Team Christmas Party

Coach Bubba has once again raised the bar...enjoy!

Hardest Worker

Coach Bob Starkey of Hoop Thoughts recently posted this blog, and I thought it was worth posting as well:

Coach Don Meyer always talks about the fact that "if you best player is also your hardest worker, you have a chance to be a good team."

The following, from Pat William's book, "How To Be Like Mike," lends credibility to his statement.

"The first Bulls practice after Jordan made his comeback to basketball in 1995 ended with Michael walking to the baseline, on his own, and running windsprints. Without a word, all eleven of his teammates joined him."

T-BALL Favorite

3-on-3 Team Shell Defense

Staff Christmas Party

On the lighter side of life, Coach Cooley is shown here modeling his "White Elephant" Christmas gift- a dickie! As you can see he was the hit of the party and the center of attention!!!

The Role of Parents In Athletics by Bruce Brown

-Attend as many games as possible.
-Do everything possible to make the athletic experience positive for your child and others.
-View the game with team goals in mind.
-Attempt to relieve competitive pressure, not increase it.
-Encourage multi-sport participation.
-Release your child to the coach and the team.
-Look upon opponents as friends involved with the same experience.
-Accept the judgment of the officials and coaches; remain in control.
-Accept the results of each game; do not make excuses.
-Demonstrate winning and losing with dignity.
-Dignify mistakes made by athletes who are giving their best effort and concentration.
-Encourage athletes to keep their perspective in both victory and defeat.
-Be a good listener.
-Accept the goals, roles and achievements of your child.

By Bruce Brown

Talking To Teammates

Talking to teammates, helping each other verbally, is one of the most obvious differences between good players and mediocre ones. Just getting in the habit of calling out your man each time on defense and getting your teammates to do the same will end up saving baskets over the course of a game and season. Talking your teammates through screens, telling them when you are in good help-position ready to pick up their men, motioning for them to clear out or cut through the lane, alerting them to cutters or players trying to sneak behind your defense – all of these and many more situations happen often in games. If you are not now in the habit of constantly talking during the action of the game, you may be surprised at how often your mere words can help your teammates make a play.

Good Coaching Focuses on Process, Not End Result

Below is an excerpt from Coach Terry Pettit's new book, "Talent and the Secret Life of Teams". I think it is very good and has many valid arguments. Enjoy:

I have a friend who tells me that in 1953 he could fix about anything on a Chevy with a combination wrench. Those days are gone.

So are the days when organized sport meant the kids in the neighborhood gathering at the end of the block, without their parents or other adults, to negotiate who would play on which team, who would be chosen last, and who would play right field.

Some people argue that in moving to a culture of spontaneous play to a culture of organized sport, we have improved the technical skills of our kids, while stunting the growth of other skills, such as negotiation, initiative, communication, and the ability to solve problems without adult intervention.

To put it bluntly, we are over-organizing our kids' play and in doing so delaying their ability to develop the skills that will help them the most as adults.

The more our culture relies on organized sport to teach our children how to play and compete, the more expectations parents have for the coaches who work with our kids.

We want the coach to teach our kid how to play.

We want our kid to play shortstop when she's not pitching.

If our kid gets really good, we want her to be on an elite team where she can travel to other places and develop at a faster pace.

And, most importantly, we want the coach to make the experience painless. We do not want our children to suffer the indignity of being a substitute, a role player, or approach any scenario that might be interpreted as failure.

We want all this for our children despite the fact that success in our adult lives is mostly about developing the skills to deal with bad hops, missed promotions, delayed gratification, and the occasional bounce of good luck.

This is a lot to ask of someone who has been trained as a history teacher, pipe fitter, surgeon or someone who is volunteering to coach because nobody else would. It would be a lot to ask of a professional coach with a master's degree in sports psychology.

Given the fact that most of the people who coach our kids are not trained in coaching, it might be helpful to identify some characteristics of great coaching that are available to everyone regardless of experience.

Here are some behaviors you might bring forth if you are asked to coach a team, and you might look for these same qualities in evaluating someone as a potential coach for your son or daughter. These characteristics are just as important if you're coaching the Little Bears as they are if you're coaching the Huskers.

• All great coaching begins with hope. Great coaching is communicating through posture, language, chalk talks, and intimate conversations the ultimate belief that good things are going to happen.

• Great coaching is being able to communicate to an athlete that she already has the "right stuff" to get the job done. We may need to improve her fundamentals. We may need to work harder. We may need to make some adjustments, but we don't need a heart transplant. We already have DNA that, combined with hard work, will allow us to be great.

• Great coaching is more concerned with the process and less concerned with the outcome (parents take note). Are we committed to behaviors that will lay the foundation for success? Are we on time? Do we look each other in the eye when we speak? Do we give great effort? Do we maintain the sacredness of the group by not voicing our frustrations outside the team? Do we encourage our teammates even when we are on the sidelines? Are we passionate about our commitment?

Committing to new behaviors is as important to a team's success as a solid foundation is to a new house. It's quiet and it doesn't get much press, but nothing else can move forward without it.

• Great coaching understands the necessity for risk and the value of failure. There is no growth without pain. The surest way to not win a championship is to try to protect your success. If you are in the presence of great coaching, the coach is going to ask you to become a little bit more uncomfortable than you want to be as you risk new roles, new techniques and new expectations.

• All performance, whether individual or team, is based on trust. Athletes have the best chance for performing well when they trust themselves. Teams have the best chance for success when coaches and parents create a climate where athletes feel the adult's care for them is not based upon performance. The support is unconditional. Athletes have the best chance to learn what trust is all about if they see it modeled by their parents and coaches.

The days of '53 Chevys and pickup games are gone and they are not likely to return unless our culture begins to place more value on neighborhood play and less dependence on mini-vans and organized sport.

In the meantime, my wish would be that everyone's son or daughter has the opportunity to play for a coach who is hopeful about the team's future, who believes your kid has the right stuff to get the job done, who encourages your son or daughter to commit to behaviors that will give her the best chance for success, and who creates an environment where kids have the opportunity to risk, rise, fall, and risk again. Then again, these characteristics would make for great parenting as well.

To purchase a copy of "Talent and the Secret Life of Teams" go to www.terrypettit.com

Titan Huddle vs. Northwest

 

Papio South defeated the Huskies 79-54.

Next Play

"In basketball and in life, I have always maintained the philosophy of 'next play.' Essentially, what it means is that whatever you have just done is not nearly as important as what you are doing right now. The 'next play' philosophy emphasizes the fact that the most important play of the game or life moment on which you should always focus is the next one. It is not about the turnover I committed last time down the court, it's not even about the three-pointer I hit to tie the game, it is about what's next. To waste time lamenting a mistake or celebrating a success is distracting and can leave you and your team unprepared for what you are about to face. It robs you of the ability to do your best at that moment and to give your full concentration. It's why I love basketball. Plays happen with rapidity and there may be no stop-action. Basketball is a game that favors the quick thinker and the person who can go on to the next play the fastest."

From "Beyond Basketball: Coach K's Keywords For Success"
By Mike Krzyzewski with Jamie K. Spatola

Great Big Men

1. Great big men can finish in traffic with at least one go-to move and one counter move.
*Tall or small, big or quick, this player simply has automated his scoring skills to the point he just knows he can score when given the ball at a moment of opportunity.
2. Great big men practice the 3 C’s.
*They make it a point to always catch, chin and check.
3. Great big men establish position with a Doleac stance.
*This stance gets as wide and low as necessary to take up as much space in the paint to create the best possible angle and target.
4. Great big men can convert from a low-wide power position to a quick, vertical jump.
*This is especially important late in the game when the legs become heavy and fatigue has set in.
5. Great big men are hard-to-guard.
*They stay active and force their defender to respect and defend each position on the court – low post and/or high post – as a possible scoring threat.
6. Great big men are neither a “black hole” nor an automatic “toss-back machine”.
*They have the ability to read the defense take a high percentage shot, but also recognize a pass back out might lead to an even better scoring play.
7. Great big men can step outside and knock down the 15’ jump shot.
*The best can even step behind the arc and make the sagging defense pay for their lack of respect.
8. Great big men have good court vision.
*Even as they begin to initiate a post move, many teams will double down; an alert post player will recognize this and pass to the open cutter.
9. Great big men are extremely active on the offensive boards.
*They are relentless in pursuit of the ball. They may have to tip the ball two, three, four times just to keep it alive – their perseverance often times dictates the outcome of the game.
10. Great big men use the glass.
*They are able to create higher percentage shots and reduce the effectiveness of a great shot blocker by using the backboard.
11. Great big men can defend.
*They stay very active and keep themselves between the basket and the ball. Rarely do they leave their feet to give up a foul or position. This positioning also allows them to defensively rebound the ball to death!
12. Great big men talk.
*They are excellent communicators. With their back to the basket most of the time, they often have the best vantage point to call out screens and/or potential scoring threats.
13. Great big run the floor.
*Possession after possession, they sprint from block to block and beat their man down the floor. Though they may not always touch the ball, they will always position themselves to do so.
14. Great big men are quick outlets.
*They know the value of making a quick outlet pass (2-seconds or less). They might also utilize a “bust-out” dribble or two.
15. Great big men contest shots.
*They have the ability to block and/or alter shots without fouling. Blocking the shot and keeping it in play is their signature rather than swatting it into the bleachers. They play smart.

