Coach Quinn Shares Season Summary (02/23/16)

(By Bobcat Coach Jess Quinn)

I have taken the last two days to reflect on this past basketball season. The first question I asked the team when I was named the head basketball coach was, “What is your number one goal?” Most of the boys said to play on the floor at Tippin Gymnasium. We ended the season one game short of that goal. For that reason I say to you boys, I am sorry. I failed you. I was out coached especially in the fourth quarter of the Coudersport game. You all deserved better.

Walking off the court after the season ending loss, I made eye contact with a parent, Ken Nellis. His son Luke played very little in that game, why? I don’t have an answer. Sometimes during the course of a game I get tunnel vision and focus exclusively on the play on the court and not the players who may help at a given time. Ken smiled at me, reached out his hand and shook mine. He said, “Great season coach.” At first I didn’t know if he was going to single leg me, knock me out, or shake my hand. Luckily, it was the last.

From there I walked into the locker room and waited for the boys to get quiet, which didn’t take long. I told them that sometimes things don’t go as we plan them to go. I thanked them for their efforts all year. Each of the coaches after me got a chance to speak to the team. When that concluded, I went to each and every player hugging them, thanking them for what they gave me this year.

The first three players really set me back. I have been thinking about what they said to me when I approached them. THEY hugged me, each young man. The first was Mark Liu. He looked me square in the eye and said his peace. Next was John Allen and then Luke Nellis. They did the same, they hugged me and said their peace.

After that, I went around to every young man in the locker room. All of you boys on the team who are reading this, I am in awe of your depth and sincerity, your compassion and dignity if the face of defeat. Your words to me bring tears to my eyes when I think of that time with you after such a game. For any parent of a Clarion Area Bobcat Basketball Player who reads this, I thank you for having raised incredible young men!

Getting back to Mark, John and Luke. These three remarkable young men didn’t play as much as they would have liked. Yet they had the character to thank me for being their coach and the reason they came back to the team. I have been thinking about their comments for two days. These boys are seniors, who don’t have next year. Again, I didn’t know what kind of reaction I would get when I spoke to them. However, what they said to me has made me a better person. For that, I cannot thank them enough!!!

Looking back at all these boys accomplished was something I am very grateful that I was allowed to be a part. Senior captains Jonathan Smith and Brendan Miller, thank you.

Jon, I know this hasn’t been an easy transition from your home in Maryland, but I hope in some way this season helped make it a little easier. Your play was exciting and at times charged the gym with an energy not seen in a long time.

Bo, there isn’t much more I can say about your leadership, your composure on the court, and your willingness to do whatever I asked you to do, without question! I think the stats show 27 charges this season. I spoke to one of Union’s coaches, he doesn’t think their team took 27 charges the entire season! Incredible.

Craig Kerr was the final senior this year. Craig suffered with a knee injury last year that still hampered him some this year. Other than trying to out do me with a table saw accident with his thumb, Craig stepped on the court and did what he needed to do to help his team win.

All six seniors it was my pleasure to be your coach this year. THANK YOU!!!

The first underclassman I would like to mention is Ty Burford. Ty has grown so much this year! I was on him, I know at times it seemed to him like he couldn’t do anything right, but that could be further from the truth. We saw this in the home playoff win against Johnsonburg. He was matched up with a much taller player. I kept after him and after him about being more and more physical. I knew he had more in him and it came out. He was able to shut that kid down and was instrumental in sealing that first home victory in many years. Ty has so much to offer in the future and I am excited to think about what he can bring to Clarion Basketball next season.

The next junior is Ceventh Lynch-Skunda. The first thing I would like to say about him is how much he has grown as a young man this season. When Cam Craig went down with an injury, Ceventh stepped up in a way that helped his team secure a playoff position, and a home playoff game. In that game, he was huge chipping in 14 points and many rebounds. The sky’s the limit for him.

Ryan and Reed Anthony also had roles on the team that fit them to a T. They handled the ball, they shot the heck out of the 3, and played superb defense. Sometimes they were called upon to start, others, they came off the bench. But it didn’t matter to them. What was important to them was the fact that they had an opportunity to contribute to their team. Their determination will drive their success next basketball season and in life.

Spencer Miller is the next young man I would like to mention. Spence cracks me up! He plays with a motor that just doesn’t ever get tired or quit! He was on the fence this year about even playing basketball after not playing his 9th grade year. I am sure glad he did. The game that sticks out the most is the win over CL on their floor. Spencer was handed the task of guarding one of the best players in the KSAC, Noah Rankin. Several of Noah’s points came in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Although he ended the game with 22, he had 7 points in the last minute. A few from the foul line. One great 3 point shot with Spencer in his face (which nobody was going to stop), and a drive to the hoop with 15 seconds left in the game. That means throughout 30 1/2 minutes of play, Spencer Miller held Noah to 15 points. Job well done young man!

The last varsity player is Cam Craig. Cam is another young man, like Ty, I expected so much from, and boy did he deliver. I don’t know if Clarion has ever had a Sophomore Captain before, but his teammates gave him that title. Sometimes I had forgotten that he is only a 10th grader. Cam knew his role on the team. He had to, sophomore or not, be the general on the court. He had to know where everyone was supposed to be, offensively and defensively. That is so much pressure for a young player, but Cam took that responsibility very seriously and did not disappoint. Much to his frustration, he was hampered this year with a blow to the head, and a badly hurt ankle. In total the injuries cost him 5 games this season. In life those things happen. It was great to have him back at the end of the season, and we all look forward to his play and leadership next year.

In closing, I would like to talk about the many guys who put all the time in this year… the JV team. Zak Bauer, Cam Hearst, Austin Hummell, Brendan Zerfoss, Drew Wrhen, Archer Mills, Oscar Suzuki, Victor Stahlman, Jacob Selker, Marshal Powers and Henry Baldwin. These boys have a very bright future ahead of them. They will definitely be asked to contribute a large amount of their efforts in helping the varsity team be just as, and hopefully more successful next year.

It’s hard to go through life on one’s own. It’s all about the guy who steps on the court next to you. You help him, he helps you and together you succeed. I can’t tell you boys, you young men how much I care for each of you and how I am so thankful I was able to be a small part of your season this year.

With all my heart, Thank you. I will never forget this first year as the Clarion Boys Coach.

(Thanks to Coach Quinn for this great summary. Clarion Area School District and the community should be very proud of these boys Coach Quinn and his staff!!!!)