Brownsburg Hustles for two W's.

Brownsburg 43
Avon 41
Friday, December 19, 2008
In front of a raucous student section and before loyal fans celebrating “State Championship Banner Night” commemorating the 1984,85, 2006, and 2008 football, baseball, and basketball championships respectively, the Dogs gutted out another tough HCC victory. Enique Mason began the game with a bucket and continued his solid performance the rest of the night. Although he drop-stepped four points in the first quarter, the Dogs could only come with four more while Avon put in 12. Austin Fish connected for six points in the second period – two of those coming off a floor-cleaning loose ball scramble. With four white jerseys on the floor, J.D. Cosby pulled the ball from the bodies and pushed it toward Fish who finished at the basket and drew the foul for an antique three-point play. The Dogs took the lead in the second quarter due to the hustle of Kurtis Runyon who sparked the Dogs off the bench with his tenacity. The Dogs went on to win the third quarter thanks to a dunk by Enique Mason from an assist by Nibbs. Buckets by Cosby, a slash by Nibbs, and a field goal by Mason gave Brownsburg the fourth quarter lead. But the Dogs had to hold off Avon with their defense in the final seconds to claim the HCC victory 43-41. Enique Mason lead all scorers and played a complete game by scoring 13 points, pulling down nine rebounds to go along with four blocks and an assist. Fish connected for nine points. Torrey Nibbs had eight points and cleaned the glass for 10 rebounds. Cosby grabbed five points to go along with his five assists. Jacob Eldridge had four points. Jacob Stevens connected on two freebies, and Kurtis Runyon dropped in two points to go along with his four rebounds.

Brownsburg 52
@ Ben Davis 49
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Austin Fish got the Dogs off to a solid start in the first quarter by connecting on three three pointers. Torrey Nibbs and J.D. Cosby both added buckets to give the Dogs a 14-6 lead at the quarter. The 2nd quarter belonged to the Giants as they converted on easy transitions off mental mistakes from the Dogs. The Giants also knocked down three trifectas to win the quarter 19-9 and take a 23-25 half time lead. Jacob Eldridge carried the Dogs in the third quarter with nine points off the bench while Enique Mason blocked three shots and altered more defending the paint. After three quarters the Dogs still trailed 38-39. The Dogs’ balanced attack in the fourth quarter helped them get the lead. Jacob Stevens grabbed an offensive board and put it back for two. Then Cosby drove the lane and dished to Mason for the deuce. Cosby then connected with Torrey Nibbs who streaked to the hoop for two more. And the last two points came as Nibbs found Cosby cutting to the basket. The Dogs defended three three point attempts in the final seconds to claim their first victory on the road. Austin Fish led all scorers with 18 points while claiming two steals. Jacob Eldridge sparked the Dogs with nine points. Torrey Nibbs dropped in eight points and dished three assists. Enique Mason cashed in on six points, grabbed seven rebounds, and totaled three blocks. Cosby added five timely points, Jacob Stevens scored four points and dished out three assists. And Kurtis Runyon pounded home a post move for two. Team-play was vital as the Bulldogs had 14 assists on 21 baskets for the night. . The Dogs are now 4-3 and will face HCC foe Lafayette Harrison at the Fieldhouse in Brownsburg on January 2 at 7:30 pm.

Brownsburg Victorious over Zionsville and Perry Meridian

Friday, December 12, 2008
Brownsburg High School
Brownsburg 54 – Zionsville 50

In a physical Hoosier Crossroads Conference bout, the Dogs prevailed due in much part to a priceless 6th man – the DOG POUND. The student section and the continuous clapping through the fourth quarter propelled the Dogs to go on a 9-0 run. This came in time due to a slow start. The Dogs trailed 9-18 after the first quarter. Zionsville’s hot shooting of 66% put them on top 23-33 at the half. But the Dogs got things going in the third thanks to great team defense forcing the Eagles into 17 total turnovers and an efficient offensive attack. Timely baskets by Austin Fish, J.D. Cosby and Enique Mason gave the Dogs the lead for good down the stretch. In all the Dogs outscored the Eagles 31-17 in the second half to claim their first victory of the season and their first HCC victory. The Dogs were lead by J.D. Cosby with 16 and 5 assists. Austin Fish dropped in 14 points on 4-7 shooting from behind the arc. Torrey Nibbs connected for 9 points, Mason and Stevens both sank six points and Eldridge added three more.

