It's that time of year...get excited!!!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Florida Gators 2009 FedEx BCS National Champions. Tebow's Promise
Can you say heart? Passion? And leadership? Tebow lives it!!!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
UNO Shooting
Be a practice player first. This video is a great reminder how important it is to go hard and train at a game speed.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Football: Helu, Hagg no longer up in arms
LINCOLN — Roy Helu and Eric Hagg hadn’t talked much that summer after joining the Nebraska football program, but they were sure talking now. And not in a friendly way.
Some freshman pranks had gotten out of hand. Some irritation was coming to a head. They already had almost gotten into it on the ride over.
And now Hagg was staring at Helu.
“I said we could go outside,” Helu said. “And he’s like, ‘Yeah, we can go outside.’
“We’re about to fight again, and then the older guys at the Bible study told us to break it up.’’
The ashamed look on Helu’s face confirms that he and Hagg now understand that Bible study is no place for fisticuffs. Nor is the home of NU team chaplain Matt Penland, which is where they happened to be.
“I think it’s through God’s grace that we’ve changed,’’ Helu said.
“Changed’’ can’t begin to describe the relationship two years later between two of the Huskers’ budding stars — Helu, a junior I-back from Danville, Calif., and Hagg, a junior defensive back from Peoria, Ariz.
After a month of tension started to wear off, Penland pulled the two together. A friendship slowly developed, and it’s grown stronger since last season.
“Matt helped us squash that, and from there it’s just been building and building,’’ Hagg said. “It’s kind of weird the way things happened.’’
Helu calls Hagg “my brother,’’ a term they also use for a close circle of friends that includes Prince Amukamara, Will Henry, Marcus Mendoza, Austin Jones, Kyler Reed and several others.
Bible study and Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings became regular stops as both players inched forward in their faith.
“Circumstances came up where I wanted to know how to trust in Christ, and he wasn’t at that level yet,’’ Helu said. “But it was funny, because in God’s timing, a couple months later, he started becoming more committed.
“Us, Will Henry, Prince Amukamara ... all of us started seeking a greater power. Not coincidentally — there was a purpose to it, obviously. That’s when we started becoming friends.’’
Amukamara said you could start to see a big change in Helu after his freshman year. He became more of a leader on and off the field, and his NU football career took off in his sophomore year with 803 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Hagg, who helped seal the Gator Bowl win over Clemson with a late pass breakup and sack, says he’s quiet by nature. Once he gets to know somebody, he’ll start to talk a little more.
That’s what happened when Helu and Hagg returned to NU after taking time off after the Gator Bowl. Each had bad experiences back home, Helu said, although neither would elaborate.
“It was just stuff we struggled with in the past, old habits, some of that— and we were kind of sick of them,’’ Helu said. “We came back and we were both like, ‘Man, we don’t want to live like this anymore.’ So we both came back and we kind of made an agreement.’’
Helu and Hagg set out to get as big and fast as they could in winter conditioning. At the same time, Helu said, they planned “the biggest and fastest learning curve’’ for the spiritual side of their lives.
“We couldn’t keep on doing our thing and His thing at the same time, because it’s like a lukewarm Christian,’’ Hagg said. “It was just like we’ve got to get ourselves out of the way and follow what Christ has in store for us, or we’ll always be confused living both lives at the same time.’’
Helu is always over at Hagg’s house, which he shares with Henry and former Husker center Brett Byford. They eschew some of the normal college nightlife in favor of hanging out, playing video games or just going to movies.
It’s not all stiff-collar stuff, though.
Helu every now and again likes to put on a pair of short shorts and match it with a long T-shirt pulled way down.
“And he’ll go out in public,’’ Hagg said, shaking his head.
They try to rap and dance. They have fun on community visits. Helu shares the Tongan candy his mom brings. They agree that Amukamara is the jokester of the bunch.
In fact, the junior cornerback may or may not have been involved in the prank that started Helu and Hagg off on the wrong foot two summers ago. “They didn’t blame it on me?’’ Amukamara said. “Oh, OK.”
But now, Amukumara said, Helu and Hagg realize they have a lot in common. “Their faith. They like to compete. They hang out. The biggest part of it for all of us is just our faith.’’
But there’s still a natural question: What would have happened a couple of years ago had they taken it out back?
