NCDS: Jonathan Holmes, Asst. Coach - William & Mary (One team, one Tribe)
By: Jonathan Holmes, Asst. Coach - William & Mary
The bus ride back from Chapel Hill after our loss to North Carolina in the NIT was bittersweet. We had envisioned advancing in the NIT and playing deep into March, but the loss to the Heels meant it was time to reflect on our outstanding season.
All of a sudden after months of practices, games, and travel our season was over and the reality of coaching this year’s group for the last time started to set in. As we made our way up Interstate 85, I found myself thinking about all that we had accomplished. Some of the highlights were finishing 3rd in the CAA (after being picked 10th in the preseason), winning 22 games, which included 10 road wins and three wins over teams in the RPI Top 50 at the end of the year. We also advanced to CAA Tournament final, where we lost a close game to Old Dominion, but were rewarded with a trip to the NIT, the program’s first postseason play since 1983. It was certainly a season to remember in Williamsburg!
I could write several entries on the statistical reasons why we were much improved this season compared to last, but I think that would only tell a small part of the story. The main thing that enabled this group to be so successful was an intangible, their togetherness both on and off the court. We spent a great deal of time after last season talking about “team chemistry” and how to promote closeness within our group. We emphasized it and made it a priority last summer while the guys were still on campus taking classes, explaining to them that the foundation for the season had to start long before individual workouts and practice began.
Needless to say, they took it to heart and our four seniors, Sean McCurdy, David Schneider, Danny Sumner and Steven Hess, all did a tremendous job of leading throughout the season. Each of the four brought something different to the table with regard to leadership, but together, the four of them were a unified group of upperclassmen that helped to foster a togetherness that propelled us to wins on several occasions during the season. In fact we were 10-4 this season in games decided by four points or less!
As coaches, we all know that “chemistry” can be a fragile thing because with every team there are variables and issues that come up that put that idea of “team” at risk. Fortunately with this year’s team at William & Mary, we had a group that only cared about winning and accomplishing things TOGETHER! I have never been a part of a team that better personified the famous Harry Truman quote, “It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.”
Finally, I would like to thank everyone for following the Tribe this season, and I appreciate the opportunity I’ve had this year to discuss William & Mary basketball via College Chalktalk. Enjoy the remainder of the college basketball season, and I look forward to talking Tribe hoops with everyone again next season!
GO TRIBE!
Jonathan