Saturday, December 13, 2008
Southport High School
Brownsburg 64 – Perry Meridian 55

Returning to Southport gymnasium brought back terrific memories for the loyal purple and white, and on Saturday the Dogs added to those positive memories. Enique Mason and Torrey Nibbs totaled 19 points in the first and helped the Dogs take a 27-26 half time lead. The Dogs pulled away in the third quarter with a spark off the bench from Kurtis Runyon who dropped in four points in the period, six for the evening, on three of four shooting. Austin Fish connected for two tri-fectas in the third, and the Dogs went to the final quarter up 41-37. The Dogs proved their resolve in the final stanza by spreading the defense out and hitting a clutch 12-13 from the free-throw line to win again at Southport 64-55. Enique Mason brought an efficient inside attack with 12 points six rebounds on 20 minutes of play. J.D. Cosby grabbed a gutsy seven rebounds to go along with his 9 points and 4 assists. Austin fish added 11 for the Dogs and Jacob Eldridge and Levi Roach both had 3 points. Torrey Nibbs lead the Dogs with 20 points including 7-10 from the charity strip in the victory.

Come on out this Friday night for Championship Banner Night. The Dogs will unfurl the 2008-2009 State Championship Banner and take on the Avon Orioles beginning at 6:00.

"Pound the Rock!"

Everyday we face challenges that when we view them in their entirety, they are enormous. They are a tidal wave of negative power that floods our hearts and minds with stress, and dampens our attitude and disposition with pessimism. We need not battle all our tasks and responsibilities at the same time. We need not tackle the cell phone, IPod, T.V., email, teleconference, practice, or homework assignment all at the same time. We need not multitask. We need to advance ourselves one step at a time with ferocious focus on the present.

One often hears those in offices, in classrooms, and in homes boast about the ability to multitask, and although one might be envious of another’s ability to juggle a variety of responsibilities Time magazine cites the ills of multitasking and the importance of focus. Our basketball program, players, managers, and coaches, must strive to be the best of the best one moment at a time. To help us accomplish this, I would like to adopt the phrase taken from a unique 19th century journalist, photographer, and reformer Jacob Riis – Pound the Rock! He states: “I…..look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before."

Persistence is key. If we want to build lasting legacies that span generations and centuries, we must ‘pound the rock’. Others have done it. We must keep ‘pounding the rock’. Mr. Foster ‘pounded the rock’ amidst mediocrity. Cal Ripken Jr. ‘pounded the rock’ with 2,632 straight days at work throughout 16 years. Michelangelo ‘pounded the rock’ from 1508-1512. Lewis and Clark ‘pounded the rock’ for over 4000 miles. Frederick Douglas ‘pounded the rock’ for 77 years. And Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers ‘pounded the rock’ for 14 years.

Now we get to! We get to go to work: one drill, one repetition, one possession, one homework assignment, one sprint, one class, one task, one phone call, one email, one game, and one day at a time. Before we know it, together we will have built everlasting memories. Pound the rock dogs! Pound the rock!

What a HERO!

Tears still swell up in my eyes, and occasionally trickle down my cheeks when I watch "The Father of The Century" and his son on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy8hOOvM0t0&feature=related Some of you know that this was a part of our presentation last year at our "HERO CLINIC". While parents, players, brothers, sisters, role-models, and friends walked out of the gym to pick up their pictures, I knew we had accomplished our mission for the day: spending quality time together doing something you like with someone you love. Let's face it, basketball is simply a game through which we celebrate and build relationships. This year we look forward to making your experience just as memorable and even more impacting than before. This year's clinic will be held on November 8th from 2-5 p.m. in the fieldhouse. The registration form is attached to this website. Please share this with anyone who you think might want to attend! Bless you and we’ll see you in the gym.

Making a Positive Impact

75 people. 2 supervisors. 300 + customers. 11 hours of service = $2200. Thousands of smiles later and touted as the best volunteer group Incredible Events has ever seen = PRICELESS!

