Couldn't Put It Better....

I read this on a forum on the Minnesota Scores site and thought it rang very true AND makes you think....this is appropriate for the Lady Huskies as they have just won their THIRD Northern Lakes Conference title in a row, a "3 Peat" so to speak, for the years 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and the current season 2008-2009. I wonder if this will ever happen again in Lady Huskie history? I hope they can make it 4 next year and that would be a VERY tough record to beat. They received their new Conference Champion t-shirts last night and wore them as they ran out at the beginning of the game. Of course Coach Powell ordered extra, so if you want to buy one do so soon so you can wear them during tournament games! (and before they run out)

Anyway, here is the message I was talking about:

"The approach that many coaches, players and a few fans take in preparing for basketball season breaks the season down to a manageable and achievable series of goals. Some are specific in nature and some are very general. General things such as improve rebounding, play good defense and always play hard are stressed from game to game, win or lose. Then, there are the specific goals: win the division of the conference...win the conference. That will take a team through the first 24 or 25 games. That is the bulk of the season. Goals are important and are very necessary. By the very nature of the sport of basketball, most teams don't quite achieve all of their goals. The play from week to week and game to game rises and falls. The rebounding, the defense, the effort of the team is good some games and not as good for other games. That is coachable. There are many lessons to be learned during the regular season. Really only a handful of teams around the state achieve their more specific goals during this regular season phase. That is what makes the achievement of winning a conference division title and/or going on to win a conference title a very special thing for the players and coaches of the teams that achieve those goals. It takes generally very consistent play over a three month period to achieve a conference divisional title or a conference title. It is a measure of the "long-haul..." aspect of high school basketball. There is not much hoopla surrounding this achievement. It is much more matter of fact. However, over the course of time, it is an achievement that will always mean something to those players and their coaches. Fans have an appreciation for that accomplishment, especially the fans of the teams that achieve that long-term goal, because it means that they have had the chance to witness very consistently exciting and often times very good, hard-fought regular season games. They have travelled hundreds of miles or further to support their kids and their school's team. They have been treated to some great basketball. Even the fans have put in a lot of "gym" time.

However, the TOURNAMENT FEVER very quickly arrives at the end of February for Girl's Basketball and in March for Boy's Basketball. When we have this condition of Tournament Fever, the events of the regular season are quickly placed in the background. It is all about respecting every opponent, never looking past any opponent and hopefully "going on a long run..." all the way to the Twin Cities and the State Tournament. Most will have their seasons end before that can happen...but...what a dream! The teams that make it will be remembered by their fans and other team's fans. It is magical. It is every players, coaches and fans dream for their team. It becomes the reason for having played the regular season. It is the time of the season that gives real meaning to the often used "...good luck, may the better team win and may there be no injuries..." phrases and sentiments that we all use before each game tips off. At Tournament time, for a brief moment any and everything is possible. Virtually all of us won't see that dream achieved...but...for one team in each class from each section, that dream will be achieved. That is the beauty of TOURNAMENT TIME. Le's just all appreciate the incredible efforts of all theses players, coaches and teams. Let's not get so caught up in TOURNAMENT FEVER that we forget what we have been treated to during the regular season. And now, during this phase of the basketball season, it is true that "...to the victor goes the spoils..."

Yet, I sure have enjoyed the December, January and February of the 2009/2009 regular season of basketball ...and I won't forget it. I look forward to all the dramatic and exciting events that this brief TOURNAMENT FEVER period of time will bring us heading into March. Hold on tight...an incredible journey is about to begin for a class A, class AA, class AAA and class AAAA team in our section and in each section of the State of Minnesota. They will all get together for the TOURNAMENT in the Twin Cities and new STATE CHAMPIONS will be crowned. Oh, what a year it has been for all of us to this point in time! For a VERY few teams, Oh, what a year it will be!

Having a chance to win a Conference Title is one of the special things that can happen once in a while for a team though. Even if it will be quickly overshadowed by "TOURNAMENT FEVER." It is a GREAT time of the year!"