Road Trip!

So its been awhile since my last update.  I had a post ready from the weekend of our opening tip off tourney but I forgot to actually post it.  so we will just skip that one and go on.  I will say we won our home opener and then had a battle the second day and unfortunately just ran out of gas in the end.  But the thanksgiving trip was a different story.

We went on a long road trip to Claremont, California.  Every year our program tries to go to or near the home town of our upperclassmen, especially if they live a good ways form the area.  Our senior point guard is from the LA area, so off we went to play in the David Wells Classic.  Immediately after landing in Cal, we headed to Disneyland for some down time.  The girls had a blast and it was good to get out and have fun.  The next day was spent adjusting to the time difference and getting ready for the job ahead. 

We played a great game on Friday and gritted out a tough win to the host team and won by 5.  The team really didn't play that great but they pulled it out.  The worst part of the evening was that the refs we had made the NFL replacement refs look like Ed  Hochuli, and that's giving them lots more credit than they deserve. 

Saturday morning we went to the K1 speed track and had a blast flying our go-carts around the track and occasionally into each other.  It was a great way to relax between games and just glad no one got hurt. With our team that's always a plus.

Saturday's game was another battle.  We started off so flat we made a piece of paper look fat.  Nothing was falling, really the only thing that seemed to be going our way is the refs were so much better.  The girls fought hard to keep things close and at halftime were only down 6.  Considering we only shot 18% in the first half, that's and accomplishment to be that close.  The second half has been our downfall over the last few games, but this would be different.

We had a great start to the second half and at one point even had a 6-8 point lead.  But then the atmosphere got cold again.  The girls seemed to be losing steam and soon found us down by 13 point with only about 10 minutes to go.  We called a time out to try and light the fire.  Then when it looked like we found a spark the wind blew it right out.  It went that way for several minutes and then all of the sudden, like a California wild fire rushing down the mountain, we got hot.  It all started with a 3 point bank shot, then one of the girls light out the sky with rockets.  Luckily our point guard kept feeding her the ball in perfect timing so she could catch and shot and in the process broke the school career assist record.  Before we knew it, we were back in it.  We tied it, got a lead, they tied back, we took the lead and a bit more and before we knew it all we needed to do was drain the clock and play smart defense.  With only a few minutes left and a down by 5 all the other team could do was foul and hope for the best.  Luckily we made just enough from the charity strip to keep the lead. Finally with less than 10 seconds to go and a 5 point lead, our defense sealed it with a lock down so good they could even get a desperation shot off at the buzzer. 

That made it a nice round trip, 2-0 in front of our senior point guard's friends and family, her breaking the assist record and our team proving they have what it takes to win close games on the road.  Now on to two more games this week and then a bit a of break.  I think after this weekend everyone will be ready for that.

Tip Off Time

Well I must say its been a long time coming but the start of the official season in just about about 40 hours away.  The relationships are getting better.  I really think things for both coaches and players is really starting to settle in and making everyone a bit more friendly and getting to know each other.  It has been a really good week.
Last Thursday we had and Exhibition game against the Australian Institute of Sport.  It basically amounts to the training facility for their junior Olympic team.  While the score was a bit one sided, our girls had a blast and really learned so much about themselves and each other.  They just enjoyed the experience, since most of them will never get a chance to play against and international team, they really took it all in. We are proud of the way they handled the entire situation.  It really became a real bonding experience for us all and gave our leaders a real chance to step up and encourage the team.
 
Friday we host our tip-off tournament.  It will be a great weekend and hopefully in the mix we can pull out a win.  I am looking forward the the entire weekend although I am sure I will crash hard when its all over.  That is to recover just in time to jet off to California for our Thanksgiving tourney.  Guess that's the life of a college coach.  Loving every minute of it!!!!  The late nights, the tired days, the sore muscles, the long drives!  Yeah it takes its toll but hey I rest up for 7 1/2 months for 4 1/2 months of pure joy, passion, love and adrenaline.  Makes it all worth while.  Can't wait to do this for a living.  I long for the days to make what I love ALL that I do!!!!!  They will come, Lord willing!

Relationships

I have been contemplating over this post for several days.  I am not really sure where to begin or even what to write about.   Its been a week and a half.  I am finally beginning to find my voice at practice and speak up when I feel its appropriate.  Its different but its nice, I think.  I am starting to build a re pore with some of the girls.  I was walking across the parking lot to the gym a few days ago and from across the street I heard someone yell, "Hey Coach C."  I smiled turned and waved at two of our players.  Lately as soon as I walk into the gym I hear a few more, "Hey Coach C" 's and it makes me smile. 

I think the hardest relationship to forge is the one with my head coach.  Not sure if its her or me or a little of both but its just not gong as well as I hoped.  Don't get me wrong, we get along well and we often just chit chat but that true coaching bond hasn't happened yet.  My thinking is that its because we are so different both in our backgrounds and coaching styles.  She played ball t a a D 1 school and I barely played in high school.  And as I have learned from my readings lately she is more of a transactional coach and I am working to be more of a transformational coach.  Its tough, when I see her do things or says things that I don't necessarily agree with but it is her program and so I don't feel its my place to say anything. 

One thing is has helped my realize is that Lord willing one day when I am a head college coach, I will do my best to make any assistants I have welcome and glad to be there.  I will give them specific jobs and a say in things rather just coming along for the ride.  I want to mentor them as much or even more than I mentor my players.  I want them to know they are an important part of the team.  I am learning first hand just how hard being an assistant college coach is.  If I take nothing else form this experience, its how or not how to treat, deal with and mentor assistant coaches. 

I know with relationship between the head coach and I will get better as we feel more comfortable with each other.   It takes time to build lasting relationships.  I will do my best to make it easier and can only pray and ask the Lord to guide me along the way and if nothing else be a good influence and witness to her just simply through my words actions and deeds.