The parking lot at Boulder Creek buzzed with excitement as shivers of over 55 volunteers from the Basketball Family created an anxious buzz on that crisp fall Saturday morning at 9 a.m. All waited to receive their championship t-shirts donated by Team Sports and then to be instructed on what was ahead. Sonya Roach and Annisa Rainey, our two leaders of the fundraiser, did what real Bulldogs do – overachieve. But even they couldn’t paint a real picture of what was to unfold. No one could, until our Bulldog Family jumped into action.

Tents, caramel apples, games, Faye & Shelly, BINGO, inflatables, grilled corn on the cob, hamburgers, condiments, baked beans, face painting, crafts, brooms, picnic tables, and set up. A quick bite to eat…….. Time to make an IMPACT.

Over 300 Barnes and Thornburg employees and their families enjoyed a wonderful afternoon because of the kind, eager, and industrious people in our program. Our players made children ages 3 to 83 smile, chuckle, and enjoy the innocence of a small carnival on a beautiful fall day at Eagle Creek Park. Moreover, they were so remarkable that the director for Barnes and Thornburg complimented them for making this day special for the employees. Immediately, an employee interrupted and commented, “This group is the most courteous group of young people I have ever seen. Thank you for making this so wonderful.”

A group had never before been complimented in such a manner. This made us obviously proud of our players and sons. And, although Shelly and Faye were impressed with our record set up, positive influence, and record tear down time, all of the members of the Bulldog Family expected as much. We work each day at being the Best of the Best. On October 4th these Dogs proved it once again.

Thank you Sonya, Annisa, parents, players, coaches, relatives, graduates, Greg Hill, Shelly and Faye for making that Saturday well……Incredible.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Practice! Practice! Practice! Yes practice is important, especially today. In an age where the ‘redo’ button on the X-box is only an arm’s length away, hours of repetition seem extraneous to many of our players. When I say “hit 200 more shots today” some of my players are willing to do it. Others scoff at the idea.

How about this idea from http://www.hoop-hype.net/.
“ Most basketball players want to improve their shooting. That is good, but to reach your basketball shooting goals takes daily, specific, measurable goal setting and correct practice. For the average player it takes 20,000 correct repetitions to make your shot automatic. If you shoot 1000 correct shots each day, how many days would it take for your shot to be automatic? The answer is 20 days or less than three weeks. If you shoot 100 correct shots each day, how many days would it take for your shot to be automatic? The answer is 200 days or almost seven months. You have a decision to make. How bad do you want it?”

Coach Hal Wissel makes a great point. How bad do you want it? Parents, are you willing to support your son or daughter if they decide to invest three hours a day shooting a basketball? How about rebounding for them until they hit 500? Yes, this sounds extravagant and excessive, but there are players presently doing this. Let me tell you about one player that paid this price and was rewarded just a few years ago.

This player scored 3603 points in high school, including a game high of 71. That means the player averaged 46.4 points per game as a high school player. The player broke his/her arm and returned shooting left-handed, but still the player averaged 26.4 points per game. In addition to basketball, the player was a four-sport athlete and record holder in cross-country, track, and tennis.

Obviously this player went on to college where, despite being only 5’8 and weighing only 144 pounds, was the highest scoring freshman in the nation and earned the right to be on Team USA. The success continued as this player won game after game, award after award. Finally, this player won the prize and honor of being named the best player in college basketball.

The pro scouts saw this tremendous product; therefore, this player went as the #4 draft pick in 2001. Most importantly this player was named the 2001 Rookie of the Year.

How was this done? Practice! By HITTING 1000 shots every day! That’s right – Jackie Stiles did it. Who is the next young person to do some phenomenal feat like this? I sure hope it is a Bulldog!

See you in the gym,

Coach Kendrick

http://www.webkrafts.com/stiles/index.htm
http://www.factmonster.com/biography/var/jackiestiles.html
http://www.webkrafts.com/stiles/news/wnba081701.htm
http://www.wnba.com/allstar2001/rookie_experience1.html
http://www.hoop-hype.net/

LEARN FROM THIS: Great Examples Exist for Teamwork

In a age where even the highest executives, politicians, and Hollywood stars "pass-the-buck" and make excuses when things go wrong but hoard the credit when things go right, one doesn't have to look far to find a young person sharing the glory.

