Owl Hoops Coaches Corner This past Sunday was one of the toughest of my coaching career. We lost two incredibly gut wrenching games...one of which on a 35 foot, fade away jumper with 1.4 seconds on the clock. The look in some of our player’s eyes was one that I will never forget...but greatly wish I could have protected against... I hate when they hurt...and they were hurting. Human nature had me looking for sympathy and answers as to why our kids are time and time again faced with disappointment and heartache, even when they work, prepare and believe as much as any team I’ve been a part of. I looked to my wife, then my dogs, then some mindless NFL football ….none of them, even though they all tried, could work me out of the pity party I was engulfing myself in. My four year old lab mix gave me her normal, endless kisses and sad eyes as she could tell I was struggling. Jax, my one year old puppy, attempted to play ball and wrestle with me...that’s his favorite on Sundays...and my incredibly support- ive, loving wife took me to Nashville where we dove into some Christmas shopping and mouth watering Piz- za...all while she should have been home studying more for her Law exams …that’s her though...always putting me first. As much love and effort that was put into all of those actions, none of them could help me shake it….as coach Jameson often says, “the struggle was real.” Finally, I went in to take a nap on my bed (so I didn’t distract Haley with the tv volume while studying), and saw the small picture frame that sits on my dresser from my dad after I graduated high school in 2003… ”Greatness is not a destination. It is achieved in the journey, trying to get there. Don’t ever give up on that journey.” Those who have been around me know I reference this quote from dad often, but on this day it was as clear as it had ever been for me….that game Friday, or the one Saturday, wasn’t going to define us. Whether we won on a buzzer beater or lost. It was simply a test put into our lives to re- mind us that we never truly “arrive” in this process...there won’t be some special day that we recognize as the culmination of all our hard work...the joy in life is soaked up and should be enjoyed DURING the process...not simply celebrated after… I’m not normally one for a pity par- ty...I wasn’t raised that way. However, I am glad I had this one...it reminded me how important good people and tough experiences are for all of us. Tough times don’t last...tough people do. That’s what we have on our team this year...tough kids...they came back yesterday full of smiles, worked hard and stayed together...they are achiev- ing greatness on this journey and for that I’m thankful and darn proud! Happy Swishes, Coach Clough Tough Times Don’t Last... December 15, 2015 Volume 3, Issue 7 Dec. 15th Frosh Home vs. Austin 6:00 pm Dec. 18th JV/Varsity @ New Albany 6:00/7:30 pm Dec. 19th Triple Header, Home vs. Jennings County 6/7:30 Dec. 30th Frosh @ Columbus East Holiday Tournament Jan. 2nd JV/Varsity @ Switzerland County 6:00/7:30 Jan. 5th JV/Varsity Home vs. Edinburgh 6/7:30 Jan. 8th JV/Varsity @ Charlestown 6:00/7:30 Upcoming Dates “Champions prepare and prac- tice as champions long before they’re recognized as champi- ons. They create a consistency of excellence in all their habits.” —Coach K, Duke “Rebounding and playing de- fense are things you can always do when your shots aren’t fall- ing. I try to play as hard as I can every night. You can control your effort every night.” —Caleb Swanigan, Purdue “If I’m not doing it right, I want coach to tell me so I can fix it.” —Steph Curry, Warriors Kyle Clough Head Men’s Basketball Coach (812) 522-4462 [email protected] Dear Santa: Seymour Hoops Christmas Wish List Seymour High School Boys Basketball For game schedules at all levels K-12, visit: seymourowlsbasketball.com Our kids have been hard at work trying to improve their craft on the bas- ketball court. Luckily we had a little time to get our letters in the mail to Santa. Here is an exclusive look at our players’ wishes from Santa on Christmas morning: Jordan Miller: A kiss under the mistletoe Evens Cribs: G Shock Watch Toriek Miller: PlayStation 4 Ryan Wieneke: To pass my Trigonometry class Seth Ragon: World Peace Alan Perry: Steph Curry’s Shot Zach Moore: New Sperry’s Tiller Cummings: A Leg Lamp (from A Christmas Story) Dylan Wilson: Money Tyler Bloom: A girlfriend Eddie Louden: The team to play better basketball. Alazae Louden: New video game for Xbox 360