Tears stung my eyes when I realized that the final buzzer had buzzed in the final game of some of Siegel's star players. I wasn't expecting that...the end or my response. I realized that I had become quite attached to the guys playing, and I think that's ok when you are part a particular team, as opposed to photographing a myriad of events. Knowing that some of our guys might have just played their last organized game left me feeling sad, knowing that several of our guys most certainly played their last game in Siegel uniforms, though, reminded me that they have been a part of a wonderful thing that will stay with them for years to come.
That's the beauty of being a part of an organized group in high school...the things you learn under that leader are things, lessons, you will be able to use for years. I guess it depends on the leader as to whether the lessons are ones that you will emulate or steer away from as you move on through life. In the case of the seniors at Siegel, I think they will, for the most part, remember their lessons fondly and use those lessons to propel them and shape them into even finer men.
Coach Dotson isn't the coach everyone thinks he should be...just ask ten people in the stands and you'll get ten different opinions on how he should act, mentor, and coach differently. But when it's all said and done, I applaud him. I believe he lives by words of John Wooden, when Wooden said "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." He has shown kindness to his team members, he has been a friend. He has expected much from his team, he has expected much of himself.
It has been a great year with a great record and a great group of young men learning about being a part of a team. In one of my earliest posts, I remember talking about the fact that only when these players realized and bowed to the fact that they are a part of a team would they be State Tournament material. In this year, they have done just that. Most lost their hunger for individual success and replaced it with a hunger and determination for success of the team.
I live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I am proud to be associated with a group of players like we've had this year. I salute the seniors, especially: Oscar, Stephen, Cedrick, Taj, Connor, Kyle, Labrock, Kris...you are delightful people. Treyton, you are the leader of the next season's team, and I trust that you will help them all see the importance of putting aside your personal triumphs for the sake of a team. You have grown a lot this year. Damien, Robert, John A., and Aden--you will need to begin even now to think as leaders and help rally this team and its members to be driven to compete and succeed in the next season.
Siegel High School Basketball, Men: 2010-2011 District Champs, regular season, District Champs, tournament, Region Champs, State Tournament Final Four contestants
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So as not to mar the beauty of the post, I will separate my comments of the game from my comments of the team.
The games, the quarterfinal game and the semi-final game, were poorly officiated. The imbalance of fouls in both games is evidence, the pictures showing fouls never called are evidence, the sight of officials unable to see a play yet making the calls is evidence. I hope that TSSAA will spend some time between now and the beginning of the next season training the officials to be the best they can be. There are several quality refs in the game. I've seen many this year that have been so good in their job, that it is even more frustrating to see those who butcher the calls, blatantly.
Would Siegel have won the final game, had it been better officiated? I can't answer that, but I can say that there is no question that poor calls can beat a team down pretty quickly. The opening press of Bearden beat Siegel down, but they were able to rally and tie the game at 50. I can only imagine that being called for fouls which didn't occur and being called the ones to last touch a ball on its way out of bounds when they were not were quickly deflating to the team. Still, I am proud of these players who fought back with all they had.
Come on TSSAA, be accountable to your teams, hold your officials accountable for their calls.
That's the beauty of being a part of an organized group in high school...the things you learn under that leader are things, lessons, you will be able to use for years. I guess it depends on the leader as to whether the lessons are ones that you will emulate or steer away from as you move on through life. In the case of the seniors at Siegel, I think they will, for the most part, remember their lessons fondly and use those lessons to propel them and shape them into even finer men.
Coach Dotson isn't the coach everyone thinks he should be...just ask ten people in the stands and you'll get ten different opinions on how he should act, mentor, and coach differently. But when it's all said and done, I applaud him. I believe he lives by words of John Wooden, when Wooden said "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." He has shown kindness to his team members, he has been a friend. He has expected much from his team, he has expected much of himself.
It has been a great year with a great record and a great group of young men learning about being a part of a team. In one of my earliest posts, I remember talking about the fact that only when these players realized and bowed to the fact that they are a part of a team would they be State Tournament material. In this year, they have done just that. Most lost their hunger for individual success and replaced it with a hunger and determination for success of the team.
I live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I am proud to be associated with a group of players like we've had this year. I salute the seniors, especially: Oscar, Stephen, Cedrick, Taj, Connor, Kyle, Labrock, Kris...you are delightful people. Treyton, you are the leader of the next season's team, and I trust that you will help them all see the importance of putting aside your personal triumphs for the sake of a team. You have grown a lot this year. Damien, Robert, John A., and Aden--you will need to begin even now to think as leaders and help rally this team and its members to be driven to compete and succeed in the next season.
Siegel High School Basketball, Men: 2010-2011 District Champs, regular season, District Champs, tournament, Region Champs, State Tournament Final Four contestants
__________________________________________________________________________
So as not to mar the beauty of the post, I will separate my comments of the game from my comments of the team.
The games, the quarterfinal game and the semi-final game, were poorly officiated. The imbalance of fouls in both games is evidence, the pictures showing fouls never called are evidence, the sight of officials unable to see a play yet making the calls is evidence. I hope that TSSAA will spend some time between now and the beginning of the next season training the officials to be the best they can be. There are several quality refs in the game. I've seen many this year that have been so good in their job, that it is even more frustrating to see those who butcher the calls, blatantly.
Would Siegel have won the final game, had it been better officiated? I can't answer that, but I can say that there is no question that poor calls can beat a team down pretty quickly. The opening press of Bearden beat Siegel down, but they were able to rally and tie the game at 50. I can only imagine that being called for fouls which didn't occur and being called the ones to last touch a ball on its way out of bounds when they were not were quickly deflating to the team. Still, I am proud of these players who fought back with all they had.
Come on TSSAA, be accountable to your teams, hold your officials accountable for their calls.
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