Javon Ringer, the Michigan State tailback phenom, is showing the world how to build a team by sharing the glory, and giving credit to others. In the recent press conference following the Notre Dame game, Ringer took his linemen with him to the microphone to praise them amidst the lights, cameras and the entire sports world. Why?

Javon Ringer knows it is about the team not him. He knows how to empower and inspire his teammates into being better players. Javon Ringer knows that he wouldn't accomplish anything by himself. Yes, this young person realizes that for every yard he gains for Michigan State on the field, many have sacrificed. And when given the opportunity to bask in the spotlight, he reflects it to the other members of his team. What a great teammate!

You watch, the Spartans will end the season as a great team because of Javon Ringer "the great teammate." We could all learn from this, me included. Visit the link & scroll down. Fast-forward the video to 1:30. http://www.spartantailgate.com/

Thank You!

Basketball is here! The 2008-2009 Brownsburg Hoops basketball try-outs have taken place, and thanks to Coach Baylor and the Brownsburg Hoops staff, it went well again. We had over 100 participants attended the event and look forward to another year on the hardwood thanks to some terrific volunteers.

So many times when newspaper reporters or fans congratulate you after a win their comments only pertain to the last 32 minutes of basketball. What they don’t understand is that success in any program begins with fathers and coaches like we have in our Brownsburg Hoops program and BJBL. I am so thankful that our feeder system directors, coaches, and their families are willing to sacrifice time, effort, energy, and money to improve our program and invest in young players’ lives.

It is true. You do ask busy people to get a task done. This is the same with these quality men on our basketball staff. They coach in the junior football league; they coach in the local little league; they do it all, plus they are successful professionals in their chosen careers. (I guess I’m not the only husband and father that coaches year round.)

Most importantly, behind every great man is an even better woman! Thank you wives for allowing your husbands to stay involved in a game. Thank you ladies for taking care of your other children while your husbands and sons run off to put a ball through a metal rim. Thank you wives for running the day-to-day operations as your man allows his competitive juices to distract him from your ‘honey-do’ list. I know there is much time involved, but you are helping your husband make some great memories for young basketball players that will last forever. The youth of today need his guidance and teachings for tomorrow. Thank you ladies!

Yes basketball is in the air again as it was last March when our program was propelled to the greatest height Indiana Basketball knows. A terrific team, a wonderful coaching staff, and a supportive administration propelled it there. Blessed beyond measure, I didn’t forget even standing at center court at Conseco Fieldhouse that uncompensated feeder system coaches who give freely of their time and energy propelled it there too. Thank you Jerry Hinds. Thank you Mike Western. Thank you Michael Bayler. Thank you Brownsburg Hoops. Thank you BJBL. Thank you wives. Thank you families. Thank you coaches for all that you do for young people!

For those of you that missed the try-outs or are looking for another opportunity to play basketball this winter, contact our Brownsburg Junior Basketball League by clicking the link on this blog!

See you in the gym!

Bulldog Tough

At last year's team camp our coaching staff was trying to decide on what mantra we should adopt for our particular collection of players in 2007-2008. We were conscious about the fact that we had graduated Stephen Bailey who played through terrible back pain (and after surgery when he wasn't allowed to come to school, he still led his teammates into the gym at 6:30 am for free-throws), Michael Stalnaker who was one of our strongest players ever and battled through a broken finger his senior year, Grant Goedde who was our strongest and physically toughest player, and Ben Miller who become so mentally tough that he improved on both sides of the court to the extent that it was hard to take him out of games. These guys had led the campaign of diving on the floor, sweating, bleeding, giving of themselves, and collectively working hard in moments where only pride mattered. So our staff decided on "Bulldog Tough". We wanted to make sure our guys continued to play and be tough. We were obviously anxious about this, for a while.

In a preason contest of wall-sits, Gino Calderon beat everyone with a wall-sit that was just shy of six minutes. As soon as his challenger crumbled from the wall Calderon flopped down in agony. He had severely pulled his quadriceps in the contest. But he won! He was not going to be denied. I'll never forget the look of excruciating pain on his face as he looked up from the ground, the tears, the look of awe on his teammates' faces, and through all of his gasps and sobs he questioned, "Coach, did I win?" "Yes Gino, you sure did!" "How long was the wall sit?" "5 minutes 47 seconds!" In the midst of pain, Gino's mind was still concerned about the task at hand. He set the tone - Pain is temorary - Pride is forever.

