Current standings:
Hamilton 4-0
Stephens 3-1
Washington 2-2
Robinson 2-2
Lindbergh 1-3
Franklin 0-4
As practice started today, I reminded the team of the need to be focused, and that if we practiced well today, we would likely play well tomorrow. A sloppy, undisciplined practice could lead to a sloppy, undisciplined game. I also mentioned that even as we were talking about what needed to happen for us to make the playoffs, our playoffs essentially start tomorrow. If we lose, we’re done. I told them that we had the unique opportunity to control whether or not we get a shot at the playoffs. Based on how we practice and how hard we work, we would essentially be making a choice as to whether we’d like to be one of the twelve teams preparing for the playoffs, or one of the ten teams who will be finishing their seasons tomorrow. This was good stuff, and they were buying it hook, line, and sinker. And then they proceeded to go out and have one of the most indifferent practices of the season. Sometimes I felt like I was speaking a different language. When we were going over the offense, I was frustrated that the guards were taking one quick shot after another, so I stopped them and reminded them that we can get jump shots whenever we want them. What we have to do is be patient and move the ball around until we can get it to either the high or low post. They nodded. Satisfied, I started them again. After two passes, another jump shot. I resisted the urge to throw them all out of the gym, and things eventually got better, though not much better. At the beginning of practice I made the mistake of letting it slip that Franklin, our opponent tomorrow, hasn’t yet won a game, so I think they’re a touch overconfident. I’ll have to work on that when we meet for pre-game.
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