“I don’t know, that’s a toss-up,’’ Hagg said. “He’s pretty big. You know, I’ll just say he would have won because I don’t know if I would have actually thrown a punch or anything.’’
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
South Titan Basketball Camp Barbeque
Ravenna Bluejays invade the Hueser's for the annual 3-on-3 Driveway Shootout!
Friday, May 8, 2009
12 Lessons in Leadership
1. Good values attract good people
2. Love is the most powerful four-letter word
3. Call yourself a teacher
4. Emotion is your enemy
5. It takes 10 hands to make a basket
6. Little things make big things happen
7. Make each day your masterpiece
8. The carrot is mightier than the stick
9. Make greatness attainable by all
10. Seek significant change
11. Don’t look at the scoreboard
12. Adversity is your asset
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Example of Persistence
1831-Failed in business.
1832-Defeated for Legislature.
1833-Second failure in business.
1836-Suffered nervous breakdown.
1838-Defeated for Speaker.
1840-Defeated for Elector.
1843-Defeated for Congress.
1848-Defeated for Congress.
1855-Defeated for Senate.
1856-Defeated for Vice President.
1858-Defeated for Senate.
1860-Elected President!
Abraham Lincoln could have quit many times – but he didn't and because he didn't quit – he became one of the greatest Presidents.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Persistence
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
~Calvin Coolidge
~Calvin Coolidge
Every Morning in Africa
Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning, the lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle, when the sun comes up, you’d better be running!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Senior Tribute
South Titan Basketball tribute to this year's seniors Michael Burrus, Joshua Harnisch and Steve Plourde.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Camp Dates Announced!
Dates for the South Titan Basketball Camp have been announced. Boys in grades 9-12 will meet for two weeks, June 8-11 and June 15-18, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Boys in grades 6-8 will meet June 8-11 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., and boys in grades 3-5 will meet June 15-18 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
The aim of each camp, under the supervision of PL-South head coach Joel Hueser, is to teach and develop fundamental basketball skills, team play and motivation. Registration forms are available at Papillion-LaVista South High School or by clicking here.
The aim of each camp, under the supervision of PL-South head coach Joel Hueser, is to teach and develop fundamental basketball skills, team play and motivation. Registration forms are available at Papillion-LaVista South High School or by clicking here.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Ravenna takes charges seriously
Great article about Adam Mingus and his ability to take charges. As we've emphasized all year long- TOUGHNESS WINS!!!
There were a lot of offensive charges taken during the opening two rounds of the Class C-2 state tournament, but nobody has more than Ravenna guard Adam Mingus.
Mingus had taken a school-record 20 charges entering the tournament. He took two more in a win against Sutherland on Thursday and three against Axtell Friday.
Mingus loves the intensity taking a charge can bring the team.
“It gets our offense going, our defense going and our crowd and student section pumped,” he said.
Ravenna’s Sean Payne also took a charge in the third quarter Friday. Coach Paul Beranek has never had a team take charges like this one.
“People ask me about what drills we do,” Beranek said. “We don’t do any. We got one kid that’s on a mission to do that. The thing that helps the rest of our team is that he gets on them if they don’t take them.”
There were a lot of offensive charges taken during the opening two rounds of the Class C-2 state tournament, but nobody has more than Ravenna guard Adam Mingus.
Mingus had taken a school-record 20 charges entering the tournament. He took two more in a win against Sutherland on Thursday and three against Axtell Friday.
Mingus loves the intensity taking a charge can bring the team.
“It gets our offense going, our defense going and our crowd and student section pumped,” he said.
Ravenna’s Sean Payne also took a charge in the third quarter Friday. Coach Paul Beranek has never had a team take charges like this one.
“People ask me about what drills we do,” Beranek said. “We don’t do any. We got one kid that’s on a mission to do that. The thing that helps the rest of our team is that he gets on them if they don’t take them.”
Monday, March 9, 2009
Gus's Story
A good friend of ours, Ron "Gus" Gustafson, was gracious enough to share his incredible life story at FCA Sunday night. Here is a brief video of Gus at the Hueser home with the Titans!:)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
26 Winning Basketball Principles
Success in basketball is dependent upon 26 principles. These winning principles are fundamentally sound, simple to teach, easy to remember, and apply to any style of play or age group.
1. Protect the ball. Bad passes and low-percentage shots are the trademarks of a poor team.
2. Be careful on a lay-up. More games are won on lay-up shots than on any other, and more games are lost because of poor lay-up shots than by any other shot.
