U15 Beijing Spring Cup Recap

Game #1 vs Sports Beijing:  We won because of our talent

Although this was a 20 point win, it was our worst performance of the tournament.  We often talk about playing our best game possible, regardless of the competition.  Winning is not the same as playing well and losing is not the same as playing poorly.  On any given day, our team is capable of performing at a certain level, and it is everyone’s job to work together and play our most complete game, one possession and one decision at a time. After jumping out to a 25-5 lead mostly because of shot making and size, they played us to a tie the final three quarters.  There were several outstanding plays made by individuals throughout the game, but we struggled executing our new offense and did not play defense as a team.  Low point totals are not always indicative of strong defense, huge holes in our defense led to opportunities our opponent simply failed to convert.  It was nice to start off with a win, but we needed to play with more purpose, intensity, and cohesiveness to leave Beijing as champs.

 Game #2 vs Falcons: We won because we fought harder, stayed focused, and played together

We needed a game like this!  This is why we travel—to find competition that pushes us to and past our limits.  The Falcons crisply executed multiple sets and found good looks early against our man-to-man defense.  After switching to Amoeba and forcing a few turnovers, they adjusted and found ways to exploit the zone.  This was the most well-coached team I’ve seen with smart players who could execute.  After falling behind by 9 in the 1st quarter, we knew we wouldn’t beat them playing 1-on-1 and pick up level defense.  They challenged our players to think the game and not just play it.  Our guys accepted the challenge to rally together, play smarter, defend as a team, and execute on offense. 

After falling behind 11-4 and 27-21 at half time, we owned every dimension of the second half from offense to defense, bench to the bleachers (HUGE SHOUTOUT TO THE PARENTS AND U11 AND 13 TEAMS.  THE ATMOSPHERE WAS ELECTRIC!).  We held them scoreless for the first 9 minutes of the 3rd quarter, and allowed only 4 points total in the second half.  It was a beautiful example of how ball pressure can dismantle an offense.  Starting with Justin at the top and sharks circling in the water behind him, the Falcons were afraid to even cross half court.  Ball pressure is almost all effort, and effort is a choice.  Defense is more fun when you CHOOSE to pressure the ball and force your opponent to cave. 

This was easily U15’s biggest mental challenge all year, and they responded with focus, poise, and determination.  On a night when shots weren’t falling, we made sure we defended and rebounded as strongly as possible, which was the main reason we won.  I am extremely proud of the strides each player showed, regardless of minutes played, we needed every one of you to rise to the challenge.  We could have lost this game and grown just as much.  But we didn’t!  The challenge was met head on by every one of our U15 players. 

Game #3 vs You Can: We won because we played smart, together, and with talent

It’s easy to look at the final score of 67-19 and say it was our best performance of the tournament, but I think  HOW we did it is what made it great.  We could have played pick up ball all game and beat them by a similar margin but we strived to play our best team game possible, and it paid off.  After making strides on defense vs the Falcons, our offense remained the one area we had yet to truly shine.  We came out strong and jumped to a 33-7 halftime lead, impressive on both ends.  Our offense in the first half was mostly individual play with glimpses of solid execution of our high post offense. 

 We went to our standby coaching tool and removed dribbling from the offense.  It’s natural to think that would hurt our offense, slow us down, and make us less efficient.  In fact the opposite is true and we scored more points in the second half without the dribble than we did in the first half with the dribble!  Part of that is due to our competition, but it’s why we only play no-dribble with a large lead.  It is a thing of beauty to watch the ball zip around from player to player until a good shot is found.  Players are forced to scan the floor for teammates instead of staring at the ground while they pound dribbles going nowhere.  The result is a fun team experience and a prolific, efficient offense.  It forces us to explore pockets of offense that we wouldn’t if we were allowed to dribble. 

 After learning the power of pressure defense, we overwhelmed the opponent defensively and allowed only 7 points by halftime and a few second half garbage time buckets which led to the 19.  Our last game was the most complete game I have seen U15 play all year.  We had previously scored more points, played better teams, and allowed fewer points, but the totality of our final performance was proof of how far this team has grown since September, January (Taipei), and March (EYBL tournament). 

 The championship trophy is a great reward for our performance this past weekend, but it is also a tribute to the hard work that each of you have put in all year.  Be proud of your performance, but know that it’s not over either.  Another leap can occur before the end of the year, individually and collectively. 

 Be proud.  Be confident.  Stay hungry.  Find another level.