Tuesday, August 23, 2016

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 2nd 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 3rd 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 4th quarter came the score was close. During the 4th quarter the score kept going back and forth. Late in the 4th 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


                                                                                                   







Monday, August 8, 2016

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