Mohigan Journal- 2-24-02
by Coach Hoffman
My congratulations go out to the seniors and the team for finishing the season so strong. Winning 11 games in a row, they are the hottest team in the state. They played what will be rated as one of the top toughest schedules in the state and have a great shot at finishing the regular season as the states number 1 ranked team. Who would have thought this was possible. Not many people but that has seemed to motivate these players. Coach Yester and I were cautiously optimistic because one key injury or a series of bad luck and we would have lost a few more games. The will of these players has been awesome and the trademark of this team is they play exciting basketball, because they play team ball. Someone different steps up each night. But no one stepped up bigger than Bobby Prim did against West Fairmont and Princeton this weekend. He hit big shot after big shot and led us to victory. Not to take anything away from anyone else, because it was a true team effort, the shot at the buzzer to beat West was incredible. However, everyone on the bench knew who was going to win it, because he has prepared his whole life for that situation, and he hits shots in practice all of the time when coach Yester works on special situations. We shoot over 200 jumps shots everyday in practice and Bobby just did what he does everyday.
Now back to the rankings, we will move to either #1 or #2 when the power rankings come out this week. Cabell Midland beat Beckley last night and could garner enough power points to edge us in the poll. It would be nice to say we are ranked #1 for a while, but it really doesn't mean a thing, except you have a bigger "bulls eye" on your back. UHS will play at Preston for the right to play us next Friday. Either way that game looks like a tough game as it is hard to beat someone three times in one season. The Hawks are always dangerous as they have some great athletes and can really defend us and the Knights are really prepared for us. Their coaching staff has prepared their team all season for the one game that counts and that is this sectional game. Both teams can make up for poor seasons with a win over us next Friday.
The JV team (14-6) finished strong as they won three games this week, making it five wins in a row. Their record could have easily been much better, however many teams loaded their JV teams with juniors. We didn't do that this year because we had 9 quality sophomore players and we felt we needed to let them come along by receiving quality playing time. They all contributed to every game and I believe showed marked improvement from their first few games. Tyler Jones hurt his ankle late in the game on Saturday and the trainers said they believe it to be a high ankle sprain. He will have to stay off of it for a few weeks as the injury, if it had to happen, couldn't have happened at a better time since it was our last game. He was playing his best game of the season before the injury.
The "Rowdy Society" was tremendous on Friday night. I think they were the difference in the game. We have a big home court advantage, as we only lost to Martinsburg at home this year. The students of MHS are to be commended, it is not often that 400+ students come to a game and chant and raise "you know what" for two hours. The environment in the MAC was as good as it gets in high shool basketball any where in the country. It is a pleasure to be a part of such a classy program and school.
I would like to send out a thanks to Kristen and Kristen for their help this season. Not worrying about the book and always having water and towels handed to the players was nice to have. These two girls committed much of their own free time to this team and they were dependable and pleasant to have around. I thing we like Kristen the best of all the Laws. We told Kameron that Kristen was the only reason we kept him around. Of course we like Kameron, too, but she sings better than him. Nice job on the Anthem, Kristen.
Speaking of classy, how about the senior night ceremony. The boys and their thoughts of appreciation for what everyone has done for them was nice. As many of you know, I am very close to this senior group, and the ceremony was really emotional for me. I have never enjoyed a group of seniors more than this group. We have spent many hours together. I made them study their S.A.T.'s, do more homework, lift more weight, do more homework, run more sprints, lift more weight, do more community service, etc... than they believed then could do. Then I made them do more after they were done. Sometimes they argued with me, disagreed with me (most of the time) (you know anyone over 18 doesn't know anything), got mad at each other and me, hugged each other and me, got into trouble with parents, got in trouble with their coaches, got into trouble with their girlfriends, got in trouble at school, etc.... "The blood the sweat and the tears" were worth it. That is the kind of effort you have to put in if you want to be successful. I try to teach players (I model this everyday), that if you work harder than everyone else, commit to your goals, and do everything you can to reach them you will be successful. Nobody outside of our basketball family expected this team to be as good as it is. They still don't know it, but that is OK, because we believe in ourselves, and that is the most important factor in success. If our players could carry these lessons over to other parts of their lives and channel their energy, they will have learned the most important lesson. They need to be the best teacher, coach, banker, engineer, doctor, etc.., that they can be. To do that they will have to commit like they have for this basketball team. That is one of the most important things that players can learn from playing athletics. The other area is character and it is revealed when time are tough. I like the character of these seniors. Their parents should be proud. I know their coaches are!
On the other hand the juniors have shown great character as well. Some of them don't even get into games. They have allowed Coach Yester to use them however he saw appropriate and most of the time didn't get to play as much as they wanted or maybe even deserved. But they stayed positive and "sold out" for the team. There was never any pouting or bad attitudes because of lack of playing time. Each player was interested in team success first and that has helped the team achieve its goals. Now we have to figure out a way to get through the week with another victory.
In closing I would like to thank MYBO and the boosters for their financial support this year. The new digital camera, coach bus rides, food, etc... sets us apart from your typical high school basketball program. I would also like to express my gratitude for Casey Storm and Jason Jones for their assistance this year with the team. They have each volunteered over 200 hours this season and the players have learned a lot from them. They have taught me a lot to as I sometimes struggle to understand the generation of players I am coaching. Their insights were always helpful. Casey even volunteered last spring and fall to help with the 7th graders. We couldn't have better intern coaches. They are constantly doing things without being told. I am able to concentrate more on the kids than the other things because of them. To say this season was a total team effort is an understatement.
Sherran Shaver got to see part of the game on Saturday. She has been ill and doctors don't want her out where she can contact viruses or become sick. She has had to stay home a lot of this season. But we were really glad to see her. She looks good and she wanted everyone to know that your prayers and thoughts are appreciated. Everything is progressing well and she hopes to be back with the basketball family, soon. Keep your prayers coming and praise God!
GO MOHIGANS!