It’s finally here.
It’s playoff time. It’s win or go home time. It’s the time of year that players and coaches have been preparing for since the off-season.
We were fortunate to win our final two games and finish the regular season 22-7 (14-4 in conference). That enabled us to secure the #1 seed in the WCAC playoffs. Our first game is at home this Friday.
This quote reflects our team’s outlook:
“Respect every opponent; don’t take anyone lightly. On any given night, you can beat anyone. On any given night, anyone can beat you.”
If we execute and ‘Play Present’ for 32 minutes… we will win.
If we don’t… we will lose.
It’s that simple.
Our preparation won’t change. Although we recognize that everything is heightened during the playoffs, we will continue to emphasize the same things we have all year long:
· Play hard! In the blink of an eye, this season will be over. There is no reason to hold back. Leave all of your heart, soul, and love on the court. Play with passion. Play with a sense of urgency. For seniors, your next game could be your last high school basketball game ever.
· Play smart! Value the ball. Think the game. Make the easy play. Make the right play. Don’t try to be the hero, do what you do best. If you miss an easy shot, commit a stupid foul, or make a careless turnover… quickly move on to the ‘Next Play.’ Don’t let one bad play turn into two.
· Play together! Love your teammates. Be unselfish. Regardless of your role, do everything in your power to help your team be successful. Have pride in your program. Stay focused and committed to your coach’s game plan. Don’t let anything distract you… on or off the court.
· Have fun! Don’t get nervous, get excited! Be thankful for the opportunity to play the game you love. Enjoy the journey. You will remember this for the rest of your life.
For updates on our playoff run, please follow me at www.Twitter.com/AlanStein and become a fan at www.Facebook.com/StrongerTeam.
I wish each and every one of you the best in finishing your season. I would love to hear how your team is doing in the playoffs. Feel free to drop me an update at Alan@StrongerTeam.com.
If winning was easy; everyone would be doing it.
Alan Stein
www.StrongerTeam.com
PS: For those of you keeping score at home, I have successfully kept my word and refrained from using profanity in our last 4 games!