So what if they’re tall, we’ll play big!

E:60 Feature Walk-on

Can you say "Toughness Wins"?

Great Point Guards (Player's Handbook Chapter)

1. Great point guards know their team’s optimal tempo.
*On offense, defense, and in transition, they know when to speed up the tempo or slow it down.
2. Great point guards know who's hot and who's not.
*They know how to get the ball to the hot perimeter shooter and/or when to get the ball inside.
3. Great point guards are "energy" for their team.
*No matter what the circumstances, good or bad, they play with great enthusiasm for the game.
4. Great point guards communicate constantly.
*For 32 minutes, these guys never shut-up. They are the coach's voice on the floor.
5. Great point guards level off the ball.
*They see to it the ball is stopped and contained. Dribble penetration does not happen! Period.
6. Great point guards involve everybody.
*They know how to get their best scorers the ball on a consistent basis, but are always on the lookout for ways to create high percentage scoring opportunities for other teammates as well.
7. Great point guards can feel the team's "pulse".
*In practice and games, they know when to fire up and/or calm down certain teammates.
8. Great point guards quickly recognize "Charlies".
*They look for and find mismatches as soon as they occur.
9. Great point guards "run the show"!
*Quickly and clearly, they communicate play calls and/or changes in the open court and during dead ball situations. They also have the ability to organize a team after an offensive breakdown.
10. Great point guards "guard"!
*They keep constant pressure on the ball. Not allowing the passer adequate vision as well as forcing the dribbler away from his desired path of attack.
11. Great point guards advance the ball.
*From key to key, they are can advance the ball in 3-4 dribbles easy. They also pass ahead to a teammate who is open down the court.
12. Great point guards value the ball!
*Rarely do they turn the ball over. Likewise, when they deliver a pass it is on the money and away from the defense – allowing for their teammate to catch the ball in optimal scoring position.
13. Great point guards do not shoot every time.
*However, they can knock the open shot any time they are open. They can also create a shot for the benefit of the team.
14. Great point guards have an intense will to win!
*They absolutely refuse to lose. This is an intangible attribute developed over the many hours in the gym pursuing excellence in all phases of the game!
15. Great point guards are an extension of the coach on the floor.
*They thoroughly understand everything that's expected of them as well as their teammates. They understand it's impossible to win if all the oarsmen are not rowing in the same direction.

Champions choose to live as champions!

Conduit or Cul-de-sac?

There are only two types of people - conduits or cul-de-sacs. Conduits exist to pass on power to others - whether it be an encouraging word, a kind act or a bear hug. Cul-de-sacs are folks who are dead ends - no matter how much kindness you pour into them, it ends up in a black hole. So which are you? Do people feel empowered being around you or tapped out?

Go Hard with Roy Helu

Good Stuff...eNjoy:)

Goals (Player's Handbook Chapter)

“A goal not written down is just a wish.”
~Author Unknown

If we were to run on to the floor for our season opener and find that the baskets were gone, I'm quite sure we wouldn't even attempt to play the game. We know without goals we cannot score. The same is true for us individually and as a team. We need to set goals.

As an individual, you must set short-term and long-term goals. These short-term goals should be easily attainable, because your long-term success is the result of small victories you accumulate every day. They add up and help you to form good habits. For example, if one of your goals this year is to set the school rebounding record, you'll need to establish a goal of so many rebounds per game. Furthermore, you'll also need to set specific practice goals and goals in the weight room (i.e. blocking out your man on every shot, pursuing every missed shot, perfect weight room attendance, etc). When you accomplish these daily successes, day in and day out, eventually you'll develop very positive habits pertaining to your long-term goals. One day, you just might be the rebound record holder. Just make sure your personal goals build up the team, and do not tear it down. Always remember: This team is not about you!

As a team, we too need to establish goals. Rick Pitino summed it up best when he said dreams are where we want to end up and goals are how we get there. If our dream is to win the state championship, then we need to build within us championship principles. A wise teacher once said your thoughts overflow into action…action develops habits…habits produce character…and your character reveals your destiny. Therefore, if it is our destiny to play at the championship level, we must govern our thoughts and training habits accordingly.

People are divided into three groups: 1) Those that make things happen. These people dream, set goals and work hard to attain their goals. 2) Those who watch things happen. Often these people are dreamers, but fail to make a plan and stick to it. 3) And those who wonder what happened. Obviously, these people lack the industriousness to even dream. Which one are you?

Self-Confidence (Player's Handbook Chapter)

“Confidence comes from being prepared and demonstrated ability.”
~John Wooden

You are who you are for a reason. You have value and purpose. We believe this and you should too. It is always our goal to discipline and demand without being demeaning. With that said, you also have a responsibility to yourself and this team to be coachable and establish a solid work ethic. It’s impossible to “coach” confidence without these two cornerstones. Self-confidence begins only when you objectively identify your talents, become organized, have discipline in your life, and take action. It’s not just about the coaching staff blurting out positive affirmations each time down the court. If we “chew you out”, consider it a compliment because we believe you have the ability to overcome and correct your mistake. The following Vince Lombardi story exemplifies this point perfectly:

During a practice session for the Green Bay Packers, things were not going well for Lombardi's team. Lombardi singled out one big guard for not going hard, “Son, you are a lousy football player. You're not blocking, you're not tackling, and you’re not going hard. As a matter of fact, it's all over for you today, go take a shower.” The big guard dropped his head and walked into the locker room. Forty-five minutes later, when Lombardi walked in, he saw the big guard bowed and he was sobbing quietly. He walked over to his football player and put his arm around his shoulder. “Son,” he said, “I told you the truth. You are a lousy football player. You're not doing what we ask of you. However, in all fairness to you, I should have finished the story. Inside of you, son, there is a great football player and I'm going to stick by your side until the great football player inside of you has a chance to come out and assert himself.” With these words, Jerry Kramer straightened up and felt a great deal better. He felt so much better he went on to become one of the all-time greats in football and was voted the all-time best guard in the first 50 years of professional football.

We often see things in you that you seldom see in yourself. It is our job to inspire you to maximize your God-given abilities. How this is done is often a reflection of the coach, player and situation. It is your job to rise up and answer the challenge. And when we get tough on a player, we are looking for a positive response complimented by hard work and great enthusiasm. Good players will always recognize their mistakes, admit their mistakes, learn from their mistakes, and forget their mistakes. We refer to these four action steps as “Next Play!” mentality.

Hard Work (Player's Handbook Chapter)

I am the most desirable thing in life. Without me no one can be healthy, happy, or useful...without me, the hidden wealth and vast resources of this earth would have no value. Men and women who try to get along without me are characterless, selfish, undeveloped, useless, and unprofitable members of society. I am behind every fortune, every art and science, every achievement, every triumph of man. Rich men and poor men alike often try to find substitutes for me, hoping thereby to secure a larger measure of happiness, peace and satisfaction, but they are always bitterly disappointed. Instead of gain, every substitute for me brings them loss. As the creator is greater than the created, so I am greater than wealth, power, fame, learning, or any other acquired possession or quality of man, because I am the source from which he acquired them. I am work.

