Tonight, my basketball team had an exhibition game against North Allegheny, a Quad A school, who has excelled all year in their section. They are one of the better teams in Quad A and we knew we would have to play really well in order to beat them. During the entire game, North Allegheny ran the press. Derek Petronzi and I brought the ball up and did very well, but breaking their man to man press was very tiring. Somehow, with the help of my teammates I was able to score 30 points. We all played well together and Kevin Welsh had some key passes to me on the fast break. We were excited to beat another Quad A school with the final score of 57-45.
Tonight, our section play on our basketball schedule continued with a home game against Ambridge. After many snow days, our basketball schedule with Ambridge has gotten messsed up. So, we finally got to play them. Coming into the game, we knew that Ambridge had enough talent to beat anyone in the section. Their record does not reflect how good they really are. We knew they would probably attempt to press us because we have always struggled against their press, but come game time we were prepared adn did a great job of breaking it. Kevin Welsh had a huge game tonight. Scoring 34 points, no one on Ambridge could stop him. He helped lead us to a 61-36 victory.
Tonight, my Hopewell basketball team faced another section opponent Ellwood City. Knowing that we are better than them, we had to come in focused and make sure they didn't pull off an upset. Our entire team was ready to play. Point guard Derek Petronzi did a great job of distributing the ball to Kevin Welsh and I. In the first half, I had 21 points. Out of those 21, 18 of them came off jump shots from teh top of the key. Most of the jump shots came from passes by Derek. We played well and pulled off the victory 62-40.
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken (Matthew 12:36).
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let us stop pasing judgment on one another... (Romans 14:12).
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions (Proverbs 18:2).
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue (Proverbs 17:28).
A man of understanding holds his tongue (Proverbs 11:12).
1. Last Time: Effort- don't compare yourself to anyone else and do your best to realize your full potential
2. Name some athletes who you consider to have a "bad attitude".
- Terrel Owens, Chad Ochocinco, Ron Artest
3. How does a "bad attitude" affect a player? Team?
- As a player, having a bad attitude usually affects performance in a negative way because the player is probably unhappy with the team, causing him to not work as hard. It affects the team dramatically, which is why so many teams have traded away guys like Terrel Owens. They cause bad team chemistry and the team suffers.
4. Your attitude is a choice. Agree or disagree? How do you practice having a "good attitude"?
- I agree your attitude is a choice. Of course some days are better than others, but your overall every day attitude is a choice. I practice having a good attitude by thinking to myself that I'm lucky to be out here, so why have a bad attitude. Guys like Tyler Potts would do anything to be out on the field to practice.
5. How might Gratitude change your attitude in the classroom? Practice field? Game field?
- Gratitude means to be thankful. In all three aspects it helps me because I'm thankful to be healthy and capable of doing all three of them.
6. How might Enthusiasm change your attitude in the classroom? Practice field? Game field?
- If your energetic about what you do and love what you do you will be successful in all three of these aspects.
Yesterday, my basketball team played the New Castle Red Hurricanes in another section rivalry. It was probably the best game we played all year. We ran a 3-2 zone that we just put in on defense and it worked to perfection. New Castle couldn't do anything against us offensively. Defensively, we completely shut them down. Dayne Smith and I had very good games. Dayne had almost 20 points, and I contributed with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 steals. This win keeps us in the running for first place in the section with Blackhawk and Center.
Tonight, my basketball team played in a huge game against Center who is a huge section rival. As the season goes on, section play gets tougher and tougher. We knew playing at Center was going to make it tough to beat them. From the tip, we weren't ready to play. It was one of the worst performances we put on all season. Even though they have no height compared to us, we were unable to score down low. The game got uglier and uglier, so Coach Rowan pulled the starters out. We ended up losing 63-46 to get our first loss in the section.
Every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood (Genesis 8:21).
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
The Solution: A HEART TRANSPLANT
Create in me a new heart, O God (Psalm 51:10).
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone...I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws (Ezekiel 36:26,27).
The Surgical Tool: GOD'S WORD
For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12,13).
Once the heart is changed, the words will change:
A wise man's heart guides his mouth (Proverbs 16:23).
Tonight, my Hopewell basketball team played North Catholic, a Double A school, in an exhibition game held at Geneva College. North Catholic went to the state championship last year, and they were ranked very high in the state again this year. So, we need it was going to be a tough opponent. The game was sloppy for both teams. Neither of teams could make a foul shot or make any shots in general. Going into halftime we stayed close with them only down by 5. In the second half, we kept edging closer and closer and eventually tied it up. Then, we went down by 2 with 8 seconds left, but missed two foul shots at the end of regulation to tie it up. The final score was 45-41 in favor of North Catholic.
