The participants are not as tall, not as quick, not as skilled, but the fun of playing a game with friends that are your teammates can be priceless.
The process of working in practice with committed and caring coaches brings you to a level of self-confidence you might never discover in a classroom or just shooting hoops in your driveway.
Middle school basketball.
I remember it so fondly as a seventh grade coach and to watch it again on a beautiful floor in a nearly new gym brought me a feeling of pure satisfaction. To see former players doing a magnificent job as the kids’ mentors, doing far better than I ever did, to see the passion projected from sideline to the players in the game truly made me proud of their positive influence on impressionable kids.
The game.
Yes, there were two games with Port Clinton last Thursday. The young Fliers had no trouble winning each game by over 20 points. But my mind was intent on observing how the kids seemed to be playing as a team and whether they and their leaders, their coaches, were having fun. End result? It was a wonderful time for this observer.
I was very impressed with how the young athletes of today have rapidly advanced in some of their skill levels since I last coached, especially since 2000. More kids can dribble with their heads up, more look for an open teammate, the offense does not always head to the right, and less kids take “no-chance” or goofy shots.
Because of better instruction at the early grades, the seventh and eighth grade Fliers of today would soar past most of my former teams. Some kids now play in AAU leagues and that only helps them learn faster and play with greater confidence.
Yet, to my delight this night at McPherson Middle School, one thing that I remember with my teams remained the same. The boys were having fun.
Everyone played — as I always felt was a must do at this level. After the game, I talked with several members of both teams to get a middle schooler’s feel for how much he enjoys the game and his team.
Seventh grader Kyle Klinski stated, ” I like playing a team sport, to show spirit for the school. My teammates, too, our unselfish.”
Shane Hohman, a talented guard, said he enjoyed working to be a good team and “to be around his friends.”
It was pure joy listening to the innocent and honest replies of these excellent youngsters. Even the game’s high scorer, Caden Burger was refreshingly honest and gracious.
“I like us coming together each week as a team, Burger said. “Our coach (Joe Schied) is doing an outstanding job and he makes it all fun for us. He cares about each of us.”
Eighth graders also commented about their views of basketball at their level. Many, including Caleb Gillmor, liked the pace of the game and the knowledge that they are improving.
Carson Rieman, another talented athlete, replied,” I love the intensity of this game.”
He showed advanced maturity when I asked him what he thinks he needs to do to get better. Some athletes I know would say, “huh, I don’t know.”
Carson impressively replied, “I feel I need to do better with decision-making, such as when to go to the ball.”
Yes, folks, an eighth grade boy said this. Wow.
Coach Schied impressed me with his sideline energy and his many positive and encouraging comments he made to his players throughout their contest.
“One of my goals for the kids is to get them to ‘buy in’ to the team concept, to not worry about who scores the most or whether I score or not,” Schied said. “I love this group and seeing them improve and smile as a result.”
Watching the middle school boys Thursday was much better than many other things I could think of doing between 4:30 and 7. It was also a great thing to see so many parents and grandparents there to show their love and support for their child and his teammates. That does not happen in many other middle schools, believe me. It is just one more reason why it is a wonderful thing to grow up and play in our youth-minded community, Flier Nation.
