Like Bill Belichick, I want to coach whom I want to coach.
They aren't always the best, the biggest, the fastest, the strongest...or those with the most heart. But for a variety of reasons, they earn spots on 'The Twelve'. Let's examine why I choose them for my hypothetical team.
Karen and Paula Sen. "Blood is thicker than water." They got passed over for the Middle School 'A' and 'B' teams. So I coached them on the 'C' team. I played Paula as a point guard in middle school to prepare her as a passer in high school. From day one, Karen was the best rebounder on the floor. And my twin daughters played four years of high school basketball, both earning All-League status. The 5'11" forwards both were on a pair of sectional champions, on teams that went 90-6 in high school. They played on three consecutive sectional champions in volleyball and earned selection to the local High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Victoria Crovo was one of the fiercest competitors I've known. The 5'10" power forward 'V-Rex' embodied toughness. She also helped me as assistant coach for a year as a wonderful role model for the young girls as a student-athlete. She's in veterinary school.
Samantha Dewey was the centerpiece of our middle school team. She was always in her notebook. The 6'2" center transferred to Brooks School after two years at Melrose High School. She rewarded her team with a pair of Prep School State Championships. She now plays for the Fighting Illini of the University of Illinois.
Cecilia Kay was the best middle school player I've coached, averaging 24 points, 17 rebounds and 6 blocks in eighth grade. She dominated at both ends of the court and is an elite student. The 6' 1 1/2" point forward closes in on 1,000 career points as a high school junior after two seasons of All-Scholastic recognition.
Lauren Joyce overachieved as a player who was always first to arrive and last to leave offseason workouts. Tell her something once and it stuck. She carried the laminated Wooden "Pyramid of Success" in her gym bag to high school every day as a three-sport captain. She is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis.
Bella Federico did not have a distinguished basketball career. She was a tough, solid defender whose competition helped train up another outstanding middle school center, Kat Torpey. She was an extraordinary teammate, who always supported her peers. After a hard loss where another teammate claimed responsibility, Bella addressed the team, "we win together and we lose together." Great teams have elite leadership and exceptional teammates. Bella is also an amazing photographer.
Sydney Doherty was a talented wing player with elite finishing skills around the basket. When she tried out, she was a 'pure athlete' with limited basketball skills. Head Coach Ralph Labella allowed me the final selection at tryouts and I picked Sydney. Her skills grew and by eighth grade she was one of the top two players on the team, scoring over thirty points in a game twice. She epitomized the growth mindset. She also contributed on the state championship volleyball team.
Zoe Smith was a slight girl who brought joy to the court. "Bird" could shoot a bit and was unafraid to share her displeasure after missing a shot. She wasn't big or tough or a great player, but memorable for unrelenting enthusiasm.
Naomi was a little girl who came to tryouts as a sixth grader. The young guard had the answers to the questions before tryouts even started. Two minutes before tryouts began, she came up to me and said, "Coach, I am really excited to be here." She made the team. "Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm."
Kate Story was one of the most athletic guards I ever coached. She was a defensive demon and skilled, unselfish passer who produced memorable assists. She was extremely willful as a young player, hard to coach. Yet, she became an outstanding high school point guard, learning that coaches want what is best for the player.
Brittany D'Innocenzo was one of the best defensive players I ever coached. She shut down her cover, provided exceptional help defense, and seemed almost indifferent to scoring. She preferred to focus her energies on defense. And she got far more rebounds than she was entitled to for her size. Like many exceptional defenders, she was an exceptional student, regularly at the top of her class academically.
Lagniappe (something extra). Ed Smith on luck...luck shapes our experience.