3. Basketball is a game in motion. Motion on the court is vital. Too many players stand still and beg for the ball. Players should always pass and move. This action will take their defenders away from the ball and open up the court for a teammate.
4. Always fake direction. Faking is important because it tricks opponents into making mistakes.
5. Move to meet the pass. Moving and meeting the pass is the stamp of a good ballplayer. Players who move and meet passes make it easy for teammates to get them the ball.
6. When in trouble, make a V-cut (i.e., "clear out"). A player in the wrong position on the floor should make a V-cut. This will open up the floor.
7. Don't think for the opponents -- be yourself. Play your game and do not spend time trying to figure out what your opponents are thinking.
8. One player cuts at a time. Always remember -- only one cutter at a time. Two players cutting at the same time allows the defense to be in a position to either double-team the ball or stop the play.
9. Grab it -- don't tap it. Effective rebounders grab and secure the ball rather than tapping it.
10. Never force a shot. Never shoot a shot if closely defended. Before attempting a shot, make sure that you have teammates in rebounding positions.
11. Dribbling is an emergency measure. Nine out of 10 players dribble or bounce the ball before they do anything else. This is a bad habit because it limits a player's opportunities.
12. Talk to your teammates. Talking on offense and defense builds team play. Talking encourages teammates. Talking on defense is vital when picking up loose opponents.
13. Never turn your head on defense. Players should never turn their heads to watch the ball when playing man-to-man defense. When players change from offense to defense, they should backpedal so that they can locate their personal opponent or help in case of a fast break.
14. Don't cross your feet on defense. Successful defensive players move their feet in short steps when playing defense.
15. Hands up on defense. Tight-rope walkers use their hands for defense, and the good defensive player does likewise. Movement of the hands and feet discourages passing and shooting and shows that the defensive player is on the ball.
16. Watch your opponent's belly-button. We like our defensive players to keep their eyes glued to a part of the offensive ball-player that can't fool them -- the belly-button.
17. Pick up the first man. When you are back or coming down the floor ahead of the rest of your teammates, pick up the first offensive player down the court, whether it's your assigned player or not.
18. Don't leave your feet on defense. Good defensive players keep their head up and their feet on the ground.
19. Get position for rebounds. Instinct and sensing the direction of the shot and the angle of the rebound enables players to move into the correct rebounding position.
20. If you can't rebound, you can't win. Good rebounding limits the opponents' shots and this is the key to winning basketball games.
21. The first fast-break pass must be perfect. The fast break must get started with a quick outlet pass. If the first pass is a good one, the fast break is underway. After it's started, it's hard to stop.
22. You must make 70 percent of your free throws. There is no excuse for being a poor free-throw shooter. Practice, confidence, and the proper technique are the keys.
23. Keep the defense busy. If all five offensive players keep moving, their opponents cannot afford to sag or float. Moving with or without the ball forces the defense into making mistakes.
24. Don't cross the backboard to shoot. A player should learn to shoot from both sides of the basket and with both hands.
25. Never underrate an opponent. Be ready to play every game. Overconfidence can affect a team's play. It is wise to remember that it is only the underdog who can do the upsetting.
26. Practice does not always make perfect -- if you practice the wrong thing. Players often work long and hard and make little progress because they are practicing incorrectly.
By Alvin Julian
Hall of Fame coach Alvin "Doggie" Julian led Holy Cross to the 1947 NCAA Championship.
During his 41-year coaching career, he also coached the Celtics and at Dartmouth, where he won three Ivy League titles.
1. Protect the ball. Bad passes and low-percentage shots are the trademarks of a poor team.
2. Be careful on a lay-up. More games are won on lay-up shots than on any other, and more games are lost because of poor lay-up shots than by any other shot.
3. Basketball is a game in motion. Motion on the court is vital. Too many players stand still and beg for the ball. Players should always pass and move. This action will take their defenders away from the ball and open up the court for a teammate.
4. Always fake direction. Faking is important because it tricks opponents into making mistakes.
5. Move to meet the pass. Moving and meeting the pass is the stamp of a good ballplayer. Players who move and meet passes make it easy for teammates to get them the ball.
6. When in trouble, make a V-cut (i.e., "clear out"). A player in the wrong position on the floor should make a V-cut. This will open up the floor.
