Speaking
of Sports 

by
Lance J. Lilla

 
What Novi Boys
Varsity Basketball
needs to do

December 11, 2011

There’s not much left to do but wonder at this point. Where did it go? The dominating and relentless force that once was the Novi Wildcats Varsity Basketball team. Fingers could be pointed, but that’s not what this is about. What this is about is getting to the root of the cause and applying some type of alteration in hopes of changing the direction that this team is heading.

Sure, playing three games in four nights (two of which were back-to-back) is tiring, but that’s no excuse. That’s what this sport, and any other sport for that matter, is about isn’t it? Testing one’s self. Putting it all on the line and doing everything in your power to make sure that what you lay out is enough to walk off the playing field victorious.

At one point not too long ago the Novi Varsity Basketball team was exceptionally good at getting that job done. All who witnessed the team in action could perceive the pure emotion of the players. The focus and desire to win was always prevalent. Some would say that lately, these qualities simply haven’t been apparent when observing the ‘Cats compete.

To get a more personal perspective of the current happenings on the varsity squad, I spoke with Senior and three-sport varsity athlete, Michael Jocz. From where he stands it appears that they’re merely beating themselves. Something about the first half of the game, specifically the second quarter, has yet click with the team.

A lack of “intensity and focus” is what Jocz believes needs to change for the ‘Cats to attain the success that they deserve. The end result of this lackadaisical behavior has been the loss of two games, which easily could have turned out in a different team’s favor. Losing by only two points to Saline and by six to Walled Lake Northern is not what this team needs.

The talent and athleticism is there, but the heart does not appear to be. Many believe that this is the problem and if corrected, great things could happen. Hopefully, the boys have been through enough to understand that the taste of defeat is not a pleasurable one and decide to change the way they approach their next opponent, Lincoln Park. The game will be held this Tuesday in the Wildcats home court at 7:00 p.m.

(c) 2011 Novi Information Network
www.novi.org