I'm just going to start writing, and then let my thoughts take over. I normally sit back and think about what I'm going to write, format it and then go to town. But tonight is going to be a little different. I'm thinking about the Hug Hawk Varsity Hoops Squad and I can't help but draw parallels to "real" life and the definition of my company H.E.A.R.T Athletics LLC.
These young men just played for the State Championship and unfortunately lost to Bishop Gorman. *Sidenote* Bishop recruits players, while Hug has to play with the kids that live in its school zone...moving on. These kids played their H.E.A.R.T's out tonight. And although they came up just a bit short, it was sheer determination that got them to where they were tonight. Think about it. How many other hoopers in the state of Nevada would trade places with them tonight? Just having the CHANCE to win a State Title is an honor in itself!
The lesson here that the Hug Hawks probably didn't realize (yet...) is that shit isn't always going to go your way. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But never...EVER, take your loss as just a loss. It's a learning experience. The camaraderie, hard work and determination it took for them as a whole to get to where they were tonight will help them the rest of their lives. Crappy things happen in life. You as an individual AND team have to live, learn and adapt. If you don't like losing...do something about it.
The Seniors won't have another chance...and that sucks, but the Junior and lower classes have a chance to learn and get better. This doesn't mean the Seniors can't use this game as a spring board into their futures as well.
Sports, as in life, teaches us valuable lessons that if you're looking at the trees...you're sure to miss the forest. The lesson here is DON'T GIVE UP!!!!! Keep striving for your goals. If you miss the first time, readjust and fire again. You are only a loser when you choose to give up...not when you lose (<-------see what I did there?).
Even though the entire team played their H.E.A.R.T's out, I want to shine some light on 3 that really stood out (in my humble opinion).
Sam Williams
This young bol was a BEAST in the paint. Blocking shots, grabbing boards and dunking on kats...
Andrew Johnson
This kid is devastating. There was NO PG in Northern Nevada that could guard him...period.
Norris Dupree
This kid was the glue-man. He did everything and anything for his team. The bol hustled, played D, boarding, hit the floor, whatever...this kid played his ass off.
In short, BIG UPS to the 2011-12 Hug Hawks Varsity Squad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
