Following her basketball team’s recent loss to Nebraska, the head coach of Wisconsin’s team, Bobbie Kelsey, got on her soapbox. Kelsey was dismayed at her team’s poor shooting in the 75-62 loss to the Huskers and conversely was complementary of Husker point guard Natalie Romeo who is one of the nation’s best 3-point shooters and who hit 8 3-pointers, tying her own personal record in the contest. Coach Kelsey ranted about the work ethic needed to be a dominant shooter in the game, like Romeo. “She’s a great shooter, and that comes with practice. You can’t nap your way to being a great shooter.” Kelsey knows all about hard work and the payoff as a student-athlete; she was a captain and four-year letter winner at Stanford and played in four Final Four tournaments.

 

The Wisconsin coach underscores the idea that achievement does not happen overnight. Whether on the stage, in the classroom, on the playing fields, or in our jobs, success does not occur by chance. You’ve got to be a hard worker as a starter to have success in athletics, or as Kelsey puts it numerous times in her post-game talk, “You’ve got to put your phone down and get your butt in the gym.” Nothing takes the place of hard work, and that still does not guarantee success, but it’s a great starting point.

 

Here at CA, the boy’s basketball team started the “20,000 Shot Club” three years ago. Players who shoot 20,000 shots during the summer, a little over 200 shots a day, receive the acknowledgment of being in this club. Players like seniors Justin Bassey, Christian Hyatt, Peter Vukovich- Simonson and freshman Spencer Wooten spent a lot of time in the gym honing their shooting skills over the summer and are members of this club. Their hard work was on display early last month in a game against Manual High School with a 100-70 victory.

 

Not only did the boys defeat the Thunderbolts in the contest, they also broke the Colorado state record for successful three-point baskets made in a game with 24. The previous record of 22 was held by Kiowa High School and has stood since 1995. When asked about his team’s accomplishment, Varsity Head Coach Steve Hyatt commented that, “The hard work pays off. This is a reflection of the work the kids put in every day at practice and over the summer.” Senior Christian Hyatt hit 12 of those 24 3-pointers on 18 attempts. Hyatt now sits tied for third in the state for most 3-pointers in a game by a player. The state record is 14. Asked if the new team record will ever be broken, Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach Sean Nolen commented, “Yeah, I think we (CA) will break the record!” The math involved with this feat is incredible.

 

The CA team took 43 3-point shots in the game and made 24 for a 56% average. The team took a 3-point attempt, on average, approximately every 45 seconds, an amazing fact. It certainly was an entertaining game, pitting two high-flying and talented squads. The rest of the regular season, the Metro League tournament, and hopefully the State tournament should be a treat!

 

The perspective necessary for young adults to understand that the results that show themselves in mid-season from attention to detail and work done six months prior is difficult, however, it’s critical. Too often, people want instant results and they get frustrated when they don’t see the fruits of their labor immediately. It all starts with the practice. As Coach Kelsey says, “There’s no magic formula, no secret potions

you can rub on your hands. Get your butt in the gym and practice!”

 

I applaud Coach Hyatt and the rest of CA’s coaches for their attention to the process and their patience guiding CA’s athletes through the delayed gratification of hard work and practice.

 

Our teams are fortunate to compete against strong opponents, like Manual, that bring out the best in our students. I invite you to come and see a playoff basketball game or spring sport contest this month. What you’ll see from our students is a display of a lot of practice and hard work, and it’s worth it!