7. Don't think for the opponents -- be yourself. Play your game and do not spend time trying to figure out what your opponents are thinking.
8. One player cuts at a time. Always remember -- only one cutter at a time. Two players cutting at the same time allows the defense to be in a position to either double-team the ball or stop the play.
9. Grab it -- don't tap it. Effective rebounders grab and secure the ball rather than tapping it.
10. Never force a shot. Never shoot a shot if closely defended. Before attempting a shot, make sure that you have teammates in rebounding positions.
11. Dribbling is an emergency measure. Nine out of 10 players dribble or bounce the ball before they do anything else. This is a bad habit because it limits a player's opportunities.
12. Talk to your teammates. Talking on offense and defense builds team play. Talking encourages teammates. Talking on defense is vital when picking up loose opponents.
13. Never turn your head on defense. Players should never turn their heads to watch the ball when playing man-to-man defense. When players change from offense to defense, they should backpedal so that they can locate their personal opponent or help in case of a fast break.
14. Don't cross your feet on defense. Successful defensive players move their feet in short steps when playing defense.
15. Hands up on defense. Tight-rope walkers use their hands for defense, and the good defensive player does likewise. Movement of the hands and feet discourages passing and shooting and shows that the defensive player is on the ball.
16. Watch your opponent's belly-button. We like our defensive players to keep their eyes glued to a part of the offensive ball-player that can't fool them -- the belly-button.
17. Pick up the first man. When you are back or coming down the floor ahead of the rest of your teammates, pick up the first offensive player down the court, whether it's your assigned player or not.
18. Don't leave your feet on defense. Good defensive players keep their head up and their feet on the ground.
19. Get position for rebounds. Instinct and sensing the direction of the shot and the angle of the rebound enables players to move into the correct rebounding position.
20. If you can't rebound, you can't win. Good rebounding limits the opponents' shots and this is the key to winning basketball games.
21. The first fast-break pass must be perfect. The fast break must get started with a quick outlet pass. If the first pass is a good one, the fast break is underway. After it's started, it's hard to stop.
22. You must make 70 percent of your free throws. There is no excuse for being a poor free-throw shooter. Practice, confidence, and the proper technique are the keys.
23. Keep the defense busy. If all five offensive players keep moving, their opponents cannot afford to sag or float. Moving with or without the ball forces the defense into making mistakes.
24. Don't cross the backboard to shoot. A player should learn to shoot from both sides of the basket and with both hands.
25. Never underrate an opponent. Be ready to play every game. Overconfidence can affect a team's play. It is wise to remember that it is only the underdog who can do the upsetting.
26. Practice does not always make perfect -- if you practice the wrong thing. Players often work long and hard and make little progress because they are practicing incorrectly.
By Alvin Julian
Hall of Fame coach Alvin "Doggie" Julian led Holy Cross to the 1947 NCAA Championship.
During his 41-year coaching career, he also coached the Celtics and at Dartmouth, where he won three Ivy League titles.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Twist of fate rewrote Dotzler's dream script
Great article here about Josh Dotzler and his life lessons:
Call him a survivor. Dotzler's senior day at Creighton arrives on Saturday. It's been a long career, a good one in many ways, but not the one he or anyone else dreamed of four years ago.
Somebody lost the Hollywood script. Dotzler had it all in front of him back then. He had committed to Creighton as a sophomore at Bellevue West. His team won the state title his senior year. He was a two-time Nebraska Player of the Year. Big-time schools were starting to look at him. But he was going to Creighton.
He matched the hype as a freshman. Dotzler ranked high among Missouri Valley guards in steals and assists and assist/turnover margin. He had a jumper. He could guard. He was on the road to becoming one of the best players ever to wear a Bluejay uniform, certainly one of the most popular. This was the Omaha hoops dream.
Doctors repair knees, not dreams.
Dotzler suffered a torn PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) in his right knee. It's rare, almost fluky. Players can come back from ACL tears. But PCL injuries are different. They are ruthless. They rob potential. They gut dreams.
"I really haven't thought about it, except when people ask," Dotzler said. "I truly believe things happen for a reason, so you can learn from all experiences. There's no sense in thinking about what might have been, because it's not going to happen."
Josh said, "There were times when I thought, should I even be playing? Am I good enough to play on this team? Am I good enough to play on this level? I went through some tough times. I never dealt with injuries before, never sat out. I didn't know if my body would respond."
