Josh Jackson: Playoffs Final Four vs. Arlington

Playoffs SMC vs. Arlington

Sunday, August, 14, 2016 was the Semi-Finals against Arlington Ducks. We knew it was going to be a good game and that Arlington wasn’t just going to hand us the win.  We had to give 100% effort just like they were in order to make it to the championship. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy because we played Arlington in the beginning of the regular season and we almost lost but we didn’t. In order for SMC to beat Arlington we had to play harder, be more physical and most important we knew teamwork was the key. When tip-off began Arlington went on a 21-9 run by the end of the first quarter. They were playing intense and they weren’t holding back. When the second quarter began SMC picked up the paste and by the end of the 2^nd quarter the score was Arlington 23- SMC 20. SMC went on an 11-2 run. 

At halftime our Coach, Coach Dave took us in the back he said “come on ya’ll the table is set for us to go to the championship and win it all, all we have to do is execute on offense, move the ball around, box out on defense, stop letting them get in the paint so easily, make our free throws, make our lay ups and stop gambling. When the 3^rd quarter came we were ready. We were getting defensive stops and scoring off the break consecutively, which put us up a couple of points. But Arlington wasn’t going to go down without a fight. When the 4^th quarter came the score was close. During the 4^th quarter the score kept going back and forth. Late in the 4^th quarter SMC got a 2 point lead with 45 seconds left in the game. When Arlington had the ball they missed the chance to score which took some time off the clock so they had to foul. They shot a 3 which could put them up by 1, they missed I got the rebound and they were forced to foul me. It was less than 15 seconds left on the clock and it was up to me to make 2 crucial free throws so that we could be up by 4.  I wasn’t nervous because everyday I shoot 50 free throws with my dad and I have to make at least 40. So when I got to the line I took a deep breath did my routine and shot the ball. The first one dropped, the score was Arlington 40-SMC 43. I stepped off the line to get ready for my second free throw to put the game away for sure.  When the referee gave me the ball I took a deep breath, did my routine and swish goes my second shot.  I made it and the score was Arlington 40-SMC 44. 

The SMC fans were cheering and clapping with excitement.  Arlington’s head coach called a timeout to draw up a play with 10 seconds left in the game. When the timeout was over it was Arlington’s ball, they took the ball out got down the court with 3 seconds left they passed the ball to their 3 point shooter Ed to shoot the 3, he made it.  Nevertheless, it wasn’t enough and we won SMC 44- Arlington 43. #CHAMPIONSHIP #SOMDC

                                                                                                   

Final Summer 2016 Blog: Michael Tehan (Loudoun Eagles)

 Final Summer Blog:  Michael Tehan (Loudoun Eagles) 

I can’t believe my PYBL season is already over.  It seems like just yesterday when my AAU coach told me about trying out for the summer season.  As I said in my first blog, his son who is one of my best friends played over the winter and I really wanted to be a part of it.  I think it’s so cool how they post all of that stats and pictures about each game.  But getting caught up in that,  also lowered my confidence.  

Sometimes I over hyped kids that were scoring 20 a game, and it made me feel so much pressure to compete with those stats.  I was scared of making a mistake, and I had no confidence to go to the basket on bigger kids. I was always worried about getting blocked or turning the ball over.   My dad was always telling me, “just play!”  Sometimes that frustrated me because I thought I was playing my game, but I wasn’t.  I was playing not to make a mistake.  I didn’t fight to bring the ball up and when I did get the ball I looked to pass first.  I didn’t want to admit it because I always had played with such confidence in the past.  

As the season went on though, I started to gain confidence.  I was taking the ball to the basket, I was going to the rack on big men and I wasn’t scared to guard the other teams best guard.  I realized during the game against Charles County, that I deserved to be on the court as much as any other kid there.  I could play with them all! Looking back, I shouldn’t have been worried about the rankings and stats.  I should have just played my game the entire season.  

PYBL has been a great experience for me. I am a different player now. This league has by far the most competition I have ever played against. At the end of the day, all you have to do is work hard, believe in yourself and play like it.

I owe a lot to coach Mason because he always believed in me and pushed me to play harder.  I can’t wait to take what I have learned this summer into the winter season.  