Tonight, my basketball team played in one of the biggest section games of the year against long time rival Blackhawk. We scouted the game and knew they had big time players in Cory Ostach, Tim Denman, and Dustin Pringle. We prepared all week for the game and new we had to come ready to play because we knew Blackhawk had a good chance of winning the section this year. We were ready to play, and we controlled the ball throughout the entire game. We controlled the pace of the game, and it truly felt like they never really had a chance of coming back. Myself, Kevin Welsh, and Dayne Smith contributed over 30 of the points to lead us to a 57-47 victory.
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34).
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man "unclean" (Matthew 15:18).
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart (Luke 6:45).
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise (Proverbs 10:19).
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered (Proverbs 17:27).
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that I may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:29-32).
Tonight, my Hopewell basketball team faced off against the Beaver Bobcats at Beaver in an important section game. As the season goes on, we know that every game becomes more and more important, especially each section game. Although in the past, we have never seemed to struggle with Beaver, we knew that this year they had a better team than usual. They have two big man that are pretty good scorers down low so we knew we needed to stop them. The game was a very slow and there wasn't very much scoring. In the end, we scored a little more than they did with a 48-37 victory to stay undefeated in the section.
TEAMWORK is the "T" in the HEART of a Champion. Teamwork can be defined as cooperative work done together by one or more individuals. In sports, teamwork is probably the most important aspect in order for a team to be successful. If a team is able to work together, they can do almost anything. Playing as a team is what makes the members of the team be able to play at their highest levels. In religion, it is important to use teamwork to spread the word. For example, in FCA, Mr. Commesso and I work together to help make sure people know about every FCA meeting. Also, we and other members of FCA work together to help make the meetings are a success and teach the Word of God.
RESPONSIBILITY is the "R" in the HEART of a Champion. It can be defined as a duty or the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force. To be responsible is a very important aspect in sports and in religion. For example, in sports, a player is responsible to show up to practice every day, to work hard, and listen to their coaches. It is a player's responsibility to stay out of trouble for the sake of the team and for themselves. Another example, in most religions, a person is not forced to prayer every day or go to church every week, but I feel that it is our responsibility to take the time out of our lives and worship God.
ATTITUDE is the "A" in HEART of a Champion. Attitude can be defined as a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways. I like to define it as the way you act when put into a situation. Having a bad attitude is never a good thing. It is important to always have a good attitude. If you have a good attitude you can get through almost anything. In sports, even if your maybe not getting play time, stay positive, and keep working hard and eventually you will get your chance. Maybe you had a bad day, but when you come to FCA to worship, don't come with a bad attitude, or you won't get anything out of it.
EFFORT is the "E" in the HEART of a Champion. Effort can be defined as to put forth your best attempt or an earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something. It is important to put in your best effort in all aspects of life to be successful. Whether it is putting in effort at school or work, you should always give it your all so you don't let other people down. Also, in sports it is important to put in your best effort for the benefit of the team. Most importantly, putting effort into your faith will make you lead a better life. By praying to God and worshipping him more and more, you will lead a happier life and will be saved.
HOPE is the "H" in the HEART of a Champion. Hope can be defined as the general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled, believing that something is good, or a reason to be positive in every situation. Many people hope for many different things. Religiously, I hope for everyday that I am doing the right things to receive salvation from Jesus Christ. Athletically, I always hope that I am doing everything in my power to be the best I can be and hope that my team wins.
As part of Hopewell's FCA, we have developed the 5 pieces of the Heart of a Champion. During the summer basketball camp run by FCA we preached about the Heart of a Champion to the kids. Instead, we taught the kids a different form of it that we developed which is Hope, Endurance, Actions, Respect, and Trust. Now, monthly we preach the other form of the HEART of a Champion for each FCA meeting. In the next 5days, I will be going over each piece individually that we use for our FCA meetings. Here are the 5 pieces of the Heart of a Champion that we use:
Tonight, my basketball team played the Monaca Indians, Single A, in an exhibition game at home. Both teams knew coming into the game that we were a much better team. Monaca more or less scheduled us just to play a tough Triple A team for experience. In the first quarter, we were up 23 to 2. Then, going to halftime we increased are lead even more. In the second half, the starters only played for the first 4 minutes, and we sat on the bench the rest of the game. Juior forward, Christian Farris, had a big game with 20 points, a career high. The final score of the game was 58-36.
He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise (Proverbs 15:31).
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding (Proverbs 15:32).
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise (Proverbs 19:20).
Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge (Proverbs 19:27).
Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips (Proverbs 22:17,18).
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear (Proverbs 25:12).
For waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers (Proverbs 24:6).
A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke (Proverbs 13:1).
Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin (Proverbs 10:14).
Tonight, my basketball team played Peters Township, a Quad A school, at Ambridge Area High School. Having already faced a Quad A school, Shaler, we knew this would be another tough game. Also, without Dayne playing again we knew it would be even tougher. Once again we struggled to score tonight. Defensively we couldn't stop them. They hit almost every three they took. In the first half, 30 out of their 33 points came from three pointers. We had no answer to their very good shooting offense. But, once again, it was an exhibition game, and has no affect on our section record. Our next game is another non-section game against Monaca.