John Wooden also believes in work. He says hard work is the cornerstone of success. There is no substitute for hard work. Furthermore, author Zig Ziglar illustrates this with a humorous story:

Many years ago a wise king called all his wise men together and gave them a commission. He asked them to compile the “Wisdom of the Ages”. The wise men went to work and came back with twelve volumes of wisdom. The king said he was sure this would not be read because it was too long. They went back to work and condensed it to one volume. Again he said it was too long. Finally they returned with one sentence that read, “There ain't no free lunch”. The wise old king said this is truly the “Wisdom of the Ages”.

It is true. There is no substitute for hard work. However, I see too many young players mistake activity for achievement. Hard work is a daily journey throughout your entire life that requires tremendous self-discipline. Mentally you need to develop confidence in yourself, coaches, and teammates. Physically you need to be in shape, eat right, and treat your body in a manner that prepares you to release your maximum potential.

The hard worker stands up and stands out from the crowd. He's a cut above the rest. He's the first one in the gym and the last one to leave. Once you've created this work ethic, second to none, you begin to feel good about yourself. Your confidence soars and success is just around the corner. However, many high school athletes succumb to peer pressure and settle for mediocre effort. They end up making excuses and passing the buck. You are called to be different!

Attitude (Player's Handbook Chapter)

I am sure you have heard a coach say, “He has a bad attitude.” So what is a good attitude? Most of us find it easy to have a good attitude when everything is going our way, but what happens when the chips are down? It’s a known fact you will face adversity at least three times this season. What will be your attitude when you do not get in the game, when the official makes a poor call, when you can hardly walk you are so run down, or when you are getting chewed out for something you don't think you did?

A good attitude is doing your best at all times, respecting your coach's decisions, respecting your teammates, reaching down and going a little bit harder, accepting criticism, and not blaming someone else. Are you prepared to have such an attitude? David did…

Goliath, the nine-foot 400-lb. giant, challenged the soldiers of Israel. David, a 17-year-old shepherd, demanded to know why they were not accepting his challenge. They explained to David that Goliath would destroy them. David did not agree because he compared the size of Goliath to the size of God. As you know, David won. He did not allow the conditions to control his attitude; his attitude controlled the conditions.

I hope you can step onto the basketball court with the same attitude David had when he stepped onto the battlefield with Goliath. Be positive and do not let your mistakes handle you; rather, you handle your mistakes.

In closing, Chuck Swindoll echoes these sentiments by saying:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a team. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.”

Team Spirit (Player's Handbook Chapter)

This team is not about you. The late Jim Valvano, former North Carolina State coach said, “A person really doesn’t become whole until he becomes a part of something that’s bigger than himself.” Thus, being a part of this team is about being a great teammate and losing your “me attitude” in our “team attitude”! I have a good story that illustrates this team concept, and I hope it means as much to you as it does to me:

A man was given a tour of both Heaven and Hell so he could select his final destination. In Hell, all the occupants were seated at a banquet table loaded with every food imaginable, but the people were skin and bones. Each person had a four-foot fork and knife strapped to each hand that made it impossible to eat. Next he entered Heaven. The scene was almost identical, except all the people sitting around the banquet table were healthy and happy. The man was bewildered. Then he saw the answer. Each person in Hell had been trying to feed himself. Four-foot forks and knives made this impossible. Each person in Heaven was feeding the one across the table.

Life is like an echo. We must treat people the way we would want to be treated. Your teammates' and coaches' welfare should be very important to you on and off the court. On the court you will often hear me say if you get someone else open, you will get open. The same principle applies to life. Great teammates make themselves available to serve. They pay attention to the needs of others. Great teammates do the best with what they have. They don’t make excuses, procrastinate, or wait for better circumstances. Great teammates do every task with equal dedication. Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. Great teammates are faithful. They don’t leave a job half undone, and they don’t quit when they get discouraged. And great teammates maintain a low profile. Self-promotion and being a great teammate just don’t mix.

With all this said, everything we do is team. That is why we do not ever want one-on-one spectacles, but moments when individual skills contribute to the team as a whole. We value the man who makes the pass that leads to an assist. We appreciate the man who busts himself to get another teammate open. We value the man who takes pride in defensive help and takes a charge. We appreciate the practice player who does not see much playing time, but pushes his teammates day in and day out. This team attitude applies off the court as well. That is why we emphasize not to do anything that will bring unusual attention to yourself; such as your hair, language, dress, and actions.

More on Wooden by Maxwell

The following comes from the email newsletter put out by John Maxwell and Invoy.com each month.

Lessons from Basketball's Greatest Coach by Dr. John C. Maxwell

At 97 years of age, John Wooden is a legend in the coaching profession. In 1999, ESPN named him The Greatest Coach of the 20th Century.

The list of honors garnered by Coach Wooden during his coaching career is unrivaled. Over the course of twelve years, his UCLA Bruins basketball teams won ten NCAA Championships, including an astonishing seven in a row from 1967 to 1973. For comparison's sake, no other men's coach has won more than 4 NCAA titles. He led his teams to four undefeated seasons; no other coach has had more than one undefeated season. His teams set a record by winning 88 games in a row, including 38 in a row in the NCAA Tournament.

Winning: More than the score

After glancing at Coach Wooden's record, a person may be misled into thinking Coach Wooden was a man preoccupied with winning. However, nothing could be further from the truth. For Coach Wooden, competition was never about comparing his team to the opposing squad. Despite all of the victories, trophies, and championships, Coach Wooden never spoke to his team about winning.

John Wooden was college basketball's greatest coach because he kept score differently than any other coach. Rather than measuring success in terms of wins and losses, he focused relentlessly on potential and improvement. Coach Wooden would grow livid if his players loafed when the team was ahead by 20 points, and he could be thrilled with his team's performance - even when they lost by 20 points.

Leadership Application: When businesses focus exclusively on market share or the bottom line, they run the risk of overlooking or undervaluing the people, processes, and systems that drive results.

Practice: Not perfection, but preparation

When questioned by reporters about missing team practices, current NBA star Allen Iverson gave a disdainful tirade on the pettiness of practice. "We're sitting here, and I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we're talking about practice. I mean, listen, we're sitting here talking about practice, not a game... how silly is that?"

For many sports fans, Iverson's comments were emblematic of the arrogance and me-first attitude of an athlete in the National Basketball Association. If nothing else, his words revealed his underlying attitude: I'm an NBA superstar; I've arrived; I'm good enough to skip practice; practice doesn't matter, it's my performance on game day that counts.

To John Wooden, such an attitude would have been reprehensible. Coach Wooden's style was best noted for his keen attention to detail and the rigors of his practice regimen. In his words, "If you prepare properly, you may be outscored but you will never lose. You always win when you make the full effort to do the best of which you're capable."

For Coach Wooden, winning happened when the stands were empty and the spectators absent. He loved the day-by-day discipline of practice. By convincing his team to give their best effort at practice, he coached them to perform at a higher level than opponents. As a result, he enjoyed unprecedented success when games were played and championships were on the line.

Leadership Application: Challenge your people to give top effort every day, and prepare to the point of excess. If you don't tolerate sloppiness when the team prepares, then they will perform better in pressure situations.

Peak Performers: More than Talent

John Wooden gained an advantage over other coaches because he had a superior method of selecting players. While most recruiters scoured high school gyms solely in search of talent and athleticism, Coach Wooden began his search from a different vantage point.

When selecting players, Coach Wooden's primary consideration was the student's transcript. For him, a student's discipline in the classroom spoke volumes about the young man's priorities. Coach Wooden wanted players who recognized their primary responsibility was to earn a college degree rather than excel on the court.

When evaluating potential recruits, John Wooden's second criterion was the student's family life. Did the student respect his parents or guardians? Did the student treat his siblings kindly? By looking into a potential player's family life, Coach Wooden measured the player's ability to build healthy relationships. He knew relational skills were essential for establishing teamwork and camaraderie.

John Wooden's third consideration when selecting talent was the composite evaluation of six coaches. He was leery of basing his analysis on a single performance. By diligently consulting the opinion of six coaches, Coach Wooden measured consistency. He wanted to avoid selecting players who gave top effort one night only to withhold it on another evening.

