Ohhh and Four!

The Bad News...
Okay...so we definitely did not get off to the start that we had hoped for. The bottomline is that we can very easily be 3-1 instead of 0-4 right now. However, despite shooting a dismal 20% from the field against Richland, 22 turnovers against Westmont and giving up 29 points to Somerset in the 3rd quarter, we have had many bright spots in the first four games with some bad breaks. When you start the season 0-3 or 0-4 you start to question alot of things...normally. However, in this case when you factor in the amount of bad "breaks" that we have had, we feel pretty positive in the direction we are heading.
First, we get word at the beginning of December that we will be without our returning leading scorer and best defender from last year, Mike Webb. Then our starting point-guard and returning letterman, Taylor Keiper goes down with a sprained ankle against Westmont. During the very next game, our best outside shooter and 6th man freakishly gets kneed in the stomach, resulting in a hospital visit and bruised kidney. Ohhh, then you throw 2 players with stiches above thier eyes into the mix as well. What do you get...2 bum ankles, 2 bloody eyes and one bruised kidney!

On a more serious note, our basketball program revolves around several key personalities: precise patterns on offense which demands crisp passing and screening with judicious shot selection. It relys on position defense, that commits few fouls, and most importantly masters all those little things better known as fundamentals, discipline and teamwork. Over the past 30 years, those traits have turned our program into one of the areas elite programs.
We have yet to find not only the win column, but we have yet to find our poise. In our first four games, we have tossed the ball away too many times, looked on defense as if our feet were nailed to the hardwood, been out rebounded and consistentantly been inconsistant! There are many other issues that need to be addressed by the time the West PAC conference scheduled begins in January, but many of the issues are centered around one single fact. Our team is not yet as disciplined and fundamentally sound as it needs to be. The solution...more focused practice time. The repetition in practice is critical in teaching our young players how to play the game correctly.

The Good News...
The good news is that we will get healthy. The good news is that we are learning. The good news is that we are gaining experience. The good news is that we are still hungry for success. The good news is that we will have an opportunity to rest and become re-energized before the Rotary Tournament. The good news is that we are getting significant contributions from players unexpectedly. This however is bad news for the rest of the West PAC Conference and District. It will take some time, but these players will grow up, be fun to watch and be competitive! The scoreboard does not determine overall success.
The truth is that we have shown signs of becoming a great team. We have outplayed two of the top teams in the Laurel Highlands in Westmont and Somerset. Westmont, who lost by 2 points to the top single A team in the state (Kennedy Catholic), was on the ropes in the first half against us. Coach Roman's commented as we were jogging off the War Memorial floor, "Windber's jogging off and we are walking off...that's the story of the first half!" We are still holding teams to under 50 points defensively and our shooting on offense is starting to improve. The turnovers need to come down, preferably to what we had against Richland (12). But, our players are stepping up with great courage, especially Blake Henger who made his starting line-up debut by pouring in 14 points against Somerset. You can't forget about Chad Garlena's efforts against Richland, after being cut above the eye early in the JV game, he sprints the length of the floor to take a charge during the varsity game. If that is not an example of a "Rambler basketball player", then I must be from Township! Each and every day, I come to practice or games, not concerned, not down, not frustrated...but filled with excitement! I look forward to seeing what will come together today, what will we improve on today?

Our Identity...Play hard, Play smart, Play together, Play with Pride!
Maybe it is that our team identity is that we are a close knit, blue collared team full of pride, who plays hard, sometimes too hard, is most times under sized, out manned and out talented, but makes no excuses! Wait...isn't that always a Windber basketball team's identity? Play hard. Play smart. Play together. Play with pride!

Have we had some tough games with some tough breaks to start off the 2007-08 season? Yes, indeed we have experienced some adversity in playing some top local talents while missing some key players. Have we been undersized and out numbered in a few of our games? Yes. But, we refuse to make or except any excuses. We still must prepare to practice and play like champions through focus, discipline, determination and preparation. If we can do that, then we will make a habit of playing like champions. And, if you have the habits of a champion, then you will eventually become a champion! This segment of the season will make us better players, better coaches, but most importantly, it will make us better people!