A Great Virtue

It's easy to write about a great game or  a poorly played game, but just how do you write about a game that saw very little play for about seven minutes?  I guess you just start writing and see what comes out.  Tonight's game was a frustrating game.  Even the camera guy from the televsion news left.  Why stay?  The majority of the game he stayed to watch involved two things:  1.  The Blackman players standing around while one of their players held the ball, and 2.  The Siegel players waiting patiently, very patiently, for the game to get underway.  The second half saw action, and it just wasn't pretty. 

Siegel won 30 - 10.  The crowd cheered when Blackman finally scored to take their points from 2 - 4--that would be Siegel's crowd in Siegel Nation.  A strange game indeed.  Of course, with any strange game comes unexpected things, right?  For me, the unexpected was the extra time that many of our players were able to play.  Robert Brandon showed good leadership when he took the ball.  That's always exciting to see a younger player feeling that part.  Cedrick had a dunk that brought the house down, and luckily not the goal.  It was a beautiful thing.  Stephen, well he had some fouls called for things he couldn't have possibly done, but he handled it much better this game than he might have previously...he smiled. 

Siegel didn't get to play their game, necessarily, but the patience they showed that long playless period was a impressive.  Of course, they didn't think of it on their own.  Coach Dotson shows them each practice how anything's done, and I think that's what he did tonight with that inordinate amount of holding time.  He could have had the players go after the ball, but I think their enduring patience was as interesting to watch as the ballhandler's questioning looks to his coach were.  Patience is not an easy thing, guys.  You kept it well.

So, what would I take away from the game to say to our guys that they might do differently?  Well, we had a lot of opportunities with steals, and instead of taking a little time (the patience they showed so well earlier) and looking for someone they might throw the ball, most players wanted to take the shot themselves.  I am convinced that when the individuals allow their teammates to take the better shots, when that pass that can't be read by the other team comes instinctively, that is when I will know we can hold our own against anyone. 

I sure do enjoy watching these guys play ball.  We have a good team.  We have talent, wisdom, strength in a bench, and drive.  And heck, we have patience.  The coach and players taught a great lesson to the fans on that one.  Patience is a virtue, after all, isn't it? Nice job, Siegel.

A Win Across Town

I understand that a local rivalry is a great thing, but I think the rival of choice depends on your vantage point.  In the case of Siegel's coach, a Riverdale grad, it surely had to be a little extra sweet to see his team play well against his alma mater.  Add to that the fact that Siegel's principal is the brother of Riverdale's principal.  Yes sir, beating Riverdale was a good thing.  It was no cakewalk, however, as Riverdale came on strong and really didn't let up. 

I'm not sure there is anyone on the varsity team who didn't get to play for at least a minute tonight.  There were lots of fast breaks, lots of flights above the rim, and a few misses.  It was a good night for Siegel, though.  I've talked before about the importance of the fans, and tonight was not an exception.  I am pretty sure that when Connor Smith came in, the eruption in the student section was noticed by more people than just your writer.  He responded well, and it was fun to see Smith out on the floor. 

Lots of baskets tonight drew fan approval, but hands down, the fan favorite had to be the basket of John Simpson.  Any time players from the bench are able to contribute, it's especially exciting!

The Stars will host Blackman the 21st and Overton the 22nd (Saturday at 3:00).  As the team continues to play intuitively of each other's moves, they will be even more exciting to watch.  Hope you'll be able to join us for the games!

Rivalry Means Fun for Fans

Basketball is about the game, about the team, about the players, and, in a local rivalry, basketball is about the fans.  I'm not sure how long it takes fans in the student sections to prepare for the game, but the fans at the Siegel - Oakland game were on their game.  Fans from Oakland came in sporting handheld fans with the face of one of Siegel's players, chanting his name as they fanned.  Fans from Siegel, the notorious Siegel Nation, came in their Oakland gameday t-shirts, with the front row fans shirtless, chests painted to spell out

S I E G E L  N A T I O N. 

 The kids look forward to the game.  The adults look forward to the game, too, seeing how the house was pretty packed before the beginning of the girls' game.  It's a big night, an emotion-filled night, and really, it's all about who will come out the winner.

