While we are a society that enjoys sports, there is also a great deal we can learn from watching teams play.  Tonight our SCA girls’ varsity basketball team won the first game of the regional tournament beating the number one seed in the upstate.  The opposing team came in with a 19-2 record and most people thought they would win.  That is, everyone besides our girls.

This is a great story.  They have come so far.  They are a young team that won only one game last year and had a tough start this year, but they did not quit.  They improved with every game and they worked very hard.  We are young and not very big but our team has great potential and an abundance of heart.

Those girls now believe they can beat anyone and the word among the other teams is, “Don’t let up on SCA or they will come back and get you. “ That is a great reputation to have.

As I watched them play, I was reminded of a number of lessons.

1. The importance of hard work.  They have given their all.
2. The importance of teamwork.  They have learned to play together.
3. The importance of patience.  They could have quit but they worked at it day after day.
4. The power of confidence.  No one is going to take us for granted from now on.
5. The importance of staying with the plan and listening to the coach.  These girls have developed because they had a clear idea of what they wanted to accomplish.  They have also listened to their coaches Tasha James and Wendy Duke and it has made a difference.

On Friday night they play for the region championship at Presbyterian College.  A victory then will put them in the state tournament.  Whatever happens they have had a great season and have reminded us of some lessons along the way.