What a season 20-21 has been for Silver Creek boys basketball. To go 25-4 and win a second state championship was an amazing ride, but there is so much you do not know.
We had multiple things occur that could have sidetracked this season, but our guys stayed focused. I am going to let you all in on what we went through and not mention any names.
So here we go.
We had a player that had a fractured lower back.
We had a player injure his ankle and started behind, got mono, came back and then tore his ACL.
We had a player that injured his ankle so badly, we did not know if we would get him to play until February. He ended up playing through the injury the entire season.
We had a player that had a pulled groin muscle and worked through it.
We had a player get covid and had to fight through that.
We had a player in a very bad car accident, and continued on.
We had a player who was huge for us this year that didn't know if he liked basketball and played anyway...thank God.
We had a player who hurt his elbow to the point we thought it was fractured, did play with a broken hand, got covid and had fluid drained off his knee the week before semi-state...and yet played and never complained.
And we had a player who had a shoulder injury and weren't sure if he would even play this season.
And this are the things that I know, I am sure I am missing something.
Yet, our guys competed and gave it what they could throughout the season.
This was a hard enough season with covid and all the restrictions, but it seemed like there was something new every week that we had to deal with. And it got to the point that we truly lived the "next man up" to the point that it did not affect us mentally.
In fact, I would argue it made us stronger and if you know anything about our run in the state tournament, we had quite a few games where we willed ourselves to victory.
What a great group of young men, what a great group of mentally and physically tough young men!
I have been coaching for 30 years and I have grown and adjusted through time, experience, and having children as athletes.
One of the smartest things I have ever learned is when coaches at the beginning of the season, tell parents they have a 24 hour rule. If you want to speak to the coach, wait 24 hours and then do so. It takes some of the emotion out of the "confrontation". I would go even further, do not text, talk face to face or on the phone. Texting can lead to big trouble because what is meant may not come off that way.
But as I have watched my children play, lose or play badly, and then watch coaches yell at them and the team, I have come to the conclusion that a 24 hour rule may be good for coaches, too when talking to the team. Now let me say this, I am guilty, guilty, guilty of violating why I think the 24 hour rule should be for coaches, too.
Because we can be emotional after a loss, we can lose our minds and say and/or do things that are not good for the players or the team. I have lost my mind and it made me feel better, but I don't think it does any good. I can tell you that there were times I lost it after a game, went home and watched the tape and realized we played better than it seemed. So then I had to apologize.
Maybe, just maybe coaches should take the 24 hours.
I promise you that coaches often think they know more than any non-coach, and they probably do in many instances, but you can always learn how to deal with people by watching, listening, and experiencing other leadership for yourself.
Are you self-aware?
Do you care?
No to either question above is bad, but the second one would be worse. It shows you care only about yourself, and in the coaching world, a lot of that exists.
But most of us are in it to win and help kids, I know that. And maybe once you get to the college level, that 24 hour window isn't as necessary, I would argue it is, but it's up to you.
So take the 24 hours...or don't. You're the coach and can do things the way you want, and who am I?
Just a parent of athletes who has coached sports for 30 years.
I am currently reading, and almost finished with, Drop the Stones by Carlos A. Rodriguez. It is a very good book that will make you think and realize what being a follower of Jesus should be like.
Rodriguez is bluntly honest about his shortcomings in all aspects of his life which is refreshing.
It is refreshing because he writes about his life and the "downs", but that there are "ups" also, but we all feel "down" at some point.
I have been honest about my own mental health both online and in class, I think it's important to be genuine and honest. I believe it brings support and understanding from those who may or may not know me. Some may disagree, and that is fine, I love you anyway.
After the tornado hit Henryville schools, I went through some major anxiety and depression. And I felt so lost. I have always been a "I can't control what happens to me, but I can control how I deal with it" kind of person and this threw me for a loop.
There are certain events that happen in your life that you will never forget.
One is the night when everything hit the bottom and I walked around my basement completely number and uncaring about everything. I know it was a battle going on in my mind by a demon, the devil, whatever you want to say, but it was the bottom.
I was so worn out that the next morning, I went to Life Springs in Jeffersonville, because I needed to talk to someone and maybe be medicated.
