Kev's
Kommentary
Return to Home Page
|
Kevin
Laukaitis, No. 44, is a football player at North Catholic
(starting safety, backup running back). He wants to be a sports writer (someone help this
kid, quickly -- smile) and we're giving him a chance. He will file occasional reports on
basketball matters. Please give him your support.
You may reach Kevin at believe811@yahoo.com |
JAN. 12
Unity = Success
What do the Sixers and PCL Basketball have in common? Well,
an issue important to all sports teams
unity. To start the season, the
Sixers struggled, and despite the seemingly enhanced additions to the team over the
summer, no one had an answer for the losses. Well, about a week ago, all questions were
answered. The problem: no team unity. The answer, which was provided by The
Answer Allen Iverson: headbands. The night the Sixers played the Suns, we
confusingly saw a majority of the team wearing these headbands. Then, the reason was
announced. The headbands were developed to promote team unity, which in turn, would
generate wins. Well, it worked
kinda. Those few with the headbands, we saw a whole
new unified Sixer team, which won games (the right way). The headbands, however, appear to
be gone now, but the idea of promoting unity was still effective.
So, what does Sixer Basketball have to do with High School Basketball? Throughout the
years, and throughout this years season, we see various forms of team unity in
Philly High School B-ball. To Judges traditional high school-colored-socks, to teams
getting their shoes customized with their teams name on them, to West
Catholics warm-up shirts, which don the word Family on the
back
Weve seen many forms of team unity to spark cohesiveness, which in turn
will [hope to] produce wins. But exactly how does this concept of team unity operate and
produce success?
The Catholic League, especially the North, has shown one player cant win basketball
games alone. Even the power of the North, Dougherty, has a bunch of good
players who work together. Yes, White, Clark, or Greer
could opt to try to take over a game by themselves, but they understand if everyone works
together as one, they can win a title, and in some cases, dominate other teams. Teams like
Egan with Holland, or Wood with Spadafora wont
experience that success this year despite having arguably 2 of top 5 players in the North.
The reason: no one else from these teams has the ability to score and step up their game,
so theyre simply watching these 2 great players take all of the shots to win games.
And weve seen, in some instances, when these players are having off-games, so are
their respective teams as a whole.
Teams like North and LaSalle, have chances to make the North play-offs this year, but they
cant constantly rely on Welte (North) and Sullivan
(LaSalle) to carry their team. True, you can rally behind these good players in tough
times, late, in crucial games, but some sort of chemistry most develop between
player-and-player, and even player-and- coach. A team like Judge appears to have this
unity down pretty nicely. (I wonder if its those socks? Hmm
) Yes, you can make
a case that Haigh is one the elites in the Catholic League, but he
doesnt act alone. Granted, maybe Judge just has a very talented team this year, but
seeing the whole rotation constantly produce day in and day out shows that theres
some kind of unity, cohesiveness, and player and/or coach trust going on there.
So, as you watch the many Catholic League games this season, be aware of team unity.
Observe some the different forms of the team unity shown by each team and observe
cohesiveness on the court. Youll be surprised how a better, more talented team CAN
be beat by a group of players working together and who trust in their coach to help win
the game. Watch the players on the court and see how they get along with their teammates
and recognize those who dont. Also, keep a close eye on the so-called
stars of the Catholic League. And, if they truly fit that title then
theyll not only come up big in crucial situations, but also encourage their
teammates to do the same. The team unity will show and, in the long run, so will their
record and a spot in the playoffs.
Introduction To The 2002 Season
Im baa-aa-aa-aack. Considering
my Kommentary for this years Football season caused at least SOME interest,
Ive returned to try my hand at the B-Ball scene.
Now, my articles for B-Ball may not be as extensive and frequent as my Football
Kommentaries considering I dont actually play for the North Catholic B-Ball team. (Well, at least not anymore. Long
Story) See, the last 2 years, I actually DID, and I consider myself of having a
decent knowledge of the game and mainly the Philadelphia Catholic League. Ill do my best to keep my Kommentaries
freshly updated, but bear with me. Another
thing
Dont expect game reports of the NC Varsity, here. Basically, aside from North Catholic
students/players, I really dont think anyone would care. All I will try to
accomplish is discussing interesting and sometimes controversial topics concerning all of
Philadelphia B-Ball. And thats where,
you (all of my loyal fans
YEA RIGHT), come in. To
make my page most enjoyable and relative to the fans and everyone else involved in the
Philly B-Ball scene, feel free to send your thoughts of past and suggestions for future
stories. My mailbox is always open for
thoughts, comments, and suggestions from ANYONE. Well,
now enough of me tediously describing my syllabus for this years course (Just
Kidding)
Lets get to the first Kommentary for the 2002 Philadelphia Basketball
season.
My Philadelphia High School B-Ball Christmas Wish List
O.K.
were not kids anymore (excluding Sparky). But
its fun to reminisce, isnt it? Remember
your annual Christmas wish list to Santa Claus? And
moreover, remember how you actually thought the list you sent in the mail to Mr.
Claus would not only be read, but also answered by the jolly fat man from the North
Pole? Well, how bout we relive old
times, and write our own Christmas wish list. (Well,
at least MY own wish list.) Only this time,
well whip up a few wants involving Philly B-ball. And oh yea, we wont mail it, just post it on
the site. Let the asking begin
Dear Santa,
Now I know your busy this
Christmas, and I know you have a lot of houses to visit, but can you PLEASE try your best
to bring us these gifts for the 2002 Basketball season.
I know you cant give us ALL of these gifts, but please try to bring us
most of them. Thanks Santa. Heres my list:
1. Please bring us a competitive Catholic League Northern Division this
year. We dont want Dougherty to run the
show with their cheesy Public League Transfers.
2. Please grant Southern a good, successful, or even just a winning
season this year, after their disastrous Football season.
3. Please watch over Hockey Puck and hold his hand as he
walks down the gym steps in the games he will attend this year.
4. Please cast a spell on Germantown Academy this year, and dont
allow them to win the Inter-Ac. That team is
just TOO good. Its not fair.
5. Please give Amar a pat on the back for all of the
present, and Im sure, all of the future coverage he will be doing this year on
Philly B-ball. Hes doing a
hell of a job, and might be working the hardest out of everyone on the site,
to help High Schoolers.
6. Please tell everyone to stop talking about Grade School CYO teams for
this season. After all, this site is the main
source for area HIGH SCHOOL sports coverage.
7. Please tell the so-called writers who report on their
teams games to STOP, since (besides their own school) no one cares.
8. Please grant success to the most well coached team in the
Philadelphia Catholic League, St. Joes Prep, and show that a well-coached team of
any kind of players (young or old) can defeat pure, raw talent.
9. Please let me see just one Up and under from a big man in
the Catholic League North this year. I know
this is asking a lot, but PLEASE try.
10. Please watch over Ted this B-Ball season, and dont let him go
blind after looking at his computer screen each night, updating the site.
11. And finally, Ill wrap it up because Im getting tired. Please let this years B-ball coverage be
just as successful, if not BETTER than the past Football season, to show just how good
this site really is for all of our High School sports needs.
Thanks
Santa. Have a safe trip.
P.S. Dont leave any crumbs! O.K.?