The greatest basketball game I ever coached

The 2006-2007 Redhawks Basketball TeamThis past week was the five-year anniversary of the greatest basketball game I ever coached, and maybe even the greatest sports moment I have ever experienced live and in-person.  It was the shot heard around the world (or at least Roseville, Minnesota), and now that I think back, it is amazing how one basketball shot by a 13-year-old girl changed my perspective on determination and fear.

During the 2006-2007 basketball season, I took the responsiblity of coaching an 8th grade girls basketball team.  It was an up-and-down season, losing more games than we were winning, but we always played competitive ball. Most games were nail-biters, keeping fans on their feet without a doubt, but more importantly was the fact that I just had a great group of girls. At the end of the season, I think it is fair to assume that everyone enjoyed the year and the fun we had as a team.

But this one game, five years ago this past week, is the one that sticks out in my mind like it happened just yesterday. In typical fashion, we were in the middle of another nail-biter game, going back and forth with the school's cross town arch rival (and my grade school alma mater). Falling behind in the fourth quarter, we managed to go on a short run to tie the game up with just seconds to spare.  The opponent, in a last second effort to win the game, turned the ball over by throwing it accidently out of bounds.  Three seconds left and it was our ball.  I immediately called our last timeout.

In the huddle, I saw five girls who were tired and nearly out of breath. They had battled these last couple of minutes, and here I was, looking for just three more seconds of effort. I drew up the out of bounds play, calling on the point guard, Ally, to take the last shot.  All season, Ally had been the leader of the team and by far the most gifted shooter. When I looked at Ally and told her how to position herself on the court, turn and shoot, I saw instant panic.  Then she started to cry.

Dealing with 8th grade girls is certainly a challenge, but this was not what I was expecting to deal with during a game!  I tried my best to calm her down, and told her that we have nothing to lose... even if she misses it, we still have overtime to play.  I said, "just throw it up there".  Eyes still watery, she made her way back onto the court.

If there is any one time during the season where the girls executed a play to perfection, this was it. While I would like to take credit for drawing up the play on the whiteboard during the timeout, the girls' ability to execute it deserves more credit.  The set-up screen for Ally was perfect, the in-bound pass was spot-on, and Ally's shot was... nothing but net.

Being on our home court, our fans went crazy. The girls screamed and jumped up and down. I high-fived and hugged my assistant coach, Nicole. It was pure excitement.  Ally had the biggest glowing smile on her face.

After the game, we huddled as a team. While that was the most quiet moment of the last hour, it was also the most powerful. Each girl's confidence increased because everyone played a role in the win.  Ally gained confidence in herself, which was an amazing experience to be a part of, personally.

Each one of those girls on the team were special and great to know. I have not seen any of them since that season ended. It is hard to believe that by now, some of them are probably in college or have started their working careers.  I did hear later that Ally went on to play basketball at a local high school, where I am sure that game-winning shot stuck in her head. I hope someday she remembers that shot when she thinks something is impossible. I know I do.

The Rear View Mirror

A few weeks ago, I got rear-ended at work. Not in the parking lot while on the lookout for a spot to park my car, but rather while sitting at my desk.  Without going into details that really don't matter, it can pretty much be summed up by saying that one of my co-workers took the step of trying to damage my reputation at some of the highest levels of the organization I work for.  Again, the details of why or how are truly not the important parts of the story, but rather the lesson I learned as a result.

Angry and confused, it was a Friday night when I learned of the act, which pretty much ruined my whole weekend. I was sick to my stomach as to why someone would do what was done. What step had I taken to deserve being treated disrespectfully?  I stewed all weekend over what my next step was going to be. Was I going to go to work Monday and confront the issue head-on, or do I take the high road and let it pass. If there was one thing I knew ahead of Monday, it was that I found out Friday night and Saturday morning that several leaders of the organization had my back, and saw the act as being just plain stupid. That helped me feel a little better about the situation, but the reason for the act still bothered me.

That Monday morning, I decided to just go to work and stay out of the situation. Remaining calm and cool is something my Dad has taught me, and despite my typical reaction in a situation like this, I followed my Dad's long-standing advice.

Not far into the day, I got the notice that my manager wanted to speak with me. I knew the topic was to discuss the whole mess that ruined my weekend.  During the discussion is when I learned the most important lesson of all.  I now knew that the damage I thought had been done, really wasn't done at all. The co-worker's comments were glazed over, with little to no impact. Still confused, I pressed my manager for the answer of "why?". That is when he gave the analogy of the rear view mirror.  The lesson was, individuals around you who may be threatened by your abilities or presence, tend to always be in the rear view mirror - in other words, behind you. Sometimes they ride your tail closely and make you feel uncomfortable. Sometimes they hang back, waiting for you to make a mistake or a wrong turn. No matter what, it is important to remember that you are in the front and only you control your destiny. Keep an eye on them in your rear view mirror, but also know why they are there... because you have worked hard to get where you are and all they can do is stay behind you.

While still not the answer I wanted at the time, weeks later it all makes sense to me.  Let people take their shots at you all they want. People who take shots are usually in the rear view mirror, which means you are in a good place - they are not.