Twelve Boys at Saint Cloud Highschool made the Varsity Basketball team this year. This is only a small number compared to the estimated 130 boys who tried out for the team. A small percentage of the students make the team. What is the difference between someone who makes it compared to someone who doesn’t?

      A massive difference between someone who makes the team versus someone who doesn’t, is their grit and dedication to the game of basketball. Coach Billiteri, the varsity boys’ basketball coach, weighed in on this, “We look for unselfish, team-first minded students to build our team full of guys that put ‘we’ above ‘me’.” The varsity basketball team at Saint Cloud High School, is built with players who are selfless and will help their team where they can. According to MaxPreps, a sport site that focuses on diverse high school sports that coaches and players use to input their stats, shows that the St. Cloud Varsity team has an average of 16 assists per game. Proving their unselfishness to pass the ball to their teammates when needed. This selflessness is crucial to making the team because basketball is a team sport, where a player needs need to get help from your teammates consistently.

      Parts of that dedication show in the form of being able to play on both sides of the ball, meaning, being able to play both defense and offense. Bryce Williams, a student at SCHS who made the varsity team, said “I think if they contribute to the team somehow, they can be successful, but you have to have at least basic skills on both sides of the ball.” This is further strengthened with Lavonte Pittman, another student at SCHS who tried out for the varsity team, he said, “If someone cannot play both sides of the ball, then depending on how strong they are in their position I don't believe they are fit.” Clearly if a player isn’t extremely good in either offense or defense, the chance of making the team is lessened. The importance of playing both sides of the ball tie into having tenacity and drive to go all out for the game of basketball.

      Having drive in the form of energy is extremely important because some players tend to turn over the ball and don’t play defense, showing little effort in trying to get back and stopping the ball they lost. Coach Billiteri said “Giving consistent effort and energy is the most important thing a player can do. That is the only thing you can always be in control of.” Displaying energy is extremely important when considering a placement on the team’s roster. Bryce Williams, also weighed in and said, “Out of everyone, I think my energy stood out from most of the people that were there.” This helps further push the incentive that having strong energy that is consistent makes the player stand out more.

      To be the best version of a role-player or starter when playing means that the player must have a powerful mindset that is full of spirit and devotion, be able to play on both sides of the ball, and maximize the effort given. Without these things, it can be extremely difficult to make such a sought-after team.

      A massive congratulations to all who had the courage to try out for the team and for those who made it. If you didn’t make it, keep your head high, you’re still a fantastic player and there will always be another opportunity. As Michael Jordan would say, “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something but I can’t accept not trying”. Bill Russell, another great ball player, once said “Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory”. No matter what happens, the player is always the deciding factor for the game. With that, good luck to the Varsity Basketball team and to those who tried out.

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