Turning on The Light

I know I have not kept regular blog days this past few weeks. I am having a difficult time prioritizing what is most important: recruiting, scouting opponents, preparing for practices or writing the blog. Unfortunately, the blog keeps getting pushed to the back because I know without the others I won't have a job for long and the blog . . . well, the blog is just for fun.

This week I want to mention a single player--one who is been on the team for 2 1/2 years but who has not received much attention. She is strong, powerful, athletic, quick, plays solid defense and can score, and she did all these things in preseason never allowing herself the opportunity to show up in games the same way she did in preseason practices.

We have waited for her to become the incredible player we told her she was, but she didn't buy into what we told her until recently. In the past three weeks, she has found her inner light and has begun to shine in every aspect of the game. As coaches we are astounded by what she is accomplishing and at the same time aware she had this talent all along. Our amazement is that she has finally allowed herself to be the superb player we all knew she was.

I am thrilled for her, excited when she does something good and am hopeful this new found confidence will shine in other areas of her life. We want our players to believe they can become anything, accomplish the seemingly impossible. It is what we preach on a daily basis, but alas we cannot reach into their brains and flip the confidence switch. They must do this for themselves.

Moneka Slaughter found that switch. It took her a little longer than I would have preferred but she found it. Some people go through life never believing, never seeing their talents; they surrender to what they believe life has given them. BUT Mo, well she has found the strength to change, to seek something better for herself, and as a team we are all behind her and cheer her on when she makes a steal or blocks a shot or catches the ball with one hand and slaps into her chest.

This week I give three cheers for Moneka and I hope this is just the beginning of a life full of confidence and fulfillment.