Coach Wooden's final criteria for selecting players were quickness and talent. He wasn't naïve. He knew speed and natural ability were uncoachable and irreplaceable. Even so, he refused to select a player until he felt comfortable with the young man's priorities, relationships, and track record of consistent performance.

Leadership Application: By looking blindly at talent, leaders end up with malcontents who place personal gain above team spirit or talent-rich sluggards who rarely give their best effort. When hiring, consider an interviewee's life priorities, relational history, and career accomplishments. Don't discount talent, but never elevate it as the sole quality in a prospective teammate.

Wooden: On Doing Your Best

"A coach can only do his best, nothing more, but he does owe that, not only to himself, but to the people who employ him and to the youngsters under his supervision. If you truly do your best, and only you will really know, then you are successful and the actual score is immaterial whether it was favorable or unfavorable. However, when you fail to do your best, you have failed, even thought the score might been to your liking.

This does not mean that you should not coach to win. You must teach your players to play to win and do everything in your power that is ethical and honest to win.

I am rather thoroughly convinced that those who have the self-satisfaction of knowing they have done their best will also be on the most desirable end of the score as much, and perhaps more, than their natural ability might indicate."

From "Practical Modern Basketball"
By John Wooden

Youth Basketball Thoughts

We have always believed there are three variables we can control as players and coaches.
1. Preparation
2. Attitude
3. Effort

If our players concentrate on those three variables they have done their job and you should praise their performance no matter what the results. You will find in this "dog-eat-dog" world of youth basketball it is very easy to get caught up in everything that is wrong about it. Be careful!

After watching and coaching a game or two this weekend, I have some thoughts to share:

*We are here to teach fundamental skills, team play and life lessons. Anything beyond that is probably detrimental to our mission. Guard your purpose!

*Never berate a player, official or another coach. Encourage. Encourage. Encourage! We have a saying, “Class always shows.”

*Discourage what we call “first pass shots”. For the most part, this would be any shot jacked up right after a point to wing pass (first pass).

*Keep it simple! T-Game is simple. 1-Game is simple. Ultimately our goal is to run 5-man motion and zone motion. This will evolve from T-Game and 1-Game.

*We can’t emphasize blocking out and triple-threat position enough!!!

*I know it isn’t easy but we really need to play as much man-to-man defense as possible. Encourage your players to always “call their man” and the “call the ball” in transition. Also, we like to preach stance, vision and position. This is basically maintaining “ball-you-basket” and “ball-you-man” gap position every time down the floor.

*If you do want to sprinkle in some zone, we have always felt comfortable defending baseline out of bounds situations with a 2-3 zone and/or after our 2-2-1 zone press. Those opportunities can keep your opponent guessing.

*We need more reps with our baseline out of bounds plays and parallels pressbreak.

These are just random notes after our first weekend. Let me know your thoughts too. I really appreciate the loyalty and commitment from all of you guys. This year’s handbook is done and I hope to get you a copy this week at practice. Keep up the great work!

May God bless you and Christ coach you,
Coach jH

Priorities (Player's Handbook Chapter)

Always strive to keep the main thing, the main thing. Believe it or not, there is more to life than basketball. You have to have balance. Personally, I feel that my relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the main thing. This faith is a life-long challenge, but well worth it.

Family is a close second. My father used to often remind me when I was in high school that blood is thicker than water. At the time, that statement did not mean much to me – but now, more than ever, I appreciate his wisdom. In most cases, your family is your anchor. They will stick with you through all of your ups and downs in life.

You also have to value education. Coach Bobby Knight claims that he has never seen a great basketball player who is not a good student. Athletes and students must both be disciplined. Basketball must not take precedence over your schoolwork. The two must compliment each other and work together for one common goal – excellence!

Basketball is a tremendous tool if it is not abused. It can assist in developing and strengthening your overall character. You might say basketball is a microcosm of life. It can prepare us for many of life's challenges.

Furthermore, this entire experience is about relationships. The coaches, teammates, and opponents you meet in basketball will last a lifetime. And that is much greater than any accolade you may ever receive. If athletics isn't relationships; it isn't anything!

I sincerely hope your involvement in our program will be rewarding and well worth your time.

By Coach jHueser

Teamwork

Now this is the law of the jungle –
As old and true as the sky;
And the wolf that keeps it may prosper,
But the wolf that breaks it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk,
The law runneth forward and back –
And the strength of the pack is the wolf
And the strength of the wolf is the pack.

By Rudyard Kipling

2008 Home Opener

December 4, Titans vs. The Chieftains of Bellevue East

The Titan Creed

-A Titan always strives to be a great teammate!

-A Titan always plays hard, smart and together.

-A Titan is not boastful in times of success and perseveres through times of hardship.

-A Titan is not easily angered or intimidated.

-A Titan is passionate and plays with enthusiasm!

-A Titan is courteous, unselfish, and not envious of others.

-A Titan never leaves anyone behind, thus, he is trustworthy and full of love.

-A Titan is disciplined and always performs the mundanities of excellence.

-A Titan is patient, because he knows he must endure trials and tribulations.

-Most of all, a Titan is proud! He is a champion because he does all the things required of a champion.

-This is our creed, and it is who we are.

God, Life & Basketball

NSU coach Don Meyer tells of lessons learned since September accident
By John Papendick, American News Sports Editor
Published on Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Spiritually, Don Meyer is stronger than he has ever been.

Physically, the Northern State men's basketball coach still has some battles ahead. However, the 63-year-old beloved Aberdeen man has made full-court, game-winning strides since his Sept. 5 auto accident. For several days after that accident, Meyer was in a fight for his life.

“I have made great progress,” Meyer said from his room at Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center in Sioux Falls. “The biggest thing everyone needs to know is how much Carmen and I appreciate all the cards, the notes, the phone calls and especially all the prayers. We have so many people helping us out on this deal. God, of course, is going to do it all, but he listens to people praying. I can feel it sometimes. I can feel the prayers of people lift me up. I can't tell you how much that means to me when I'm struggling.”

Meyer said one's “whole life is a preparation for your death. I am more prepared to die now. I am more at peace than I ever have been. But obviously, God had something more in mind for me or I wouldn't have gotten through all that. So he still has things for me to do, and now it is my job to get ready to do those things.”

That is why therapy is so important, said Meyer, who has progressed to the point of dressing himself and preparing himself for the day ahead. He uses a walker to get out of bed and a wheelchair he pushes himself to get to multiple therapy sessions.

“I have to get these sessions in to rebuild my strength,” he said. “I lost a lot of strength, a lot of strength. You lose it quick when you are lying in a hospital bed 24 hours a day.”

Support system: The biggest names in the basketball coaching fraternity at all levels, from professional to middle school, have contacted Meyer and his family to let them know they have been praying for them. But it was two little brothers from Warner who brought Meyer to tears on Monday morning.

“I just got a card from this 4-year-old from Warner and his 6-year-old brother who was one of our basketball campers at Northern,” said Meyer. “It is one thing to get a card from an adult, but it is really something special when two little boys like that tell you they are thinking of you.”

Relearning life's lessons: Meyer and wife, Carmen, could spend days thinking of people to thank, and they would never run out of names. They said the doctors, nurses and staff members at Avera McKennan have been incredible to them and their family.

“One night, one of his ICU nurses spent the night teaching Don how to breathe again,” Carmen said. “Don said that nurse was so patient, so kind and so good to him. Don has said that he has learned a lot of teaching techniques from all these great nurses and technicians.”

“Bill,” said Meyer, quick to add the name of that nurse. “It was like being a baby again. I had to learn everything all over again.”

Meyer knows the names of not only his caregivers, but their families and their pets. For some caregivers, the coach has little assignments, like the young woman in physical therapy who is supposed to bring Meyer two jokes a day.

“No matter what we want to say because of our pride, that spiritual component is so important to a human being,” Meyer said. “The next component is courtesy in dealing with people. We tell our players that all the time, and to do things like pick up trash, say thank you and respect those around them. But this whole experience has reinforced to me how important all those things are. I have made friends here for life. I can't say enough good things about this place and the people here.”

Meyer is also thankful for his basketball team, university and community.

