When the final buzzer went off and the clock read zeros to officially crown Warren Central the Class 4A State Champs. I immediately looked over at their head coach, Stacy Mitchell. Within a split second of that horn blowin’ and the reality of his team becomin’ state champs the tears began to run down his face.
Sure, he was happy that they’d won the school’s first girls basketball state championship. Of course he was happy that they had done what most people, includin’ myself, four weeks ago thought was impossible. They had knocked off all of the big dogs in the state to get to this moment. They’d beatin’ the favorites in the sectionals, regionals and in the semi-state and had now won the state championship.
Anybody would be happy enough to cry right? Well playas…when I looked over at him and got the ultimate shot. I knew what those tears really meant. He wasn’t just thinkin’ of the aformentioned details. He was thinkin’ about all of the land mines these young ladies have had to avoid just to get to school in the mornings. He was thinkin’ about life for many of these kids on the east side of Indianpolis where the streets aren’t always the most gracious.
Let’s keep it real or all the way 100, whichever comes 1st! He was thinkin’ about all the kids he’s had to pick up for practice and drop off because they didn’t have a ride. He was thinkin’ about the meals he and his staff have provided. He was thinkin’ about the late night phone calls of a student or former student bein’ shot and/or killed. He was thinkin’ about how all of the students have had to deal with the premature deaths of friends and family but still wanted to play this game.
This game has been a refuge for many, if not all, of these kids and therefore, Coach Micthell got caught up in his emotions because winnin’ the ultimate prize with kids that he actually loves in a community of people that actually care about what happens to these kids is something special.
How do I know? I’m not from the east side, I didn’t grow up in Indianapolis and I didn’t go to Warren Central. I don’t even live on the east side of town now. I know because I grew up in the SAME environment in Gary, Indiana and went to Roosevelt High School where everybody at Warren reminds me of the ‘Velt. They ACTUALLY love these kids and want to see them succeed.
They aren’t just teachin’ or coachin’ durin’ the day and then they go home to a comfortable life. They put everything they have into these young people and it shows. Sure, there are difficulties along the way but moments like Saturday night are the culmination of all the hard work that these coaches and administrators have put in.
It’s not just about the state championship. It’s about what the state Championship represents. It’s proof that if you believe in the process you will find success. Like Big Momma always said, “Success ain’t knockin’ on your door tryin’ to get in. If you want it you better get yo butt up and go find it.”
One thing I know about success playboy is that it’s contagious. If you hang around successful people long enough it’ll do one of two things. It’ll embrace you or it’ll scare you away and the great folks at Warren have embraced it wholeheartedly. These kids are special and God has special things planned for them. They’ve just got to trust the process and go lookin’ for it.
Therefore, Coach Mitchell’s tears were for the pain of the process that led to his team’s success. Salute my brother and continue the great work of inspirin’ our kids and you can stop me when I start lyin’!
Playas Thesaurus:
The G is excluded from the endings of all words because the G is near and dear to my heart because I’m from “The G” which is Gary, Indiana. So I only use the G when I’m talkin’ about “The G!”
The caption under the photo isn’t real but its real talk!