Mon 22nd Feb.
The U17's faced some tough competition in Ivybridge Community College in the National Schools competition final 32. But there was nothing to be said for some players lack of enthusiasm for the game. Defence was, at best, weak. And a lack of movement on the offence end meant it was one-way traffic in the first half.
With this being the first outing for an U17 team, which was all Y11's plus Gabriel, many players looked to him to run and control the game rather than their normal flowing, fast paced basketball. Gabe faced a England National team member and had his work cut out and it became stagnant.
It started with the warm-up, with some players, sitting and "chilling" seemingly without any intention of finding their range. You can not expect to come into a game, with out a warm up, and be firing from the tip-off.
On the defensive end, there was zero help defence and some players were clearly asleep; more concerned by their single player than the ball. When foul trouble came to play, with Gabe, Iraj and Henry having to sit, they opened us up and played and toyed with our defence.
This may seem harsh on the players. But this was a game that we could have competed and given them a run. This was a game that we had potential. This was a game that meant a place in the final, best 16 schools in the country. And on this day we didnt deserve to be in there.
The second half improved a little with the third quarter, players showing more fight, heart and hussle. And the forth quarter we actually won. But it was too little, way too late.
It finished 43 - 84.
Some played a good game; not their best, but good. Iraj was putting some nice moves on offence. Harry and Myles were running and giving their usual all. Gabe was showing his handle, and was getting a few things going, but maybe needed to distribute more. Zhong played some good D, Henry was finding space on offence and although Josh was giving it everything, could not get it going.
All said and done, it was not a lack of skill that lost the game. It was a lack of maturity, hussle, professionalism, intensitivity and experience that led to the loss. There is a saying, that in sport, "ALL BATTLES ARE WON OR LOST, BEFORE THEY EVEN BEGIN"