Both Team Were Competitive

7:30 game

Destroyers I      36

Natick               28

8:30 game

Destroyers II      22

Belles                 25

Yesterday, we were competitive against both teams that we played. 

Destroyers who played in the early game had five players score with 2 in double figures. The second game had 2 scorers and several players attempt shots.

Both Destroyers teams showed both defensive sparks of brilliance (and costly defensive lapses.) Both teams were able to create turnovers which lead directly to open lay ups. Our defense gets better every game. One day it will be a source of Destroyers pride. 

I saw several different players on each team able and willing to bring the ball up the floor.

During Games, I am assigning players different roles during each shift in an effort to have every one try everything. If you see some of the smaller players posting up, it is because their turn came before their height arrived. If you see a player striped time and again bringing the ball up the floor, and hear me just encouraging from the bench, it is because it is that player's shift to try to bring up the ball. 

I don't believe in taking a player out of the game because of mistakes. It kills a child's confidence. Basketball is a game of mistakes. I might call a time out, give some encouragement, offer suggestions and have the player keep trying. And you will see me jump up and clap for them when them manage. 

After our late game one of refs commented that we would have won (and by a lot) if I would have started and played Tayja just 5 more minutes or if I let her attack, attack, attack (instead of insisting that she run our offense.) He also pointed out that the other coach gave the bulk of her minutes to 4 players including 2 who played the entire second half. He added that in the long term, ours will be the better prepared players. 

Best yet, a parent of a player from the winning team asked where we are located because she would like her daughter to play with us. She commented on the equal playing time, the letting kids play thru their mistakes and the joy that our kids had while playing.

I loved to see EVERY one of our players hustling and making the most of their floor time. Seemed to me, win or loose, everyone is having fun. Case in point: When I announced that we would take this week off from practice, I was booed. 

Robin