Chapter 14 #2
Paisley heard a snort coming from the direction of where Desi and Sheila sat. She ignored it.
“I think collaboration is key,” she continued. “I’ll talk more about that in a minute. Right now, ladies, write down a goal for the team and a personal goal for you as a player.”
She gave them much longer this time since they were thinking about two separate goals. Finally, Paisley said, “Okay. Last goal is personal.”
“I’m confused,” Tessie Zelman said. “I just wrote down a personal one.”
“No, you set a personal goal as a player,” she said. “As an athlete, maybe you’re aiming to become a starter. Or make the all-district team. Those are athletic goals for you as an individual. What I want you to think hard about now is a personal goal.”
“Like?” Tessie pressed. “I still don’t get it.”
“Let me give you an example or two.” Paisley paused, collecting her thoughts.
“Personal goals are to make you a better you. Your objective could be to listen more than you speak. Read a book—once a week or once a month. Decide to take over a responsibility at home. Maybe do your own laundry or take out the garbage on trash days. It could be to spend thirty minutes a week with a little brother or sister. Limit yourself to an hour a day on social media. You could set a goal to learn something new. It’s better if your goal isn’t generic like that.
Instead, say what you want to learn to do.
Is it learn how to make a chocolate cake or French braid your hair?
Maybe it could be to cut out soft drinks or say a prayer of gratitude each day.
“This is about you. Not academic or athletic. Just you.”
Paisley watched her team really think about this one. Slowly, each girl began writing. She glanced and saw Desi and Sheila seemed more than interested now.
Good.
“Okay, when you finish writing, place your cards in the envelope Coach Sewell gave to you. Put your name and date on the front and seal it. As I said, you’ll get these back next spring.”
“You won’t look at them?” Effie asked.
“No. They’re your goals. Not mine. I did mention, however, I would meet with you weekly about that week’s goal.
Mostly, those will be sports-oriented. Specific to what you wish to accomplish that week in practice or in an upcoming game.
Your goals will fluctuate as your skills improve.
That’s why we’ll chat each week for a couple of minutes. ”
Roberta suggested, “I think after we talk with you, Coach Roberts, we should talk as a team each week. See what we want to accomplish as a group. If we’re united in our goal as a team, we’ll be better on the court.”
Paisley beamed. “I like that, Roberta. That’s awesome. We’ll definitely do that. And that leads into what I have to say next.” She looked to Hope. “Coach, will you collect the envelopes?”
As Hope started gathering the envelopes, Paisley said, “I know you’re coming off a rough time with Coach Finnerty.”
“She was—”
“Nope. Not going there, Ashley,” she said firmly. “I don’t deal with negativity. I’ve heard a few stories. I know how you were punished for things which weren’t infractions. For some of you, the love of the game was sucked from you. It led to some of your teammates leaving the team.”
Paisley paused. “I can’t change yesterday. But I can help you today—and tomorrow.”
She let that sink in a moment, knowing that Desi and Sheila were also listening as closely as her players were.
“You aren’t going to trust me off the bat.
And you shouldn’t. But know I have both the varsity and JV teams’ best interests at the heart in everything I do.
I want to prove myself to you, and I hope you’ll give me the benefit of a clean slate, because that’s what you have with me.
Besides trust, I believe in collaboration.
Coach Sewell and I already have a fantastic working relationship.
I’m also working closely with Coach Zelman at the middle school. ”
She set a foot on the bottom bleacher and leaned forward, her forearms on her thigh, seeing Tessie’s pleased smile at the mention of her mom.
“I want to collaborate with each of you, as well. If you have an idea for a play, bring it to me. If you have an exercise you do which is a better stretch, let me know. We’ll incorporate it into our workout.
I want your suggestions and will build on those.
As I learn more about you as players—both your physical skills and your mental toughness—I’ll design plays which are tailored to your talents. ”
Paisley paused, looking out at her team, already so proud of these girls.
“We’re going to come to know one another very well.
We’re going to build trust. Learn the basics.
Develop the skills you have and add new ones to your repertoire.
Push you to perform better than you ever have.
