SG Basketball D2: Digging Deep

-          This was our 6^th full game in only 5 days; physically, mentally and emotionally, the girls were running on fumes. Very little, if anything, left in the tank.

 

-          Our opponent was Alexander Galt, a really good team, with a really good coach. Last time we played them, although we ended up winning, the game was tied after 3 quarters.

 

-          Because we’d played them earlier in the season, they already knew our style, our strengths and weaknesses. We would not be able to surprise them with our defense or transition offense.

 

-          And to top it all off, Galt needed this game to qualify for the RSEQ Playoffs. They were desperate. It was a must-win for the Pipers. Their season was on the line.

 

Your Spartans had every reason to come up short on this Tuesday night.

 

But they shook the lead out of their legs, forced themselves to have a good warmup, and flew out of the gate, scoring the first nine points of the game. Shots were falling, the defense was active, and everything was going right. A minute into the 2^nd quarter, we were up 15-2, the Pipers were reeling, and the rout was on, right?

 

Yeah no.

 

While the offense stayed consistent, the girls couldn’t maintain their defensive intensity. Galt’s best shooter #12 shook loose for consecutive open threes, and when tasked with focusing on her, we couldn’t do it. She finished the quarter with 13 pts, including a late triple, almost singlehandedly bringing her team back. A slim 21-18 lead at half, and the Pipers had all the momentum.

 

Gut-check time. Schematically, we committed to stopping #12, and the players pulled it off, limiting her to four points in the 2^nd half. But Galt is not a one-woman team. The 3^rd quarter was scratch and claw, as the girls gave everything they had to keep their determined opponents at bay. 32-28 near the end of the 3^rd, and we were hanging on by our fingernails.

 

Somehow, I have no idea how they found it within themselves, with one final push, your Spartans went on a 13-4 run. The defense stiffened, Emily hit a three on an inbounds play, and Kenz (whose energy reserves are insane) carried us offensively with four straight buckets. 45-32, with four minutes left.

 

But the tank was well and truly empty now. We would not score another point. Our legs are done. Galt scores. Then scores again. We run the clock down on every possession, willing the game to end. Another Galt basket…45-38…we foul them…45-39…and then mercifully, FINALLY, the final buzzer goes.

 

The post-game reaction of the players tells the story. No celebrations. No smiles. Just slowly shuffling legs and glazed eyes asking “Can I go home now?” “Can I go to sleep?”.

 

But my reaction is PRIDE, and given some time to think about it, you girls should feel the same. You showed your coaches, your teammates, and most importantly yourselves just how deep you could dig, and what you could accomplish once you got down there.

 

Now go to sleep – you’ve earned it.