“Everyone would have been so proud of those players on the night of the accident. They were doing all the right things, calling for help, checking up on everyone and rounding up the young guys on our team and keeping everyone together. They were all there for me, keeping me going and keeping me alive. I owe this whole team my life.”

Meyer, known for his keen sense of humor, was quick to add, “Of course, when I am out there yelling at them later this year, they could ask for it back.”

He said he doesn't remember much about the days following the multivehicle accident on Highway 20 in Faulk County. No one else was hurt as the NSU basketball players were driving to an annual team retreat at a hunting lodge.

Sense of humor intact: After multiple surgeries, doctors found carcinoid cancer in Meyer's liver and small bowel. Later, his left leg was amputated below the knee. He now refers to his left leg as “Little Buddy.”

Meyer said when you have part of a limb amputated, you have to learn to touch it, feel it and talk to the part that remains. He has fashioned a game using Little Buddy to talk to his visiting 5-year-old twin grandsons, Aden and Isaac Napier of Franklin, Tenn.

Meyer: Talk to Little Buddy, boys.

Aden: Do you like to get out of bed, Little Buddy?

(Meyer lifts his left knee with his hands so Little Buddy can move up and down to signal yes.)

Isaac: Do you like ice cream, Little Buddy?

(Meyer, clearly enjoying himself as much as his laughing grandsons, repeats his yes signal.)

Program in good hands: Although there have been discussions about Meyer returning to Aberdeen in a couple of weeks, there are no timetables, especially for his return to the sidelines. Northern State starts practice on Wednesday. Veteran head assistant coach Randy Baruth is in charge until Meyer can return.

“I have got complete faith in Randy and our other coaches,” said Meyer. “This will be a good experience for them because this will challenge them and help them grow, especially our younger coaches. Randy has been there, he knows how to coach and our program is in great hands right now. They all will do a great job.

“Right now, I can't put the pressure on myself of saying when I will be back,” Meyer said. “If we truly have a program, it can continue on without me. If it couldn't, then we really don't have a program. Obviously, I want to get back when I can because I love it so much. But you can't rush through these things. We have to do this right. Of course, there will always be little things to fight. That is to be expected when you have this extent of injuries.”

Cancer still on back burner: Meyer continues his battle with some lung problems and amputation infections along with rib injuries and still healing broken bones. He said his cancer is really immaterial at this point.

“Not that I am belittling cancer, but we have got some things we have to take care of first before we address that,” Meyer said. “They have done tests on the cancer, and they think it is slow moving and that they have a great way to treat it (hormone growth shot once a month without side effects).”

Meyer said he has relished the time he has gotten to spend with his family and shoring up his faith.

“I have learned so much about myself and our creator.”

One of those lessons was how to more easily tell people what they mean to him.

“I am just so thankful for everything everybody did for me, especially Carmen,”he said. “Because for a long time, I couldn't do anything for myself.”

Overwhelmed by kindness: Hundreds of people continue to help the Meyers. Both husband and wife say they have been overwhelmed by the acts of kindness shown to them from their friends and neighbors in Aberdeen - not to mention the region, the state and the country.

Meyer has a love of pens, how they write and how they flow. Louisiana State University women's basketball coach Bob Starkey got other basketball coaches from across the country to send Meyer school pens.

“Don will never have to buy another pen,” Carmen said, laughing. “He now has pens galore, including one from North Carolina that plays the school fight song. He just got inundated with pens. Everyone has been so wonderful all over the country.”

Meyer eagerly awaits his return to his home in Aberdeen. He is comforted and a little homesick all at the same time when he watches church services on TV on Sunday mornings at the First Baptist Church in Aberdeen with the Rev. Harold E. Salem.

“I am pretty functional right now,” Meyer said. “But it will still be a long time before I get my prosthesis, probably at least four months. But I can do all my work in a wheelchair and a walker. They will probably do some things in my office at Northern to make it more functional, but my main office is on the floor with the guys. That is where I want to be.”

No Arms! No Legs! No Worries!!!

An amazing testimony!!!

Seventh Day Slumber - Caroline

On behalf of FCA, we'd like to invite all of you to a free concert Sunday, Sept. 28th, 6pm @ The Rock (225 S. Washington, Papillion, NE). Promises to be a great time and message!

Tear jerker!!

A picture is worth a thousand words/tears!

Kobe Bryant

From the Los Angeles Times
BILL PLASCHKE

The word on Kobe Bryant from his Olympic teammates: respect
Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt have garnered the fame. For Kobe Bryant, the reward is much more valuable.

August 23, 2008

BEIJING — He never wore a swimsuit, but nobody made a bigger splash.

He never ran a lap, yet nobody traveled farther.

The Beijing Olympics may initially be known for Michael Phelps' strength and Usain Bolt's speed, but, among American sports fans, no memory will prove as indelible as Kobe Bryant's redemption.

It's here. It's done. It will be officially completed on Sunday when the U.S. reclaims a gold medal against overmatched Spain, but, in terms of the one thing Bryant had lost, it's already happened.

The Olympics will give Phelps and Bolt only fame.

The Olympics have given Bryant the more enduring gift of respect.

Seven games down, one remaining, and longtime Bryant watchers are hearing the most unusual things.

Players speaking glowingly of him. Players speaking kindly of him.

Players who once universally distrusted him, well, they like him. They really like him.

The sort of All-Star team that once froze him out now follows him, gaining energy from his defense, making it their mantra.

Every game, Bryant has been the first player in a defensive stance, the first guy guarding the opponent in the backcourt, squatting and straining alone in front of four guys who have no choice but to imitate.

If this team could have only one passport, Bryant playing defense would be the photo.

"He gives it his all on every second of every play. You see that and you're like, you've got to do the same thing," said center Chris Bosh. "You see a guy playing that hard, you'll do anything not to let him down."

The sort of smart players who once shunned him now actually learn from him, drawing inspiration from his preparation.

Every game, he's the player pointing to other players, directing them on both sides of the court, counseling them, cheering them.

"You hear a lot of things about Kobe, but I had no idea he was such a basketball junkie," said guard Chris Paul. "He studies all the film, talks basketball all the time, knows everything."

Finally, the sort of nice-guy players who once ignored him now treat him as an equal.

"We're good friends, so none of what he does surprises me," said center Carlos Boozer.

Notice something interesting about that sentence?

In my memory, it's the first time that anyone has ever been quoted saying that he and Bryant were "good friends."

The loner has become an embraced leader, and you could see it again Friday in a 101-81 rout of defending Olympic champion Argentina at Wukesong Arena.

Before the game, the handful of players who had competed on the embarrassing 2004 Olympics team in Athens pleaded with them for revenge.

Bryant listened, and came out crazy.

He scored the first points on a reverse follow-up layup. He made the first defensive stop while swarming Manu Ginobili into a three-point miss.

He threw the first big elbow of the game, shoving Ginobili right in front of a whistle-chewing official, setting the tone for an hourlong scrum.

And then, he ran the first player off the court, chasing Ginobili to the bench with what appeared to be a sprained ankle less than seven minutes into the game.

Neither Ginobili, nor the Argentine chances, returned.

"Kobe was the guy; he was like, 'I want to guard Manu,' " Paul said. "He always wants to guard the other team's best player."

It's one thing for him to say that in a Lakers locker room, on a team where he has to guard the opposing star.

It's another thing to say it in a room filled with stars, where he knows that concentrating on defense will hurt his scoring, and that volunteering for anything can only bring embarrassment.

"The things he does out there, they're not about putting the ball in the basket," said Carmelo Anthony. "They're about his presence."

Notice something interesting about that sentence?

How many times does a teammate compliment Bryant on something that doesn't involve numbers? Even when his Lakers teammates talk about how Bryant won't let them lose, they are talking about his scoring.

As perhaps the ultimate compliment, Bryant's teammates here are raving about him in spite of his numbers.

He is only the third-leading scorer on the team, at 14.3 points a game. He ranks fourth in steals. He ranks sixth in assists. Eighth in rebounding.

It's not about the numbers. It's about the perception.

His teammates can't believe this is the Kobe Bryant who has, at various times in this career, cast himself as heartless and selfish.

His teammates see him only as the leader of a defense that has scored 84 more points off turnovers than their opponents and 91 more points off fastbreaks.

Notice something interesting about this column?

