"Sorry, Bro"

Once upon a time, Melrose Girls Basketball ruled the Middlesex League. They won ten consecutive titles, four sectional championships, and had five undefeated Middlesex League seasons. They won fifty consecutive regular season games twice. 

Then, it was gone. Poof. Not once did an opponent say, "Sorry, Bro" while delivering gut punches. 

Success demands winning culture, winning preparation, and winning mindset. 

In 59 Lessons, Dr. Fergus Connolly, sport performance expert, starts with the chapter, "Never Bring a Gun to a Gunfight." You need more to guarantee success. 

Bring your best version of yourself. Know that most coaches believe that "it's not who starts it's who finishes." 

British Cycling Coach Sir Dave Brailsford says it this way, "Be Compassionately Ruthless." 

Sports aren't a matter of life and death, but some jobs are. Those engaged in them know the importance of attention to detail and finishing the job.

How you think and how you carry yourself matter. "Do the best you can for the next five minutes." Bring the fight. 

Every team you play puts a target on your back. Years ago Lexington upset Melrose girls basketball by a point during the decline and you'd have thought they won the National Championship, because beating Melrose was something they never did. It didn't matter to them that Melrose only won one game that season. 

Everyone wants to win but not everyone prepares to do what it takes to win. 

Lagniappe. 

Whatever kind of TEAM you are on, be a good teammate:

- Be on time
- Be positive
- Be prepared
- Be engaged
- Be selfless
- Be supportive

No one wants a teammate who is late, negative, selfish, or not committed.

Be the kind of teammate that makes teams GREAT!

— Greg Berge (@gb1121) September 5, 2023

Lagniappe 2. 

HS Baseball Players

Poor body language tells everyone:

YOU GAVE UP
YOU CAN'T BATTLE
YOU'RE NOT MENTALLY TOUGH

Positive body language tells everyone:

YOU WON'T GIVE UP
YOU WILL BATTLE
YOU'RE MENTALLY TOUGH

— Dan Cevette (@DanCevette) September 6, 2023

Lagniappe 3. Player development moment. 

I love this option out of the mid post.

When you open your hips the defender is likely to either:

1. Be Off Balance
2. Step Back & Give Space

If they lean forward, blow by. If they give space, play out of your drop. pic.twitter.com/aLWaTZnhDN

— Reid Ouse (@reidouse) September 16, 2023