Dotzler did not fall apart. He comes from a large family, a good family. He's married. He's mature. He's extremely grounded and classy. He has more than basketball to fall back on, even as he continues to dive for loose balls. And he has been a mentor to freshman point guard Antoine Young, who grew up watching Dotzler at Bellevue West. The torch is being passed with care.
"I've learned a lot from Josh," Young said. "I've watched him as a leader, watched how he conducts himself every day. I admired his toughness. He's taught me a lot about toughness, about leadership."
People sometimes wonder why Dotzler plays over Young. One man doesn't. There have been times Dotzler was the only player on the floor playing defense, the only guy doing the things Altman preached. He has been a poster boy for this program.
"Josh has brought so many good qualities to the program," Altman said. "His assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0, top five in the nation) is outstanding. He's a good defender. And he's been a leader. He comes to practice every day trying to get the other guys to play hard. Before games he'll be trying to get them going. That's draining. He's had to carry that load."
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Colin Powell's Rules
More from Coach Tressel's book, THE WINNER'S MANUAL:
Colin Powell’s Rules
1) It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning
2) Get mad, then get over it
3) Avoid having our ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it
4) It can be done!
5) Be careful what you choose. You may get it
6) Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision
7) You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.
8) Check small things
9) Share credit
10) Remain calm. Be kind
11) Have vision. Be demanding
12) Don’t take the counsel of your fears or naysayers
13) Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier
Additional Thoughts:
Humility precedes honor.
~Proverbs 18:12
If we were humble, nothing would change us- neither praise nor discouragement.
~Mother Teresa
Colin Powell’s Rules
1) It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning
2) Get mad, then get over it
3) Avoid having our ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it
4) It can be done!
5) Be careful what you choose. You may get it
6) Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision
7) You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.
8) Check small things
9) Share credit
10) Remain calm. Be kind
11) Have vision. Be demanding
12) Don’t take the counsel of your fears or naysayers
13) Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier
Additional Thoughts:
Humility precedes honor.
~Proverbs 18:12
If we were humble, nothing would change us- neither praise nor discouragement.
~Mother Teresa
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Global Village
From Coach Tressel's book, THE WINNER'S MANUAL:
If we could shrink the earth’s population to a village of precisely one hundred people, with all the existing human rations remaining the same, the village would include..
60 Asians
12 Europeans
15 from the Western Hemisphere (9 Latin Americans, 5 North Americans, and 1 Oceanian), and 13 Africans.
Of those one hundred people…
50 would be female
50 would be male
80 would be nonwhite
20 would be white
67 would be non-Christian
33 would be Christian
20 would earn 89 percent of wealth
25 would live in substandard housing
17 would be unable to read
13 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would die within the year
2 would give birth within the year
2 would have a college education, and
4 would own a computer
From there, it’s only a short jump to apply the same principle to our everyday lives. Sure, the guy at the next locker has a better car, or he’s a starter on the team, or there are scouts looking at him; but in the big picture we are all blessed, and we need to recognize that and let it work its way into our lives
To determine whether people are living a grateful life, we can look in the classroom or the home or wherever they spend their time. If they’re not committed to becoming the best students in the classroom of the best sons or daughters at home, that’s a huge warning sing. I think the person who has a right attitude is able to say, “Man, am I lucky to be here! I need to study- I really don’t like this class, but I’m so thankful I’m here that I’m going to study hard. Practice is hard, but I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity I have.” Constant reminders of how fortunate we are can help us to keep things in proper perspective.
If we could shrink the earth’s population to a village of precisely one hundred people, with all the existing human rations remaining the same, the village would include..
60 Asians
12 Europeans
15 from the Western Hemisphere (9 Latin Americans, 5 North Americans, and 1 Oceanian), and 13 Africans.
