BlueTiger

7-3 McCallie. Moore, no-hitter into the 5th. Williams with the save. Jayne 3-4 (I think,) with homer.

I'm sorry. I meant Simpson.

Bart Roark for McCallie and Hawk for Baylor. Both complete games.

I hear you. I was in a similar spot for a few more years than you. I've been a top varsity assistant for many years. I've run the B-team at the same time. And I've been an eighth grade and a freshman coach. One year I was on the bench either as a varsity assistant or running a lower level game for 60-plus games. All the while, I was teaching a full academic load. Even with your consistent success and a career dedicated to kids' growth, there are still always going to be some in the crowd who project the attitude that you are out to get Johnny or Bobby or Seth. That's just the nature of it these days. Mother Teresa would eventually catch heck over playing time issues. In a successful year you don't hear it as much. But in one of those down talent years where you're really working extra hard to develop (in basketball and life) kids with marginal abilities, some become more bold in their criticism. So.... I think you have to weigh the pros and cons about how you feel about what you're doing. As a Volunteer, I think you should have even more freedom to be honest with yourself. What keeps you coming back year after year? If you're looking for personal recognition in the newspaper or on TV, frustration will always be there. Look hard at what your motivation is for staying in coaching. Assess how thick your skin can be when it comes to unjust criticism. If it eats at you too much, and you don't need it (the Volunteer coaching job,) you may decide that there are other ways that you can be a mentor to kids. If it's more a love of basketball that has you hooked, if you're NOT coaching, you'll have more freedom to be around basketball on YOUR terms. It could even make the home front more relaxed without you always being frustrated about something that you don't even need to begin with. I hope I haven't been too negative. If you find that coaching is something that you really want to stay with for the right reasons, then you SHOULD. Just as kids can sense your frustration in life, they can also sense, feed off of, and benefit from an adult who models a joyful passion for life. I hope you find peace in your own thoughts. I'm working on getting there myself.

Or.... add a weak AD (or other pertinent administrator) into the mix. It could be that the entire culture of the school allows for the overly-empowered parent who gets out of hand when Johnny isn't getting the PT that he "deserves". Worst case scenarios have included those where parents of marginal players have also been school board members. Very successful and reputable coaches have been pushed out for less-than-professional reasons. Or at the independent schools, often one sees the mentality that thinks that tuition paid equals the right for playing time. The reality is that it shouldn't guarantee a spot on the team. Often (but by no means always,) the kid is more aware of his limitations than are his parents. It's how we handle our setbacks in life that makes us stronger and better able to hone in on our strengths that make us successful.

Hey jmeadows and shooter, It seems clear that you both are proud to be students at McCallie. Such enthusiasm and school spirit are things that many other places could only dream to possess among their student bodies. Likewise, good-natured fun at athletic events does add greatly to this pride, and also to the success of the team. I would also hazard to assume that there are many elements of the mission of the school with which you both would like to identify. Such would include the ideals of "honor, truth, and duty," as well the oft' engraved words about the campus that state that "man's chief end is to glorify God...." Clearly, beyond the tangible successes that McCallie has, and continues to have with its students in the academic arena, character building is a central pillar of the school; a principle that I'm sure at least on some level you hold as vital to your growth as a human being. But when you denigrate others with lines such as "that's alright, that's okay, you'll being working for us someday," you denigrate yourselves, your school, and indeed, your Creator. There is no "glory" in words and actions that aim to hurt and belittle others whom you perceive to be less fortunate or less cultured. When you publicly identify yourself and your school with an attitude that mocks those who live in trailers, when you seek to mock local rivals by dressing up as yokels carrying duck decoys and deer targets, you only bring shame to the school that you purport to support. I come from amongst your ranks. I think that we can and must do better. Be rabid in your support for your schoolmates on the court, on the field, and in our state, and beyond. Be silly in your youthful exuberance and don't lose your sense of humor. Resign yourself to the fact that even if your virtue were to remain untarnished, you would still have your detractors and those who would love to see you fail. But let this be the work of others. Don't bring it upon yourselves by sewing the seeds of hatred and distrust. Glorify yourselves and whatever your notion is of your Creator with gentle kindness. And for crying out loud, if you're going to spout off about the education that you're receiving, learn the difference between "their" and "there."

How do you start out 3-6 and finish 18-3? Forfeits?

The pots are calling the kettles "black".

Cross Market St. bridge and turn left on Cherokee Blvd. Go through tunnel under Stringer's Ridge into Red Bank. You will be on Dayton Blvd. Turn left at light onto Signal Mtn. Blvd. Go a little less than a mile to the second stop light. The Gates to Baylor will be on your left.