End of the Year

The season ended, much to our dismay, abruptly on February 21st when we went up against the reigning and eventual ODAC champs in our quarterfinal game at the Salem Civic Center. As was custom for most of the season, we ended up getting a lot too late into the game.  In many ways it was an exact duplicate of many of the games we played this season.  Once we got over the fact that we could compete with our opponent, we did.  However in the ODAC, you must compete for the entire 40 minutes.  Although that was a new concept for most of the team, it is also a tough lesson to learn.  I trust we believe it now.  Next season is already on all of our minds.  After a couple weeks off, everyone will be anxious to right what we flipped this year.  

Special Day

Sunday our team had the chance to work the Special Olympics Basketball event.  We were responsible for the skills competition just like last year.  In a two hour time span, it is so easy to get attracted, engrossed, and involved with each of the athletes that come to the 3-different stations of competition, target passing, spot shooting, and dribbling.  Many we remembered from last year, but there were a few new athletes along with a couple new organizations (or Areas as they call them).  We had the chance to jump for joy when someone made a basket, cheer loud when someone hit the target, or high-five someone who made the trip down and back dribbling the ball--skills we do well with relative ease and take for granted.  Yet, we all got excited when one of these athletes completed the task, perhaps only one time.  And, of course, the sheer excitement, cheering, or noise each of them elicited indicated they were proud of themselves too.  They practice their skills in order to compete in this event. The challenge for us was using the language that they know to edge them on to accomplish the skill. Our team did a great job.  I get all of the compliments for the team and definitely memories were made for a lifetime for each of them. 

Where's the Time Gone?

One of my new year's resolutions was to update my blog on a more regular basis.  With my twitter account (@rmcwbb), I am not doing as well as I should.  It has been more than a month.  Florida has come and gone; Christmas has definitely gone; the weather has fluctuated back and forth; the season has had its highs and lows; the team has fought through a number of injuries and sicknesses; and here we are--still living.  Everything could be worse and everything could certainly be better.  Tomorrow is Feb. 1, only one more month of basketball--it goes by way too fast!  It seems like we were just trying shoes on the other day.  It seems like we just distributed uniforms the other day.  It seems like we played our first game the other day.  Well we didn't.  That was 3-months ago.  As we come up on the end of the season with just 6-games left, we must grab on to them, hold them for a bit with no regrets, make the most of them or soon they will flitter away as the others have too.  Time waits for none.

Finals Week Turns to Warm Weather Soon

We have had a hectic and intense week of finals.  Our players have had exams every day and the final group of five had the last time slot of 2-5 pm on Friday afternoon. I can't remember having any of our players in the last slot for awhile.  We have tried to stay active throughout the week during our study breaks.  We haven't done much team basketball, but we have been cognizant of our conditioning and done some cross training.  For a few, they said they would just stay with basketball--the cross training activities were intense and harder than they thought.  Each day they talked more about the sore muscles.  Then they talked about being in shape for our trip to Florida.  We play two tough opponents while there so their bodies have to be in shape.  We are looking forward to the semester break, re-focusing, trying to turn our situation into a more positive outlook, and relaxing in the warm weather a bit before we join our families for the holidays.

Thankful, Still

`Tis the season to be thankful.  And I am.  As a basketball coach with an 0-3 record to start the season you may ask what is there to be thankful about?  I can count the ways.  I am thankful I am a coach.  I am thankful to come to work every day and try to make an impact on young women.  I am thankful to be able to teach and impart some knowledge on others. I am thankful for physical fitness, physical attributes, and physical talent.  I am thankful for smart, young women. I am thankful for laughter. I am thankful for youth. I am thankful for this team.  I am thankful for opportunities.  I am thankful for desire.  I am thankful for motivation.  I am thankful for improvement.  I am thankful for possibilities.  I am thankful for my staff.  I am thankful for Randolph-Macon. I am thankful for life.  I am thankful for love.  I am thankful for family.  I am thankful...

Opening Day

We are two practices shy of Opening Day for 2012-2013.  Excitement is clearly in the air and the energy and effort the last few days seems to have turned up a notch.  Sometimes that happens with young players.  Nerves, fear, enthusiasm, mistakes, speed and just overall body movement appears to be everywhere.  We coaches have been super excited about this team and the new look we will have.  We are young.  We miss the experience of our lost players--41 pts. to be exact.  Surprises face us every day.  Each day someone gets it and then it is contagious and they all get it.  Then we can move on to the next skill or fundamental.  It takes time to build youth, but when they pay attention and soak in the coaching tidbits, it is rewarding to watch them excel.  The ODAC will have lots of new players this year, but some really good talent returning as well.  Opening Day will set the tone. Come see us play.  Our team will definitely have a different look.

Homecoming Court

Last Saturday was Homecoming. On Friday night, we had the gala and that is a treat in itself.  Usually out of my element, but I have a blast when I get to socialize with lots of different people that love Randolph-Macon.   The campus was buzzing with alumni.  There were many special events and, for some, the first time they had seen all the construction on campus such as the Werner Pavillion and the new Day Field.  Homecoming is always a special time to re-connect with former students, players, and even parents.  One of our former player's Dad has a tailgate and has had one the last couple of years.  It is a great opportunity for the players to come and reminisce about  a particular game, practice, season, etc.  We saw them all from 1980 up to 2012 this year. I love to see them because chances are I get to talk with them more at the tailgate than I do at our annual Back to the Hive event.  Thanks for coming and thanks for the opportunity.   Here is a picture of a few of the former players who came.

