Winning young

It’s an interesting year for our area. A lesson in sports psychology. Teams seem to be littered with young, talented players but teams are still struggling. Of course, experts will say, winning young rarely happens. And it’s true.

It takes time, patience and persistence to achieve success in sports. In life, too.

Sports often chronicle stories of the wily veterans, rarely ones of the crafty rookies – save Brett Favre. The veterans have that extra “it-factor.” They have been there before. They have learned from the mistakes of past games. Even in college or high school, a team of seniors can often out-wit a team of faster, stronger freshman.

It’s brains over brawn. Why over what. Psychology over Biology. Books have been written. Movies have been made. Old news, you say.

Local high school basketball teams know this story too well. This winter nearly every team features a young, aggressive line-up full of talent. There are shooters, rebounders and defensive specialists littered around the area’s schools – players like Dusty Brown, Jessica Garner, Devin Partain, and Melissa Masters. But this crop of talented players have yet to experience, experience.

The Gaston Greyhounds (2-5, 7-10 overall) boys basketball team is a year older and wiser, but aside from senior Marcos Zamora, “are still sophomores,” says coach Lono Wiawiaole. And those sophomores, led by Brown and David Carr, are still learning a new system and getting comfortable in their roles.

The Forest Grove Vikings (0-5, 2-13 overall) line up features four seniors and six juniors, and Doug Hofmeister says his team is “still inexperienced.” The team returned just 57 points from last season – all by Andrew Hutchins. For perspective, it took Blair Davis the first nine games of the season to match that point total. And he barely played in two of those.

The Banks Lady Braves (3-2, 9-7 overall) are talented and currently looking down at the standings – not up. They sit on the cusp of a great season. The Lady Braves have split the last four games, two wins and two losses, three have been decided by a final shot. The team hasn’t lost a game by more than two points since an endowment game against Warrenton on Dec. 16. Really, they could be 14-2.

Experience has special place in sports. Even with all of the talent in the world – a team can fall short without “having been there before.” It’s the invisible wall. It can be the difference between a championship and a first round playoff exit. See, talent is the vehicle to success but experience and understanding are the keys. Without them, talent will sit in the driveway, with no where to go.

Inexperienced players often think they can out-hustle, out-maneuver, out-perform. Kobe Bryant was once this way. Veterans simply know they can do it. They play with a calm demeanor. Forest Grove, Banks and Gaston are ready to make that next step. Soon.

The Banks Braves (1-4, 4-12 overall) boys basketball team may have turned that corner this past Friday against Yamhill. Head coach Pat Marlia pointed out that the team, “Ran the triangle offense well. Very well.” He was happy with how they were progressing in his offensive and defensive sets. So happy he plans to add a few new pages to his playbook.

Gaston’s Brown may get there soon. He’s a pick-pocketer with the ability to score. Once he can control his defensive aggression and seize every opportunity, Gaston may be ready for a playoff run. For the record, Gaston girls team’s Garner may be there already. She leads her team in points, assists and steals.

This crop of great young talent gives fans a sense of excitement for the future. Give these teams a year or two and they will be competing in the playoffs – not just playing there. But fans need to remember, winning takes time, patience and persistence.