Winning or Losing

I had the joy, honor and privilege of coaching both the boys and girls teams for basketball this season. And even though both teams had very dissimilar results, each shared very similar growth.

Both teams began the season with around half the team not knowing the rules of the game, let alone how to dribble, perform a layup, or which basket to shoot at.

In addition, our teams were very young playing in a mostly high school league. Our girls team included five seventh graders, one ninth grader, and two tenth graders. Our boys team was made up of three ninth graders, three eighth graders, and two seventh graders.

From day one, both teams showed an increasing understanding of how to play the game (with only an occasional shot at the wrong basket), running an offense, and supporting each other with defense.

Both finished their last games with compliments from both opposing fans and coaches on their improvements as individual players and as a team.

But the one compliment I heard consistently expressed of both the boys and girls was how they never quit. During close games or games where they were down by 30 at the half (and it went downhill from there) the kids kept playing as if this is what you are supposed to do – play your best as an individual and as a team until the buzzer provides the signal to quit.

One team, the boys, completed the season without a win, finishing the season with a lopsided loss to the eventual tournament champion for the league. Characteristically, the boys played as a team, sometimes catching their opponent flat footed with their consistent effort until the end.

The girls won the championship. Opposing coaches and the other team’s families would say this was not the same team they played even three weeks before. And that statement was partially true. Their skills had grown each game in learning their individual roles on the team and doing it well. What had not changed was their selfless spirit and never-quit attitude.

Winning or losing, both teams made my coaching experience this inaugural season my most enjoyable yet. Thank you to the families for how well you have trained your kids and to God, praise for His blessings.