Gillett Basketball

Great write up for the Gillett boys basketball program
in the Green Bay Press Gazette Link

Peshtigo returns 6-10 senior Drew Votis, a first-team
all-conference pick last season and one of the best post
players in the league.

If Votis isn't the best big man in the conference,
Gillett junior Tyler Tietyen would get the nod. The 6-7
standout averaged 20.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per
game as a sophomore and is complemented in the scoring
department by senior Jordan Soper, who scored 15
points per game last season.

Speaking of basketball I thought I would give my 2 cents
on what happens every year in high school sports.
example,
Our Gillett boys varsity team has a good start to the season.
We have great athletes and great parents of those athletes.
Then you hear every year parents talking about" why is the
coach starting freshman on the team" , or "yea, the only
reason the coach's kid has been on varsity for his first three
years is because his dad is the coach". Also "the freshman on
the team knew he was going to be on varsity before the season
started, thats not fair, they should try out at the begining
of the season like everyone else ".

Also , it's not fair that the coach doesn't let my son play,
WAWAWAWAWAWAWA

Well I 'm sorry but,

first, when you have a boy that is 6' 7" and some talent,
you play him. If you have freshman with talent ,
you play them. If you have kids that love the game but are
not good enough, fine. A true lesson in life. "If you have talent you
play, if you don't have talent you don't play".

Second , he is the coach! Why don't these arm chair
parents volenteer to coach basketball! If the coach is
making decisions with parent manipulation than he
should not be a coach . I don't think this is the case in
Gillett.

Third, I have a sophmore son who is 6 ' 2", he's a great
kid but if he doesn't have the skills yet to be a star
basketball player , so be it! He loves basketball and
he is there for the love of the game , not the statas of
"look at me , I should be on varsity . Gee'z, he only a
sophmore! If he wants to be a great player , I cannot force
him to play good . He has to want it , he has to Work Hard,
Study Hard, Play Hard"

Third , if Gillette has two freshman that are good players ,
and they have the talent to help the team win ,good let
them play! I am sorry but if a boy has talent
and the team wins , so be it, let them play. It goes back to the
question of who's coaching? The coach or the parents.

Fourth , I live in a great area , all the schools in the area
are great, but I have to draw the line( sorry Suring) .
Gillett plays Suring tonight . It's like one of those cross
town rivalrys. Suring has a great team , well coached and
a lot of talent , but they are competition. If Gillett has talented
kids to beat the confrence champs , so be it. If it takes
freshman to help the team win , it's fine with me. If some
of the kids don't play , I'm sorry , they need to work harder
to become a better player and they too can play varsity.

Every year you get the same complaints , my little boy isn't
starting , he's not a little boy any more! My little girl didn't
even get a chance to play! Should you tell her to quit
if she doesn't play?

How will our future leaders ever learn real lessons in life.

How will they cope with the pitfalls of, money problems ,
family problems , job losses, heartbreak , love, yes even hate
etc.,etc..
When they are on their own, will they worry about,
raising a family , work a career, marrage, divorce , money,
bankruptcy,alcohal, drugs , children, abortion, the list goes
on and on.

Parents, teach your children that life may not always be fair
but it is up to them how to cope with the good and the bad,
the fair and unfair, winning and losing .

If their report card is not good enough , tell them what
you expect them it should be. If they don't play ,tell them
they need to practice more. If they have a bad day, talk to
them and say "your going to have a lot of bad days but you
also will have a lot of great days ahead ".

I think not all but most or some parents are those self indulged ,
self absorbed baby boomers, yes I am a boomer also but I do
not think I am one of those people !, oop's, sorry but this subject
is better left to another time.

How many parents will say to their children;

The glass if half full not half empty.

You can get more with honey than you can with
vinager.

Inspect what you expect. (Parents this one is for you)

To the Gillett coach .
I believe in you, you were hired to coach , you were
hired to win . I'm with you 100%, let's win!!!!!!! Tell
any parent that thinks they know better to go back
to the stands and cheer the team on or don't come to
watch the games!

To the athletes , coaches and parents , something from a
man that knew what he was talking about.

Success - The difference between a successful person
and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge,
but rather in a lack of will.

Vincent T. Lombardi