Perspective in Southfield

When a team loses, the coach can address his players after the contest in a variety of ways.

He can go nuts, pointing out the mistakes made during the game; or question their efforts and vow to work them even harder in practice.

On the other hand, he can be comforting, telling his guys he was proud of their efforts, and they’ll get it done next time.

Southfield High boys basketball coach Gary Teasley chose a different approach Jan. 23 at Southfield-Lathrup.

Following a tough loss against their biggest rival in a game many thought Southfield would win, Teasley told his guys to keep perspective.

He told them it’s going to hurt, but it’s a game and “disappointment is part of the journey.”

He told them, “Basketball is a good game. There are no bad days.”

Now that’s not to say Teasley doesn’t raise his voice from time to time, and I’m sure the Blue Jays were pushed even harder the following practice.

But when the team was at its lowest, Teasley didn’t push them lower or inflate their sense of importance.

He kept perspective, and I don’t believe he said those things because a reporter was present, but because he’s a good coach.

Now that's early

Last week, I met with Rochester High senior wrestler Nick Kaczanowski and coach Frank Lafferty after school to do a story on Nick’s amazing season.

He was 22-0 at the time, had already won the Oakland County Tournament and has a great chance of winning the state title 160 pounds. Last season, he finished second in the state at 152.

On top of that, Rochester was 4-0 in the Oakland Activities Association Red Division.

But those amazing statistics weren’t what stuck out to me. It was the mere mention by Lafferty that the whole team had already practiced that day — at 5 a.m.

When he saw the stunned look on my face, he repeated it "5 a.m."

By all accounts, that’s early.

Now, I know teams all across the state, from gymnastics to swimming, utilize the mornings for practice. Heck, the wrestling team probably wasn't the only Rochester squad there on that frigid morning putting in extra time.

But for me, I’m not even certain 5 a.m. exists.

Yet that morning, the Falcons rolled out of their beds way before many of their classmates and went to school.

They didn’t open their books. Instead, they shot, sprawled and pinned each other.

Their unwavering dedication is probably one of the reasons the Falcons have a potential state champion and are making a run at the Red title.

It’s just not my idea of breakfast.