I'm right there with you as I have followed Crusader sports since I was a kid in the 70's, a 2nd generation Crusader who watched my cousin's football team take its first WCAL football title when I was 5 yrs old through the 80's dynasty, Kately/Tofi run up til now. It's easy to fondly remember that lone State title in 2002 led by Coach Forslund and 2 major D1 players, but Riordan shared the WCAL title with SHC that year, winning the regular season but losing in the WCAL tournament. And shared the WCAL title to Bellarmine in 2001. The Crusaders could have clinched it in 2002 but lost at Serra in the last game. The 2002 team didn't even take the CCS title, losing to SHC. Not too many complaints at the time, other than Riordan playing in the tough WCAL. That Forslund coached team that had Rob Jones and Jorge Camacho played Mitty tough and shared the league title, but came up short against Drew Gordon that had 3 other D1 players in the WCAL tourney. So, you could say Mitty's talent won out that year against Riordan. Just saying it's easier to point out faults and compare to previous teams and/or coaches. This team is not pretty at times, and there still some things that need to be worked out, but you cannot deny the talent and its losses have occurred in the last minute or last play other than their loss early in the season to Dublin. Again, I've seen lots of Crusader hoops over the years, just enjoy the ride and appreciate the kids' and coaches efforts.
I can see how people reading the boards when it comes to Riordan see it as being critical. I know for sure there are many that want this team to be a underachiever. I am critical from the standpoint as I am challenging the staff to be better. I challenge my son to better. Some will say stay in a parents lane, and to some degree I agree . Coaches yell at players, take them out the game, etc... they are being critical right? I don't yell at any coaches or ask them not to coach.
This Riordan team has potential, a lot of potential. One game remaining in league and I think all the true people wishing them well are nervous because of our early exit last season in the playoffs. Someone stated roles and that this team is better than last year because the kids have accepted their roles. Fans question that when a senior player walks up to a junior or sophomore player to explain how a certain situation should go and you witness that underclassmen talk back or not listen. It's also not a good sign to see players sulking during and after games during wins. Riordan doesn't need their 6'8 defenders shooting 3's . Riordan has the roster to do real damage this time of the year.
Offensively vs zone we need to stop clogging the lane with two big guys coming up to the free throw line
- get a baseline runner
- get a player behind the zone
- get some high / low with our bigs
Vs man
- get some two man game with Lani and Bryce
- some backdoor plays for Lani
- pin downs with a guard to big screen for Rob down low
Get some easy baskets for Bryce and Lani
- PUSH THE PACE OF THE GAME
Defensively:
- switch up the D even for just a possession
- use your bigs for a stretch zone
- use your athletes and press sometimes
- half court trap sometimes
Have fun and make other teams adjust to us. If we are going to be predictable then the prediction is an upset looming. My personal opinion is we definitely have the team to accomplish some great things . Hopefully they do .