Control of the Weather for Golf

On Saturday we had our annual RMC Golf Open and Season Kick-Off fund-raiser.  Everybody thinks I have some connections with the weather.  We have always had outstanding weather for our golf events.  Earlier in the day when I was loading up, it began to sprinkle.  I said a little prayer to get rid of the wet in order to have a good day for golf.  Thankfully, He heard me.  The weather was splendid for golf.  We had 18-foursomes, the largest turnout we have ever had.  We had extras for lunch.  The team did a great job conducting their fund-raiser!  Thanks to all of our supporters for doing everything they do for women's basketball.  

Leadership and Memories

Last Thursday night the Randolph-Macon campus had the opportunity to listen to Pat Williams, Senior Vice-President of the Orlando Magic, speak on "Moral Foundations for Sports, Business, and Life."  He was a dynamic speaker as he sure has had a lot of experiences dealing with people from all walks of life and around the world.  He has authored over 75-books.  That is some serious writing!  Blackwell Auditorium was filled and many of the athletes in attendance learned the 7-essential components to leadership.  I am sure as the captains, the seniors, we coaches, and anyone else who believes they are a leader reflected on those 7-qualities, we could identify with each one as he defined it.   I also thought about the leaders that have come through this program and how the really great ones had all those qualities or at least enough of them to make a difference with our team.   My memories of them were as meaningful as the talk itself.   At the conclusion of the presentation he was willing to sign any of his books that one had.  The team bought some and we were able to get a picture with him as well. 

Welcome Coach Litton

As usual much has happened since my last post.  Our new class has arrived and have been on a whirlwind with the returning players.  They laugh a lot.  They have fun together.  It is a good sign to see them having fun and being together.  We have also welcomed back Ana Litton as our new Assistant Coach.  She was with the program from 2002-2006.  During that time, we won 3-ODAC Championships, played in 3-NCAA Tournaments including a National Runner-up position and an Elite 8 finish.  I don't know about history repeating itself, but we will believe in it for the time being.  So as you can tell there are many exciting things going on to start the new school year.  Our big event coming up soon is the RMC Golf Open.  It is one of the fund-raisers we do.  We could use your swing.  Check it out at  .  https://sites.google.com/site/rmcgolfopen Come join us for a great day and kick-off.

Almost Over--Ready for a New Start

It's that time of the summer where everything is bustling around campus as we finish up with construction projects, renovation projects and just getting ready for the new school year.  The Fall athletes have all returned and are about to open their seasons.  Everyone is excited and refreshed (I think) to begin  the 2012-13 school year.  I am for sure.  There will be changes, fortunately or unfortunately, for some of us.  I only say that because change is never easy, so it can be unfortunate for those who don't embrace it and for those who do, then the change can be fortunate.  I am pumped for the 2012-13 season as 6-new players will join us.  That is more than a team you put on the floor.  The last time we had more than a team to add to our roster was back in 1992-93 when we brought in 7-new players.  Through all those years since then, we have had to bring in only a couple of players to compliment the existing roster.  Basically it is the same thing, as this past May we graduated 4-significant contributors to our program over the last few years.  Not only did bodies need to be replaced, but some statistics will have to be as well.  Talk about change.  That is why I think it is fortunate.  Opportunities abound everywhere and I trust they will be grasped and taken advantage of by each of our players.  Can't wait! 

Busy Summer

It does seem like a long time ago since I've updated my blog. It has been a very busy summer. My trip with USA Athletes to Ireland and camps have kept me occupied. Every camp has been interesting and different. The most recent venture at Randolph-Macon College was the East Coast Elite Hoops camp. We had 15-high school players on campus for skill development and play. We also had a great staff of collegiate coaches from Randolph-Macon, Franklin & Marshall, Bridgewater, Salisbury, and St. Mary's. Since it was the first year of this camp, we started small and hope to grow more in 2013 with a new group of prospective students. Check our website out at: www.eastcoastelitehoops.com

Camp Week

Camp is something else!  We have an outstanding staff this year and with all the kids we have, ages 7-12, the days are flying by.  We have lots of enthusiasm.  This group listens very well and tries to do exactly what we just taught, said, recommended, etc.  It is quite amazing and very uplifting to see them pay attention as much as they do.  It is even more satisfying to see the improvement each camper has made in just a short time.  Hopefully more gratification will come to each of them if they continue to work on their skills and not just expect to be a good basketball player in a week. It does take a lot of hard work, extra work and quite a commitment to do your best and become the player you want to be.  I am pleased that they chose R-MC Girls' Basketball Camps to begin their journey.  Today was Wacky Wednesday.  Our campers and staff fit the bill quite well.

Upon Return

It seems I had good intentions to write while in Ireland and I apologize it didn't happen.  I had a fabulous time and I believe the team I coached did as well.  They have talked about a reunion site in another year and graciously asked if I would be their coach.  Now it will be up to USA Athletes to find us a destination or determine if it is a go.  I obviously made it home safely.  Upon return we jumped right into a weekend of Macon Hoops with The Battle at the Brock.  It was a fundraiser for our team.  Hopefully when all the bills are paid, we will have something to show for all the hard work of the players and their parents.  Thanks very much for the great help we had from a few parents and all of our players.  From Macon Hoops we went right into our Day Camp.  More to follow on that in another post.