This is a continuation of last week’s post, if you haven’t read it yet, you can see it here.

The Nats were different than most teams.  When things got tough for the team, they didn’t get down on each other or themselves.  The Nats encouraged each other and their positive energy was infectious. As a result, each player had the confidence to shoot, pass, dribble, and even make mistakes without feeling the wrath from teammates (bickering among teammates is a common theme on most basketball teams.)

On this night, a group of Nats who had been used to playing football, baseball, and basketball in front of thousands of fans in high school and college, played in front of a crowd of about 20 people. The 20 people might as well been 20,000 as the Nats fed off the positive energy and support of the fans.

The Nats were down 15 points in the 2nd half of a low scoring game, it seemed as if the task was insurmountable. Then, all the sudden, the tides started to turn. One Nat, TR made a tough layup in traffic, ending a 6 minute Nat scoreless drought. The 20 fans finally had something to cheer for and you could feel the momentum starting to shift.

A few minutes later, another Nat who had been struggling from 3-point range all season, pulled up and swished an NBA range three to cut the lead to 10. The shot was so pure and Rivel Research started getting nervous.

Rivel’s point guard who had been solid and steady all season, lost his compusure and began turning the ball over and throwing up wild shots thanks to great defense by CS along with the hear and hustle of the Nats. The trash talking point guard was suddenly silenced.

With 6 minutes left, the Nats cut the lead to 7. And then 5. It was really happening, the Nats were coming back. The positive energy from the bench, from the fans, and from the team’s year+long camaraderie was driving the Nats right back into the game.

The teams went back and forth not scoring for a few minutes and WM missed a three+pointer. He calls himself an “inside shooter” and says he struggles to shoot outside in the swirling winds of Compo Beach. WM put his head down and a timeout was called. A few of the Nats slapped WM on the back and said emphatically, “Pick your head up, we need you, you’re going to be a big part of this game!” WM had been the Nats general manager, coach, and a key player all season. There’s truth to the rumor that he would send text messages to each Nat during the days leading up to the games asking how they were feeling and who they wanted to guard. At this point, WM needed was a little positive energy to get him back in the flow. His Nat teammates delivered.

After the timeout, the Nats had the ball down by 4. There was a loose ball and WM came out of nowhere and performed a baseball slide to grab the ball and dish it to CS. In the meantime, BL snuck behind the defense and was waiting for CS’ timely pass. BL recevied the perfect fastball from CS and put a lefty layup in right as two 6’10” power forwards attempted to block his shot. If he went with the right hand, that ball would have been rejected into the ocean.

MK made another outstanding terrific defensive play, forcing a turnover and the Nats had the ball down two with 55 second left. This was it.

WM got the ball in the wing. He made a strong, confident move to the rim and slapped the glass as he put a layup in to tie the game. The Nats had done it! They had overcome an unsurmountable lead. Now it was time to win.

Another defensive stand by the Nats thanks to great team defense especially CS and MK. The Nats had the ball and CS took an open three from the corner with 4 seconds left. It just missed and bounced high off the back iron. WM came in out of nowhere and over the two 7 foot Centers, he slapped the ball like a bear going after a fish. The first tip missed and then…. well we’ll let you see the video:

2013 Compo Beach Basketball Championship

Without positive energy, trust, support from friends and fans, this season would not have been possible. Thank you Nats and Nat supporters, for an unforgettable championship season.

As we celebrated on the beach with a bonfire afterwards, we heard the waves crashing against the sand and we thought of how grateful we were to participate and come away victorious.

There were four main lessons you can take from this. Look closely and you’ll see, the lessons apply not only to basketball and sports, but to life.

Stay positive

No matter how big your deficit, you can always come back. A comeback and a winning season are much more likely if you encourage each other and visualize the positive results before they take place.

MD Hoisting the Trophy

Reduce your ego

If the team is better off with you on the bench at some point during the game or the season, embrace this and support your teammates. The alternative is sulking in negativity and draining the positive energy from the team. As Coach John Wooden said, “It’s amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.”

Be present 

It’s easy to fret and get down about a turnover or a shot you missed in a previous possession but what good does that do?  We like to encourage each other and say, “Next play!” after each turnover or missed shot. If you’re focused on the previous possession, you’re more likely to commit a dumb foul out of frustration or make a mistake because you’re not 100% focused and present.

Practice gratitude

It’s always great to see athletes praying before, after, and during games. The ability to be healthy and able to participate in a sporting contest is a gift in itself. Once you realize this, the game slows down and becomes fun.

What lessons have sports taught you??

Love Brian & Paz