As recently as a year ago, you couldn't write a story about Kobe Bryant's impact on a team without talking to Kobe Bryant. His teammates never had much to say, and when they did, they seemed to say it with fear.

This time, though, there are no Bryant quotes. There is not enough room. His teammates said plenty.

The Winners Manuel by Jim Tressel

Chapter 1 Highlights

If the game of life ended tonight, would you be a winner?

If you do the things you need to do
When you need to do them,
Someday you can do the things you want to do
When you want to do them!

Goals are important, but it’s important to understand that people are not defined by their goals and whether or not they reach them. A win or a loss does not make you or me a better or worse human being. This is where, in our society, we’ve so easily lost perspective on the truth about who we are. We have to separate who we are from what we do.

John Wooden defines the elusive quality of success: “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.”

Success is found in “peace of mind”. That was a revolutionary thought to me. I don’t have to look at others to tell whether I’ve made it. They can’t tell me anything about my success, because they have no idea if I have peace of mind. That’s a radical shift in thinking and drastically different from basing my success on whether I win or lose.

We expanded his (Coach Wooden) definition like this: “Success is the inner satisfaction and peace of mind that comes from knowing I did the best I was capable of going for the group.”

Our purpose in adding “for the group” was to capture the truth that in being our best, we add it to those around us. It forces us to define success in terms of what the group needs, what our team needs…

We must never let goals, adversity – or even success – define us. Those things don’t hit at the heart of who we are.

If a person measures his success by his inner satisfaction and the peace of mind that comes from knowing he did the best he was capable of doing for the group, he’ll be able to gauge that success correctly.

Success is an everyday proposition. It isn’t defined by a championship game or the day you get your diploma…Don’t get me wrong, those are great days, and we should celebrate those accomplishments. But the key to a successful life is the journey and the process. It’s the emphasis on the journey to success that we work on each day, step by step.

It’s hard in today’s society to keep success in its proper perspective and not base our sense of self-worth on what we do. But it you can get there, it’s such a comfort. If we lose a game, we’re not losers – that’s not who we are. And by the same token, if we win a game, that doesn’t make us wonderful people. We achieved our goal, and that has its place, but that success – or any failure – doesn’t define us.

I don’t have empirical data to back it up, but I believe the more we’ve helped our young people discover their purpose and set specific, measurable goals for their whole lives, the more games we’ve won.

Ron Brown after Western Michigan game

God's Way vs. Man's Way - It's your choice!:)

The Comfort Zone

I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn't fail.
The same four walls and busywork were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.
I said I didn't care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

If you're in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you!

Logan, the Sky Angel Cowboy

I know this has nothing to do with basketball, but a whole lot to do with life! Enjoy...

LeBron James - Nike Skills Academy

For more from the Nike Skills Academy, visit Coach Cooley's blog. They are all very good and worth your viewing time!

Seven Sure Ways to Improving Your Shooting

"Shooters are made - not born."

1. Get open before you receive the ball.
Create a solid lead to set up the shot you want. However, be sure to time your lead. Creating a lead too early or too late will not work.

Don't fight defensive pressure. If/when a defender denies or disrupts the passing lane, back cut to the basket or screen away.

Set and use good screens.

2. Have good shot selection.
Know your ability and shooting range. "Hoped Shots" rarely end up in the basket.

Practice and employ your best shots. Some good practice shooters may become only average game shooters, but there are no poor practice shooters who are excellent game shooters.

Know where your teammates are before shooting. Make sure no teammate is open for a better shot. Be aware of defensive players' and offensive rebounders' locations.

Know when to shoot. Passing up a good shot is just as important as taking a bad shot.

3. Shoot with consistency.
Hold ball high with wrist back and elbow pointing directly at the basket.
Release ball quickly but do not hurry. Ball should have good back spin.
Follow through. Keep shooting hand and fingers extended until ball goes through the basket.

4. Concentrate on shot.
Shoot with touch. Focus on the rim. Do not watch the ball - a shooter that take eyes off the target usually blows the shot.
Concentrate on every shot in every practice and every game.
Concentrate despite any distractions of noise and movement. You should have only one thought on your mind, and that is making the shot

5. Shoot with confidence.
Want and call for the ball. To be a good shooter, a player must have the confidence in his shooting ability. "You are only as good as you think".

Follow your shots. The best shooters in the world only make half of their shots.

Practice. The secret to good shooting is countless hours of hard work and concentration. This why coaches love to see baskets in player's backyards. Practice the shots that you are going to get during a game. Use the "Beef" principle to analyze and improve your shot.

B = Balance
E = Elbow under the ball
E = Eyes focused on target
F = Follow Through

6. Acknowledge the pass.
Use verbal or body language to thank and praise the passer.

This will result in receiving more and better passes.

7. Become a proficient passer.
A good shot starts with a good pass. Always follow the simple rule: "Get the ball to the open player." You will be surprised how many times it will be you!

Improving your passing will build better shooting because the principles involved in throwing to a teammate are the same as shooting at the basket. This is why great shooters are also great passers.

By Ernie Woods, Hooptactics

Attack Mentality: How-to Dribble Drive

Here are three critical points for players when driving a defender:

1) Go North-South not East-West – Too often players have a tendency to round out their drives to the basket rather than taking a direct path to the basket.

2) Get the shoulder to the hip – The driver must attempt to get their inside shoulder to the level of the defender’s hip. This movement will help get the driver lower and in a position to protect the ball. Also, if the driver can get contact or be very tight to the defender, like going North-South, it is very difficult for the defender to get a path to recover.

3) Go right at the defender - When the defender is more than 6 feet away make the dribble move directly at the defender to get them on their heels. If the driver can get beside the defender or get him/her on their heels, the driver should have either a path to the basket or a shot.

How are these skills developed? To develop 1-on-1 skill players must play 1-on-1; there is no substitute for this. All the skill work in the world cannot take the place of going against a defender and learning to react/anticipate defensive movement.

NCA All-Star Game

Papio South's own Josias Hueser, left, and James Futch of Bellevue East battle for the ball in the first quarter of the Nebraska Coaches basketball all-star game at Lincoln North Star High School. Josias was the first-ever Titan to be selected to play in this game.

The Definite Dozen (To Win Here)

TO WIN HERE:

1. BELIEVE IN OUR SYSTEM OF PLAY – Commit yourself to our philosophy, to our system of play. Be a sponge and soak up the concepts of how we play. Learn your role…then accept your role and do it the best you can.

2. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF – Play with confidence…think positive. Don’t get down when you play poorly…realize you were chosen to be here…be a leader... remember that your heart controls what your tongue says. Lead by example.

3. BELIEVE IN YOUR TEAMMATES – Communicate with each other…help each other. Remember the strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack. Encourage each other and support each other. Don’t ever forget the importance of the shell around the team. Be a friend. We are all different – be tolerant of teammates and others.

4. BELIEVE IN YOUR COACHES – Understand that your coaches are trying to help make you better people and players. Ask questions…don’t whine, complain or make excuses. Learn to take tough coaching. You must believe that the coaches are doing what they think is right for the team and you.

The Definite Dozen (To Play Here)

TO PLAY HERE:

1. BE COMMITTED TO HARD WORK – Our program is built on the concept that hard work pays off. We believe that we work harder than anyone else…and because of that we always deserve to win. There is a reason we are the best we can be…we work at it. Our best player must be our hardest worker. Be our hardest worker.

2. BE COMMITTED TO BECOMING A SMART PLAYER – We all must be ready to learn. We believe we work smarter than anyone else…We must develop players who understand the game. We all must be good listeners and learn by watching. We must make good decisions; we must play with poise. We prepare mentally for practice and games.

3. BE COMMITTED TO OUR TEAM ATTITUDE CONCEPT – We must all believe in our team concept. Our program is built on the concept that the team/program is bigger than any one player or coach…We need unselfish players and coaches.

4. COMMIT YOURSELF TO A WINNING ATTITUDE – Our players must be committed to winning but understand we don’t measure our success by winning alone. Each time we play we evaluate ourselves on reaching our potential. The test for our team is to play against the game not just our opponent. We never quit. We always are looking for ways to win.