I went, and they were providing Henryville residents 5 free sessions. So I signed up and the woman behind the counter told me:
We will get back with you next week.
I was lost.
I was worn down and had turned to the one place I thought could help me.
I went and sat in my car and felt like I could not go on, and I prayed a small prayer "God help me".
I called my family doctor and usually I have to wait a couple days or even a week or so to get in, but that morning the woman on the other side of the phone said these words "We actually had a cancellation, can you get here today?" Me: "When!?" Her: "How about 15 minutes?".
I cried.
From there my doctor helped me with some medications, and eventually I got in to Life Springs.
And it was wonderful...both of them.
I did not grow up in the church and have a minor in psychology, so I knew how good both of those things were for the average person, so I had not shame.
But I found as I shared my story with deep followers or pastors, they felt a need to let me know it was ok for counseling and medications.
It floored me to think there are people in the church who might not look for help, and may feel ashamed they are medicated.
It's dumb...no, really it is.
And today reading Drop the Stones, I came across this quote on page 124.
Read, believe it, and seek it.
"Therapy is not demonic; taking antidepressants is not a sin; seeing a psychiatrist is not anti-Christian; and those who suffer from mental health problems are not a failure." Carlos A. Rodriguez
By the way, it hit me during counseling, I couldn't control that a tornado went over top of me, destroyed my school and sent me spiraling mentally, but I did control the situation....I asked for help.
Love you guys.
When I was younger and we had our first pet, it died and I was distraught.
The pain was numbed by getting another puppy, until it died and it happened again.
Then my grandfathers, both of whom I was close to, died close to each other.
That was it, I have tried to keep an arm's distance from everyone and everything since.
I have had friends, girlfriends, relatives, students, co-workers all die in my life and I have done a good job in pushing that down.
I think that's why I am not as close to my parents and sister because I fear the end for them.
Hopefully, it does not come for a long time, but I have withdrawn from them for many years.
I had an almost Rockwellian type childhood. Two parents that stayed married, living in a small town enjoying playing and learning about the world around me. Two parents that attended my events and always show their love for me, even when I got a good smack on the rear.
I love my first family, I care about them, I want the best for them, but I am scared of the hurt if I lose them.
Yea, don't even get me started on my wife and kids...I just hope I go before all three of them.
My father is a great man who has done more to help others than any other person I know.
My mother is driven and gave me the desire to compete and be the best.
My sister is a wonderful mother and is always helpful.
I love them very much, and I think that's what scares me.
I have sat back for the last 16 years and have developed my feelings and thoughts on Christianity and politics.
I really struggle with those two things because as politics have become even more polarized, my opinion usually only tickles the ears of those who think similarly to me.
And too often, my opinion will just push people away from what I believe is the greatest thing I can share and that's the love of Christ.
Yet, if I am not showing it in a public and private manner, I very well could be pushing away from Him.
And I have had it with the growing, ugly head of Christian Nationalism in the the USA.
Sure, I believe that we are a dominantly Christian nation, but too many of us have put too much of our faith in the political leaders of this country.
We claim that God wants this candidate or that one.
We should vote how God would want us to. (Which party? That party that supports the unborn or the one who believes the government should help the poor?)
I do believe that God is all powerful, I believe that God can control anything here, but for us to put so much "faith" in President is alarming to me as I have grown in my faith.
Not only that, we will then vilify a President because he violates his faith's commandments.
Guess what?
We cannot vote in a God fearing leader any more than we can vote out someone we believe who is not.
We can only live our lives, growing in our faith, while helping and loving others...everyone.
We cannot be a church of Sunday only, we have to take those messages into the streets and to online.
Sure, I believe in sin, I believe a lot of people are sinning, but I guarantee that I am right up there with anyone.
But our job is not to condemn, it's to love as Jesus said he loved us....period.
Any of their issues will be worked out after they die, but that's between them and God, not between them and me.
And loving them does not justify their behavior any more than them loving me justifies mine.
It's a tough road, one that I fight every day.
How can I be the love of God and still stand for "right" vs. "wrong".
Let me know if you find out an easy way to do so and remember to be easy on me.