On the surface, it would be easy to surmise that the
McKenzie Rebel basketball team is perhaps a substandard
team.
The Rebels are 6-12 overall and just lost a heartbreaker
in overtime to Riverside in a key 11AA match-up. If you
are an opponent want to dismiss these Rebels as a
stepping stone to bigger things, do so at your peril.
Sure, this has been a puzzling team. The Rebels mix
inspiring effort with erratic and uncontrolled play
sometimes. But consider that McKenzie has been in a lot
of ballgames against some pretty good teams. Actually,
they've been in a lot of ballgames against some very
good teams.
The Rebels lost to Camden by a handful, thanks to an
unknown quantity in Matthew Chandler. McKenzie extended
an athletic Milan team to overtime when another unknown
quantity, Marlon Dotson, ruined the Rebels' night with a
triple at the buzzer. Two players not known for their
production torched McKenzie for 22 and 30, respectively.
After losing by 39 to Huntingdon the first time,
McKenzie had a shot at winning the game in the Mustangs'
paddock. A bad call and a late steal sealed McKenzie's
doom as the Huntingdon escaped with its skin.
Camden coach Barry Martin and Huntingdon coach Jason
Morris both wiped their brow after playing McKenzie. And
both remarked to me that the Rebels field a good
basketball team
They are right...and wrong.
McKenzie at times fields a very good basketball team.
At times it fields a collection of agendas. When it
plays as a team, McKenzie is very good. When it plays
like a fissionable reaction, heartbreak ensues.
The Rebels aren't getting any breaks. And when you
lose close games, the bad breaks tend to magnify. Then,
they etch themselves into the psyche. Often, bad breaks
feed on themselves and create an unwanted kind of
momentum.
This has happened to the Rebels.
Were there bad calls in the Riverside game? Yes. Were
they one-sided? To the MHS fan, perhaps. When you look
at the numbers, you wonder. McKenzie went to the line
nine times; Riverside shot 40 free throws. Was it REALLY
that one sided?
But, that's basketball. There are good and bad calls
in every game.
Yet in spite of the perceived adversity, the Rebels
were still in the contenst. In spite of falling behind
by four points as the overtime period started, McKenzie
rallied to take a lead.
Then came the late meltdown, one that accompanied
another inexplicable second-quarter malaise. Combine the
two and that spells doom.
Still, this team clawed back into contention. This is
a team of fighters. It has to be.
Is McKenzie going to win the state championship in
basketball this year? That would be a pretty tall order,
especially when a potential meeting with the state's No.
1-ranked Class AA team is on the Region 6AA horizon.
Still, I've seen crazier things in post-season. Let's
cross that bridge when we get to it.
In the meantime, this Rebels basketball team isn't as
bad as advertised. Believe it or not, these kids aren't
playing to lose. They play hard and want to win.
Sometimes that's not enough.
One thing to consider: The Rebels were in the game, the
crowd was on its feet on both sides of the floor and
there were a lot of dry mouths and sweaty palms.
This is a good thing. This is exciting. It shows that
the fans haven't stuck a fork in the team.
This basketball team is hitting a tough stretch of
season. The Rebels need to have an intense,
introspective session and figure out where they want to
go from here. To be sure, this is a time to re-assess,
not to point fingers or lay blame. McKenzie wins as a
team and loses as a team.
This team could have an interesting February, if it
will allow itself. Believe me, these Rebels aren't that
bad.
Keep supporting them; they need it now more than
ever. |