The Definite Dozen (To Stay Here)

TO STAY HERE:

1. BE COMMITTED TO YOUR ACADEMICS – Make a plan…get a diploma. Go to class every day. Be on time. Sit up front. Take good notes. Do all extra work possible. Plan ahead and talk to your teacher when you are having a problem.

2. BE COMMITTED TO HAVING "CLASS" – Treat teachers, trainers, support staff, food and custodial workers, and all you meet with respect. Treat other people the way you want to be treated. Moody people are rude. Everyone picks up trash and everyone is courteous. Say please, thank you, yes sir, and yes ma’am. Give people the benefit of the doubt and always remember to make eye contact and smile.

3. BE COMMITTED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING – We have plenty of school rules…know them. Realize if you just try to do the right thing you will be okay. Try to do the next right thing right and you are as close to perfect as any person can be.

4. BE COMMITTED TO THE PROGRAM – We realize that every word and action will be watched. Our program’s reputation provides many opportunities yet brings many responsibilities. We must be committed to build on to the tradition of our program and respect those that have gone before us and paid the price to build the program.

To Shoot, Or Not To Shoot?

A player's individual talent not withstanding, each player must be a scoring threat on the floor. However, the question is to shoot or not to shoot? Below are variables you must instinctively think about as you square up and face the basket.
1. What is my shot range?
2. How well am I being pressured?
3. Do I have good balance?
4. Are there better shots available?
5. Do I have teammates in position to rebound?
6. What is the score?
7. How much time is left?

Hubie Brown and Reading Screens

TEAM T-BALL 07-08

Road to Redemption - Must See!!!

Please go to Coach Cooley's blog (see "More Blogs" to the right) and watch the Road to Redemption series. They are very good and well worth your time. Enjoy what we have left of this summer!

On the Road with the Crusaders

Players as Models

There are little eyes upon you,
And they're watching night and day;
There are little ears that quickly
Take in every word you say;
There are little hands all eager
To do anything you do;
And a little boy who's dreaming
Of the day he'll be like you.

You're the little fellow’s idol;
You're the wisest of the wise,
In this little mind about you,
No suspicions rise,
He believes in you devoutly,
Holds that all you say and do;
He will say and do, in your way,
When he's a grown-up like you.

There's a wide-eyed little fellow,
Who believes you're always right,
And his ears are always open,
And he watches day and night;
You are setting an example
Everyday in all you do,
For the little one who's waiting
To grow up to be like you.
~author unknown

The Jump Rope

It is said, “There comes a time when winter will ask what you have done all summer.” Thus, the great competitor diligently commits to his individual skill development – especially during the “off-season”. The following are all key components to consider when setting up your individual jump rope workout.

Static Ropes
Remain stationary and perform each jump step 50 revolutions.
• Regular Bounce
• Alternating Bounce
• Single Bounce (L&R)
• Skier (side-to-side)
• Bell (back&forth)
• Jack Flash (in-out)
• Nordic (straddle)
• Twist
• Leap-up
• Double-under

Dynamic Ropes
In addition to the jump steps listed above, perform the following “on the move” one length of the floor:
• Shuffle (push-step movement)
• Butt-kicks (lean forward)
• High Knees (speed)
• Gallop

Coach's Corner
Studies have shown, to master a fine motor skill, one must practice that skill correctly 200,000 times or more!

Even More Good Times at Camp

UNO Shooting Workout - Must See!

More Good Times at Camp

Good Times at Camp

T-Ball Camp Contest Winners

Papillion-LaVista South High School wrapped up two sessions of boys’ basketball camp June 9-12 and 16-19. Over 200 campers in grades 3-12 participated under the supervision of head coach Joel Hueser. Assisting Coach Hueser were members of the South Titan Basketball Staff: Jim Simpson, Joseph Cooley, Dan Christel, Jerrid Johansen, Scott Morris and Dustin Penas; with special guest appearances from Ravenna High School Head Coach Paul Beranek and University of Nebraska at Kearney stand-out Drake Beranek.

The following are a list of contest winners:

6th Grade
1-on-1
Grant Suponchick

7th Grade
1-on-1
James Narke

8th Grade
1-on-1
TJ Classen

9th Grade
1-on-1
Jake Schellenberg & Lexi Williams

JV
1-on-1
Connor Beranek

Varsity
1-on-1
Chandler Thomas & Steve Plourde

3rd Grade
Dribble Tag
Caleb Feekin

4th Grade
Dribble Tag
Ryan Fraser

5th Grade
Dribble Tag
Matt Jackson

6th Grade
Dribble Tag
Brian Morrisey

7th Grade
Dribble Tag
Nate Stoner

8th Grade
Dribble Tag
Zach Hansen

9th Grade
Dribble Tag
Lexi Williams & Mitch Peterson

JV
Dribble Tag
Trevor Cyboron & Mark Schockley

Varsity
Dribble Tag
Steve Plourde & Jalen Hueser

Elementary
Freethrow
Jimmy Nekola & Damien Burger

High School
Connor Beranek & Matt Milz

Middle School
Freethrow
Brent Kirsch

3rd Grade
Hotshot
Caleb Feekin

4th Grade
Hotshot
Travis Koesters

5th Grade
Hotshot
Jimmy Nekola

6th Grade
Hotshot
Trent Classen

7th Grade
Hotshot
Jacob Burrus

8th Grade
Hotshot
Zach Turner

9th Grade
Hotshot
Curtis Bussard & Mitch Peterson

JV
Hotshot
Connor Beranek & Matt Milz

Varsity
Hotshot
Jalen Hueser & Steve Plourde

Summerville Remembers Fallen Coach Louis Mulkey

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?&brand=null&videoId=3421852&n8pe6c=1

Great Big Men

1. Great big men can finish in traffic with at least one go-to move and one counter move.
*Tall or small, big or quick, this player simply has automated his scoring skills to the point he just knows he can score when given the ball at a moment of opportunity.

2. Great big men practice the 3 C’s.
*They make it a point to always catch, chin and check.

3. Great big men establish position with a Doleac stance.
*This stance gets as wide and low as necessary to take up as much space in the paint to create the best possible angle and target.

4. Great big men can convert from a low-wide power position to a quick, vertical jump.
*This is especially important late in the game when the legs become heavy and fatigue has set in.

5. Great big men are hard-to-guard.
*They stay active and force their defender to respect and defend each position on the court – low post and/or high post – as a possible scoring threat.

6. Great big men are neither a “black hole” nor an automatic “toss-back machine”.
*They have the ability to read the defense take a high percentage shot, but also recognize a pass back out might lead to an even better scoring play.

7. Great big men can step outside and knock down the 15’ jump shot.
*The best can even step behind the arc and make the sagging defense pay for their lack of respect.

8. Great big men have good court vision.
*Even as they begin to initiate a post move, many teams will double down; an alert post player will recognize this and pass to the open cutter.

9. Great big men are extremely active on the offensive boards.
*They are relentless in pursuit of the ball. They may have to tip the ball two, three, four times just to keep it alive – their perseverance often times dictates the outcome of the game.

10. Great big men use the glass.
*They are able to create higher percentage shots and reduce the effectiveness of a great shot blocker by using the backboard.

11. Great big men can defend.
*They stay very active and keep themselves between the basket and the ball. Rarely do they leave their feet to give up a foul or position. This positioning also allows them to defensively rebound the ball to death!

12. Great big men talk.
*They are excellent communicators. With their back to the basket most of the time, they often have the best vantage point to call out screens and/or potential scoring threats.

13. Great big run the floor.
*Possession after possession, they sprint from block to block and beat their man down the floor. Though they may not always touch the ball, they will always position themselves to do so.

14. Great big men are quick outlets.
*They know the value of making a quick outlet pass (2-seconds or less). They might also utilize a “bust-out” dribble or two.

15. Great big men contest shots.
*They have the ability to block and/or alter shots without fouling. Blocking the shot and keeping it in play is their signature rather than swatting it into the bleachers. They play smart.

Great Point Guards

1. Great point guards know their team’s optimal tempo.
*On offense, defense, and in transition, they know when to speed up the tempo or slow it down.

2. Great point guards know who's hot and who's not.
*They know how to get the ball to the hot perimeter shooter and/or when to get the ball inside.

3. Great point guards are "energy" for their team.
*No matter what the circumstances, good or bad, they play with great enthusiasm for the game.