I promise that I’ll listen to you. If you come back to the huddle during a time-out and tell me something’s happening on the floor, I’ll want you to share it with the team.
You’re out there in the thick of things.
You’ll see things I’ll miss. You’re my eyes and ears on the court.
Time-outs are not just for me to share the next play with you.
It’s for you to communicate with me and your teammates about what we need to do to win. ”
She stood again. “I believe in winning. On the court and in life. I want you to walk away from this program feeling good about yourself. About your contributions to this team. I want you to be a good basketball player, but I also want you to be a good person. I hope we’ll teach each other some lessons that go beyond the court.
Life skills which you’ll use in the near and far future.
We’re in this together. No one will be blamed for a loss.
We are a team. We stand as a team. We win and lose as a team.
The culture of Lady Hawks basketball is one in which we ask ourselves to be better today than we were the day before.
To be better people. Better players. Better teammates.
And I guarantee you, when you do that, you will shine, as will everyone around you. ”
Warmth filled Paisley as she saw the genuine smiles on her players’ faces.
“Our culture is one of learning. Of respecting ourselves and others. Our objective is to be the best version of ourselves today. We aren’t going to get caught up in what happened yesterday or last month or last year.
We’ll focus on today. We’ll set our goals for the future.
And by being a little better each day, it will add up.
I guarantee you that by the end of this year, you’ll like who you are—and what you’ve accomplished. ”
It touched her when the team broke out in spontaneous applause. She waved it away.
“I’m here for you. Coach Sewell is here for you.
And you’re here for each another. Tomorrow, we’ll dress out and begin practice.
You know UIL rules. We’ll practice as a team during sixth period each day until mid-October, when we can start holding practices outside school hours.
We’ll talk more about that later. I want to emphasize that my door is always open to you.
If you want to share something you’ve learned.
Ask me about something. Or if you just need an ear. I’m a pretty good listener.”
Paisley named the star player from the most recent Olympics, one who had led Team USA to another gold medal.
“I’ve listened to her for years. Even she has doubts sometimes.
Everyone needs a friendly ear.” She smiled.
“I hope we’re not just a team. I hope that we’ll feel like family.
Now, go see Coach Sewell. She’s got the list of lockers and codes to assign.
You’ll also receive your workout clothes from her, and she’ll issues shoes, too.
I’ll see you here tomorrow, same time. Be ready to work hard and play hard. Dismissed.”
As the girls climbed down the bleachers, every one of them stopped to speak to her. Paisley felt grateful that she would spend many hours of school year with this small group of teenagers. There weren’t a lot of them, but they would form the core she would build on.
“Nice job, Coach,” West said.
“Thanks,” Paisley said. “I didn’t see you here.”
“I wanted to check in. Heard your talk with the team. Damn, but you’re a great motivator. I’m already afraid I’m going to lose you. That you’ll be a one-and-done and head to the next division level.”
“Nope. You’ve given me a great opportunity, West. I plan to make Hawthorne home for as long as you want me here.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Good to know.” Then more quietly, he said, “I think you might’ve hooked a couple of big fish with your inspiring words.”
West told her goodbye, and Paisley saw Desi and Sheila studying her. Desi leaned over and spoke to her friend, and Sheila nodded. Both teens stood and climbed down the bleachers.
“Hey, Desi. Sheila. You must have senior out this period,” she said, trying not to get her hopes up.
“We do,” Desi said coolly, studying Paisley for a moment. “Did you mean everything you said, or was all that just rah-rah, make everyone feel good shit?”
She didn’t call out Desi for cursing because she knew the senior was testing her.
“I spoke from my gut—and my heart. I stand by everything I said.”
“You actually want to have players suggest plays to you?” Desi pressed.
“Of course. Doesn’t mean I’ll use all of them, but I’ll use as many as might help the team.
That’s why I also want to create plays which let players shine.
” She paused. “I’ve watched film of you.
” She glanced to Sheila. “You, too. You’re both talented players.
It’s a shame you aren’t playing this year because we could certainly use you. ”
Paisley walked a fine line now. She wanted to convince these two to return to the Lady Hawks but didn’t want to appear too eager.
“I don’t know if either of you intend to go to college, but there’s the chance you could earn an athletic scholarship if you decide to play.”
