Big Weekend for Hoops

October 5th, 2015 | Uncategorized

This was a big basketball weekend for me. On Saturday, it was the first official game of the season for me as a player with the UL Eagles. I was both nervous and excited to suit up and get the season started, but I was more eager to coach the u18 Limerick Lakers in their first game on Sunday. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing basketball and I have been anxiously waiting to play in my first game since that day I got here, but I’ve played in basketball games my whole life. What I’ve never done is coach a real team in a real game (only coached in summer camps) and this is why I was looking forward to Sunday more than Saturday.

 

Our (18u Lakers) first game was on the road in Cork against the best team in league. The game didn’t turn out in our favor but it was a great experience and I learned a lot. I have been coaching the Lakers twice a week for about the last 4 weeks so it was interesting to see in a game situation what was clicking with our team and what areas we need to improve on. I also realized the amazing feeling you get as a coach when you’ve been working on a play and the players run that play to perfection and get an easy basket. 

 

I am very thankful to be this team’s coach for the season. They are extremely coachable and work hard. Even though we lost the game, the players kept a great attitude, never gave up, and fought until the end. Those are things you can’t teach and shows that these guys have high character and something special inside of them. I am excited for the rest of the season!

 

Victory Scholar: Staats Battle

Present University: University of Limerick

US League: ACC

Club/Community Partner: UL Huskies

Alma Mater: North Carolina State University

Sponsored by: Team Ireland

 

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