Teams and groups are found in all stages and areas of
life. We struggle to realize how frequently we work with people and how
essential group cooperation is in order to achieve a high level of success. As essential as it is for two legs to work together to achieve forward motion, so
is it crucial that members of a team work together in order to achieve
progress and success. I have participated in more teams than I can count but one of them I
remember better than most is my high school basketball team my senior year. Our
goal was perfection and a state championship title, a high goal that required
each individual of the team to do their individual part and work together as a
well-oiled machine in order to attain our desired goals. If even one person
decided not to work as a team we knew our goals would not be achieved.
Coach Kelsey was our head coach, the man who led by [1]example.
He taught us the x’s and o’s about basketball, but more than that he taught us
about dealing with the adversities of life.
Our
basketball team was comprised mainly of four seniors and one junior that played.
There were other players on the bench that were important in the physiological
make-up of the team, but they did not get much playing time and will not be
spoken about much in this paper. The point guard’s name was Zac Davis. [2]Due
of his background, dedication, and skill set Zac was the team leader, the most
level headed and offense oriented player on the team. Each senior could clearly
be defined as a leader on the team but Zac took this role naturally. Zac was
the best basketball player on the team and went on to play college basketball
after he graduated.
Matt Myers was a three point shooter and the defensive
specialist. Matt was always given the best player on the other team to guard
and shut down. He had quick hands and excelled at what he did. Matt was also
the teams second leading rebounder on the team.
Jeff Lowe was the teams spot up shooter. He could catch
the ball anywhere and shoot effectively. Jeff was a great addition to the team
and would be considered the least aggressive player on the team.
T.J. King(me) was the post and the player that spent most
of his time playing inside. I was given freedom to shoot three point shots if I
wanted but knew that we had other capable players and stuck to my role in the
key for the most part. I was the leading rebounder on our team.
James Carillo was the only junior on the team and the
other post player. His role was to rebound the basketball and play defense.
James knew he wasn’t to take many shots offensively and to just hustle and play
good defense.
[3]The
team clearly had a defined leader, the head coach and a clear team leader, Zac
Davis. But because each player on the team that started and every player that
didn’t start, who could be considered the middle class of the basketball team
took their roles seriously, took initiative and led their roles, our team was
able to create synergy and perform at a higher level than we ever could have as
individual players.
Our basketball team had high goals and was picked to win
the state championship game at the end of the year. We had some struggles early
in the year and lost two games back to back that caused doubt of the team’s
ability to achieves the teams ultimate goal, that of winning it all. One loss
was to the team who beat us last year in overtime in the semi-finals and then
won the state championship game and the other loss was to a much lower quality
team. Players were disheartened and frustrated. That frustration was expressed
as the clock struck zero in their second loss as one of the players slammed the
ball on the floor. Because of the unrestrained action the coach who was also
frustrated took out his frustration on the player in the locker room.
There are moments in our lives when we can make important
decisions that will affect how we tackle life’s goals. After minutes of silence
in that locker room, our coach and leader approached us and told us that our
senior year was going to be his last year of 19 years coaching at Wendell High. He announced
his retirement. Instead of pointing the finger of blame and judgment that night
as to why we had lost, we ended hugging and growing closer together as a team.
That night was a night most of us will never forget. Our season turned around
and we started playing as we knew we could. We ended up defeating the team that
had defeated us earlier and then destroyed the other, lower quality team by
over 30 points in our next meeting. We only lost one more game the rest of the
season.
My
basketball team entered the state playoffs on a high only to encounter a bump
in the road in our first playoff game. It is very difficult to perform poorly
against a good basketball team and still escape with a victory. We fell behind
early in the first quarter and played poorly only to find ourselves down by 14
points to start the fourth quarter. When adversity strikes, we chose to come
together and face it as a team instead of individuals. We rallied back and tied
the game with a breath taking deep three point shot with 1.4 seconds left in
the game. The entire gym was in an uproar. Anything said was barely audible as
the fans were excited to see their team pull ahead and succeed. The momentum had changed.
The
next 1.4 seconds were dramatic and will never be forgotten in the lives of anyone
present. The opposing team inbounded the basketball and quickly shot the ball
nearly across the entire court. The basketball fell through the hoop as the
buzzer rang destroying our hopes and childhood dreams. The locker room was a
place of tears and sorrow. [4]But
instead of pointing the finger of blame, frustration, and anger, we came to
know each other better, to an understanding. The experience that night was even
greater than earlier that season after our second consecutive loss. Even though
each member came from different backgrounds and were completely different
people, we were all brothers that night. Tears were shed as we shared hugs and
support. [5]Instead
of falling apart and taking a step back, we moved onward, we surged forwards.
“The
sun will rise tomorrow and life will go on,” Zac said. We still have games to
play and lives to live. We united and played together as a team the
following two days where most teams fall apart after their initial goal was so
dramatically destroyed. The next two games were two of the easier games won
that year and we were awarded the consolation trophy.
We
are never alone in life. There will always be others who are involved in our
goals and adventures to achieve success. Disappointments always surface despite
our extreme and sometimes desperate efforts to overcome all odds. One of the important facts of life I learned that night with that team
was that even if we fall short of our goals, the sun will rise tomorrow and
life will go on. We have to pick ourselves back up and keep fighting because
that is where victory truly lies.
[1] "Defining
Leadership." Defining Leadership. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2013.
http://www.changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/articles/leadership_definitions.htm
[2] "Concepts
of Leadership." Concepts of Leadership. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2013. http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadcon.html
[3] Gardner,
John W. "Our Dispersed Leadership." On Leadership. New York: Free,
1990. 6. Print.
[4] Gardner,
John W. "Understanding Leadership." On Leadership. New York: Free,
1990. 6. Print.
[5] Greenleaf, Robert K. Servant Leadership: A Journey into
the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. New York: Paulist, 1977.
Print.