Of those one hundred people…
50 would be female
50 would be male
80 would be nonwhite
20 would be white
67 would be non-Christian
33 would be Christian
20 would earn 89 percent of wealth
25 would live in substandard housing
17 would be unable to read
13 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would die within the year
2 would give birth within the year
2 would have a college education, and
4 would own a computer
From there, it’s only a short jump to apply the same principle to our everyday lives. Sure, the guy at the next locker has a better car, or he’s a starter on the team, or there are scouts looking at him; but in the big picture we are all blessed, and we need to recognize that and let it work its way into our lives
To determine whether people are living a grateful life, we can look in the classroom or the home or wherever they spend their time. If they’re not committed to becoming the best students in the classroom of the best sons or daughters at home, that’s a huge warning sing. I think the person who has a right attitude is able to say, “Man, am I lucky to be here! I need to study- I really don’t like this class, but I’m so thankful I’m here that I’m going to study hard. Practice is hard, but I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity I have.” Constant reminders of how fortunate we are can help us to keep things in proper perspective.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Final Score
"The only awards I've ever cherished have been team awards. Most of the time when you get an award, you say 'I want to thank my teammates for helping me.' But I want to thank my teammates for letting me help them because my agenda was to win games, nothing else. And my teammates allowed me to let them do their best. So this award is for the affirmation of team play."
~Bill Russell, Boston Celtics, 5-Time MVP
~Bill Russell, Boston Celtics, 5-Time MVP
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tough Teams Talk
Talking to teammates - helping each other verbally - is one of the most obvious differences between good, tough players and soft, mediocre ones. Just getting in the habit of calling out your man and the ball 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 take a charge, 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.
Friday, February 6, 2009
When you play on the road, you need men
Great blog from Coach Emuss...
In the words of Muhammad Ali:
"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road - long before I dance under those lights."
At 19-4, winners of six of their last seven, Mizzou has already won three more games than all of last season. According to this story in today's St. Louis paper, increased intensity in practice is one reason for the Tigers' turnaround.
"Coach Mike Anderson is a strong believer that road games are pretty much won by toughness," said junior guard Zaire Taylor. "He always says, 'When you go on the road, we need men,' and that is pretty much the mentality we've been taking in practices.
The reason we've won our last two games is because of our practices. Ever since we lost at Kansas State, our practices have been like wars. We've been taking (hard work) that we've been bringing in practices and we're bringing that same energy into games. The practices have taken a step up.
When I go home from practice now, I feel more bruised than I do after games. The competitive atmosphere is real high. You wouldn't know we are teammates by the way we get after each other."
In the words of Muhammad Ali:
"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road - long before I dance under those lights."
At 19-4, winners of six of their last seven, Mizzou has already won three more games than all of last season. According to this story in today's St. Louis paper, increased intensity in practice is one reason for the Tigers' turnaround.
"Coach Mike Anderson is a strong believer that road games are pretty much won by toughness," said junior guard Zaire Taylor. "He always says, 'When you go on the road, we need men,' and that is pretty much the mentality we've been taking in practices.
The reason we've won our last two games is because of our practices. Ever since we lost at Kansas State, our practices have been like wars. We've been taking (hard work) that we've been bringing in practices and we're bringing that same energy into games. The practices have taken a step up.
When I go home from practice now, I feel more bruised than I do after games. The competitive atmosphere is real high. You wouldn't know we are teammates by the way we get after each other."
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Do NOT Quit
"When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do not quit.
Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit."
~Unknown
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do not quit.
Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit."
~Unknown
Sunday, January 25, 2009
"IF" by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
By Rudyard Kipling
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
By Rudyard Kipling
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A player whose agenda is to make his teammates better
The following blog is from Eric Musselman's Basketball Notebook. Good stuff...
Doc Rivers on PHX guard Steve Nash's role and what third-year BOS guard Rajon Rondo can learn from Nash, who is in his 13th NBA season:
"Every night Steve's agenda is to make his teammates better. And he does it every night. He does it some nights by scoring and passing. Other nights he decides to be a ball mover and does it. But that's what Nash does every single night. He always does that.
The one thing that Rondo can learn from Nash is Nash may not play well every night, but he doesn't have an off night. He has a great mental focus every single night. He does it every night. I've never seen him play in a game where he has no focus or low focus. Young players, in general, are up and down in that."
Doc Rivers on PHX guard Steve Nash's role and what third-year BOS guard Rajon Rondo can learn from Nash, who is in his 13th NBA season:
"Every night Steve's agenda is to make his teammates better. And he does it every night. He does it some nights by scoring and passing. Other nights he decides to be a ball mover and does it. But that's what Nash does every single night. He always does that.
The one thing that Rondo can learn from Nash is Nash may not play well every night, but he doesn't have an off night. He has a great mental focus every single night. He does it every night. I've never seen him play in a game where he has no focus or low focus. Young players, in general, are up and down in that."
