Coach P

I've been coaching the Jr High Boys basketball team for Flint Hills Christian School the last few months. Due to our recently canceled tournament (which is a rotten then to take away from a kid just two weeks away) my season ends Thursday of next week. Supprisingly, I'm pretty bummed about it. I love coaching. Don't get me wrong, I'll love the free time. It'll give me a chance to get this crazy life of mine sorted out a bit and maybe even I'll get to take a nap for the first time in months... but man, I love to coach.

It's amazing what you can learn about yourself from a bunch of 12 year olds. I've learned that deep down, no matter what anybody might tell you - I'm an optimist. These kids have won one game this whole year. I think we're something like 1-11. I like to think it's not due to poor coaching (but I'm sure that has a part) or lack of talent so much as it has to do with us playing a whole bunch of schools that are way out of our league. The few teams that we've played that were close to our level we've played with in 3-5 points. I hate loosing by 3 points. Anyways, back to me not being as much of a pessimist as I thought I was. I really go into every game (almost) expecting those kinds to get a W. It's not really realistic - but I have a lot of faith in those kids. I kinda wonder if that's how God looks at me when I'm getting ready to step on the court? Probably not, but it's kinda a neat picture. So far I'm my record is about 2 and 1million (the two wins being my wife and son) and still God's on my bench giving direction - directing trafic; Helping out. Anticipating me to do great things for His team And sometimes, I lose by 100 points... but Coach just helps me learn from it, fix what I did wrong and try again next week. I think I've learned a little about not just basketball but about who God is by interacting with 12 year olds. I'm probably more like them than I know. Regardless, It's been fun. I'll be sad when it's over.

Also, no matter what anyone tells you - hustle can't always win you a game. I've watched those kids play with more heart and intensity than I've ever seen in Jr High. Sadly, they don't have a lot to show for it. They worked a lot harder and played like a team a lot better than anybody else we've played. But man, we all learned a lot about basketball and being a team.

Eh. Three games left. I think we'll probably go 3-0.

KP