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| Mr. B's name on tennis player Rafael Nadal's gym at the Australian Open. |
One who criticizes or passes judgment from a position of hindsight
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Was there P.E. today? It's always funny seeing the handful of kids in each class who didn't pay attention and wore their P.E. uniforms when everyone else was in their regular uniform, right Mark?
On the bright side, everyone's shorts and jerseys matched this week at the games.
So we are winding down the regular season for boys basketball and as of right now, every single team is alive in the playoff chase, something that is unprecedented in the modern day St. Mary's Athletics era.
As of right now, two teams have clinched a spot, 4th grade and the White Team, and some can punch their tickets to the playoffs with wins this weekend.
If you were too busy watching the Flames and Canucks in a shootout this weekend, here's what you missed this weekend.
First, I think it needs to be said that I apologize if anybody involved with the 6th grade team feels that I or anybody has been over critical about their performance this year. I can also honestly say that there hasn't been one player, coach or parent who has complained about what is written or shown about them, so this is done purely on the accord of myself.
There criticism, albeit a bit harsh, I feel is for the most part a reflection on their practice habits and execution during games. Is it too much for a 6th grader? Sometimes, absolutely. But in the end, I can only hope that pointing out their mistakes and showing them the errors of their ways will benefit them in the end.
Friday night was one of those nights where they shot themselves in the foot. Free-throws, missed lay-ups and turnovers just killed them. And in the end, a 3 point loss. Missed opportunities.
And if they win their next two games, they still have a chance at the playoffs or a tie-breaker.
Are they in the right division? I will say yes. Many don't agree and want them to drop and just play inferior teams. But in the end, what do you really prove when you just constantly win lopsided games?
This team needs a challenge and should face stiff competition, because they need that. This isn't their first year. They aren't a team where every time they touch a ball, there is no chance of scoring. This is a talented team.
In every game this year, except one, when Daniel was injured, they could've won the game if they played up to their potential. So instead of sitting at (2-4), they can just as easy be (5-1).
They have two more games to go. Let's see if they can win both and maybe have a playoff upset up their sleeve.
Moving onto the 7th grade, who needed OT to beat a depleted St. Brigid team of only five players. It boils down to the same thing. Missed lay-ups, missed free-throws, as they made none. And the turnovers, especially in the third.
With the infusion of players from DeMarillac, this team has what it takes to win it all. But they are going to have to do the little things and not make the mistakes like they have the last two games to get to where they want to be.
Five players worked against the 5th grade who took their first loss of the year Saturday. I wasn't at the game, but judging by the boxscore, they were out of it until it was too late. According to their coaches, they were asleep in the first half and when they realized what was happening, it was over.
Going undefeated, although it is nice, is not always a great thing. Last year the Red Team beat an undefeated team in the playoffs. The year before, the current 8th grade girls upset an undefeated team.
When you never lose, you are vulnerable, because you think you are on top of the world. You think that nobody can beat you. You perhaps get a little over-confident and then when you all of a sudden are behind in a game, you don't know how to react and you don't know how to deal with adversity.
My lone championship winning team was (2-2) at one point in our season in 2007. We lost a game that we basically gave away. That was their wake up call. After that, we never lost a game on our way to winning the title.
Hopefully this was the 5th grade's wake up call.
And finally, the Red Team, what else is there more to say? Never have they looked better.
Was the other team's best player missing? I don't know. Even if he was, it was an impressive showing. Kudos to them and let's just hope they can bring this type of heat game in and game out.
Big game this weekend for the 4th grade, as they face a possible title contender. After Saturday, we should have an idea of what to expect in the coming weeks.
FINALLY...
Very happy to see all the young girls in the school, grades 3-5 who have signed up for basketball. 3rd grade girls are playing for the first time and also for the first time, we will have a 5th grade team. I am stoked about that.
Sadly, the same can't be said for the upper grades, where the sign-ups are disappointing to say the least. Nothing else can be said to convince those who haven't decided to play, but in the end, it's just missed opportunities.
I know there are some kids who want to play, but the decision is out of their hands. In the end, it's just a child's missed chance.
Playing sports is something that you will remember for the rest of your life. It's unfortunate and it hurts me to see these opportunities of being part of something special not taken advantage of.
Even those who graduated since I have been here, until this day, tell me they wish they could've started in 3rd grade, instead of 5th or 6th or 7th or even some girls, 8th.
Don't let life pass you by.
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