Divided

Which will she be???

Thought #2 on coaching

Thought #2:

Any "success" that we experienced was not our own because God enabled and guided our steps. Too many things have to go right and you have to have a bit of "Luck" on your side in order to be successful in the world's eyes. Sure character and work ethic can take you along ways. Our teams beat other teams at times simply because we were better prepared, had a stronger work ethic, physically out manned them, and were more cohesive on the court. Being a person of high character, knowing how to compete to your best, having a strong work ethic and being united as a group are necessary and I believe give you the highest percentage of success. That is why we sought to be those things at Thurston. Those aspects are about 90% of the ingredients in the recipe of success. Than there is this 10% that you feel like you have no control of. The OSAA changes the classifications, injuries occur, your league changes the playoff format or you have to have the right talent born at the right time at the right place so that they all go to high school together. It just feels like there is this piece we lack control over. It is like the stars have to be perfectly aligned in order to win championships. I personally believe this is because God wants you to control the things you can and than trust Him with the rest. Sports taught me this as a player and also as a coach. Anyone who is driven has to learn to do all you can and than "Let Go and Let God".
That is what we stressed, you put the work in at practice. You do all you can to be mentally prepared for game time battle, and than when the ball goes up... "Just Play". Trust your preparation and enjoy the competition.
In four years of high school ball a young lady will have about 80 games. They go by fast! That is why it crushed me to see a player stressing on the court. Looking to the stands after a play because they are concerened about what mom & dad think, up tight because they feel their future is at the pivotal moment as college coaches watch, desiring to reach their goals SO bad that they just press, having enough trust in themselves to allow for mistakes (many athletes are perfectionist) and perhaps the hardest.... having the mental toughness to withstand the correcting and reinforcing by their coach on the sideline. Being able to play through these things as a teenager is a tall order. But when you "Let Go and Let it Flow". You enjoy it all the more!

The team that taught me how to coach in a way that allows young women to "Let go and Let it flow"

The team that represented Desire - Drive & Determination through out the rollercoaster ride of a season. They enjoyed each moment and treasued their court time and team time.

Reflections on resigning from coaching:

Well it is time to hang up the whistle for awhile. Except that in coaching I never used a whistle =) But the point is made that I am stepping away from coaching. I don't know how long this hiatus will be. It creates a swirl of thoughts and reflections in my head and within my heart. It is not easy to step away... yet after a long time of prayer it is the next step out of the boat that God wants me to take. Jesus, may I experience the rush of walking on water once again in my life. You literally gave it to Peter when he took that step of faith. And you have figuratively gave it to me through out my life time. Walking with Christ toward heaven is an adventure filled with the most undeserving outcomes. God truly does do abundantly more than we could ever imagine.



Thought #1
Coaching has been such a blessing in many ways. It was an avenue to use the talents & gifts that God has bestowed upon me and developed within me. There was nothing I found more rewarding than mentoring young women. It has been my passion and my heart to hopefully show & teach young women where true confidence comes from. I always say that confidence = identity. Thus if you know your identity, you have the strength to be confident throughout the season's of life. "True confidence comes from knowing whose you are... and than you will know who you are." Basketball was the avenue that opened doors in young women's lives to explain to them You were created by God... you are His... He created you with special talents & gifts. Their confidence got tested through out a basketball season. Just like life, a season of sports has it's ups & downs. It is demanding physically and mentally and it tests your character. (I am a demanding coach with high expectations thus I demanded and created situations that drew out those three things in my players.) If their confidence was built upon a fake identity, it was quickly shattered. I did get to see many young women develop True Confidence. When the storm came they were like a lighthouse.... steady and bright. Others were like a buoy. They would be tossed around and wavered throughout the different storms. It was rewarding to be a spectator in so many young women's lives and to watch God develop and shine out aspects of His character from within them.

I pray that despite stepping a way from coaching that God will raise up opportunities to still be in Paul & Timothy type relationships. I know that the talents and gifts he has bestowed upon me are not going on hiatus. They will be used to blessed my family and hopefully point others to Christ as well.

Faces of Victory

The girls reacting from a LEGENDARY come back victory over Marshfield.

We came back from a 24+ point defecit with a trapping style of full court & half court defenses.
We eventually won on a last second layup from Brittany Burroughs.

Elise Nelson broke down the pirate's full court defense to pass it to Burt who was underneath the hoop.

This would be the first of many of Nelson's heroic efforts to pull her team to victory. She would later set up Natalie Smith to beat North Eugene & Kelli Rice to beat Springfield on clutch long range 3's... to name a few =)

Recent pics

McKinley will soon need a Dr. Gorman visit after this nap.

First giggle at Grandpa Larsen's duck voice