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Are You Going to Finish Strong?
"When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at this rock perhaps 100 times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the 101st blow, it will split in two and I know it was not that blow that did it. But all that had gone before." ~Jacob Riis
Monday, January 12, 2009
Senior Spotlight: Joshua Harnisch
Player: Double-J, #32Birthday: May 28, 1990
Favorite TV show: Everybody Loves Raymond
What’s on my iPod: Anything Rihanna sings
My car or truck: Ford Ranger
Favorite movies: Gladiator, Slumdog Millionaire, We Were Soldiers
Favorite computer bookmarks: ESPN, Facebook, Drudge Report
Love to trade places with for one day...(and why): Clay Anderson. He's the first Nebraskan to go to space, and he's getting to do it again.
Favorite food: Pizza
My hero: Neil Armstrong
My favorite sports team(s): THE Boston Red Sox
My favorite sports memory (so far): Making it to State Cross Country as a junior.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
"Coach's Corner"
Another memory being made- this time Coach Bubba, Hueser and Simpson enjoy another tall tale from Coach Cooley!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Subbing (Player's Handbook Chapter)
It takes a special player to come off the bench and help his team. It is a role many players do not enjoy, but a very important role, in some cases more important than a starter. The following questions should be contemplated to help prepare for such a situation.
Whom am I going in for?
*What was his assignment?
*Whom will I guard?
*What are his strengths and weaknesses?
*What are his physical attributes?
*Does he have a dominant hand?
*Does he go hard to the boards?
*Is he a good defender?
*Is he a good ball handler?
*Does he go for head and ball fakes?
*What side of the floor does he prefer to play on?
*Is he a shooter?
*If so, from where?
*Does he shoot better off the dribble or pass?
*Does he use head and ball fakes?
*Is he a good free throw shooter?
How are the officials calling the game?
*Is it being called close or are they letting us play?
What is the official's "favorite" call?
*Traveling?
*Moving screens?
*Three-seconds?
*Palming?
What is the tempo of the game?
*Are we attempting to score from transition?
*Have we given up any lay-ups?
*How is our halfcourt game?
*Are we executing?
*Why am I going into the game?
*To rebound?
*To score?
*To assert myself defensively?
*To rest a teammate?
*To ignite my teammates?
What defense are we playing?
*Are we playing man-to-man?
*Can we afford to guard tight or do we need to sag off?
*Who are their "zone busters"?
*Do they have a dominant center you should help cover down?
*Have we pressed?
*Do you expect us to be pressing soon?
What offense are we running?
*What has worked the best so far?
What else should I know?
*How many time-outs do we have left?
*Are we in the bonus?
*What is the score?
*How much time is remaining?
Whom am I going in for?
*What was his assignment?
*Whom will I guard?
*What are his strengths and weaknesses?
*What are his physical attributes?
*Does he have a dominant hand?
*Does he go hard to the boards?
*Is he a good defender?
*Is he a good ball handler?
*Does he go for head and ball fakes?
*What side of the floor does he prefer to play on?
*Is he a shooter?
*If so, from where?
*Does he shoot better off the dribble or pass?
*Does he use head and ball fakes?
*Is he a good free throw shooter?
How are the officials calling the game?
*Is it being called close or are they letting us play?
What is the official's "favorite" call?
*Traveling?
*Moving screens?
*Three-seconds?
*Palming?
What is the tempo of the game?
*Are we attempting to score from transition?
*Have we given up any lay-ups?
*How is our halfcourt game?
*Are we executing?
*Why am I going into the game?
*To rebound?
*To score?
*To assert myself defensively?
*To rest a teammate?
*To ignite my teammates?
What defense are we playing?
*Are we playing man-to-man?
*Can we afford to guard tight or do we need to sag off?
*Who are their "zone busters"?
*Do they have a dominant center you should help cover down?
*Have we pressed?
*Do you expect us to be pressing soon?
What offense are we running?
*What has worked the best so far?
What else should I know?
*How many time-outs do we have left?
*Are we in the bonus?
*What is the score?
*How much time is remaining?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Are you a LEADER?
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
~John Quincy Adams (1825-1829); 6th US President
Also: Go to Coach Cooley's blog for a great article on "CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP"!