“My mom and dad definitely want me to go to college,” Sheila volunteered. “Money’s tight, though. I’ll probably stay home and do some online courses.” She hesitated. “But if I had a chance for an athletic scholarship, that would be great.”
“They don’t come easy. Sometimes, it’s not a full ride but a partial scholarship,” Paisley said. “But I will do everything in my power to help you reach your full playing potential, Sheila.” She looked back at the other girl. “You, too, Desi.”
Desi’s mouth hardened. “My mom died last year. Lung cancer. She worked in the cafeteria here. My dad’s the custodian at HHS. They don’t pay him enough for all the work he does. We don’t have a lot left over.”
“So, if you want to go to college, it’s either on an academic or athletic scholarship then?’
“Yeah.”
Desi still seemed hesitant to commit, so Paisley said, “While I believe in discipline, I don’t believe the kind of discipline doled out last year was beneficial to anyone on the team. If that’s keeping you from playing this year, don’t let it, Desi.”
Paisley took a deep breath. “I was a foster kid. I grew up in the system and was never adopted. I knew I could only depend upon myself if I wanted to make it to college. So I studied like crazy and spent the rest of my time in the gym, perfecting my basketball skills. College was my way out. I earned my degree. I also got the chance to play professionally. Now, I’m putting my degree to use by teaching.
You’re really talented, Desi. You have basketball smarts.
I’ve watched film on you and can see how quickly you make decisions on the court.
You also back up those decision with superb ball handling and leadership skills.
“I’d be proud to coach you and Sheila.”
The two girls looked at one another. Both faced her again.
“We want to come back, Coach Roberts,” Desi said firmly. “But if you aren’t the real deal, we walk.”
“I can accept that,” she said. “Go get your locker assignments and practice clothes from Coach Sewell. I’ll go to the office and talk to your counselors about changing your schedules.
You’ll need to get your physicals and be cleared to play before you can officially be a part of the team, though.
You’ll also have some paperwork to fill out. I’ll get that for you now.”
“Coach Sutherland will help us schedule the physicals,” Desi said.
For the first time, she saw excitement on the teenager’s face.
“Thanks for handling that, Desi. I appreciate you and Sheila wanting to be a part of this team again. I know your teammates will be happy you’re ready to contribute.”
Paisley went into the office and pulled copies for the two returning players to fill out and sign.
She leaned in and quietly told Hope, “Desi and Sheila are at the end of the line. They’ve decided to be a part of things.”
Hope played it cool. “Got it, Coach. Next.”
Once she had given the former players the paperwork, she headed to the office. As she did, she pulled out her phone. Her first instinct was to share this news with Sawyer.
And that told her everything she needed to know about how she felt about their relationship.
Things had been heating up with them physically since that first kiss, but they hadn’t made love yet.
She had been hesitant. Not because she didn’t have feelings for Sawyer.
She definitely did. What she worried about more was commitment.
Her only commitment had been to basketball and her studies.
Yet suddenly Sawyer was taking up more room in her heart.
It was time to do something about it. Not just tell him she cared for him.
Show him.
She had already called him during her lunch break to thank him for the bouquet of flowers he had sent to celebrate her first official day at Hawthorne High School. Now, she dialed his number again.
He answered on the first ring. “Has a riot begun at school? Are teachers angry their boyfriends and husbands didn’t think to send them flowers for the first day of classes? More importantly, will I get any clients out of this?”
She laughed. “No riots. No clients. Just one very grateful girlfriend with some good news.”
“Spill.”
“Nope. I want to see your face when I share it with you.”
“I guess that means we’re having dinner together tonight.”
“I’m in the mood for barbeque. How about I stop at BBQ Bliss and bring something over?”
“I say yes, to you and the barbeque. I’m meeting with a client at four-thirty. It shouldn’t take long. Just to be on the safe side, be at my place at six, okay?”
“See you then,” she said.
Paisley put her phone back in her pocket. This first day of classes had been a good one. Way better than she’d thought. The idea of sharing how her day had gone with Sawyer over dinner made her glow inside.
And then she was ready to kick their relationship into high gear.