Foresters Keep Busy While Waiting for Next Season
BAD ENDING TO A GOOD SEASON
I think we're agreed the Foresters headed home from Branson way to early this year. Ending the season on two losses wasn't a pleasant feeling.
I spent time with most of the players this spring and I can tell you that, as a group, they were truly disappointed and have developed a renewed focus and commitment to next season.
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The guys hit the weight room almost as soon as they returned from Branson and there were few if any complaints about the workout regimen. The most common remark I heard was that they failed to reach their potential and everyone wants to do their part to ensure that it doesn't happen next season.
PLANS FOR THE SUMMER
For some, plans are in the works for players to share an apartment this summer to better focus on improving their game. Others may even forego summer jobs to concentrate on basketball.
One might say they aren't getting jobs because they're lazy and would rather enjoy fun, fun and more fun in the sun. In my opinion, that isn't the case but I'll leave that to you to decide.
INTRAMURAL VOLLEYBALL
Lest anyone think that spring was all work and no play, allow me to set the record straight. Yes, there were classes to attend, papers to write, presentations to make, tests to take and the training regimen, but there were also some intramural volleyball games.
That's right; Alex, Chase, Jared, Kyle, Seth, Steve and some of their friends formed a volleyball team. With a group of athletes like this assembled, one would think the deck was stacked in their favor. But don't be too hasty.
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In fact, they did have the third best intramural record and proceeded to win the volleyball tournament; no small feat considering they played teams consisting mostly of high school standouts.
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Other than being great athletes (for the most part), our guys had little or no experience at organized volleyball. Tthey lost their first game in both the semi-final and the final matches just to prove it. That put their backs to the wall, forcing them to win the final two games in both series to win the tournament.
INTRAMURAL DODGEBALL
Next, they moved on to dodgeball, where their intramural domination continued. The guys went undefeated during the regular season, only to fall in the championship game, for which several excuses have been offered, of course.
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One theory is it was my fault. I'll acknowledge that they suffered their only defeat of the season in the only match I attended. I'm not sure there's any correlation here, but I'm pretty sure I won't be invited back. I can only hope they'll allow me to attend their basketball games next season.
The second theory, according to sources who spoke with me under terms of anonymity, is that the loss was the fault of Jared Yoder. While down 2 guys to 3, he took (and missed) a risky half-court shot. For those unfamiliar with the rules of dodge ball (at least the local campus version) a successful half-court shot returns everyone on your team to the game.
In fact, Jared not only missed the shot, he put up an air ball which was easily caught, eliminating him from the game. Some believe this sealed their fate and was the reason for the eventual loss.
The third theory is a simple lack of concentration. Some blamed the debacle on their upcoming finals. Well, if there's any merit to that argument, let's hope there will be no finals during basketball season.
LET'S HAVE THEM ALL COMMITTED
Now that volleyball, dodgeball and even their finals are over for the year, the focus is back on basketball.
Make no mistake about it; a competitive fire burns in these guys no matter what they're doing, and we wouldn't want it any other way. It takes extra effort to be successful and these guys want to be successful.
As a fan, I appreciate their intensity and will to win; so let's have them all committed - to basketball, of course.
- by Michael Albertson
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