In the Paint with Coach Green – February 9th, 2017
Coach Green’s Blog
February 9, 2017
“Competitive Greatness”
As we wrap up the 2016-2017 season, it has been a joy and a pleasure to lead the basketball program at Wake Christian. My first year as head coach has been challenging and extremely rewarding. I’m certain I’ve learned more from our teams this year then the players and coaches under my direction have learned from me. I am so appreciative of the commitment of our captains. Any time there is a coaching change there is a sense of uncertainty and our captains did a fantastic job leading our team. I would also be remiss if did not point out the incredible job done by our seniors. They have set the foundation of great things to come. It is all of the little things that we have learned along our journey this season that is so exciting going into our offseason workouts and preparation for next year. We started the season defining success as how hard we competed. It took a little longer than we had hoped but this team has really been competing over the past few weeks. We also had a number of new faces on the roster this year as well as the fact that some of our teammates coming from football joined us a little later in the season. Thus it took us a little longer to “come together” as a team. But we have crossed that valley have been playing our best basketball as of late. I stated to the team a few weeks ago, “We are not coming together. We are together!” And our competitive effort on the floor has really proven that point.
Our last block of coach Wooden’s pyramid is Competitive Greatness. Coach’s definition of Competitive Greatness is “having a real love for the hard work battle knowing it offers the opportunity to be at your best when your best is required.” While we did not achieve one of our goals, qualifying for the NCISAA State Tournament, we have, in my opinion achieved an even bigger goal. We grew as a team and as young men. Even though we did not qualify for the state tournament our players have worked harder and been more focused our last few weeks of practice than at any time all season. This is direct reflection of understanding the guidance of the pyramid of success. We are playing with a level of confidence that we have not had all season. It’s this effort, energy and focus that makes coming to practice every day a real joy.
As we complete our last week of the season, it is with both sadness and excitement. Sadness that it is our last few days to enjoy the comradery of our seniors and the excitement of the upcoming offseason where we will build on the great growth that we have achieved this season. We have big plans over the off season (i.e. workouts, scrimmages, team camp). Many of our athletes will be playing club basketball and travelling quite a bit. There is no rest for the driven.
To all of Bulldog Nation, I hope you have enjoyed our blog. And a huge thank you for your support this season. Know that we will be working hard the entire off-season. And we can’t wait to see you in the gym next year.
Sincerely,
Coach Green
“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.” Coach John Wooden