~John Quincy Adams (1825-1829); 6th US President
Also: Go to Coach Cooley's blog for a great article on "CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP"!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
You're Never As Good As You Think, Nor As Bad As You Think
It's ironic that the following article was just posted on Coach Musselman's blog. As you recall, we (Titans) just addressed this topic after our loss to Creighton Prep and the importance of communication and problem solving following a poor performance (game or practice). I shared a Kearney State memory from back in the day when the Lopers lost the first playoff game to Hastings in a best of three series. On the van ride home the team (without the coaches) talked in depth about what needed to be corrected. This impressed me and I was only the ballboy at the time!:) Needless to say, Kearney came back to win the next two games and advance to the National Tournament. Check out the story below and see for yourself how important it is for all teams to "talk their game"!
WHEN YOU'RE BAD, YOU'RE NOT THAT FAR FROM BEING GOOD
When most teams lose, they try to put it behind them as quickly as possible. "Forget it and move on" is a common thought.
Not in Boston.
According to an article in the Boston Globe yesterday, "The Celtics' Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce have been having postgame powwows to go over wins and losses since joining forces last season. When things are good, 'The Big Three' have quick postgame talks. But on the rare occasion when things are bad, like Tuesday, Allen, Garnett, and Pierce are the last three players to leave the locker room."
"That's kind of like the meetings of the minds," Allen said. "When you're frustrated, you have to just find a way to make sure we talk it out. We just try to understand by bouncing [things] off of each other. What are we doing? What's going on? How did we talk? Every game we go in there and sit back and say, 'What do you guys see? What's going on?'"
When you win, you don't even have to talk about the game," Allen said. "You just go in the back and you relax. You're chillin' after spending a hard day's work and having a little something to eat. But when you lose, that's what we do, we sit back and talk it out.
Any time we've lost it's the same because we take losing hard. When we talk about what went wrong, we can talk about the same thing every conversation. Any team that loses, loses the same way. Teams win the same way every time. It's the same stuff.
Experience tells you that you're not as good as you think you are. You're not that far from being bad. But when you're bad, you're not that far from being good. You just have to find a way to improve on the things you've been doing."
WHEN YOU'RE BAD, YOU'RE NOT THAT FAR FROM BEING GOOD
When most teams lose, they try to put it behind them as quickly as possible. "Forget it and move on" is a common thought.
Not in Boston.
According to an article in the Boston Globe yesterday, "The Celtics' Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce have been having postgame powwows to go over wins and losses since joining forces last season. When things are good, 'The Big Three' have quick postgame talks. But on the rare occasion when things are bad, like Tuesday, Allen, Garnett, and Pierce are the last three players to leave the locker room."
"That's kind of like the meetings of the minds," Allen said. "When you're frustrated, you have to just find a way to make sure we talk it out. We just try to understand by bouncing [things] off of each other. What are we doing? What's going on? How did we talk? Every game we go in there and sit back and say, 'What do you guys see? What's going on?'"
When you win, you don't even have to talk about the game," Allen said. "You just go in the back and you relax. You're chillin' after spending a hard day's work and having a little something to eat. But when you lose, that's what we do, we sit back and talk it out.
Any time we've lost it's the same because we take losing hard. When we talk about what went wrong, we can talk about the same thing every conversation. Any team that loses, loses the same way. Teams win the same way every time. It's the same stuff.
Experience tells you that you're not as good as you think you are. You're not that far from being bad. But when you're bad, you're not that far from being good. You just have to find a way to improve on the things you've been doing."
Friday, January 2, 2009
For The Love Of The Game
Wow! This is a very interesting story about Elena Delle Donne. At one time, Elena was said to be the "future face of women's basketball" only to call it quits due to burn out. All the more reason to maintain proper balance in all that we do. See what you think!:)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Attitude, Effort & Preparation
"With Larry Bird, it was always about the joy of TEAM. It was always about the joy of WINNING...Here's a guy not blessed with a terrific body, a guy who was not fast, a guy who couldn't jump high. Yet, he was a phenomenal offensive player and an incredible team defensive player...Two things separate Larry- how smart he is and how hard he works."
~Bill Walton
"I always thought I played the game at the level that I was pleased with. I always tried to play as hard as I possibly could and I always prepared myself to play."
~Larry Bird
~Bill Walton
"I always thought I played the game at the level that I was pleased with. I always tried to play as hard as I possibly could and I always prepared myself to play."
~Larry Bird
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