Our season began and continued with the same focus and toughness as recorded above both mentally and physically. Guys pushed themselves daily. Players became injured, worked with our trainer Dave Jessup, and played through it. No complaints. No whining. Guys became sick. Went to school sick. Practiced sick. Played sick. They only stayed home after calling the coaching staff and making sure their absence wouldn't hurt the team. Julian Mavunga is a perfect example. Julian had a 101 degree fever, congestion, and a sore throat at school and in our game against Bloomington South. What did he do? He did what he did the entire year. Dominated. Why? Because he had already practiced when he had felt this way. It was easy for him to play when he felt ill, and because of this, he helped his team give a ranked and unbeaten team their first loss.

The 2007-2008 season ended with the same toughness on July 19th at the World's Largest High School gym in the world. Less than 48 hours before tip-off, Indiana West All-Star Blake Hall had severely sprained, or possibly broken, his ankle. With the game on Saturday, Blake (left) was fine-tuning his skills at Arbuckle Park late Thursday evening when it happened. In four years of playing for the Bulldogs Blake had only been hurt once. An injury during the Noblesville game had kept him out of 20 minutes this past season. Never had he been hurt before, that I knew of. So obviously, when I saw him on Friday and he couldn't walk, it was clear that this sprain was serious. With crutches, walking boot, and some pain medicine in his duffle bag, this champion made the trek to New Castle with fellow West All-Stars for a fun-filled weekend, not knowing if he would be able to even take the court. That is selflessness.

At one o'clock, an hour before tip off, Blake reclined against a white wall as his body pressed down into the red cushion of the training table. His leg jutted out off the table two feet as the black and blue bruise which surrounded his ankle gave an ominous look to the sterile room. The trainer stood staring, silent, contemplating what she saw. Finally she spoke. "Uh, when did this happen?" "Thursday night," Blake replied. "What did the doctor say?" "I haven't seen the doctor yet." "Well.....O.K....Let me take a look......". The trainer pushed around on the swollen ankle. Blake's jaws clenched as her fingers proded at the torn tissue around his bones. "And you're sure you want to play today?" "Positive." "I'm not a doctor, but I know you have torn tendons in there, and it could possibly be broken. Are you sure?" "Yep." "Well, all right. I'll get some heavier tape and let you play, but you have to promise to go to the doctor." "Sounds good." The trainer left the room; Blake put his head back against the white concrete wall and let out a sigh. He was getting to play one more high school game!

The 4A East/West All-Star Game was awesome because a state champion showed why he was a state champion. Blake Hall's hustle was unparalleled. He grabbed two rebounds and jumped out of bounds to save a deflected ball, landing on his bad ankle, all in the first two minutes. Blake exhibited Bulldog Toughness as he battled an opposing 6'10 player who weighed 70 pounds more than he did. It was truly apparent that Blake Hall was working his tail off through pain, and it wasn't just the bias of his high school coach who was swelling with pride on the sidelines. His West teammates came alive with cheers each time Blake grabbed a board, dove on the floor, tipped a ball to keep it alive, or attempted a charge. It was obvious to my assistant who commented, "He's a mad man. He's all over the place." Yes, he was. This time there wasn't a state championship on the line. 18,000 people weren't cheering. No, this time that wasn't the case. In front of a much smaller group of people one sweltering July afternoon, Blake Hall led all rebounders for the game with eight, dished out two assists, grabbed two steals, put back an offensive rebound, attempted a charge, hustled his tail off, and played the tough defense Brownsburg fans had witnessed all year. Why? Because that was what his team needed. That was the toughness necessary to win. Because Blake Hall is one tough kid!

I chuckle now at my reservations last summer. Blake Hall and the rest of the 2007-2008 team were tough, even when it was just for pride. I look forward to watching this year's team "Hold the Rope".

Good Luck BHS basketball graduates!
We love ya,

Coach Kendrick