DOES BASKETBALL BUILD CHARACTER OR REVEAL IT?

November 22nd, 2022

Real Life Applications

Personal character

We are more than basketball players

Traditions

A lot has happened in the last week or so and there's still more to come.

FALL LEAGUE

The varsity and JV fall league teams wrapped up their schedule on November 13^th. A league tradition had Voorhees playing Hunterdon Central in the last games. League organizer, Ron Armellino honored the seniors from both teams prior to tip off. Both the varsity and the JV ended their seasons with victories. The varsity finished with a 7-2 record and the JV, with a predominantly freshman roster, won several games against varsity competition. 

TEAM DEVELOPMENT

On Wednesday, November 16th the fall varsity team participated in a team development workshop. We crammed a lot of information into a short period of time but in the end we came away with an important outcome - a statement of common purpose, aligning their personal goals and aspirations with what they hope to become as a team this year. Groups will never perform to their potential if there are mixed agendas in play. This conversation was key to, not only identifying the skills and behaviors needed to reach their goals, but also the things that may get in their way if left unattended.

LAST DAY FOR SENIORS

Thursday, November 17^th was our last practice day and the last day for our seniors. Unfortunately scheduling conflicts kept Jaclyn and Sam from attending, but Kate, Eliza and Katie spoke and offered some words of wisdom to rest of the group. In turn, Summer, Sahara, Madie, Sophie and Gianna L. spoke on behalf of the other players, thanking the seniors for their support and encouragement. This is a popular Voorhees tradition, typically done at the last home game of the season, on Senior Night. It was dropped a few years back but we saw value in it and brought it into our last night’s agenda.

BASKETBALL - PERSONAL CHARACTER

Congratulations to all of the players in our program. The off season is now in the past and the school seasons begin. Many of you have been working since mid-March, developing new skills and learning, with your teammates, to be better players and a stronger team. Other, younger players, have been developing the basic skills needed to compete on your rec. teams and middle school teams.

The high school tryouts will wrap up tomorrow. Some middle school teams already started their tryouts. Many of the kids will know where they stand by the end of the week. It’s important to remember that the fall basketball rosters were for the fall. There is not a guaranteed carryover to the high school rosters. Those roster spots were earned in the fall and will be earned again this winter. Once the rosters are chosen, you’ll have to continue to work to maintain your place on the roster - or improve your status.

Now it’s time to put your work on display. Put in your best effort. The rest is out of your control. By week’s end some of you will be happy about the outcome. For some it might be disappointing.

Regardless of the outcome I know this: Everyone we’ve come in contact with in our program has the potential to do great things. I am not talking about just basketball things. I am talking about the things you accomplish, the impact you make on others, every day of your life. You are all more than basketball players.

James Naismith, the inventor of the game of basketball said, “Basketball doesn’t build character, it reveals it”. Your character is evident at every practice. Your response to success, challenges, compliments and criticism tells us a lot about who you are. Again, not necessarily what kind of basketball player you are but who you are in everything you do. That’s why, when you are in middle school and high school it is important to recognize that none of you are defined by your basketball skills alone.

If things do not work out the way you hope remember that we are not defined by the things we are not. We are defined by all the things that we are - our beliefs, our empathy, our integrity, our ability to learn and grow - through both success and failure - our willingness to persevere, give to others and take advice….. 

We had 45 kids registered this year. Not everyone in the program will go on to star in high school or beyond. In fact, of the approximately 150 girls playing high school basketball in Hunterdon County this year (grades 9-12) only 4%, or 6 girls, will go on to play basketball in college. Only 1 of 150 will play D-1 basketball. For the vast majority of high school players organized basketball ends with their last high school game. When it ends the characteristics that make you unique and special will remain. Those characteristics will lead you to something else that resonates with who you are. You can make a difference in whatever you do.

Wishing you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving and holiday season!

Bob Peterman