4. Great point guards communicate constantly.
*For 32 minutes, these guys never shut-up. They are the coach's voice on the floor.

5. Great point guards level off the ball.
*They see to it the ball is stopped and contained. Dribble penetration does not happen! Period.

6. Great point guards involve everybody.
*They know how to get their best scorers the ball on a consistent basis, but are always on the lookout for ways to create high percentage scoring opportunities for other teammates as well.

7. Great point guards can feel the team's "pulse".
*In practice and games, they know when to fire up and/or calm down certain teammates.

8. Great point guards quickly recognize "Charlies".
*They look for and find mismatches as soon as they occur.

9. Great point guards "run the show"!
*Quickly and clearly, they communicate play calls and/or changes in the open court and during dead ball situations. They also have the ability to organize a team after an offensive breakdown.

10. Great point guards "guard"!
*They keep constant pressure on the ball. Not allowing the passer adequate vision as well as forcing the dribbler away from his desired path of attack.

11. Great point guards advance the ball.
*From key to key, they are can advance the ball in 3-4 dribbles easy. They also pass ahead to a teammate who is open down the court.

12. Great point guards value the ball!
*Rarely do they turn the ball over. Likewise, when they deliver a pass it is on the money and away from the defense – allowing for their teammate to catch the ball in optimal scoring position.

13. Great point guards do not shoot every time.
*However, they can knock the open shot any time they are open. They can also create a shot for the benefit of the team.

14. Great point guards have an intense will to win!
*They absolutely refuse to lose. This is an intangible attribute developed over the many hours in the gym pursuing excellence in all phases of the game!

15. Great point guards are an extension of the coach on the floor.
*They thoroughly understand everything that's expected of them as well as their teammates. They understand it's impossible to win if all the oarsmen are not rowing in the same direction.

Ganon Baker Triple Threat Continued

A good finish to triple threat training!

Ganon Baker Triple Threat

Must see triple threat training!

5 Enemies of Perseverance

A lifestyle of giving up.

Talent without perseverance never comes to full fruition. Opportunities without persistence will be lost. There is a direct correlation between perseverance and potential. If you have a habit of giving up, you need to overcome it to be successful.

A wrong belief that life should be easy.

John C. Norcross has studied people and their goals, and he has found a characteristic that distinguishes those who reach their goals from those who don’t: expectations.

A wrong belief that success is a destination.

It’s ironic, but past success can be the fiercest enemy to future success.

“Complacency is the last hurdle any winner, any team must overcome before attaining potential greatness. Complacency is the success disease: it takes root when you’re feeling good about who you are and what you’ve achieved.”
~Pat Riley

A lack of resiliency.

“You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days you feel good.”
~Jerry West

A lack of vision.

Everything that is created is actually created twice. First it is created mentally; then it is created physically. Where does that mental creation come from? The answer is vision.

Tyler Hansbrough Shooting Workout

Inside Carolina Basketball with Roy Williams

Senior Tribute

T-Ball Extras

Very Impressive Person

He greets everyone with a smile
And a hearty handshake;
And makes you feel he means it
When he says he’s glad to meet you
And he makes you glad you met him.

He walks with a sprightly step
And speaks with a laugh in his voice.
He listens with interest
And speaks with conviction,
And makes you feel you’ve known him all your life.

He doesn’t seem to try to impress,
Yet he’s most impressive.
He never tries pressing to persuade,
Yet you always come away convinced.
He’s the kind of guy we enjoy being around
Because he is what we all secretly would like to be –
Someone who enjoys being himself.

John Wooden

"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."

Wooden on Leadership

Industriousness?

In plain language, I mean that you have to work – and work hard. There is no substitute for work. None. Worthwhile things come only from real work.

I called it “industriousness” because “work” as performed by most people isn’t real work; rather, it’s going through the motions, putting in time, enduring boredom. Many will complain about a hard day at the office when, in fact, they didn’t lift a finger or think a thought. That’s not work. I had something else in mind, the kind of work in which you are fully engaged, totally focused, and completely absorbed. There is no clock watching and no punching in and out. Industriousness, for me, means true work.

I also knew intuitively that for industriousness to occur, an equally important quality is required…

…Enthusiasm

Work without joy is drudgery. Drudgery does not produce champions. You will not reach the top – success – if you and those you lead are wearily trudging along, waiting for the workday to end so you can move on to something you’d rather do.

As a leader, you must be filled with energy and eagerness, joy and love for what you do. If you lack enthusiasm for your job, you can not perform to the best of your ability. Success is unattainable without enthusiasm.

Enthusiasm transforms work into industriousness and catapults you to most productive heights.

Your enthusiasm does the same for those you lead. The energy and enjoyment, drive and dedication you exude stimulate the team. Enthusiasm must be real, not phony. False enthusiasm is common and easily detected. If you are faking it, posing and pretending, those under your supervision with spot it and do likewise.

Enthusiasm comes from within and is expressed in different ways. It is not necessarily jumping up and down and making a lot of noise.

When they are joined together, industriousness and enthusiasm become the driving force, the engine that powers all…

You will perish without hard work, without industriousness. Industriousness is not possible without enthusiasm. Success is unattainable without both of them.

T-Ball Camp Dates Set

Dates for our camps have been announced:

• Boys in grades 9-12 will meet for two weeks, June 9-12 and June 16-19, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Boys in grades 6-8 will meet June 9-12 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., and boys in grades 3-5 will meet June 16-19 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
• The aim of each camp is to teach and develop fundamental basketball skills, team play and motivation.
• Registration forms are available at Papillion-LaVista South High School or by logging on to http://plv.ishareinfo.org/jhueser/documents/ACFE.pdf.
• For more information call (402) 829-4618 or shoot me an email: jhueser@paplv.esu3.org.

Black Hole, Thank You!!!

Dear Black Hole Nation:

On behalf of South Titan Basketball, I want to thank Black Hole Nation for a very memorable season. You have done what very few schools are able to do in this day and age. You have incredible spirit without compromising sportsmanship and class.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success." Your school spirit was second to none and a big part of our success! Thank you!!!

We look forward to 2008-09!!!

Go Titans,
Coach Hueser

Senior Night

February 16, 2008

Dear Seniors,

They say there is “Joy in the Journey.” And I agree. It seems like just yesterday the McCook Bison were defeated in the State Tournament and I was saying good-bye to a great team. It was a very sad day for me and my family.

The following day I went to UNL’s old Coliseum to watch Sy play in the MIT basketball tournament and playing on the adjacent court was a group of young Predators. Four of which I believe are sitting in here today. As I watched you play I was very apprehensive about the future. The waters were uncharted so to speak.

I had no idea five years later we would be where we are today. Not only have we become the best team in Titan history, but one of the best teams in the state. But not without a price, right? No sacrifice. No victory. You guys are the cornerstones of “T-Ball”. Your hard work and enthusiasm has been priceless.

Think of the hundreds of mornings we’ve spent together over the years working on your skills. Think of the hundreds of practices we’ve grinded out striving for excellence. Think of the many weeks of T-Ball camp over the summers. Hotshot contest. Dribble tag. Ravenna. Coach Beranek. Think of the many summer league games and QT stops afterwards. Think of Going UP! and the price paid to become bigger, faster and stronger. Think of the many team meals and time spent together off the court. For example, our team trip to Coach Simpson’s lake.

All for what? To win at a “silly” game? Maybe, but it’s so much more than that. I believe the silver lining lies in what you and your teammates have become. Today and forevermore you are defined by our Titan Creed:

• A Titan always strives to be a great teammate!
• A Titan always plays hard, smart and together.
• A Titan is not boastful in times of success and perseveres through times of hardship.
• A Titan is not easily angered or intimidated.
• A Titan is passionate and plays with enthusiasm!
• A Titan is courteous, unselfish, and not envious of others.
• A Titan never leaves anyone behind, thus, he is trustworthy and full of love.
• A Titan is disciplined and always performs the mundanities of excellence.
• A Titan is patient, because he knows he must endure trials and tribulations.
• Most of all, a Titan is proud! He is a champion because he does all the things required of a champion.
• This is our creed, and it is who we are.
  
  
  May God bless you and Christ coach you!
  Coach Hueser