Thanks Michael Tehan #30 Loudoun Eagles

Michael Tehan Entry #6 (game 5,6,7)

Game 5,6,7
“Ugh ugh ugh”
    The frustration of losing to team you think you can beat, and realizing that your playoff hopes are slim. On the way to the next game my dad who grew up playing sports in the DC area was giving me a little background about Riverdale Baptist and their competitive sports reputation. Right when I entered the gym, I felt the energy rise. DC and Bmore were in a battle. The lead went back and fourth. Wow! DC hit a game winner. It was my time to play, but with the excitement of the game before and the championship banners all over the walls I started to get a little nervous. However, I knew I had to prove myself. I have been struggling to find my confidence in this league throughout the season. Win or lose, I was determined just to play my game. First game was against a very good PG team. We competed hard but the results did not show. We got killed on the boards. We thought for sure the next game against Anne arundel would be different. This is a game we had a chance to win. It was right after the game of the year, Southern Maryland and Alexandria, which also ended on a game winner. We began to warm up and I knew we had to work hard to win this game. Anne Arundel was very big and we were missing all of our big men. We had to box out and close out shooters. We didn't do it. We weren't listening to coach. We were all playing our own way instead of coaches way. As a team, we shot poorly especially from 3 point range. Having 6 players and being the second game of the day we were just out of gas. Unfortunately, we racked up another loss. Even though we had 2 losses we played tough as team and earned respect. I am getting a little tired of saying this but next week against Arlington is a must win. 


Thanks, Michael Tehan #30 of the Loudoun Eagles 

Entry # 5 Josh Jackson (Game 5 and 6)

On Thursday, July 14 we played Prince William Mustangs there isn't pretty much to say because we beat them 83-51. That was a tune up game for Saturday against Alexandria City. Alexandria gave us a huge run for our money,  Alexandria was our biggest challenge of the season. The game kept going back and forth but at the end Alexandria pulled out the W with the game winning layup the score was SMC 61-Alexandria 63. We'll meet again Alexandria!! 

Entry # 5 Michael Tehan (Game 4)

“Drip drip drip”

The feeling of sweat falling down my face. It was game 4 at Landon high school, and the air condition was not turned on. The gym felt like a furnace. It didn't really bother me because my mind was focused on the game. We only had 7 players, but we were playing the winless Fredrick team. 

We need a W regardless who shows up to play. Game on, the clock the begins to tic. It was very back and fourth in the beginning. They took the lead at the end of the 1st quarter. Coach got mad at us for not playing defense. We didn't panic, although we did have our usual turnovers which we have to eliminate if we want to beat more competitive teams. Early in the second quarter we came back and were up by a few. It continued at the pace until the 4th quarter. We pulled ahead by 9. At that point with a comfortable lead I thought we should calm down and waste clock. Instead we started playing 1-5 which brought them back in the game. They brought our lead down to 4. 

Right as that happened I stole the ball and made a layup then knocked down a 3! Up by 9. Fredrick couldn't get back in the game. Game over, we won! Also, shout out to cj who better be reading this.

Entry #4 Michael Tehan (Game 3)

“Blank blank blank”

That's what was going through my mind after a long week of youth camp. I had not slept much the past 5 days, and I just came from a 3 hour car ride. I couldn't get my mind to focus on the game. My legs were dead, but I was trying to play through it. It didn't work. Benched! I was awful, and so was most of my team. We needed to win this game which is why Sam and I came back a day early from camp. However, nothing was going right. 

After the first quarter we were down by 9. Turnovers and not boxing out is killing us. At half we were down by 13. Surprisingly, with our lack of energy and sloppy play we brought the lead down to 7. I still wasn't in the game because I was sucking. “Crap” mid way through the 3rd quarter right when we were putting a game a together, Sam Larsen fell on his ankle. He is out. He had to go to the hospital. 

Last week Jiaan and now Sam. Two of our best and tallest players are out for most of the season. I felt bad for Sam. He is one of my best friends, and he is on my AAU team. Seeing him leave early for the hospital was hard. The game went on. Unfortunately for us nothing went right again. In the 4th quarter they took over, we lost by over 20. We're gonna have to learn how to play as a team, and get rebounds without our two tallest players. I think we have the talent but we have to use it effectively in order to succeed as a team. Watch out Frederick were coming for you next week.

Entry # 4: Josh Jackson (Game 3)

Woooo!  Another close game against the DC Bulldogs.  But, once again the SMC “Money Team” cashed out and deposited another “W” in the bank SMC 77 and DC 73.  I’m beginning to see the difference between playing Rising Stars and Elite.  Elite games are faster, the talent is more competitive and the contact is more physical.  SMC was up by 10 but my friend Zion Russell began hitting those 3’s and brought DC within 3.  However, down the stretch it was SMC defense and free throws that made the difference and secured the win.  #who'snext