A different look at a Coach and his team

Earlier today or late last night 🌙 I wrote the first of three stories about the victory yesterday.

Story #1 – What we call an actual game story or to try and sound hip its also called a Gamer. I wrote is as if a neutral reporter was covering the game.

Story #2 – Now I will write ✍ about the victory in the form of a column or an Op-Ed. I hope those it will be an enjoyable read.

Before I start I want to share a few thoughts with everyone so it makes sense.

When I am attending a Carroll County sporting event I love to converse with CCHS folks before a game, in between games and after games but not during one. I try to sit somewhere away from people because I, as a parent of five truly appreciate how precious the actual game time is and I will never intrude on that time.

Next clarification – I don’t see myself as a Spokesman for Coach Motley or his program. I am just a fan of how they play the game and the way he Coaches his team.

With that said – here’s a Column from yesterday.

On a simply gorgeous Saturday afternoon the trail landed me in historic Lexington, Virginia. The only thing I enjoy more than supporting High School student athletes is conversation with a stranger or two.

Saturday’s game was a match up between our Carroll County Lady Cavaliers and the Spotswood Trailblazers. A lifetime ago the youngest of our five children spent her Freshman year attending school in Penn Laird where Spotswood is located on US-33.

The game was a rematch from last years Class 3 State Semi-final game which the Cavaliers captured on their way to winning the first State Championship in Girls basketball 🏀 in the schools history.

After visiting for a moment with the Easter family I took my seat in the top row next to my Wife/ Score Keeper. There was a nice couple to our right that were from Wilson Memorial and they were there to watch their Grandsons Varsity team. Their Grandson is a 6’1 8th grader currently playing for the Hornets JV and to the left of us was two elderly ( remember that I am on the cusp of 60 so if I call someone elderly its 75-80 age bracket.

The two folks were locals and pretty knowledgeable about all things Rockbridge County. I was just listening along until they turned their attention to our game. The conversation quickly turned to how we are just riding the coattails of one player.

That line was the trigger point where I couldn’t help myself but then they were talking about the final score from our last game against James River. I’m paraphrasing now but it sounded like we have one player and that our Coach enjoys beating teams senseless.

Now I had to interject a thought or two and I hoped I could defend our program without sounding overbearing. The first thing I snuck in was that are a team of ten and can win a game from any spot on the floor. I added that our second team could probably win the Three Rivers District on their own.

I was now officially on my Soapbox so I couldn’t help myself. Our Coach has to play the teams on our schedule and he coaches with a touch of class that he doesn’t get enough credit for. I went on to add that if he wanted to he could have beaten James River 170-3.

I asked them to watch our game with an open mind, watch the team defense and then when the game is over you give me your opinion of our team and you tell me who’s the star that is carrying our team.

We chatted back and forth throughout the game and when the 67-34 victory was complete one of the guys turned to me and acknowledged my thoughts but he did feel a need to identify our star player.

Number 23…….. I smiled, thanked him for the talk and went on my way. So, if anyone reading this knows Jaelyn Hagee personally PLEASE do two things – first, congratulate her on her great game and second – Thank her for making me look smart.

The Lady Cavaliers are tremendous team with amazing depth that plays a form of defense that has to be annoying to all opposing teams. They are Coached by a local legend that is handling this group of Athletes in a Perfect manner.

The other guy was not sure about #23, his thought was #14 was our “One Player”- known to us as Ashton Richardson.

Tuesday night will take us to Covington and while its a long drive 🚗 I won’t feel a need to educate anyone about our team because they know first hand. But if I find myself in a similar situation again I will happily have the back of these 10 Ladies and their Coach.

EDITOR NOTE :

While the game was fun, Spotswood wasn’t at full strength so if our paths cross again don’t overlook Chris Dodson and his team.

That note was for our fan base because there’s no way our Coach doesn’t know that.

Last thought – in the picture 📷 of Coach and his staff I am hearing that the young Lady to the far left isn’t just an Assistant Varsity Coach or the JV Girls Head Coach but she also once laced up her sneakers for the Cavaliers in an impressive manor.