: “10 to Win” Rules of Defense
I love defense. When things aren’t going right on offense (maybe my shot is off or I’m having trouble handling the ball), the one thing that I can ALWAYS count on is my defense. It’s a little more difficult now that I’m not in great shape, but during my years on the court as a player I focused my energy on this part of the game, and as a coach I did the same. To help my players, I took what I have learned on the court, and from the coaches who I assisted (and those I read about and listened to at clinics) and put my favorites rules of defense together in a “10 to Win” list. If you play, or coach the game, these rules won’t be anything new to you, but it doesn’t hurt […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Get Ready for a Wild Ride
There is nothing more exciting than the playoffs. They are fun to watch, and to be a part of, because the level of talent increases, as well as the pressure, and anything can happen. We play basketball, and sports, and watch the games, because you never truly know what will happen.
Things can get crazy, and that’s why as a player, and as a coach, you have to go into every single game with intensity. I used to tell my girl’s, “Leave it all on the court ladies.” Meaning, give one hundred percent (and maybe a little more), and understand that if you give your best, that no matter the final score, you should have no regrets. Sadness and disappointment, yes, but regrets? No.
So if you’re a player or a coach heading into playoffs. Pull up you boot straps (or […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Celebrate Each Precious Moment
It feels like spring this morning. It’s cold and crisp but it’s lighter outside and there’s a different feel in the air. Oh, I know that this will not last long. That we will get hit again with day upon day of non-stop rain and darkness, I live in Seattle after all.
But does it matter? What is important is to take this spring teaser, this bright moment, and each precious moment in our life, and celebrate.
WRITING PROMPT #1: Write about those things that bring joy to your life.
WRITING PROMPT #2: When Eric reached the end of the trail he…
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