It was not a disappointing game, in the sense that our team won.  It's always frustrating when the calls by the refs don't seem to be consistent, unless they are consistently wrong.  There are no better players, coaches, or refs in the building than those in the stands.  As I move around the room taking pictures, I hear comments from fans of both teams.  The players should do this, the coaches should do that, and the refs should get glasses.  That's how it's been for years, isn't it?  I have yet to hear of a coach who says, "So, give me some ideas on what you'd do differently" to the fans.  Perhaps a town-hall style meeting is on the horizon.

Now, for the game.  Nerve-wracking might be a good description.  I guess that's what makes fans leave saying "Wow, great game!" But I'm happy to have a big lead early on and not lose it.  This game went into overtime, and this fan is glad it ended as it did.

We have some really good talent on the Siegel team.  We also have some guys who need to learn that they must play more as a team, always aware of the teammate who is in a better position to take the ball or the shot.  Siegel is full of talent.  The players must decide that they want to win badly enough that they are willing to put some thought into how they can be a better team member, not just a better ball handler.  Basketball is a thinking game, a game of strategy, often.  Lastly, foul shots make or break a game almost always.  The other team usually knows who to foul.  I hope that the other teams will be afraid to foul anyone, knowing that everyone will be making those charity line shots.

I do love watching the Siegel men play ball.  It was great to see Stephen Hurt back in play.  His improvement from last season to this season is evident.  Coach Dotson has obviously put some time into helping Hurt mature as a player.  By the end of the season, I think we'll see even more improvement.  Cedrick is a fan favorite.  He's great to watch when he decides to dunk, and amazing when he blocks a shot.  Janeal, Taj, and Treyton are drivers, not afraid to plow right into the thick of those guarding the net. Kyle shoots three-pointers like they are effortless.  Connor wasn't in much last night, but he's a good shooter, too. Labrock always hustles when he gets in the game, and I like to see him play.  Damien Clark may only be a sophomore, but he makes an impact when he enters the game.  Well, I could run through the whole roster.  How many times can I say it...Siegel has talent.  Stats are linked from our web page, so you can see for yourself the impact many of these guys had on the game last night.  Sometimes, it's the players whose names you don't see who are making just as much an impact.  Pay attention.

Tuesday night will find us at Riverdale, taking on another local rival, The Warriors.  I'm counting on our fellas bringing their best game to the building.  Sometimes, just being in a different setting brings focus that you lose oftentimes at home.  Either way, Coach D has a great group, and they are providing lots of excitement this season.    Maybe Coach Dotson will author one of the blog posts.  That would provide yet another perspective to you, the reader, the fan.

SNOW...SNOW...SNOW...

Good Morning!  It's a beautiful snowy morning in Murfreesboro.  The game between the Freshman/JV Men and LaVergne's team has been cancelled due to the weather. It's really incredible to see so much snow here.  Enjoy the day, and catch the JV/Freshman Thursday night as they travel down the road to Oakland.

It's 2011...How Will the Game Develop

They've played in several tournaments, and played well.  The question at this point in the season for me is "How well will the guys play together, as a team, to get themselves to State?"  I watched the game last night, Siegel hosting Smyrna, and decided that they are moving along nicely.  Was it really necessary to draw technicals before the game started?  No, but who knew there was a correct way to run onto the court?  I've played and followed basketball most of my life, and that was news to me.  I will have to make reading the rulebook one of my New Year's Resolutions.  It sure made for a nervous start for this fan.  Whew!  Glad they pulled together and played a winning game.

I was really impressed with the tenacity Taj showed, and Janeal.  They never walked, always hustled.  There were others hustling, but those two really caught my eye.  Cedrick is so much fun to watch--as he easily blocks shots.  I've learned, too, that there are certain players who seem to appear when we need a three-pointer.  It always pulls Siegel Nation into the action.  Well, heck, I like watching all of them play.  This is one great team.  I hope to see more serious play as the season moves along.  Yeah, if they all play with the mind to play their hardest, they will be holding their own when tourney time rolls around.

Oh, and guess who we saw walking toward the locker room after the game?  Keith Ramsey!  Nothing like seeing the old players come around.  I hope he'll take time while he's home to give the guys some encouragement.  He's a success story from Siegel, for sure.

Tuesday night will be here before we know it, as the fellas travel to LaVergne.  Then...it's time to host local rival Oakland.  Friday night is sure to be a packed house and an exciting evening.