Learning Experience

Well this one didn't go the way we wanted it to tonight, now did it Sofies?

As it has been said time and time again on this blog, you either win or you learn and tonight I think we learned quite a bit. Jackets need to shoot better. Take a look at the stat sheet.

Shooting 31% from the floor ain't going to win many games. Especially when your opponent is hitting at a 60% clip from the floor, 62.5%(!!!) from 3-pt land and 70% from the line.

Kitch started off hot in the first with a couple of threes but was largely silent until the fourth quarter and ended up with 12 points. X had 12 as well which included the always exciting 4 point play.

Drake and Jax basically did anything and everything they could to spur the Jackets to victory with Drake even sacrificing his body diving over chairs to save a ball from going out of bounds. Jax got mugged all night but rather than having calls against the opponent, Jax was somehow called for the fouls. But, referees are always going to get abuse-see the post superbly written about local referee, Brandon Friesen.

The team just appeared to be sluggish tonight. Don't know why, don't really care other than hopefully it will inspire them to work harder. And knowing this group of Jackets the way I do, they will bust their butts. They don't like to be on the short end of the score at the end of the game. The coaches don't like it. The fans don't like it. Hell, if anyone DOES like it, I don't even want to know them. You play a game to win, not to just go out there and kill some time.

Positives from tonight and there were quite a few.

1. Kitch is becoming a force to be reckoned with all over the floor. Even bringing the ball up the court a few times. Get some people hot around him and he creates a serious matchup problem. His sweet stroke from the 3 point line opens up many options for Reese and Co to expand upon.

2. Drake continues to be a steady contributor on both sides of the ball. Increased playing time is definitely in his future should he continue on this arc and I see no reason why he won't continue to just get better each game.

3. Jax is rounding into basketball form. He's still a bull in a China closet sometimes, but his basketball skills are getting sharper.

4. X is staying steady, which is all we need as long as there are people around him playing their normal games as well.

5. The third quarter dominance is still there despite it not showing in the box score. The Jackets didn't get their first bucket until deep in the third when the force field was finally deactivated (shoutout Obi-Wan). The Jackets held Memorial to 9 points in the third for their lowest scoring quarter of the game. Had just a few more shots gone in we have a completely different ball game.

So there you have it Sofies. Yeah we have a mark in the loss column. Big deal. I'd rather have it in December than in February or March. Plus having it now gives the best coaching staff around time to figure out solutions which is bad news for other teams.

You ever watch those videos of dogs or little kids eating a lemon or something that doesn't taste very well?

Yeah, that's the reaction of your Jackets when they look at this game. Rest assured that they will do all they can to avoid getting that bitter taste in their mouth.

Tomorrow afternoon brings a possible state tournament matchup against Crossings Christian. It will be another highly anticipated game and one that most, if not all of the 4A teams across the state will turn off the Arizona Bowl to watch.

Get your popcorn ready because I think you are going to see a different Jacket team on the court than what you saw tonight. I predict that the Jackets will go out there and basically say "You ain't ready for us yet" and take CC to school.

No reason to panic. No reason to point fingers. This was just a lesson learned tonight that is tough to swallow. Tomorrow is another day and another opportunity to win the day.